Intrauterine insemination of farmed fallow deer (Dama dama) with frozen-thawed semen via laparoscopy

Estrus and ovulation of mature fallow does (n = 155) on two North American farms were synchronized by intravaginal silastic devices containing 0.3 g progesterone (CIDR-type G) for 14 d. Each of 151 does received laparoscopic intrauterine inseminations of either 50 x 10(6) (n = 125) or 25 x 10(6) (n = 26) frozen-thawed spermatozoa, 65 to 68 h after CIDR device withdrawal. Four does received intrauterine inseminations per vaginam of 50 x 10(6) spermatozoa 68 to 69 hours after CIDR device withdrawal. Semen from crossbred Dama dama dama x Dama dama mesopotamica sires was collected in New Zealand by electroejaculation. The overall pregnancy rate to artificial insemination, as assessed by rectal ultrasonography at Day 45, was 67.7%. The pregnancy rates for does receiving laparoscopic inseminations were 58.2% (Texas; 50 x 10(6) spermatozoa; n = 79 does); 80.8% (Texas; 25 x 10(6) spermatozoa; n = 26 does) and 76.1% (New York; 50 x 10(6) spermatozoa; n = 46 does). Three of the four does receiving intrauterine inseminations per vaginam became pregnant to the frozen-thawed semen.     

Factors in maximal power production and in exercise endurance relative to maximal power

The relationship of muscle fiber type and mass to maximal power production and the maintenance of power (endurance time to exhaustion) at 36%, 55%, and 73% of maximal power was investigated in 18 untrained but physically active men. Power output was determined at constant pedalling rate (60 rev.min-1) on a cycle ergometer instrumented with force transducers and interfaced with a computer. Maximal power was determined for each subject as the highest one-revolution average power. Fat-free mass was determined by hydrostatic weighing, fat-free thigh volume by water displacement and skinfold measurement, and percentage and area of type II fibers from biopsy specimens taken from the vastus lateralis. Maximal power averaged 771 +/- 149 W with a range of 527-1125 W. No significant correlations were found among percentage of type II fibers, relative area of type II fibers, or fat-free thigh volume and maximal power or endurance times to exhaustion at any percentage of maximal power. Weak but significant relationships were found for fat-free mass with both maximal power (r = 0.57) and endurance time at 73% of maximal power (r = -0.47). These results show maximal power to be more dependent on factors related to body size than muscle-fiber characteristics. The low correlations for so many of the relationships, however, suggest that individuals employ either different combinations of these factors or utilize other strategies for the generation of high power.     

Nonsurgical recovery of degenerative ova from the uteri of mares

Degenerated ova were recovered with and without viable embryos 6 days after ovulation in 30 of 210 collections from 24 of 66 mares. All ova were approximately 150 mum in diameter, with an intact zona pellucida and at various stages of cytoplasmic degeneration. Most of the ova were collapsed, although some had an oval appearance. Most of the ova were from maiden 2-year-old mares. Thirty-four of the ova were recovered from the first or second collections. Two ova were recovered from the third collection from two mares. Two degenerative ova per collection were recovered from five collections; three of these collections also contained viable embryos. Degenerated ova were recovered from three mares twice; but not from consecutive collection attempts. Recovered ova were fixed in 2% glutaraldehyde-PBS for scanning electron microscopy. These data indicate that not all unfertilized ova remain permanently in the oviduct; many traverse it and enter the uterus. Furthermore, these data also suggest that when degenerative ova pass into the uterus they either degenerate further and (or) move into the vagina. This is supported by the fact that not all ova can be accounted for when the uterus and (or) the oviducts are washed.     

Developmental regulation of hormone-sensitive lipase mRNA in the rat: changes in steroidogenic tissues.

The hydrolysis of triglycerides and cholesteryl esters stored within cells is mediated by the enzyme, hormone-sensitive lipase. In adipose tissue and heart, hormone-sensitive lipase primarily hydrolyzes stored triglycerides to free fatty acids, while in steroidogenic tissues, it principally converts cholesteryl esters to free cholesterol for steroid hormone production. To determine whether hormone-sensitive lipase is under tissue-specific, developmental regulation, the steady state levels of hormone-sensitive lipase mRNA were determined in normal rats from late fetal life through 2 years of age. Hormone-sensitive lipase mRNA levels did not appear to vary in adipose tissue from epididymal fat pads obtained from animals between 3 weeks and 2 years of age. In heart, hormone-sensitive lipase mRNA levels were lowest in the fetus increased rapidly within the first day postnatally, and then gradually increased to stable adult levels by 2 months that were 3-fold higher than observed in fetal rats. Steady state mRNA levels of hormone-sensitive lipase in the adrenals were lowest in fetal rats, increased 4-fold during the first day and peaked at levels that were 9-fold higher by the end of the first week. Thereafter, levels fell and remained 3- to 4-fold higher than at birth throughout adult life. Hormone-sensitive lipase mRNA was undetectable in testes before 4 weeks of age and increased 25-fold to stable adult levels between 4 and 12 weeks. Thus, hormone-sensitive lipase is differentially expressed and regulated in a tissue-specific fashion during development and aging.     

