Comparison of efficiency between two artificial insemination methods using frozen–thawed semen in domestic cat (Felis catus): Artificial insemination in domestic cats

The aim of this study was to compare the efficiency of the intravaginal (IVAI) vs. intrauterine artificial insemination (IUAI) using frozen–thawed sperm in the domestic cat. Semen was collected from two tom cats using an artificial vagina and samples were assessed for motility (computer-assisted sperm analysis (CASA)), sperm morphology and plasma membrane integrity. After dilution with TRIS/OEP/YOLK (4% of glycerol), sperm samples were loaded into 0.25 mL straws (25 × 10⁶ motile sperm/straw), incubated at 5 °C for 20 min and cryopreserved over liquid nitrogen (LN₂) vapor for 15 min and then immersed in LN₂. For each AI, four straws from the same male were thawed (12 s at 46 °C) and centrifuged at 250 × g for 8 min to pellet the sperm. The supernatant was discarded and sperm pellet resuspended with the remaining liquid, approximately 100 μL, and analyzed as described above. Queens were treated with a single im injection of 100 IU eCG to induce ovarian follicular development. Final oocyte maturation and ovulation was induced with 100 IU hCG given im at 82–84 h after eCG administration. Thirty hours after hCG administration, females were inseminated either intrauterine (n = 8 queens) or intravaginally (n = 8 queens), using thawed sperm from a single male. Although a pronounced decrease in sperm motility, acrosome and plasma membrane integrity was observed in sperm samples from both cats, a pregnancy rate of 75% was achieved when using the intrauterine AI method compared with 0% pregnancy when inseminated intravaginally.     

Annexin A2 is involved in pig (Sus scrofa)sperm-oviduct interaction

The oviduct is a dynamic organ which modulates gamete physiology. Sperm-oviduct interaction provides the formation of a sperm storage reservoir and allows the selection of sperm with certain qualities in eutherian mammals. In sows, the oviductal sperm binding glycoprotein (SBG) has been proposed to be involved in sperm selection. In this work, based on its affinity to sperm periacrosomal membrane proteins, we isolate another pig oviductal cell protein that interacts with sperm. Peptide identification by LC/MS-MS allowed the identification of this protein as annexin A2. The presence of this annexin, as well as annexin A1 and annexin A5 in sow oviductal cells was confirmed by Western blot with specific antibodies. The three proteins were localized in sow oviduct by immunohistochemistry, showing the presence of annexin A2 at the apical surface of the oviductal epithelial cells. Based on our data and the fact that annexins have been stated as candidate receptors of bovine sperm for sperm reservoir formation, we propose that this family of proteins is involved in sperm-oviduct interaction, annexin A2 being the main sperm binding isoform in pig.     

Combined effects of agrochemicals and ecosystem services on crop yield across Europe

Simultaneously enhancing ecosystem services provided by biodiversity below and above ground is recommended to reduce dependence on chemical pesticides and mineral fertilisers in agriculture. However, consequences for crop yield have been poorly evaluated. Above ground, increased landscape complexity is assumed to enhance biological pest control, whereas below ground, soil organic carbon is a proxy for several yield‐supporting services. In a field experiment replicated in 114 fields across Europe, we found that fertilisation had the strongest positive effect on yield, but hindered simultaneous harnessing of below‐ and above‐ground ecosystem services. We furthermore show that enhancing natural enemies and pest control through increasing landscape complexity can prove disappointing in fields with low soil services or in intensively cropped regions. Thus, understanding ecological interdependences between land use, ecosystem services and yield is necessary to promote more environmentally friendly farming by identifying situations where ecosystem services are maximised and agrochemical inputs can be reduced.     

