Maternal oxytocin triggers a transient inhibitory switch in GABA signaling in the fetal brain during delivery

We report a signaling mechanism in rats between mother and fetus aimed at preparing fetal neurons for delivery. In immature neurons, gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is the primary excitatory neurotransmitter. We found that, shortly before delivery, there is a transient reduction in the intracellular chloride concentration and an excitatory-to-inhibitory switch of GABA actions. These events were triggered by oxytocin, an essential maternal hormone for labor. In vivo administration of an oxytocin receptor antagonist before delivery prevented the switch of GABA actions in fetal neurons and aggravated the severity of anoxic episodes. Thus, maternal oxytocin inhibits fetal neurons and increases their resistance to insults during delivery.     

Resource-serving soil-management practice for winter wheat in the plane regions of Dagestan

Winter wheat performance on the meadow-chestnut middle loamy soils of the Dagestan plane region has been studied in the conditions of common moldboard and surface tillage. It was shown that, on average for 2012–2015, soil moisture before the sowing was 7% higher within the surface tillage in comparison with moldboard tillage for the depth 20–22 cm. Ground germination capacity in this condition also was 14.2% higher. The advantage of surface tillage over moldboard tillage is in moisture and nutrient accumulation and ground germination capacity that promotes yield increase of winter wheat. Thus, at the average rate over 2013–2015, the crop yield in the conditions of moldboard tillage was 3.37 t/ha and that in the conditions of surface tillage was 3.75 t/ha or 0.38 t/ha greater.