Ultrasound imaging of reproductive organs and eggs in Galapagos tortoises,Geochelone elephantopus spp

This study demonstrates the efficacy of using ultrasound to determine the presence of ovarian developing, preovulatory, and atretic follicular structures and oviductal eggs in the Galapagos tortoise, Geochelone elephantopus spp. Ultrasound was effective in locating both right and left ovarian structures in 92% (n = 100 ovaries) of the trials. Developing and preovulatory follicles and oviductal eggs were echogenically visualized and had measurements ranging from 18 to 44 mm (n = 93) and 55 to 68 mm (n = 9), respectively. Atretic follicles ranged in size from 10 to 38 mm (n = 10). In one trial with four G. elephantopus, ultrasound observations were validated with the use of laparoscopy. All procedures were accomplished without general anesthesia on a specifically designed restraining table. Ultrasound provides an effective, safe modality for determining the reproductive status of adult female tortoises.     

Structural properties of the outer membrane and the regular surface protein of Comamonas acidovorans

The outer membrane of Comamonas acidovorans, formerly Pseudomonas acidovorans, contains a regularly arrayed surface protein. The tetragonal lattice (p4 symmetry, unit cell dimensions a = B = 10.5 nm is composed of a single type of polypeptide. It forms dimeric morphological complexes as revealed by means of electron microscopy in conjunction with image processing, STEM mass determination, and IR analysis. The surface protein has tightly associated carbohydrates and behaves like a glycoprotein in electrophoresis and IR spectroscopy. The outer membrane proteins Omp21 and Omp32 are not regularly arrayed. Omp32 has the characteristic attributes of an intrinsic outer membrane protein, such as moderate hydrophobicity, a high β-structure content, and a typical solubilization behavior. It forms channels in black lipid membranes and it, therefore, represents the major porin of C. acidovorans.     

Analysis of an esterase linked to a locus involved in the regulation of the melanoma oncogene and isolation of polymorphic marker sequences inXiphophorus

Melanoma formation in Xiphophorus hybrids is mediated by a growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase oncogene encoded by the Tu locus. In the wild-type parental fish no tumors occur due to the activity of a locus that regulates the activity of the melanoma oncogene. Molecular identification of this regulatory locus (R) requires a precise physical map of the chromosomal region. Therefore we studied esterase isozymes in Xiphophorus, two of which have been previously reported to be linked to locus R. We confirm that ES1 is a distant marker for R (approx. 30cM), and contrary to earlier studies, we show that this isozyme is present in all species of the genus and at similar activity levels in all organs tested. ES4, which has also been reported to be linked to R, was found to be a misclassification of liver ES1. In an attempt to identify markers that bridge the large distance between ES1 and R, we have generated DNA probes which are highly polymorphic. They will be useful in finding landmarks on a physical map of the R-containing chromosomal region.     

A method of artificial insemination in captive White-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus )

Production of fawns by artificial insemination in captive White-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus ) has been accomplished by using frozen-thawed spermatozoa. The purpose of this study was to determine if frozen-thawed semen deposited at the posterior face of the os cervix could produce conception. Five hand-raised female White-tailed deer and one hand-raised male White-tailed deer were used over two breeding seasons 1984-1985 and 1985-1986. The vasectomized buck was ued to detect estrus in the does. The does were inseminated with frozen-thawed semen containing at least 100 million live normal cells with a 60% or higher motility. The artificial insemination catheters used in this study worked well, but due to the small size of the cervix, the catheter could only be passed up to the first cervical ring, the site at which the semen was deposited. Over two breeding seasons, nine does were inseminated with frozen-thawed spermatozoa; each doe was inseminated once each estrous cycle at one of the following times: 0, 6, 12, 18, 24 or 30 h. after detection of estrus. Of the nine does inseminated with frozen-thawed spermatozoa, six conceived and carried to term 11 healthy normal fawns, yielding an overall conception rate of 67%.     

Quality assurance activities of the College of American Pathologists

Since its inception, the College of American Pathologists (CAP) has played a fundamental and pivotal role in the development and execution of quality assurance programs for laboratories. Within the realm of anatomic pathology, operational programs include those in surgical pathology, immunohistochemistry and cytopathology. The emphasis of prior cytopathology programs on cervical cytology has now been expanded to include body fluids and fine needle aspiration material. CAP's role in the expansion of quality assurance programs in cytology may be enhanced in the future by intersociety cooperation with established cytology organizations and will also be influenced by and closely linked to the expansion of its quality assurance programs in surgical pathology. As for the Papanicolaou smear, it can no longer be regarded as the "Cinderella of cytology"; it is in fact the present-day cynosure in the laboratory. In recognition of this, CAP has undertaken efforts to help heighten public awareness about the value of Papanicolaou smear testing and is encouraging women to become more informed about the process involved in the examination of their smears.     

Peroxisome Biogenesis: Involvement of ARF and Coatomer

Peroxisomal membrane protein (Pmp)26p (RnPex11p), a major constituent of induced rat liver peroxisomal membrane, was found to contain a COOH-terminal, cytoplasmically exposed consensus dilysine motif with the potential to bind coatomer. Biochemical as well as immunocytochemical evidence is presented showing that peroxisomes incubated with preparations of bovine brain or rat liver cytosol recruit ADP-ribosylation factor (ARF) and coatomer in a strictly guanosine 5′-O-(3-thiotriphosphate)–dependent manner. Consistent with this observation, ldlF cells expressing a temperature-sensitive mutant version of the ε-subunit of coatomer exhibit elongated tubular peroxisomes possibly due to impaired vesiculation at the nonpermissive temperature. Since overexpression of Pex11p in Chinese hamster ovary wild-type cells causes proliferation of peroxisomes, these data suggest that Pex11p plays an important role in peroxisome biogenesis by supporting ARF- and coatomer-dependent vesiculation of the organelles.