35 research outputs found
Hormonal Management for the Induction of Luteolysis and Ovulation in Andalusian Jennies: Effect on Reproductive Performance, Embryo Quality and Recovery Rate
Two prostanglandins (luprostiol, LUP, and dinoprost, DIN) and two ovulation-inducing agents (human Chorionic Gonadotropin, hCG, and deslorelin, DES) were evaluated for luteolysis and estrus induction, and for ovulation induction, respectively, in embryo donor jennies. Twenty-six fertile Andalusian jennies were used. In Experiment 1, jennies (n = 112 cycles) were randomly treated with either LUP or DIN after embryo flushing. In Experiment 2, donors (n = 84 cycles) were randomly treated with either hCG or DES to induce ovulation. No differences were found between prostaglandins for all variables studied (prostaglandinâovulation interval (POI), interovulatory interval (IOI), embryo recovery rate (ERR), positive flushing rate (PFR) and embryo grade (EG)). The ovulation rate was similar for hCG and DES (60.9% vs. 78.7%). However, the interval to ovulation (ITO) was affected (62.61 ± 7.20 vs. 48.79 ± 2.69 h). None of the other variables studied (ERR, PFR and EG) were affected (p > 0.05), except for embryo quality (p = 0.009). In short, both prostaglandins evaluated are adequate to induce luteolysis and estrus. Both ovulation-inducing agents hastened ovulation, but DES seems to be more effective than hCG. Follicular diameter affected the interval from treatment to ovulation, and high uterine edema was related to low embryo quality
Nitrate Pathways, Processes, and Timing in an Agricultural Karst System: Development and Application of a Numerical Model
An edited version of this paper was published by AGU. Copyright 2019 American Geophysical Union.Nitrogen (N) contamination within agriculturalâkarst landscapes and aquifers is widely reported; however, the complex hydrological pathways of karst make N fate difficult to ascertain. We developed a hydrologic and N numerical model for agriculturalâkarst, including simulation of soil, epikarst, phreatic, and quick flow pathways as well as biochemical processes such as nitrification, mineralization, and denitrification. We tested the model on four years of nitrate (NO3â) data collected from a phreatic conduit and an overlying surface channel in the Cane Run watershed, Kentucky, USA. Model results indicate that slow to moderate flow pathways (phreatic and epikarst) dominate the N load and account for nearly 90% of downstream NO3â delivery. Further, quick flow pathways dilute NO3â concentrations relative to background aquifer levels. Net denitrification distributed across soil, epikarst, and phreatic water removes approximately 36% of the N inputs to the system at rates comparable to nonkarst systems. Evidence is provided by numerical modeling that NO3â accumulation via evapotranspiration in the soil followed by leaching through the epikarst acts as a control on spring NO3â concentration and loading. Compared to a fluvialâdominated immature karst system, matureâkarst systems behave as natural detention basins for NO3â, temporarily delaying NO3â delivery to downstream waters and maintaining elevated NO3â concentrations for days to weeks after hydrologic activity ends. This study shows the efficacy of numerical modeling to elucidate complex pathways, processes, and timing of N in karst systems
Factors Affecting Embryo Recovery Rate, Quality, and Diameter in Andalusian Donkey Jennies
Embryo transfer and the vitrification of embryos could be used for the conservation and recovery of endangered donkey breeds. It is important to develop techniques that optimize recovery rates and the cryotolerance of donkey embryos. This study evaluates factors affecting the recovery rate, quality, and diameter of embryos obtained from donor jennies as a starting point for the use of vitrification and embryo transfer in the conservation of the Andalusian donkey. A total of 100 embryos were recovered out of 124 estrous cycles (80.6%). The donor jenny affected the rates of positive flushings (PFR; p = 0.040) and embryo recovery (ERR; p < 0.05) as well as embryo quality (p = 0.004). ERR was also affected by the number of flushings (p < 0.001), donor age (p < 0.05), successive cycle within donor (p < 0.001), and jacks (p < 0.05). Number of flushings (p < 0.001) and jack (p < 0.05) had a significant effect on PFR, whereas the day of flushing influenced the developmental stage (p < 0.001), embryo quality (p < 0.05), and diameter of embryos (p < 0.001). The number of flushings significantly influenced the diameter (p = 0.038) and embryo developmental stage (p = 0.001), whereas the developmental stage was statistically different between herds (p = 0.020). The factors influencing the success of this assisted reproductive technique were donor jenny, donor age, successive cycle within donor, day of flushing, number of flushings, and jack. The identification of these key points is crucial to achieve a higher efficiency of embryo transfer and vitrification processes, before considering their application in the conservation of endangered donkey breeds
