Anti-leucocyte antibodies and embryonic mortality in embryo transferred cows

Cows carrying unrelated transferred embryos (ET) produced anti-leucocyte serum antibodies (aLA) more often than cows carrying their own embryos. Cows carrying the ET showed a higher frequency of cytotoxic reactions against leucocytes from 40-60 randomly chosen cows than individuals carrying their own embryos. The percentage of animals with aLA was higher in cows carrying their second or third transferred embryo than in those with their first transferred embryo. There was no change in the frequency of cytotoxic reactions with repeated pregnancies from transferred embryos. There was no difference in the toxicity of aLA in normal pregnant cows and those carrying transferred embryos. Embryonic mortality (EM) of 35, 73 and 88% was noted during pregnancies from the first, second and third successful ET, respectively. Mortality of 48% occurred in the first pregnancy following an unsuccessful ET. Embryonic mortality of 31% occurred in cows simultaneously carrying their own and a transferred embryo. A direct relationship between the presence of aLA and EM in recipients was not proved. Other fertility problems may lead to EM in cows subjected to repeated transfer of foreign embryos.     

Genetic contributions to the variation among rabbits of liver microsomal deoxycorticosterone synthesis

Outbred New Zealand white rabbits exhibit two phenotypes, 21H and 21L, corresponding to rates greater than or less than 1 nmol/min/mg, respectively, for liver microsomal progesterone 21-hydroxylase activity. In contrast, the inbred strain III/J exhibits only the 21L phenotype. Two 21H male New Zealand white rabbits were mated with several female III/J rabbits to produce a total 46 progeny. Both the 21H and 21L phenotypes were evident among male and female offspring in roughly equal numbers. Backcrosses between 21L progeny and III/J rabbits exhibit only the 21L phenotype, whereas 21H offspring yield both 21H and 21L progeny when backcrossed to the 21L inbred strain III/J. These results are consistent with autosomal dominant inheritance of the 21H phenotype. Analysis of Southern blots of genomic DNA digested with the restriction endonuclease KpnI reveals 20-, 13-, and 9-kb fragments that hybridize with a probe derived from the 3'-untranslated region of the 21-hydroxylase cDNA. The 13-kb band is not observed for strain III/J or 21L progeny of strain III/J crossed with 21H rabbits, but it is detected for both 21H fathers and 21H progeny indicating that the genetically determined difference of 21-hydroxylase expression is inherited cis to the gene for P450IIC5, the hepatic progesterone 21-hydroxylase. Electrophoretic analysis of P450IIC5 synthesized in vitro from mRNA isolated from 21L and 21H rabbits reveals that little or no P450IIC5 is synthesized from 21L mRNAs. A second immunoreactive, electrophoretically distinct protein is synthesized from both 21L and 21H mRNAs to a similar extent but in lesser amounts than P450IIC5. The second protein could represent either an allozymic form of the enzyme or the product of a distinct locus. Thus, it is likely that distinct structural genes for P450IIC5 contribute to the differences in P450-mediated metabolism in 21L as compared to 21H rabbits.     

Herbivores’ Impacts Cascade Through the Brown Food Web in a Dryland

Ecosystems - Food webs can be conceptualized as being powered by energy derived from living and dead vegetation, respectively. Most food web research has focused on “green food webs”...     

A STUDY OF BIOETHICAL KNOWLEDGE AND PERCEPTIONS IN KOREA

This study assessed the knowledge and perception of human biological materials (HBM) and biorepositories among three study groups in South Korea. The relationship between the knowledge and the perception among different groups was also examined by using factor and regression analyses. In a self‐reporting survey of 440 respondents, the expert group was found more likely to be knowledgeable and positively perceived than the others. Four factors emerged: Sale and Consent, Flexible Use, Self‐Confidence, and Korean Bioethics and Biosafety Action restriction perception. The results indicate that those who are well aware of the existence of biobanks were more positively inclined to receive the Sale and Consent perception. As a result of the need for high quality HBMs and the use of appropriate sampling procedures for every aspect of the collection and use process, the biorepository community should pay attention to ethical, legal, and policy issues.     

Histopathology of secondary infections of Malpighamoeba locustae (Protozoa,Amoebidae) in the desert locust, Schistocerca gregaria (Orthoptera,Acrididae)

Schistocerca gregaria, the desert locust, harbors the protozoan parasite Malpighamoeba locustae. Twelve to 16 days after infection, trophozoites begin to multiply rapidly inside the Malpighian tubules of the gut. Swelling and rupture of the Malpighian tubules leads to the release of large numbers of cysts and trophozoites into the hemocoel. The classic insect defense response results in these cysts and trophozoites becoming encapsulated by the hemocytes of the host. Hemocytes of the phagocytic type become attached to, and lodged between, a variety of tissues and organs of the locust and black hemocytic capsules are produced. The extent to which the different tissues are involved is graded. Some tissues are completely blackened and encapsulated by masses of hemocytes but others are so lightly affected that the small specks of blackened pigment they lay down are discernible only on close examination. The trophozoites themselves do not divide outside the Malpighian tubules. The graded response in the host tissues is related to (1) the presence of sheets and lobes of fat body and (2) the presence of phagocytic hemocytes.     

Effect of cyclic-AMP and other compounds on electrical activity of neurohaemal tissue in Carausius.

Cyclic AMP, dibutyryl cyclic AMP, adenosine, theophylline, caffeine, histamine, and noradrenaline produce a significant increase in the rate of spontaneous electrical activity of neurohaemal tissue on the transverse nerves of Carausius morosus. These results are discussed in the light of what is known about the actions of cyclic AMP on secretory activity of cells. and it is suggested that the electrical activity of the neurohaemal tissue is associated with its secretory activity.