Lipid Droplet Analysis Using In Vitro Bovine Oocytes and Embryos

The aim of this study was to quantify the content of lipid droplets in bovine oocytes and embryos from Bos indicus (Bi), Bos taurus (Bt) and Bos indicus × Bos taurus (Bi × Bt). Oocytes were aspirated post‐mortem and subjected to in vitro maturation, in vitro fertilization and in vitro development; the medium employed at each stage (TCM‐199, TALP, SOF) was supplemented with (i) serum replacement (SR), (ii) foetal calf serum (FCS) or (iii) oestrous cow serum (ECS). The structure and distribution of the lipid droplets were established using electron microscopy, but were quantified using an optical microscope on semi‐fine toluidine blue‐stained sections. The highest percentage of embryos corresponded to those produced with FCS and ECS, which differed from embryos generated with SR (p < 0.05). The highest percentage of morulae and the lowest percentage of blastocysts were obtained with the SR supplement (p < 0.05). The oocytes cultured in FCS demonstrated a higher number of lipid droplets compared to those cultured in SR and ECS (p < 0.05). Less accumulation of lipids was observed in embryos supplemented with SR. The lowest and highest numbers of lipid droplets in oocytes corresponded to the Bi and Bt strain, respectively. The lowest amount of lipid droplets in embryos was observed in Bi (p < 0.05). In conclusion, supplementation of the in vitro development culture medium (synthetic oviduct fluid) with a synthetic substitute serum produced similar results in terms of embryo development compared to those obtained with FCS, but a decreased degree of lipid droplet accumulation was observed in the in vitro‐cultured embryos.     

Promoter region of the bovine growth hormone receptor gene: single nucleotide polymorphism discovery in cattle and association with performance in Brangus bulls

Expression of the GH receptor (GHR) gene and its binding with GH is essential for growth and fat metabolism. A GT microsatellite exists in the promoter of bovine GHR segregating short (11 bp) and long (16 to 20 bp) allele sequences. To detect SNP and complete an association study of genotype to phenotype, we resequenced a 1,195-bp fragment of DNA including the GT microsatellite and exon 1A. Resequencing was completed in 48 familialy unrelated Holstein, Jersey, Brown Swiss, Simmental, Angus, Brahman, and Brangus cattle. Nine SNP were identified. Phylogeny analyses revealed minor distance (i.e., <5%) in DNA sequence among the 5 Bos taurus breeds; however, sequence from Brahman cattle averaged 27.4 +/- 0.07% divergence from the Bos taurus breeds, whereas divergence of Brangus was intermediate. An association study of genotype to phenotype was completed with data from growing Brangus bulls (n = 553 from 96 sires) and data from 4 of the SNP flanking the GT microsatellite. These SNP were found to be in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium and in phase based on linkage disequilibrium analyses (r(2) = 0.84 and D'= 0.92). An A/G tag SNP was identified (ss86273136) and was located in exon 1A, which began 88 bp downstream from the GT microsatellite. Minor allele frequency of the tag SNP was greater than 10%, and Mendelian segregation was verified in 3 generation pedigrees. The A allele was derived from Brahman, and the G allele was derived from Angus. This tag SNP genotype was a significant effect in analyses of rib fat data collected with ultrasound when bulls were ~365 d of age. Specifically, bulls of the GG genotype had 6.1% more (P = 0.0204) rib fat than bulls of the AA and AG genotypes, respectively. Tag SNP (ss86273136), located in the promoter of GHR, appears to be associated with a measure of corporal fat in Bos taurus x Bos indicus composite cattle.     

水稻品种抗褐稻虱的改进筛选法及其应用

介绍了鉴定水稻抗褐稻虱的改良苗期集团筛选法（MSST）,该方法可有效地鉴别中抗品种,同时可在室内进行,用虫量邵,方法简便。采用MSST方法对国际水稻研究所收集保存的部分水稻种质进行了筛选鉴定。     

GIS tools applied to the sustainable management of water resources: Application to the aquifer system 08-29

The sustainable exploitation of water resources requires planning and control methods that allow the incorporation of a great number of spatial and temporal variables. Because of its features, a Geographic Information System (GIS) seems the most suitable tool to aid in the management of available hydric resources. In this study, we have developed a specific GIS within the GESMO Project in order to better manage the 08-29 aquifer system (Mancha Oriental). This tool is intended for use by the JCRMO: Junta Central de Regantes de la Mancha Oriental (General Board of Irrigation Users of Eastern La Mancha), the organism responsible for aquifer management.This system is designed to integrate information from different sources, such as remote sensing, fieldwork data or administrative files with the cadastral subplot as a common reference. One of its functions is to expedite the control and monitoring, in real time, of the exploitation plans, which constitute the legal instrument to regulate water extractions. It will allow us to estimate the spatial and temporal distribution of water extractions needed for crops and their irrigation systems. These estimates will be highly valuable for aquifer modelling. The system also permits display of information on maps for easy handling. This visualisation allow users to more readily participate in decision-making processes.     

