ALKALINE PHOSPHATASE ACTIVITY AS A MARKER OF DOG SEMEN FREEZABILITY

The investigation was performed to evaluate the dog semen freezability and itsquality after thawing allowing its use for artificial insemination (AI). On the basis ofsperm motility, concentration and alkaline phosphatase (AP) activity in semenplasma it was possible to establish that AP activity corresponds with the basic factorof semen examination. Significant statistical differences occurred between thequality of ejaculates which were qualified or disqualified to deep freezing and AI.These results show that AP activity in raw dog semen plasma can be used as amarker for the dog semen qualification for deep freezing and AI with 95%probability of the prognosis of the results

THE RESULTS OF BITCH ARTIFICIAL INSEMINATION AFTER THE USE OF TESTED FROZEN SEMEN

Many problems in dog reproduction concern both dog male, its behaviour andsemen quality as well as the bitch which are connected with physiological factors asa time oestrus cycle, anatomical structure of reproductive organs, sexual behaviourand ovulation moment. The results of bitches’ artificial insemination (AI) with theuse of frozen semen are lower in comparison to raw semen. In connection with thisthe research work was performed with an idea of explanation of the problemconnected to low effect of the use of dog frozen semen for AI. It was found that it ispossible to receive more satisfactory results (about 75% of pregnancy rate) whendog semen is testified on the base of sperm concentration and motility and alkalinephosphatase activity (AP). On the other side it is necessary to perform bitchesexamination based on cytological and hormonal testes which allows establishing thepernicious time for AI

RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SOME ENZYMES ACTIVITY, SPERM MORPHOLOGY AND STALLION SEMEN QUALITY

The sperm morphology is one of the factors determining semen quality besidessperm motility and concentration. An important role in this aspect plays someenzymes which are estimated in raw semen plasma. The examination of numerouspopulations of stallions of different breeds and age performed by Kosiniak-Kamyszet al. (2005) showed that significant differences occurred between stallion semenquality concerning both macro- and microscopic examination and some enzymesactivity. It was found that aspartate aminotranspherase (AspAT), lactatedehydrogenase (LDH) and alkaline phosphatase (AP) activity and total proteinamount (TP) in raw seminal plasma decreased when the percent of sperms withcytoplasmatic droplets increased. The increase of these enzymes activity is observedwith the increase of the number of loose heads. These observations showed thatmany examined factors of the semen and semen plasma decided on its quality and onthis reason that these factors need to be applied for seminological diagnosi

A Genome-Wide Association Study Identifies the Skin Color Genes IRF4 , MC1R , ASIP , and BNC2 Influencing Facial Pigmented Spots

Facial pigmented spots are a common skin aging feature, but genetic predisposition has yet to be thoroughly investigated. We conducted a genome-wide association study for pigmented spots in 2,844 Dutch Europeans from the Rotterdam Study (mean age: 66.9±8.0 years; 47% male). Using semi-automated image analysis of high-resolution digital facial photographs, facial pigmented spots were quantified as the percentage of affected skin area (mean women: 2.0% ±0.9, men: 0.9% ±0.6). We identified genome-wide significant association with pigmented spots at three genetic loci: IRF4 (rs12203592, P=1.8 × 10(-27)), MC1R (compound heterozygosity score, P=2.3 × 10(-24)), and RALY/ASIP (rs6059655, P=1.9 × 10(-9)). In addition, after adjustment for the other three top-associated loci the BNC2 locus demonstrated significant association (rs62543565, P=2.3 × 10(-8)). The association signals observed at all four loci were successfully replicated (