Changes in ovary and testis and breeding fitness of the climbing perch,Anabas testudineus (Bloch, 1792), exposed to sub‐lethal concentrations of monocrotophos

Monocrotophos (MCP) is one of the organophosphate pesticides extensively used in agriculture and animal husbandry. The present study reports the effects of sub‐lethal concentrations of MCP on gonadosomatic index (GSI), gonadal histology and breeding fitness of the fish Anabas testudineus. The fish were exposed to three sub‐lethal concentrations of monocrotophos (T1: 3.5 mg/L, T2: 5.3 mg/L and T3: 10.6 mg/L) for 45 days with 12 fish (males and females in equal numbers) in each tank, and one group was kept as control (C) without any treatment. GSI decreased in all treatment groups in comparison with control. Significant decrease in fertilization and hatching rate was observed at all concentrations in comparison with control on 15, 30 and 45 days of monocrotophos exposure. The decreased vitellogenesis, disruption of follicular wall and oocyte atresia were observed in all the treated females at 30 and 45 days of exposure. Rupture of seminiferous tubules was noticed in all the treated males irrespective of exposure periods. The results thus indicated that monocrotophos could deleteriously impact the gonadal structure and function in A. testudineus, which could seriously impact the reproductive success of the animal.     

Free radical studies of ellagic acid, a natural phenolic antioxidant

Ellagic acid, a plant-derived polyphenol, inhibits gamma-radiation (hydroxyl radical) induced lipid peroxidation in rat liver microsomes in a dose- and concentration-dependent manner. Its antioxidant capacity has been estimated using the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical assay. To understand the actual mechanisms involved in antioxidant activity and the free radical scavenging ability,a nanosecond pulse radiolysis technique has been employed. The rate constants for the reactions of several reactive oxygen species and reactive nitrogen species such as hydroxyl, peroxyl, and nitrogen dioxide radicals have been found to be in the range of 10(6)-10(9) M(-1) s(-1). The ellagic acid radicals have been characterized by the absorption spectra and decay kinetics. Studies on the reactions of ellagic acid with the 2,2'-azinobis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonate) radical and the radicals of ellagic acid with ascorbate have been used to estimate its one-electron reduction potential. Ellagic acid has also been found to be a good scavenger of peroxynitrite. Using stopped-flow reaction analyzer with absorption detection, the rate constant for this reaction has been determined to be 3.7 x 10(3) M(-1) s (-1). The electron spin resonance spectra of the oxidized ellagic acid radicals have been recorded by horseradish peroxidase and hydrogen peroxide method.     

Trends and advances in the diagnosis and control of paratuberculosis in domestic livestock

Paratuberculosis (pTB) is a chronic granulomatous enteritis caused by Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP) in a wide variety of domestic and wild animals. Control of pTB is difficult due to the lack of sensitive, efficacious and cost-effective diagnostics and marker vaccines. Microscopy, culture, and PCR have been used for the screening of MAP infection in animals for quite a long time. Besides, giving variable sensitivity and specificity, these tests have not been considered ideal for large-scale screening of domestic livestock. Serological tests like ELISA easily detects anti-MAP antibodies. However, it cannot differentiate between the vaccinated and infected animals. Nanotechnology-based diagnostic tests are underway to improve the sensitivity and specificity. Newer generation diagnostic tests based on recombinant MAP secretory proteins would open new paradigm for the differentiation between infected and vaccinated animals and for early detection of the infection. Due to higher seroreactivity of secretory proteins vis-à-vis cellular proteins, the secretory proteins may be used as marker vaccine, which may aid in the control of pTB infection in animals. Secretory proteins can be potentially used to develop future diagnostics, surveillance and monitoring of the disease progression in animals and the marker vaccine for the control and eradication of pTB.     

mRNA expression of canine ATP10C, a P4-type ATPase, is positively associated with body condition score

Mouse and human Atp10c genes are strong candidates for changes in bodyweight and glucose homeostasis. Using comparative genomic analysis, a novel canine P4-type ATPase, ATP10C, was identified. Expression of ATP10C was compared between sex-matched lean (body condition score, BCS<8; n=7) and obese (BCS?8, n=8) client-owned dogs of comparable ages. Canine ATP10C is highly expressed in visceral and subcutaneous fat at approximately 3-fold levels compared to the omental adipose depot. There was a 5-fold significant increase (P<0.0001) in mRNA expression of ATP10C in dogs with a BCS?8.     

Evaluation of corn steep liquor as a supplementary feed for Labeo rohita (Ham.) fingerlings

The effects of corn steep liquor (CSL), a by-product of corn starch industry, in the fish diet at 25% (D1), 50% (D2) and 75% (D3) replacement of fish meal are investigated on the growth of Labeo rohita (rohu) fingerlings. Formulated feeds were iso-nitrogenous (39% crude protein) and iso-energetic (15.8?kJ/g). The CSL is found to be rich in protein (43.48%), lactic acid (20.79%) and minerals and is free from fibres, phytic acid and trypsin inhibitors. The sulphur amino acid content of CSL is found to be 2.43%, though it is deficient in lysine (0.73%). With diets D1 and D2, growth performance and feed efficiency in terms of weight gain, specific growth rate (SGR), feed intake, feed conversion ratio (FCR) and protein efficiency ratio (PER) as well as apparent digestibility (APD and ALD) were higher when compared to CD. With diet D3, they were similar to CD. Up to 50% level of CSL in the diets (D1 and D2), the protein and lipid contents of carcass were significantly higher (P?<?0.05) when compared to CD. The digestive enzyme activities are found to be similar in all the diet groups. The findings suggest that in the diet of rohu, fish meal can be replaced up to 75% level with CSL without hampering the growth of the fishes. The CSL appear to be a better plant protein source as partial replacement of fish meal.     

