EFFECT OF TWO FREEZING METHODS ON SPERM VIABILITY OF BOAR SEMEN

El objetivo del presente trabajo fue evaluar el efecto de dos métodos de congelación sobre la viabilidad espermática de semen de verraco. Se utilizaron seis eyaculados (dos por macho), de tres verracos adultos de las razas Hampshire, Duroc y Landrace. Se evaluó el volumen, motilidad y concentración espermática de cada eyaculado. Posteriormente, el semen fue diluido con solución BTS (Beltsville Thawing Solution) y centrifugado a 1500 rpm por 10 min para retirar el plasma. El pellet (porción espermática) obtenido fue extendido con dilutor de congelación (A y B), enfriado y equilibrado a 5 °C por 2 horas previas a la congelación. El semen equilibrado fue criopreservado usando dos métodos de congelamiento: a) en pellets colocando alícuotas de 0.25 ml de semen equilibrado en agujeros preparados en la superficie del bloque de hielo seco manteniéndolo por 2 min y luego vertiéndolo al nitrógeno líquido; y b) en pajillas de 0.5 ml, exponiéndolas al vapor de nitrógeno líquido a 7 cm de altura por 10 min (dentro de una caja de tecnopor) para luego verterlas al nitrógeno liquido. No se encontró diferencias significativas entre la motilidad individual y proporción de espermatozoides vivos del semen congelado en pellets (40.1 y 48.8%) vs. pajillas (34.5 y 40.7%), respectivamente.The objective of this experiment was to evaluate the effect of two freezing methods on the spermatic viability of boar semen. Six collects (2 ejaculates per male) of three adult boars (Hampshire, Duroc and Landrace) were used. Immediately after the collection, volume, motility and spermatic concentration of each ejaculate were evaluated. Then, the semen was diluted with BTS solution (Beltsville Thawing Solution) and centrifuged at 1500 rpm for 10 min for plasma withdrawal. The pellet (spermatic portion) was diluted with freezing dilutor (A and B), cooled and equilibrated at 5 °C for two hours before freezing. The equilibrated semen was cryopreserved using two freezing methods: a) in pellets placing 0.25 ml aliquota of semen in holes prepared on the surface of a dry ice block for 20 min and then, pouring them in liquid nitrogen; and b) in straws of 0.5 ml exposing them at 7 cm over liquid nitrogen steam for 10 min (in a styrofoam box). The results showed no statistically differences amongst individual motility and live spermatozoa percentage in semen frozed in pellets (40.1 and 48.8%) as compared to straws (34.5 and 40.7%)

EFFECT OF TWO FREEZING METHODS ON SPERM VIABILITY OF BOAR SEMEN

El objetivo del presente trabajo fue evaluar el efecto de dos métodos de congelación sobre la viabilidad espermática de semen de verraco. Se utilizaron seis eyaculados (dos por macho), de tres verracos adultos de las razas Hampshire, Duroc y Landrace. Se evaluó el volumen, motilidad y concentración espermática de cada eyaculado. Posteriormente, el semen fue diluido con solución BTS (Beltsville Thawing Solution) y centrifugado a 1500 rpm por 10 min para retirar el plasma. El pellet (porción espermática) obtenido fue extendido con dilutor de congelación (A y B), enfriado y equilibrado a 5 °C por 2 horas previas a la congelación. El semen equilibrado fue criopreservado usando dos métodos de congelamiento: a) en pellets colocando alícuotas de 0.25 ml de semen equilibrado en agujeros preparados en la superficie del bloque de hielo seco manteniéndolo por 2 min y luego vertiéndolo al nitrógeno líquido; y b) en pajillas de 0.5 ml, exponiéndolas al vapor de nitrógeno líquido a 7 cm de altura por 10 min (dentro de una caja de tecnopor) para luego verterlas al nitrógeno liquido. No se encontró diferencias significativas entre la motilidad individual y proporción de espermatozoides vivos del semen congelado en pellets (40.1 y 48.8%) vs. pajillas (34.5 y 40.7%), respectivamente.The objective of this experiment was to evaluate the effect of two freezing methods on the spermatic viability of boar semen. Six collects (2 ejaculates per male) of three adult boars (Hampshire, Duroc and Landrace) were used. Immediately after the collection, volume, motility and spermatic concentration of each ejaculate were evaluated. Then, the semen was diluted with BTS solution (Beltsville Thawing Solution) and centrifuged at 1500 rpm for 10 min for plasma withdrawal. The pellet (spermatic portion) was diluted with freezing dilutor (A and B), cooled and equilibrated at 5 °C for two hours before freezing. The equilibrated semen was cryopreserved using two freezing methods: a) in pellets placing 0.25 ml aliquota of semen in holes prepared on the surface of a dry ice block for 20 min and then, pouring them in liquid nitrogen; and b) in straws of 0.5 ml exposing them at 7 cm over liquid nitrogen steam for 10 min (in a styrofoam box). The results showed no statistically differences amongst individual motility and live spermatozoa percentage in semen frozed in pellets (40.1 and 48.8%) as compared to straws (34.5 and 40.7%)

