Variations in plasma thyroxine concentrations throughout one year in penned sheep on a uniform feed intake

Plasma total thyroxine (T4) concentrations were measured by radioimmunoassay throughout one year in 10 sheep maintained indoors under natural light and consuming a constant amount of feed. Plasma T4 concentrations varied throughout the year, the highest and lowest values occurring in the spring and autumn months respectively. The mean of all observations was 5.4 +/- 0.1 microgram/dl. The changes observed did not appear to correlate with changes in ambient temperature, day length or with reported changes in wool growth.     

Morphometric study of Rynchotus rufescens testis throughout the year.

The research aimed to study the morphologic variation of the testis, seeking to promote the selection and genetic control of those that present appreciable spermatic production throughout the year. Testis morphology of the Rynchotus rufescens partridge was investigated, analyzing the testis weight, the seminiferous tubules diameter, the thickness of the seminiferous epithelium, the amount of meiotic figures and the thickness of the tunica albuginea. Sixty male partridges were used, divided in 12 groups, and one group per month had the testis collected for the histological routine and the sections were stained using the Hematoxilin-Eosin technique. For the histological sections analysis, morphometric measures were taken, with the aid of an Image Analyzer and the resulting data were submitted to analysis of variance and to Tukey's test. Based on the histological modifications of the seminiferous epithelium and the morphometric analysis, the partridge testis morphology could be divided in four successive phases throughout the year. The reproductive phase occurred in the spring, characterized by the complete spermatogenesis process. The regression phase occurred in the summer, with the involution of the seminiferous epithelium. The rest phase took place in the fall, with spermatogonias presence and some spermatocytes beginning the meiosis. The phase of recrudescence occurred in the winter, with the recovery of the seminiferous epithelium and absence of spermatozoa. In conclusion, the characteristics analyzed revealed a variation over the year, with greater production of spermatozoa in the spring and less in the winter.     

Changes in Solea senegalensis sperm quality throughout the year

Some of the Senegalese sole (Solea senegalensis) broodstock reproductive constraints are related to sperm quality. Although they present two defined spawning season (spring and autumn), males gave semen during all the year thus an exhaustive annual sperm analysis is important to determine the seasonal changes in semen quality. Sampling was performed monthly during one year, analyzing different cellular parameters to better understand sperm quality limitations obstructing sole mass production. The percentage of progressive motile cells and their linear velocity showed a decrease from March (beginning of the first spawning season) to July (when the highest temperatures were observed), followed by a slight increase in August and October (second spawning season). DNA fragmentation values showed highest values between the two spawning seasons and decreased to the end of the year. The percentage of apoptotic cells was lowest in March (beginning of the first spawning season) and the highest in November. The percentage of cells resistant to seawater exposure presented two peaks related with both spawning seasons. There was a tendency for the semen to attain a quality peak between the beginning and the middle of the first spawning season (March-May), followed by a pronounced decrease, achieving the lowest values during the months with the highest temperature. Also, the different males present in the broodstocks reach their sperm quality peak at different times, which will result in an unequal contribution for the next generation.     

哺乳期补充鼠李糖乳杆菌在预防婴幼儿湿疹以及特应性疾病中的价值

目的 探究哺乳期补充鼠李糖乳杆菌对婴幼儿湿疹以及特应性疾病的预防作用。方法 选择2015年1月至2016年12月间于我院分娩和定期体检的哺乳期妇女及其新生儿152例,随机数表法分为对照组（76例）和实验组（76例）,对照组采用常规哺乳期婴幼儿湿疹预防策略,实验组在此基础上补充鼠李糖乳杆菌。比较两组婴儿的免疫学指标（嗜酸性粒细胞百分比,IgE和特异性IgE）水平、皮肤点刺试验（SPT）阳性率及24个月内湿疹以及特应性疾病的发病情况。结果 实验组6个月后的EOS%、IgE、sIgE均明显低于对照组（均P<0.05）;对照组和实验组的SPT阳性率分别为15.79%和5.26%,差异有统计学意义（χ2=4.471,P=0.034）。实验组婴幼儿肠道菌群中双歧杆菌、乳杆菌明显多于对照组（t=6.173,5.070,均P<0.001）,而肠球菌及肠杆菌明显少于对照组（t=5.111,5.919,均P<0.001）。对照组婴幼儿的湿疹累积发病率为38.16%（29/76）,实验组的湿疹累积发病率为25.00%（19/76）,实验组的湿疹发病率明显低于对照组（Log-rank χ2=3.949,P=0.047）。对照组和实验组婴幼儿的特应性疾病累积发病率分别为17.11%（13/76）和6.58%（5/76）,实验组的发生风险明显低于对照组（Log rank χ2=4.275,P=0.039）。结论 哺乳期补充鼠李糖乳杆菌能够有效调节肠道菌群,降低婴幼儿2岁以内的湿疹以及特应性疾病发生风险。     

