Effects of semen fractionation and dilution ratio on equine spermatozoal motility parameters

Two experiments were conducted to examine the effects of semen fractionation and dilution ratio on motility parameters of stallion spermatozoa. In Experiment 1, three ejaculates from each of three stallions were divided into sperm-rich (SR) and sperm-poor (SP) fractions to determine the difference in sperm concentration. Mean sperm concentration in SR fractions (349.5 x 10(6)/ml) was greater (P < 0.001) than that of SP fractions (96.9 x 10(6)/ml). In Experiment 2, three ejaculates from each of two stallions were divided into SR and SP fractions. Fifty percent of the original volume of SR fractions was combined with 50% of the original volume of SP fractions for each ejaculate to represent total ejaculates. SR and total ejaculates were diluted with skim milk-glucose semen extender as follows: 1) no dilution, or dilution to 2) 100 x 10(6)sperm/ml, 3) 50 x 10(6)sperm/ml, or 4) 25 x 10(6)sperm/ml. Semen samples were evaluated at 0.5, 3, 6, 12, and 24 h postejaculation (25 degrees C storage temperature) for percentages of total spermatozoal motility (TSM) and progressive spermatozoal motility (PSM). Mean TSM was greater (P < 0.05) in SR ejaculates than total ejaculates at 12 and 24 h postejaculation. Mean TSM of undiluted semen was lower (P < 0.05) than other dilution ratios over all periods. Mean TSM was greater (P < 0.05) at a 25 x 10(6)sperm/ml dilution ratio than a 50 x 10(6)sperm/ml dilution ratio at 12 and 24 h postejaculation, and greater (P < 0.05) than a 100 x 10(6)sperm/ml dilution ratio from 3 to 24 h postejaculation. Similar patterns were found for PSM. Collection of SR ejaculates and dilution to 25 x 10(6)sperm/ml improved longevity of spermatozoal motility.     

New ways to look at the architecture of plant cell walls : localization of polygalacturonate blocks in plant tissues

We report the use of Ni²⁺ and Co²⁺ on free-hand sections of soybean (Glycine max L.) and Bidens sp to localize polygalacturonates. In soybean only the hourglass cells of the seedcoat stain intensely. In the pod the epidermis of the outer pod wall and a few layers of subepidermal cells stain lightly, while that part of the funiculus adjacent to the seedcoat palisade epidermal cells stains heavily and the neck of the funiculus close to the pod also stains. In Bidens stem sections, the walls of the collenchyma stain most intensely.     

A developmentally regulated hydroxyproline-rich glycoprotein in maize pericarp cell walls

We have studied the accumulation of peptidyl hydroxyproline in the pericarp of developing maize (Zea mays L., Golden cross Bantam sweet corn) kernels. Although this hydroxyproline accumulates throughout development, it is most soluble and its content per milligram dry weight greatest at midmaturation stages of development. Salt-soluble proteins containing this hydroxyproline from isolated cell walls of developing kernels were fractionated on a CsCl density gradient and on a Chromatofocusing column, resulting in the purification of an hydroxyproline-rich glycoprotein, PC-1. PC-1 is a basic protein of approximately 65 to 70 kilodaltons in molecular weight with an isoelectric point of at least 10.2 and a density of 1.38 to 1.39 in CsCl. Amino acid composition data indicate that it is rich in hydroxyproline, threonine, proline, lysine, and glycine. Its relation to dicot extensin is discussed.     

Two cell surface proteins bind the sponge Microciona prolifera aggregation factor

Two extracellular matrix cell surface proteins which bind the proteoglycan-like aggregation factor from the marine sponge Microciona prolifera (MAF) and which may function as physiological receptors for MAF were identified and characterized for the first time. By probing nitrocellulose blots of nonreducing sodium dodecyl sulfate gels containing whole sponge cell protein with iodinated MAF, a 210- and a 68-kDa protein, which have native molecular masses of approximately 200-400 and 70 kDa, were identified. MAF binding to blots is species-specific. It is also sensitive to reduction and is completely abolished by pretreatment of live cells with proteases, as was cellular aggregation, indicating that the 210- and 68-kDa proteins may be located on the cell surface. The additional observations that the 68 kDa is an endoglycosidase F-sensitive glycoprotein and that antisera against whole sponge cells or membranes can immunoprecipitate the 210 kDa when prebound to intact cells are consistent with a cell surface location. Both proteins can be isolated from sponge cell membranes and from the sponge skeleton (insoluble extracellular matrix), but the 210-kDa MAF-binding protein can also be found in the soluble extracellular matrix (buffer washes of cells and skeleton) as well. A third MAF-binding protein of molecular mass 95 kDa was also found in the sponge extracellular matrix but rarely on cells. Both of the cell-associated 210- and 68-kDa proteins are nonintegral membrane proteins, based on Triton X-114 phase separation, flotation of liposomes containing sponge membrane lysates, and their extraction from membranes by buffer washes. Both proteins bind MAF affinity resins, indicating that they each exhibit a moderate affinity for MAF under native conditions. They can also be separated from each other and from the bulk of the protein in an octylpolyoxyethylene extract of membranes by fast protein liquid chromatography Mono Q anion exchange chromatography, as assessed by native dot blot and denaturing Western blot assays. Although neither protein bound to heparin, gelatin, hexosamine, or uronic acid-Sepharose resins, their affinity for an invertebrate proteoglycan, their roles in sponge cell adhesion, and their peripheral membrane protein natures suggest that they may represent early invertebrate analogs of cell-associated vertebrate extracellular matrix adhesion proteins, such as fibronectin or vitronectin, or else an entirely novel set of cell adhesion molecules.     