Characterization of a landrace collection for Tomàtiga de Ramellet (Solanum lycopersicum L.) from the Balearic Islands

Tomàtiga de Ramellet (Ramellet) is a traditional long-storage tomato from the Mediterranean Islands of Mallorca, Menorca, Eivissa (Ibiza), and Formentera (Balearic Islands). To investigate the observed phenotypic and shelf life variability within local varieties, we studied 142 accessions characterized as Ramellet varieties, and 29 accessions representing other local varieties. The 171 accessions constitute a new germplasm collection at the University of Balearic Islands (UIB). The evaluation of the collection demonstrated wide variability in most agronomic, morphological and quality traits of Ramellet accessions and clearly differentiates them from other local varieties with respect to fruit shape, size, fruit composition, and fruit storage. All accessions of Ramellet evaluated have the ripening mutation alcobaça (alc), suggesting an important role for this variant in controlling shelf life. Results of evaluation also showed wide variability between the Ramellet accessions for storage time, suggesting that other traits like fruit size and composition may play a role in fruit conservation. Observed variation within the Ramellet accessions is consistent with a genetically variable population or landrace group. The establishment of this collection will help prevent genetic erosion of this local landrace group and constitute a resource for future investigation and breeding.     

Effects of urea plus nitrate pretreated rice straw and corn oil supplementation on fiber digestibility,nitrogen balance,rumen fermentation,microbiota and methane emissions in goats

Background: Urea pretreatment is an efficient strategy to improve fiber digestibility of low quality roughages for ruminants. Nitrate and oil are usually used to inhibit enteric methane(CH_4) emissions from ruminants. The objective of this study was to examine the combined effects of urea plus nitrate pretreated rice straw and corn oil supplementation to the diet on nutrient digestibility, nitrogen(N) balance, CH_4 emissions, ruminal fermentation characteristics and microbiota in goats. Nine female goats were used in a triple 3 × 3 Latin Square design(27 d periods). The treatments were: control(untreated rice straw, no added corn oil), rice straw pretreated with urea and nitrate(34 and 4.7 g/kg of rice straw on a dry matter [DM] basis, respectively, UN), and UN diet supplemented with corn oil(15 g/kg soybean and15 g/kg corn were replaced by 30 g/kg corn oil, DM basis, UNCO).Results: Compared with control, UN increased neutral detergent fiber(NDF) digestibility(P 0.001) and copies of protozoa(P 0.001) and R. albus(P 0.05) in the rumen, but decreased N retention(-21.2%, P 0.001), dissolved hydrogen concentration(-22.8%, P 0.001), molar proportion of butyrate(-18.2%, P 0.05),(acetate + butyrate) to propionate ratio(P 0.05) and enteric CH_4 emissions(-10.2%, P 0.05). In comparison with UN, UNCO increased N retention(+34.9%, P 0.001) and decreased copies of protozoa(P 0.001) and methanogens(P 0.001). Compared with control, UNCO increased NDF digestibility(+8.3%, P 0.001), reduced ruminal dissolved CH_4 concentration(-24.4%, P 0.001) and enteric CH_4 emissions(-12.6%, P 0.05).Conclusions: A combination of rice straw pretreated with urea plus nitrate and corn oil supplementation of the diet improved fiber digestibility and lowered enteric CH_4 emissions without negative effects on N retention. These strategies improved the utilization of rice straw by goats.     

Correction to: Vulnerability of coffee (Coffea spp.) genetic resources in the United States

Genetic Resources and Crop Evolution - The correct article title is provided here, Vulnerability of coffee (Coffea spp.) genetic resources in the United States.     

Variations in the Proportion of Glycolytic/Non-glycolytic Energy Substrates Modulate Sperm Membrane Integrity and Function in Diluted Boar Samples Stored at 15–17°C

In this work the role of energy substrates in the maintenance of boar-sperm survival during storage at 15-17 degrees C was tested. For this purpose, boar spermatozoa were stored at 15-17 degrees C in several defined media with separate combinations of a monosaccharide, glucose and a non-monosaccharide, either citrate or lactate, energy substrates. Our results indicate that the medium containing the highest concentration of glucose together with low lactate levels was the most suitable to maintain sperm quality for 168 h at 15-17 degrees C. This was confirmed after observation of the results of the percentages of viability and altered acrosomes, the osmotic resistance test, the hyperosmotic resistance test and the rhythm of L-lactate production. The survival ability of boar sperm was greater in this experimental medium than in the standard Beltsville Thawing Solution extender, which contains only glucose as an energy substrate, although at a concentration far higher than that of all the tested experimental media. Our results indicate that the exact composition, more than the pure quantity of energy substrates, is a very important modulatory factor which affects survival ability of boar sperm in refrigeration. Thus, the exact combination of several energy substrates would have to be taken into account when optimizing the design of commercial extenders to store boar spermatozoa at 15-17 degrees C.