Cryopreservation of ram semen: Manual versus programmable freezing and different lengths of equilibration

The aim of our study was to examine effects of the length of semen equilibration as well as two freezing techniques on ram sperm post-thaw quality. The ejaculates of Wallachian sheep rams (n = 12) were collected by an electro-ejaculation, equilibrated in a Triladyl® (0, 2, 4, 6, and 8 h) containing glycerol and egg yolk and frozen by programmable freezing (PF) or manual freezing (MF). After thawing, sperm samples were subjected to the motility (computer-assisted sperm analysis [CASA]), viability (SYBR-14/PI), and fertilizing ability (FA) (in vitro penetration/fertilization test on bovine oocytes) assays. It was found that the equilibration of 6 h (E-6) ensured higher post-thaw sperm motility and progressive movement compared with other lengths tested, irrespective of a freezing technique. The E-6 sperm viability did not differ between PF and MF but was lower (P < 0.05) than control. Sperm FA (E-6) was similar in PF (60.44%) and MF (62%) but slightly lower than in fresh (72.8%). Our data demonstrate that the use of MF was comparable with PF, which can be applied in the field conditions without need in a piece of cost-expensive equipment, which can greatly benefit the gene bank of animal genetic resources.     

Chloroguaiacols Change Some Antioxidative Parameters and Affect the Activity of Glutathione S-transferase in the Leaves of Reed Canary Grass (Phalaris arudinacea)

In this work, we evaluated the effect of harmful ecotoxins, 4,5,6-trichloroguaicol (4,5,6-TCG) and tetrachloroguaiacol (TeCG), on the oxidation of the fluorescent probe dihydrorhodamine 123, the content of free phenols and the level of the total, oxidized and reduced glutathione in the leaves of reed canary grass (Phalaris arudinacea). Furthermore, the effect on the activity of guaiacol peroxidase and glutathione S-transferase was investigated. Both 4,5,6-TCG and TeCG increased the activity of guaiacol peroxidase and glutathione S-transferase, they also elevated the content of free phenols and the level of the total glutathione. A stronger effect was exerted by tetrachloroguaiacol, which strongly increased the level of the total glutathione and the content of free phenols on the 3rd and 6th day of the experiment. The activity of glutathione S-transferase was more intensively induced by trichloroguaiacol. Both 4,5,6-TCG and TeCG oxidized dihydrorodamine 123 and the effect was stronger in the presence of magnesium ions.     

Impact of chlorfenvinphos, an organophosphate insecticide on human blood mononuclear cells (in vitro)

In the present study, the investigation of the effect of chlorfenvinphos (CFVF) on necrotic and apoptotic changes as well as on selected morphological and biochemical parameters in human blood mononuclear cells were investigated.We analyzed the effect of this compound on proteins damage and free-radical formation in human blood mononuclear cells. Furthermore, changes in the size (FSC-A) and granularity (SSC-A) of human blood mononuclear cells exposed to chlorfenvinphos were assessed. In order to detect apoptosis, two testes were used including analysis of YO-PRO-1 iodide/propidium iodide and Annexin V/propidium iodide staining, which revealed that chlorfenvinphos increased the number of apoptotic cells at its highest concentration of 250 μM. Chlorfenvinphos at the concentrations from 50 and 100 μM increased the size and granularity of the blood mononuclear cells, respectively. Moreover, chlorfenvinphos induced the statistically significant loss of human blood mononuclear cells viability at the concentration of 250 μM. Protein damage (the increase in carbonyl groups content) was provoked by CFVF at concentrations of 100 μM and 250 μM. Furthermore, chlorfenvinphos from relatively low concentrations of 5 μM induced reactive oxygen species formation (ROS).Conclusion: The present findings provide information that chlorfenvinphos only at 250 μM is harmful to human blood mononuclear cells, the concentration which may appear in the organism only as a result of acute or subacute poisoning. Lower concentration (5-50 μM), which caused changes in level of ROS formation can affect human organism as a result of environmental exposure.     

Analysis of Chlorophenols, Chlorocatechols, Chlorinated Methoxyphenols and Monoterpenes in Communal Sewage of ŁÓDŹ and in the Ner River in 1999–2000

The aim of the study was to determine phenol, chlorophenols, chlorocatechols, chlorinated methoxyphenols and monoterpenes in communal sewage that was purified by Group Purification Plant in ?ód? (Poland) and also in Ner River that is the receiver of purified sewage. The effectivity of degradation (purification) of investigeted compounds was also analysed. The compounds were concentrated on octadecyl (C 18) layers in a Baker-Separex system. Obtained extract was separated using gas chromatography (GC) and analysed by mass spectrometry (MS). In investigated samples phenol, chlorophenols, chlorocatechols, chloroguaiacols, chlorosyringols, 3,4,5-trichloroveratrole, 5,6-dichlorovaniline and several monoterpenes were determined. Performed analysis showed unsufficient effectivity of degradation of investigated compounds, particulary chlorophenols and their chlorinated derivatives. In some cases also appearance of some of the compounds (chlorinated catechols and methoxyphenols) after biodegradation (purification) proccess was observed.     