Chondronectin interactions with proteoglycan

We have investigated whether proteoglycans are involved in the attachment of embryonic chick chondrocytes to type II collagen. Chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan, when added exogenously, promotes the binding of chondronectin, the chondrocyte attachment factor, to type II collagen substrates and thereby stimulates chondrocyte adhesion. Blockage of endogenous proteoglycan synthesis with beta-xylosides prevents chondronectin-mediated chondrocyte attachment, confirming that proteoglycan is required. The intact proteoglycan must be present since chondroitin sulfate glycosaminoglycans did not promote chondronectin-mediated cell attachment but, rather, inhibited it in a dose-dependent manner. This inhibition, however, could be overcome with excess exogenous proteoglycan. Consequently, chondronectin interacts with proteoglycan and then the complex interacts with the collagen substrate and with the cell surface to promote cell adhesion. Further evidence for a direct interaction of chondronectin with the glycosaminoglycan portion of the proteoglycan is the selective binding of chondronectin to dextran-Sepharose, dextran having been shown to inhibit attachment to an extent similar to that of chondroitin sulfate.     

Isolation and characterization of a factor from calf serum that promotes the pigmentation of embryonic and transformed melanocytes

A protein (Mr = 63,000) from calf serum that promotes the pigmentation of cultured chick neural crest and mouse melanoma cells has been partially isolated and characterized in this study. The stimulation of melanin synthesis in cultured cells was used to follow its activity during purification. The pigment-promoting factor was isolated by sequential column chromatography on dye-agarose matrices followed by hydroxyapatite and high pressure molecular sieve chromatography. The factor was found to stimulate melanin biosynthesis at 2-4 micrograms/ml and was specific for melanin-producing cells and their precursors. Antibodies raised in rabbits against the factor inhibited its pigment-promoting activity as well as that of whole calf serum. Enzyme-linked immunoadsorbent assays demonstrated that calf and bovine sera contain molecules that cross-react with the pigment-promoting factor. Horse, human, rat, and chicken sera, which lack the biological activity, also lacked immunological cross-reactivity. Extracts of certain tissues, particularly the submaxillary gland, were observed to be rich sources of pigment-promoting activity.     

A developmentally regulated hydroxyproline-rich glycoprotein from the cell walls of soybean seed coats

In soybean seeds the level of hydroxyproline is regulated in a developmental and tissue-specific manner. The seed coat contains approximately 77% of the total hydroxyproline in the seed at all stages of development. We determined the ratio of hydroxyproline to dry weight in a number of tissues within the seed; however, only the seed coat shows an increase in this ratio during development. Within the many cell layers of the seed coat, hydroxyproline is most abundant in the external layer. The hydroxyproline is present as an hydroxyproline-rich cell wall glycoprotein. The protein is rich in hydroxyproline (36%), lysine (11%), proline (10%), histidine (9%), tyrosine (9%), and serine (8%). The carbohydrate portion is 90 mole% arabinose and 10 mole% galactose. The arabinose residues are attached to hydroxyproline mostly in the form of trisaccharides. The apparent molecular weight of this glycoprotein is 100,000 daltons.     

Selective inhibition of proline hydroxylation by 3,4-dehydroproline

The effect of proline analogs on peptidyl proline hydroxylation has been studied in vivo using aerated root slices of Daucus carota. One analog, 3,4-dehydroproline, acted at micromolar concentrations to rapidly and selectively inhibit peptidyl proline hydroxylation. A structurally altered hydroxyproline-rich cell wall glycoprotein was synthesized and secreted by dehydroproline-treated tissue. The capacity to hydroxylate proline recovered slowly following a short pulse treatment with the analog, with a halftime for recovery of about 24 hours. Recovery was not altered by supplying exogenous proline. Dehydroproline had little effect on the induction of nitrate reductase by nitrate, nor on wound-induced increases in amino acid uptake and protein synthesis. In contrast, other proline analogs inhibit proline hydroxylation only at millimolar concentrations. It is hypothesized that dehydroproline acts as an enzyme-activated suicide inhibitor of prolyl hydroxylase. This analog should become a useful tool for elucidating the functional significance of hydroxyproline-rich glycoproteins.     

The effect of postbreeding uterine lavage on pregnancy rate in mares

One stallion and 54 mares were used in an experiment to evaluate the effect of postbreeding uterine lavage on pregnancy rate in mares. All mares were inseminated with 250 x 10(6) progressively motile sperm every other day during estrus until detection of ovulation. Mares (n = 18) were randomly assigned to one of three treatment groups: 1) no postbreeding uterine lavage (control); 2) uterine lavage at 0.5 h postbreeding; or 3) uterine lavage at 2 h postbreeding. A dilute solution of povidone-iodine (PIS; 0.05%) previously determined to render spermatozoa immotile in vitro was used to lavage the mare uteri. One liter PIS, prewarmed to 40 degrees C, was used for each lavage. Pregnancy status of mares was determined at 21 d and 36 d post ovulation, using transrectal ultrasonography. The pregnancy rate of Group 1 (66.7%) was higher than that of Group 2 (22.2%; P<0.05) or Group 3 (33.3%); P<0.10). The pregnancy rates of Groups 2 and 3 were similar (P>0.70). Evaluation of endometrial biopsies obtained from a separate set of mares (n = 3) on Day 6 post ovulation, both before and after uterine lavage, revealed no difference in the accumulation of inflammatory cells, suggesting adverse effects of lavage on fertility may have been due to excessive removal of spermatozoa from the uterus during the lavage process or damage to oviductal spermatozoa.