Seasonal changes in serum vitamin A, vitamin E and beta-carotene concentrations in Japanese Black breeding cattle in Hyogo prefecture

The influence of the season on serum vitamin A, E and beta-carotene concentrations was studied in Japanese Black breeding cattle. Blood samples were collected from 13 cows once a month for a year to determine the serum vitamin concentrations. Mean serum concentrations (+/- SE) of retinol, alpha-tocopherol and beta-carotene were 21.3 +/- 0.5 microg/dl (range 9.9 to 44.9), 215.9 +/- 8.0 microg/dl (range 59.7 to 551.6) and 67.3 +/- 5.1 microg/dl (range 10.6 to 425.2), respectively. All these concentrations were lower than the recommended levels. Serum retinol and alpha-tocopherol concentrations in summer were lower than those in winter. These results suggest that the vitamin A, E and beta-carotene status of Japanese Black breeding cows is inadequate, and feeding high quality forages or dietary vitamin supplementation during summer should be recommended.     

Effect of prostaglandin F2α administration on uterine polymorphonuclear neutrophil counts in Japanese heavy draft horses

The objective of this study was to examine the effect of prostaglandin F2_α (dinoprost) and oxytocin administration on uterine polymorphonuclear neutrophil counts in the Japanese heavy draft mare. To compare polymorphonuclear neutrophil (PMN) counts in the endometrium, a total of 162 samples were collected from 54 estruses of 47 mares (before ovulation, day 0, and day 2) using a double-guarded cytology brush. Dinoprost (PG; 5 mg) was administered intramuscularly (i.m.) only once, on day 0, whereas oxytocin (OT; 20 U i.m.) was administered three times at 12-hr intervals starting on day 0. The plasma progesterone concentrations from days 0 to 14 were not different between the non-treatment (CON), PG treatment, and OT treatment groups. The PMN counts increased in all the groups from before administration to day 0 (CON, 0.90 to 3.55; PG, 1.20 to 8.45; and OT, 0.70 to 1.70; P=0.0014, 0.0046, and 0.0073, respectively). There was a significant decrease in PMNs from day 0 to day 2 only in the PG group (P=0.0073). The pregnancy rate was not different among the CON (12/18), PG (14/18), and OT (10/18) groups. The results of this study indicate that dinoprost can reduce uterine polymorphonuclear neutrophil counts.     

Isolation of antifouling substances from the Palauan sponge Protophlitaspongia aga

ABSTRACT: Fouling organisms cause serious problems by settling on ships' hulls, and other marine infrastructures. Organotin compounds have been developed as effective antifoulants. However, environmental problems are associated with these compounds. It is necessary to find antifouling substances that exhibit a lower toxicity than those substances currently used. A new pyrimidine derivative, 3,4,5,6-tetrahydro-6-hydroxymethyl-3,6-dimethyl-4-pyrimidinecarboxylic acid, (compound 1) and zooanemonin (compound 2) were isolated from the marine sponge Protophlitaspongia aga as antifouling substances against the barnacle Balanus amphitrite . We also found that α-nicotinamide ribose (compound 3) inhibited germination and the attachment of Ulva spores.     

Equine nonneoplastic abnormal ovary in a draft mare with high serum anti-Müllerian hormone: a case study

We performed a standing hand-assisted laparoscopic ovariectomy in a draft mare that presented with high serum anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) level and had an enlarged single cystic ovary. Histopathological examination revealed no tumor cell proliferation in the ovary, but the presence of a large ovarian cyst was confirmed. In the diagnosis of abnormal ovaries in mares, a comprehensive assessment should be performed, including the monitoring of ovarian morphology and biomarkers over time, to determine the disease prognosis and treatment plan. The case of this mare with a nonneoplastic abnormal ovary and increased serum AMH level was rare. We suggest that standing hand-assisted laparoscopic ovariectomy is useful for the removal of large ovaries in draft mares.     

Four new bioactive bromophenols from the palauan Sponge Phyllospongia dendyi

ABSTRACT: Four new bromophenols and a known bromophenol derivative have been isolated from the Palauan sponge Phyllospongia dendyi . The structures of these new compounds were established using nuclear magnetic resonance and mass spectral data. They showed antimacroalgal activity with IC₅₀ values of 0.02–0.05 p.p.m. Moreover, all compounds were antimicroalgal against various classes of algae at concentrations of 0.5–5.0 p.p.m.