Elevated atmospheric CO2 and the future of crop plants

Atmospheric CO₂ levels on Earth have risen steeply over the last 60 years and will continue to do so in future. CO₂ traps heat from earth's surface, which causes an increase in temperature and leads to other climatic changes. Crop plants are currently challenged by climate change. In general, elevated CO₂ increases photosynthetic rates, plant growth and the ability of plants to counteract stress. However, the effect of eCO₂ on respiration is not apparent. Plants growing at eCO₂ probably do not have sufficient respiratory ATP to drive cellular processes like nutrient uptake and transport, which impairs their nutritional quality. Here, we review how eCO₂ modulates growth and nutritional value of crop plants, emphasizing the contribution of photosynthesis and respiration. We highlight the mechanisms that modulate acclimation and adaptive responses of plants to eCO₂ and also discuss the ecological consequences. Finally, we project sorghum as a model for an eCO₂ ready crop.     

Molecular genetic diversity analysis in emmer wheat (Triticum dicoccon Schrank) from India

Emmer wheat (Triticum dicoccon Schrank) is still largely cultivated in India, and highly appreciated for the preparation of traditional dishes. Moreover, its nutritional characteristics could justify a development of its cultivation. The perspective of genetic improvement however requires a good knowledge of the genetic diversity existing within the eco-geographic group of Indian emmer wheats. A set of 48 emmer wheat accessions from India including 28 from a local collection and 20 Indian accessions obtained from CIMMYT, Mexico, was assessed for genetic variability using 47 microsatellite (SSR) markers, distributed over all the 14 chromosomes. The number of alleles per locus ranged from 2 to 9, with an average of 3.87 alleles per locus. A total of 201 alleles were detected at 52 loci with average polymorphic information content of 0.35 per locus and a mean resolving power of 1. The pair-wise similarity coefficients calculated from binary data matrix based on presence or absence of alleles varied from 0.15 to 0.98, but was greater than 0.5 for most accessions, indicating a high level of similarity. A cluster analysis based on the similarity matrix identified nine distinct accessions and three clusters. All the recently developed commercial varieties were distinctly different from the clusters. Based on the analysis, it appears that Indian emmer wheats are not very diverse. Consequently, there is a need to increase the diversity within the Indian emmer wheat eco-geographic group, by introducing diversity from other eco-geographic groups, or even from other wheat species.     

Assessment of morphological and genetic diversity in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Gmelina arborea</Emphasis> Roxb.

Gmelina arborea is an important timber-yielding tree that grows naturally in the tropical and subtropical regions of Southeast Asia and has also been introduced as a plantation species outside these regions. Genetic diversity in this tree species was observed in stone/seed-related traits and in vitro responses of cultured nodal segments from plants of eight different populations representing natural forests, fragmented forests and plantations. Variance analysis showed significant differences between populations for these traits. However, it was not possible to separate the different populations using these traits by multivariate analysis, even after environmental variation was reduced over six subcultures. Genetic diversity was therefore analysed using molecular markers. Inter-simple sequence repeat (ISSR) primers yielded 95% polymorphic loci among the eight populations and UPGMA analysis enabled separation of these populations on the basis of their genetic distances. Diversity was also analyzed using population genetics parameters like Nei’s genetic diversity and gene differentiation. Nei’s genetic diversity was 0.29 between populations and 0.11 within populations. AMOVA analysis indicated 41 and 59% within- and between-population genetic diversity, respectively. Mantel test suggested that genetic differentiation between six Indian populations was positively correlated to geographic distance (r = 0.626, P = 0.029). Assessment of the genetic variation in G. arborea populations is an important step in selection of conservation strategies for this species since diversity forms the basis for species adaptation.     

Genetic diversity analysis of switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) populations using microsatellites and chloroplast sequences

The agricultural landscape of the United States could soon be changed by planting of switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) cultivars to meet government-mandated targets for lignocellulosic bioenergy production and consumption. This alteration could affect the genetic structure of wild switchgrass populations, which are native to the eastern half of North America through cultivar introgression. In this study, PCR amplification of microsatellite fragments as well as chloroplast gene-specific markers were utilized to quantify the genetic diversity and structure of five native populations and three agronomic fields (hereafter ‘populations’) planted with switchgrass cultivars. Microsatellite polymorphism across all the switchgrass populations ranged from 91.4 to 100 %. Overall, natural switchgrass populations had significantly higher mean genetic diversity than agronomic switchgrass cultivars (0.262 ± 0.102 and 0.201 ± 0.082 respectively, t test p < 0.008). Natural switchgrass populations had significantly higher total genetic diversity within (H_S) and among (H_T) as compared to agronomic switchgrass cultivars. A clear separation of natural and agronomic switchgrass populations was noted using principal component analysis and STRUCTURE analysis. A grouping pattern similar to that obtained in the microsatellite study was observed when chloroplast nucleotide sequence variation was assessed. In the realm of bioenergy sustainability, our results highlight the need to consider the genetic structure of cultivars for bioenergy when they are grown in proximity to native switchgrass populations.