A simplified laparoscopy technique for repeated ovarian observation in the water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis)

A simplified technique of laparoscopy was developed for ovarian observation in the riverine buffalo, through a right paralumbar incision. The technique differed from previously described ones in that it involved only a single puncture and required no abdominal insufflation. A Hopkins 0 degrees forward viewing endoscope (5.5 mm x 500 mm) in combination with an endoscope sheath having a built-in instrument channel, and a long flexible forceps (630 mm) were used. Of the 23 observation attempts on 13 buffalo, 21 successful observations were conducted. Laparoscopies were performed using a combination of Xylazine, local infiltration and epidural anesthesia in a standing position. Six repeated observations were made within a 21-day period on 1 buffalo, with no postoperative complications. Observation of both left and right ovaries was possible through the same puncture. The technique was useful in buffalo to confirm ovarian structures which could not be determined with certainty through palpation per rectum. Our results suggest that the single puncture laparoscopy technique can be safely used for repeated ovarian examination in the water buffalo.     

Sperm concentration influences fertilization and male pronuclear formation in vitro in pigs

To study the effect of sperm concentration on the results of pig in vitro fertilization (IVF), 313 oocytes recovered from oviducts of prepubertal gilts after induction of ovulation were used. After capacitation, the number of live spermatozoa in the fertilization dishes was adjusted to 3 x 10(5), 6 x 10(5) and 12 x 10(5) cell/ml. After 4 hours of co-culture in TCM-199, the oocytes were pippeted to remove cumulus cells and the excess spermatozoa around the zona pellucida, and were transferred to fresh TCM-199 for another 12 14 hours . The results showed that 6 x 10(5) spermatozoa/ml is the optimum concentration for this system; the percentage of fertilized ova (71.6%) was not different from the best (76.8%), that was obtained with the highest concentration, and the percentage of monospermy (62.3%) was not different from the best (68.1%), that was obtained with the lowest concentration. The percentage of spermatozoa that reached the pronuclear stage increased while sperm concentration was decreased. The percentage of spermatozoa at the decondensed stage was decreased when the sperm concentration increased.     

Ovarian superstimulatory response relative to follicular wave emergence in heifers

Two experiments were designed to evaluate the responsiveness of beef heifers to superstimulatory treatments administered during the first follicular wave. Heifers were examined daily (Experiment 1) or twice daily (Experiment 2) by ultrasonography to determine the status of follicular wave development and the day of initiation of superstimulatory treatment. Heifers in both experiments were superstimulated with a total dose of 10 ml Folltropin (equivalent to 200 mg of NIH-FSH-P1), divided into 10 equal intramuscular injections over 5 days. On the last day of treatment, heifers received 500 mug of cloprostenol after each injection of Folltropin to induce luteolysis. In the respective groups, superstimulatory treatments were initiated on Day -1, Day 0 (day of ovulation) or Day +1 for Experiment 1, and on Day -1, Day 0, Day +1 or Day +2 for Experiment 2. In Experiment 1, the number of ovulations in each ovary was assessed by ultrasonography and by counting the number of corpora lutea (CL) in each ovary at slaughter. The correlation between both techniques for assessing ovulatory response was high (r= 0.98; P< 0.0001), and there was no significant difference in the mean number of ovulations detected by ultrasound (5.7+/-1.1) versus the mean number of CL counted at slaughter (6.2+/-1.2). In Experiment 1, the mean (+/- SEM) number of CL counted at slaughter in heifers treated on Day -1 (9.4+/-3.8) and Day 0 (7.3+/-1.6) was higher (P< 0.05) than that of heifers treated on Day +1 (0.7+/-0.3). The mean number of follicles >/=7 mm in diameter on the last day of treatment was also higher (P<0.05) in the Day -1 group compared with the Day +1 group; the Day 0 group was intermediate. In Experiment 2, the mean number of ovulations was higher (P< 0.05) in the Day 0 group (18.4+/-3.4) than the Day -1 (9.5+/-2.3), Day +1 (6.7+/-2.2) or Day +2 (6.5+/-2.3) groups. Heifers in the Day -1, and Day 0 groups had more (P< 0.05) follicles >/=7 mm at the end of treatment compared with heifers in the Day +1 or the Day +2 group. The stated hypothesis was supported: exogenous FSH treatment initiated at the time of wave emergence, near the expected time of the endogenous wave-eliciting FSH surge, has a positive effect on the superstimulatory response. A higher superstimulatory response was elicited when treatments were initiated on the day of, or the day before, wave emergence compared with that of later treatments.     

Purification and Characterization of an l-Aminopeptidase from Pseudomonas putida ATCC 12633

An l-aminopeptidase of Pseudomonas putida, used in an industrial process for the hydrolysis of d,l-amino acid amide racemates, was purified to homogeneity. The highly l-enantioselective enzyme resembled thiol reagent-sensitive alkaline serine proteinases and was strongly activated by divalent cations. It possessed a high substrate specificity for dipeptides and alpha-H amino acid amides, e.g., l-phenylglycine amide.     

Rapid Mini-Prep Isolation of High-Quality Plasmid DNA from Lactococcus and Lactobacillus spp

A simple, rapid plasmid mini-prep procedure for lactococci and lactobacilli which gives high yields and can be performed on overnight broth cultures is presented. Large plasmids were isolated from both lactococci and lactobacilli, including a 70-kb plasmid from Lactobacillus acidophilus C7. The purity of the resulting plasmid DNA makes it suitable for subsequent molecular manipulations. The convenience of the technique makes this rapid mini-prep procedure suitable for routine plasmid isolation from lactic acid bacteria.     

异叶梁王茶的三萜成分

Nothopanax davidii (Fr.) Harms ex Diels (Araliaceae), a well known folk medicine"Liang Wang Cha", is tall tree which grows in Guizhou province, China. The roots and steams are used to remedy rheumatosis and the injuries from falls, fractures, contusions and strains. From the alcohol extract of dried leaves of this plant, we isolated two triterpene glycosides, which gave a new triterpenoid named liangwanin A(1)     

草甘膦化学除草

我园为渭河滩地,杂草丛生。园内自然生长的农田杂草多达250多种。葎草、大刺儿菜、刺果酸模等更是恶性杂草,与苗木争水争肥,每年为消除杂草,花费了相当多的费用。1990年,我们用草甘膦进行化学除草,收到了较好的效果。 10％的草甘膦水剂为非选择性的内吸传导型茎叶处理除草剂,药液喷洒到茎叶后,从韧皮部很快运输,24小时内就大部分转移到根和地下茎,中毒后引起植株死亡。     

鹅掌柴的无性繁殖

鹅掌柴(Schefflera octophylla),五加科常绿灌木,株高2—5米。叶形奇特,掌状复叶具小叶5—8枚,生长在长长的叶柄上,革质具光亮;茎微倾斜,枝条舒展,长势旺盛,是优良的室内观叶植物。现在南方各地,鹅掌柴栽培逐渐增多。 鹅掌柴栽培管理简便。一般能耐5℃左右的低温。适于栽培在肥沃、湿润、微酸性或中     

蝮蛇抗栓酶治疗冠心病86例疗效分析

蝮蛇抗栓酶治疗冠心病８６例疗效分析解放军３５０３厂医院（２１０００３）郑集树,马根埏我院自１９９０年１２月至１９９３年１１月收治冠心病８６例,病程１——１５年,多种方法检查确诊。治疗组加用蝮蛇抗栓酶治疗。以血流变、血糖、血脂、心功能、心律失常等项目观...