CD8+ T Cells as a Source of IFN-Îł Production in Human Cutaneous Leishmaniasis
Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is usually a self-healing skin lesion caused by different species of Leishmania parasite. Resistance and susceptibility of mice to Leishmania major infection is associated with two types of CD4+ T lymphocytes development: Th1 type response with production of cytokine IFN-Îł is associated with resistance, whereas Th2 type response with production of cytokines IL-4 and IL-5 is associated with susceptibility. A clear Th1/Th2 dichotomy similar to murine model is not defined in human leishmaniasis and we need as much information as possible to define marker(s) of protection. We purified CD4+/CD8+ T cells, stimulated them with Leishmania antigens and analysed gene and protein expression of Th1/Th2 cytokines in volunteers with a history of self-healing CL who are presumed to be protected against further Leishmania infection. We have seen significant upregulation of IFN-Îł gene expression and high IFN-Îł production in the Leishmania stimulated CD4+ T cells and CD8+ T cells. We concluded that both antigen-specific IFN-Îł producing CD4+ Th1 cells and IFN-Îł producing CD8+ T cells contribute to the long term protection in individuals with a history of CL. This proves the importance of CD8+ T cells as a source of IFN-Îł in Th1-like immune responses
Effect of cooling rate on sperm quality of cryopreserved Andalusian donkey spermatozoa
The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of different cooling rates on post-thaw quality of cryopreserved donkey spermatozoa. Eighteen ejaculates from six adult Andalusian donkeys (three ejaculates per donkey) were collected using an artificial vagina. Pooled semen samples (two ejaculates per pool) were divided into three aliquots, and frozen in Gent freezing extender using three different cryopreservation protocols (P): P1 (conventional slow freezing, as control): semen pre-cooled in an Equitainer for 2 h and frozen in liquid nitrogen (LN2) vapour; P2 (controlled pre-freeze cooling rate): semen pre-cooled at a controlled rate for 73 min and frozen in LN2 vapour; and P3 (rapid freezing) semen frozen immediately in LN2 vapour. After thawing at 37 °C for 30 s, semen samples were assessed for motility, morphology, acrosome and plasma membrane integrity; spermatozoa were also tested for DNA integrity. Significant (P < 0.01) differences were found between the cryopreservation protocols for all sperm parameters evaluated, except for DNA integrity. Semen samples frozen using P2 showed significantly (P < 0.01) higher values for sperm motility, morphology, sperm membrane integrity, and acrosome integrity. On the contrary, P3 reduced sperm motility (P < 0.01) and increased the percentage of spermatozoa with damaged plasma membrane (P < 0.001). In our study, we demonstrated that the sperm of Andalusian donkey is particularly sensitive to the cooling rate used before freezing. Furthermore, Andalusian donkey semen can be successfully cryopreserved using controlled cooling rates combined with freezing in LN2 vapour.Fil: Demyda-PeyrĂĄs, Sebastian. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones CientĂficas y TĂ©cnicas. Centro CientĂfico TecnolĂłgico CONICET- La Plata. Instituto de GenĂ©tica Veterinaria "Ing. Fernando Noel Dulout". Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias. Instituto de GenĂ©tica Veterinaria; Argentina. Universidad de CĂłrdoba; EspañaFil: Bottrel, M.. Universidad de CĂłrdoba; EspañaFil: Acha, D.. Universidad de CĂłrdoba; EspañaFil: Ortiz, I.. Universidad de CĂłrdoba; EspañaFil: Hidalgo, M.. Universidad de CĂłrdoba; EspañaFil: Carrasco, J.J.. Centro de SelecciĂłn y ReproducciĂłn Animal; EspañaFil: GĂłmez Arrones, V.. Centro de SelecciĂłn y ReproducciĂłn Animal; EspañaFil: GĂłsalvez, J.. Universidad AutĂłnoma de Madrid; EspañaFil: Dorado, J.. Universidad de CĂłrdoba; Españ