Effects of a natural extract from Mangifera indica L,and its active compound,mangiferin, on energy state and lipid peroxidation of red blood cells

Following oxidative stress, modifications of several biologically important macromolecules have been demonstrated. In this study we investigated the effect of a natural extract from Mangifera indica L (Vimang), its main ingredient mangiferin and epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) on energy metabolism, energy state and malondialdehyde (MDA) production in a red blood cell system. Analysis of MDA, high energy phosphates and ascorbate was carried out by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Under the experimental conditions, concentrations of MDA and ATP catabolites were affected in a dose-dependent way by H₂O₂. Incubation with Vimang (0.1, 1, 10, 50 and 100 μg/mL), mangiferin (1, 10, 100 μg/mL) and EGCG (0.01, 0.1, 1, 10 μM) significantly enhances erythrocyte resistance to H₂O₂-induced reactive oxygen species production. In particular, we demonstrate the protective activity of these compounds on ATP, GTP and total nucleotides (NT) depletion after H₂O₂-induced damage and a reduction of NAD and ADP, which both increase because of the energy consumption following H₂O₂ addition. Energy charge potential, decreased in H₂O₂-treated erythrocytes, was also restored in a dose-dependent way by these substances. Their protective effects might be related to the strong free radical scavenging ability described for polyphenols.     

A statistical analysis of the literature on sexual dimorphism in primates

The annotated bibliography on sexual dimorphism in primates compiled by the authors was analysed considering the distribution of entries by keytitles, keywords, kind of periodicals and years of publication. A growing interest in this field was observed especially since the 1970s, but a relative scarcity of basic methodological papers was found. Articles on extant human populations and on living nonhuman primates are much more frequent than works on fossil primates and ancient humans.     

Growth hormone response to growth hormone releasing hormone 1-40 in Turner's syndrome

The response of growth hormone (GH) to acute administration of GH-releasing hormone 1-40 (GHRH) was evaluated in 12 patients with Turner's syndrome and in 12 prepubertal or early pubertal girls. In 7 of 12 patients GHRH induced a definite increase (greater than 10 ng/ml) of plasma GH levels. In 5 patients there was a poor GH rise after GHRH administration (less than 10 ng/ml). Overall, the mean GH response of patients was significantly lower than that of normal girls. Five out of 7 patients with a 45 X,O karyotype had a reduced GH rise after GHRH, while all patients with non X,O karyotype (mosaicism and/or 46 X,iX) had a normal GH response to GHRH. Although the cause of short stature in patients with Turner's syndrome is most likely multifactorial, a reduced pituitary GH reserve, as documented by the reduced GH response to GHRH in some of our patients, may contribute to the growth impairment in this disorder.     

Pregnancy toxemia in the European ferret (Mustela putorius furo).

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Pregnancy toxemia may lead to appreciable mortality among jills and their offspring. The objective of this report was to increase awareness of the disease, its likely cause, and practical prevention and treatment measures. METHODS: Ten cases of pregnancy toxemia were evaluated. Jills were in late gestation (mean, 38 days; range, 34 to 42 days) and had large litters (mean, 11.5 kits; range, 7 to 15 kits). RESULTS: The most common clinical signs of disease were lethargy, inappetence, dehydration, and excess shedding. Hematologic and clinical biochemical abnormalities included anemia (4 of 8 jills tested), hypoproteinemia (5 of 7), azotemia (7 of 7), hypocalcemia (5 of 6), hyperbilirubinemia (3 of 3), and high liver enzyme activities (6 of 6). Two jills were found dead; two jills were euthanized, six received supportive treatment, and cesarean section was performed on five. The three jills that survived tended to have less pronounced azotemia, hypoproteinemia, and liver enzyme activity increases and were not anemic. Hepatic lipidosis was observed grossly in all jills that died and was confirmed by histologic examination in four jills. CONCLUSIONS: Pregnancy toxemia in ferrets resembles metabolic diseases in several other animal species and requires aggressive treatment, including supportive care, nutritional supplementation, and cesarean section. Maintaining adequate nutrition and avoiding stress late in gestation may prevent the disease.