Soil Organic Matter Content and Quality in Polyfactorial Field Experiments

The polyfactorial long-term field experiments founded in 1979 exist in four different sites till the present time. The experimental design and selected variants have been described in our previous paper (Lipavsky et al. 2002). Besides of the organic carbon and nitrogen contents in soil, dry matter of the main and second products, nitrogen uptake by the main and second products presented in our previous paper (Lipavsky et al, 2002), hot water soluble carbon (C hwl ), humic substances, e.g. humic and fulvic acids have been determined in soil samples taken in autumn each year from six selected variants of organic and mineral fertilisation. The results of the hot water soluble carbon content and humic and fulvic acids contents in the air dried soil samples have been evaluated in this paper. It was shown that humic substances are rather conservative and site specific soil properties that are not much affected by the cropping and fertilisation systems. Hot water soluble carbon, on the other hand, seems to be a dynamic part of the soil organic matter.     

Field leaching of pesticides at five test sites in Hawaii: modeling flow and transport

BACKGROUND: Physically based tier‐II models may serve as possible alternatives to expensive field and laboratory leaching experiments required for pesticide approval and registration. The objective of this study was to predict pesticide fate and transport at five different sites in Hawaii using data from an earlier field leaching experiment and a one‐dimensional tier‐II model. As the predicted concentration profiles of pesticides did not provide close agreement with data, inverse modeling was used to obtain adequate reactive transport parameters. The estimated transport parameters of pesticides were also utilized in a tier‐I model, which is currently used by the state authorities to evaluate the relative leaching potential. RESULTS: Water flow in soil profiles was simulated by the tier‐II model with acceptable accuracy at all experimental sites. The observed concentration profiles and center of mass depths predicted by the tier‐II simulations based on optimized transport parameters provided better agreements than did the non‐optimized parameters. With optimized parameters, the tier‐I model also delivered results consistent with observed pesticide center of mass depths. CONCLUSION: Tier‐II numerical modeling helped to identify relevant transport processes in field leaching of pesticides. The process‐based modeling of water flow and pesticide transport, coupled with the inverse procedure, can contribute significantly to the evaluation of chemical leaching in Hawaii soils. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry     

Short‐term transport of cadmium during a heavy‐rain event simulated by a dual‐continuum approach

The transport of solutes in soils, and its intensification due to preferential flow, plays crucial role when problems related to the groundwater pollution are dealt with. The objective of this study was to examine transport of cadmium (Cd) in response to an extreme rainfall event for three different soils using numerical modeling. The ^115mCd²⁺ concentration profile had been measured in the Bodiky reference site (Danubian Lowland, Slovakia) by the radioactive‐tracer technique and used for the calibration of the dual‐continuum model S1D. The Cd transport during a single rain event was predicted with the S1D model for light, medium‐heavy, and heavy soil in the same region. The Cd transport through the soil profile was simulated by the one‐dimensional dual‐permeability model, which assumes the existence of two pore domains: the soil‐matrix domain and the preferential‐flow domain. The model is based on Richards' equation for water flow and advection‐dispersion equation for solute transport. A modified batch technique enables to distinguish process of adsorption in the matrix domain and the preferential pathways. Modeling with classical single‐permeability approach and dual‐continuum approach without considering the particle‐facilitated transport led to negligible Cd penetration. The rainfall event with extremely high rainfall intensity induced deep penetration of Cd in the medium‐heavy and heavy soil, which may indicate increased vulnerability to shallow groundwater pollution for the respective sites in Danubian Lowland region. The highest Cd leaching was predicted for heavy clay soil, where the preferential particle‐facilitated transport of Cd through the soil profile was significant due to the contrasting properties of the soil‐matrix domain and the preferential‐flow domain. The results of the sensitivity analysis suggested only slight effect of the transfer rate coefficients on simulated Cd leaching.     

The Yields and Carbon and Nitrogen Balances in the Polyfactorial Field Experiments

The polyfactorial long-term field experiments have been founded in 1979 in several experimental stations located in different soil and climatic conditions, representing a climate and pedosequence of arable soils in the Czech Republic. Four of these experiments exist till the present time. Essentially, the same experimental design that includes different fertilisation with farmyard manure and/or with mineral fertilisers (N, P, K), liming and stand density, each in five levels with four replications, have been applied for all these experiments. Practically, the same eight year crop rotations were applied during the first and second rotations. A conventional tillage has been applied. Organic carbon and nitrogen contents in soil, dry matter of the main and second products, nitrogen uptake by the main and second products and carbon and nitrogen balances have been evaluated in six selected variants of organic and mineral fertilisation over the time period 1996 to 2000.     

An unusual presentation of canine distemper virus infection in a domestic ferret (Mustela putorius furo)

A 4.5-year-old, male castrated ferret was examined with a 27-day history of severe pruritus, generalized erythema and scaling. Skin scrapings and a trichogram were negative for mites and dermatophyte organisms. A fungal culture of hair samples was negative. The ferret was treated presumptively for scabies and secondary bacterial and yeast infection with selamectin, enrofloxacin, fluconazole, diphenhydramine and a miconazole–chlorhexidine shampoo. The ferret showed mild improvement in clinical signs over the subsequent 3 weeks, but was inappetent and required supportive feeding and subcutaneous fluids by the owner. The ferret was then examined on an emergency basis at the end of 3 weeks (53 days following initial signs of illness) for severe blood loss from a haematoma over the interscapular region, hypotension and shock. The owners elected euthanasia due to a poor prognosis and deteriorating condition. On post-mortem examination intraepithelial canine distemper viral inclusions were identified systemically, and abundant canine distemper virus antigen was identified with immunohistochemical staining. It is important to note the prolonged course of disease along with the absence of respiratory and neurological signs because this differs from the classic presentation of canine distemper virus infection in ferrets. Canine distemper virus should remain a clinical suspicion for ferrets with skin lesions that do not respond to appropriate therapy, even in animals that were previously vaccinated.