Involvement of Ca2+-ATPase in suppressing the appearance of bovine helically motile spermatozoa with intense force prior to cryopreservation

In cattle, cryopreserved spermatozoa are generally used for artificial insemination (AI). Many of these specimens exhibit helical movement, although the molecular mechanisms underlying this phenomenon remain unclear. This study aimed to characterize helically motile spermatozoa, investigate the involvement of Ca²⁺-ATPase in suppressing the appearance of these spermatozoa prior to cryopreservation, and examine the potential of helical movement as an index of sperm quality. In the cryopreserved semen, approximately 50% of spermatozoa were helically motile, whereas approximately 25% were planarly motile. The helically motile samples swam significantly faster than those with planar movement, in both non-viscous medium and viscous medium containing polyvinylpyrrolidone. In contrast, in non-cryopreserved semen, planarly motile spermatozoa outnumbered those that were helically motile. Fluorescence microscopy with Fluo-3/AM and propidium iodide showed that flagellar [Ca²⁺]_i was significantly higher in cryopreserved live spermatozoa than in non-cryopreserved live ones. The percentage of non-cryopreserved helically motile spermatozoa was approximately 25% after washing, and this increased significantly to approximately 50% after treatment with an inhibitor of sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca²⁺-ATPases (SERCAs), “thapsigargin.” Immunostaining showed the presence of SERCAs in sperm necks. Additionally, the percentages of cryopreserved helically motile spermatozoa showed large inter-bull differences and a significantly positive correlation with post-AI conception rates, indicating that helical movement has the potential to serve as a predictor of the fertilizing ability of these spermatozoa. These results suggest that SERCAs in the neck suppress the cytoplasmic Ca²⁺-dependent appearance of helically motile spermatozoa with intense force in semen prior to cryopreservation.     

A case of canine multiple inflammatory colorectal polyps treated by endoscopic polypectomy and argon plasma coagulation

Endoscopic polypectomy and argon plasma coagulation (APC) were performed in a refractory case of inflammatory colorectal polyps in a 7-year-old male Miniature Dachshund. Colonoscopic examination revealed a large sessile polyp and multiple diffuse small polyps, localized to the descending colon and rectum. The case showed a poor therapeutic response to prednisolone and cyclosporine. Under anesthesia, piecemeal resections were performed by polypectomy. APC was carried out to cauterize the polyp remnants. After treatment, reduction of the lesions and the improvement in clinical signs were observed, without recurrence of lesions for at least 10 months. Endoscopic treatment by polypectomy and APC is suggested to be a therapeutic option for refractory cases of inflammatory colorectal polyps in dogs.     

Stress responses in neonatal meat and layer Nagoya chicks

We reported that meat chicks have either a greater capability to acclimatize to novel environments, or a blunted hypothalamic‐pituitary‐adrenal response to novel environments compared with layer chicks in a commercial base. The present study compared the differences in behavior and plasma corticosterone concentrations under isolation‐induced stress between neonatal meat and layer Nagoya chicks which had been separated from the same population. Both types of neonatal chicks reared in groups were individually separated and their spontaneous activity and distress‐induced vocalizations were monitored for 10 min. The responses of the two types were remarkably different, with the meat chicks being less active than the layer chicks. Distress‐induced vocalizations were fewer in the meat than in the layer chicks. The meat chicks spent more time in a sleeping posture during isolation‐induced stress. Plasma corticosterone concentrations measured at the end of the test tended to be higher in the layer chicks than in meat ones, but not significantly. In conclusion, the selection of Nagoya chickens for meat and layer may have trends similar to those observed in commercial chickens in relation to stress susceptibility.     

Spread of HTLV-I between lymphocytes by virus-induced polarization of the cytoskeleton

Cell contact is required for efficient transmission of human T cell leukemia virus- type 1 (HTLV-I) between cells and between individuals, because naturally infected lymphocytes produce virtually no cell-free infectious HTLV-I particles. However, the mechanism of cell-to-cell spread of HTLV-I is not understood. We show here that cell contact rapidly induces polarization of the cytoskeleton of the infected cell to the cell-cell junction. HTLV-I core (Gag protein) complexes and the HTLV-I genome accumulate at the cell-cell junction and are then transferred to the uninfected cell. Other lymphotropic viruses, such as HIV-1, may similarly subvert normal T cell physiology to allow efficient propagation between cells.     

Effects of Zeolite on Soil Nutrients and Growth of Barley Following Irrigation with Saline Water

ABSTRACT

Soil salinity is a major abiotic factor limiting crop production but an amendment with synthetic zeolite may mitigate effects of salinity stress on plants. The objective of the study was to determine the effects of zeolite on soil properties and growth of barley irrigated with diluted seawater. Barley was raised on a sand dune soil treated with calcium type zeolite at the rate of 1 and 5% and irrigated every alternate day with seawater diluted to electrical conductivity (EC) levels of 3 and 16 dS m^?1. Irrigation with 16 dS m^?1 saline water significantly suppressed plant height by 25%, leaf area by 44% and dry weight by 60%. However, a substantial increase in plant biomass of salt stressed barley was observed in zeolite-amended treatments. The application of zeolite also enhanced water and salt holding capacity of soil. Post-harvest soil analysis showed high concentrations of calcium (Ca^{2 +}), magnesium (Mg^{2 +}), sodium (Na⁺), and potassium (K⁺) due to saline water especially in the upper soil layer but concentrations were lower in soils treated with zeolite. Zeolite application at 5% increased Ca^{2 +} concentration in salt stressed plants; concentrations of trace elements were also increased by 19% for iron (Fe^{2 +}) and 10% for manganese (Mn^{2 +}). The overall results indicated that soil amendment with zeolite could effectively ameliorate salinity stress and improve nutrient balance in a sandy soil.     

Oral administration of β-alanine modifies carnosine concentrations in the muscles and brains of chickens

Carnosine, and its derivative anserine, are known to function as anti‐oxidants and putative neurotransmitters. They are especially rich in the breast muscle (Musculus pectoralis superficialis, MPS) of chickens. To clarify whether the concentrations of carnosine and anserine are altered by dietary management, the effect of oral administration of their constituent, β‐alanine (β‐Ala), was determined in the MPS and brains of chickens. Birds were orally administered β‐Ala (22 mmol/kg) twice a day for five consecutive days (from 2 to 6 days old). In the MPS, carnosine was increased by β‐Ala, whereas anserine and taurine were decreased. The concentrations of other free amino acids in the MPS were also modified by β‐Ala. In the brain, the oral administration of β‐Ala increased anserine and carnosine and decreased taurine, but caused no changes to other free amino acid concentrations. These results suggest that orally administered β‐Ala increases carnosine concentrations in both the MPS and brains of chickens. However, the effects of β‐Ala on other concentrations differ depending on the tissues.     

Establishment and characterization of eight feline mammary adenocarcinoma cell lines

Eight new feline mammary adenocarcinoma cell lines derived from either primary or metastatic lesions were established. The morphology of all the cell lines was epithelioid and round to spindle in shape, with cell growth occurring in a monolayer fashion. On immunohistochemistry, these cells reacted with anti-keratin and anti-vimentin antisera. The doubling time of these cells was between 19 and 54 hr. Tumor masses were developed in nude mice by subcutaneous inoculation of the cells that were histologically identical to their original mammary tumor lesions. Telomerase activities measured using the telomeric repeat amplification protocol assay revealed high telemetric activity in all of the cells.