Volatile components of lemur scent secretions vary throughout the year

Olfactory signals can communicate a wide variety of information and are very important in many mammalian species. However, little is known about the olfactory communication of primates. This study used gas chromatography to examine the volatile components of the anogenital gland secretions of wild Milne-Edward's sifaka, Propithecus edwardsi (Primates, Indriidae) (n = 17), captured in Ranomafana National Park, Madagascar. We compared scent swabs of animals and examined differences between social group, age class, sex, and season. The only identified differences in the volatiles were between swabs from the different seasons; all other categories were statistically indistinguishable.     

The journal: one year later

This article celebrates the first year anniversary of the Journal of Brachial Plexus and Peripheral Nerve Injury.     

Fine structural changes in the epididymal epithelium of moles (Talpa europaea) throughout the year.

The epididymis of the European mole (Talpa europaea) was studied by light and electron microscopy. In the sexually active animal, spermatozoa mature during their passage through the epididymis and the structure of the cells lining the duct suggests a clear regional division into initial, middle and terminal segments. Numerous intra-epithelial vesicles were present in the distal part of the middle segment of sexually active moles and the lining epithelium in the terminal segment appeared to be secretory. Variation in the sensitivity of different regions of the epididymis to androgens was apparent: the principal cells of the initial segment were morphologically active only during the peak of the breeding season in spring, while the cells of the terminal segment became active earlier and remained so for longer. During sexual regression, many autophagic vacuoles were found in the principal cells, and these became transformed into lipofuscin pigment granules. Cells heavily laden with these granules appeared concurrently in the lining epithelium. It is suggested that such cells may be involved in the regression of principal cells by means of heterophagic activity. A similar situation was also observed, but to a lesser extent, at the beginning of the breeding season. Outside the breeding season, the organelles of the principal cells were poorly developed throughout the epididymis, and lipofuscin pigment granules remained in the principal and basal cells of adults. Such granules were seldom seen in immature animals.     

Hematoidin crystals in cervicovaginal smears. Review of 27 cases seen in one year

The occurrence of hematoidin crystals in cervicovaginal smears has recently been described. A prospective search for hematoidin crystals in smears taken during a one-year period was carried out, with a subsequent retrospective chart review. This study revealed that the occurrence of hematoidin crystals was more common than previously thought and was often associated with pregnancy or pregnancylike states. The clinical correlations and possible etiologies of this finding are discussed.     

More than one mutant allele causes infantile Tay-Sachs disease in French-Canadians

Two Tay-Sachs disease (TSD) patients of French-Canadian origin were shown by Myerowitz and Hogikyan to be homozygous for a 7.6-kb deletion mutation at the 5' end of the hexosaminidase A α-subunit gene. In order to determine whether all French-Canadian TSD patients were homozygotes for the deletion allele and to assess the geographic origins of TSD in this population, we ascertained 12 TSD families of French-Canadian origin and screened for occurrence of mutations associated with infantile TSD. DNA samples were obtained from 12 French-Canadian TSD families. Samples were analyzed using polymerase-chain-reaction (PCR) amplification followed by hybridization to allele-specific oligonucleotides (ASO) or by restriction analysis of PCR products. In some cases Southern analysis of genomic DNA was performed. Eighteen of the 22 independently segregating mutant chromosomes in this sample carried the 7.6-kb deletion mutation at the 5' end of the gene. One chromosome carried the 4-nucleotide insertion in exon 11 (a “Jewish” mutation). In this population no individuals were detected who had the substitution at the splice junction of exon 12 previously identified in Ashkenazi Jews. One chromosome carried an undescribed B¹ mutation; this allele came from a parent of non-French-Canadian origin. Patients in three families carried TSD alleles different from any of the above mutations. The 5' deletion mutation clusters in persons originating in southeastern Quebec (Gaspé) and adjacent counties of northern New Brunswick.