ESTIMATION OF INBREEDING COEFFICIENT IN REGISTERED BROWN SWISS BULLS OF PERU, YEAR 2003

La consanguinidad puede reducir la fertilidad, salud y productividad de vacas lecheras y otras especies zootécnicas. El presente estudio tuvo como finalidad estimar el coeficiente de consanguinidad de los toros de la raza Brown Swiss registrados en el año 2003, y establecer el origen de sus padres y abuelos maternos. Se analizaron registros de 4 generaciones de 113 machos pedigrí registrados en la Asociación Brown Swiss del Perú el año 2003, los cuales incluyeron 3616 certificados de registro de pedigrí. Para la determinación del coeficiente de consanguinidad de los toros evaluados se utilizó el programa de cómputo Pedigree Viewer 5.5. El coeficiente de consanguinidad promedio fue de 3.6% y el 68.2% de la población evaluada presentó una consanguinidad menor a 4%. Además, se observó que el 41.2% de los padres de los machos evaluados eran de origen peruano y el 41% de lo abuelos maternos (padres de madres) eran también de origen peruano. El coeficiente de consanguinidad obtenido es relativamente bajo; sin embargo, es recomendable que los programas de mejora genética analicen el árbol genealógico de la vaca y el toro para controlar el coeficiente de consanguinidad en los hatos.Inbreeding can cause a depression in fertility performance, health and productivity of dairy cows and other animal husbandry species. The aim of this study was to estimate the inbreeding coefficient of Brown Swiss bulls registered in year 2003 and establish the origin of their sires and dam’s sires. Records of 4 generations of 113 pedigree bulls registered in the Peruvian Brown Swiss Association in 2003 were analyzed, processing a total of 3616 pedigree certificates. The computer program Pedigree Viewer 5.5 was used to determine the inbreeding coefficient of these bulls. The average inbreeding coefficient was 3.6%, and 68.2% of the analyzed population had an inbreeding coefficient of less than 4%. Besides, it was observed that 41.2% of the sire’s sires evaluated had Peruvian origin and 41% of the dam’s sires (maternal grandfather) had Peruvian origin too. The inbreeding coefficient obtained was relatively low, though, it is advisable that animal breeding programmes analyze the genealogical tree of the dam and sire in order to control inbreeding in herds

Assessment of discretely measured indicators and maximum daily trunk shrinkage for detecting water stress in pomegranate trees

Measurements obtained by the continuous monitoring of trunk diameter fluctuations were comparedwith discrete measurements of midday stem water potential and midday leaf conductance (gl)in adult pomegranate trees (Punica granatum L. cv. Mollar de Elche). Control plants (T0) were irrigateddaily above their crop water requirements in order to attain non-limiting soil water conditions in 2009 and 2010, while T1 plants were subjected to water stress by depriving them of irrigation water for34 days in 2010, after which time irrigation was restored and plant recovery was studied for 7 days.T1 plants showed a substantial degree of water stress, which developed slowly. Maximum daily trunkshrinkage (MDS) was identified to be the most suitable plant-based indicator for irrigation scheduling inadult pomegranate trees, because its signal:noise ((T1/T0):coefficient of variation) ratio was higher thanthat for midday stem water potential((T1/T0):coefficient of variation) and gl((T0/T1):coefficient of variation). MDS increasedin response to water stress, but when the stemfell below ¿1.67 MPa, the MDS values decreased. Fornon-limiting water conditions, MDS could be predicted from mean daily air temperature (Tm) throughexponential equations fitted to pooled data across several seasons. First-order equations were alsoobtained by pooling data across several seasons to predict MDS from crop reference evapotranspira-tion (ETo), mean daily air vapour pressure deficit (VPDm), Tmand solar radiation (Rs), but these should beused only within a certain range of values (ETo, 2.1¿7.4 mm; VPDm, 0.64¿2.96 kPa; Tm, 12.1¿28.3¿C; Rs,119.4¿331.3 Wm¿2). Hence, automated MDS measurements have the potential to be used in irrigationscheduling of pomegranate, and these values can be normalized to non-limiting water conditions bylocally derived empirical relationships with meteorological variables.Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación (CICYT/FEDER) AGL2010-19201-C04-01AGRAgencia Española de Cooperación Internacional para el Desarrollo (AECID

Assessment of discretely measured indicators and maximum daily trunk shrinkage for detecting water stress in pomegranate trees

8 páginas.-- 7 figuras.-- 3 tablas.-- 50 referenciasMeasurements obtained by the continuous monitoring of trunk diameter fluctuations were comparedwith discrete measurements of midday stem water potential and midday leaf conductance (gl)in adult pomegranate trees (Punica granatum L. cv. Mollar de Elche). Control plants (T0) were irrigateddaily above their crop water requirements in order to attain non-limiting soil water conditions in 2009 and 2010, while T1 plants were subjected to water stress by depriving them of irrigation water for34 days in 2010, after which time irrigation was restored and plant recovery was studied for 7 days.T1 plants showed a substantial degree of water stress, which developed slowly. Maximum daily trunkshrinkage (MDS) was identified to be the most suitable plant-based indicator for irrigation scheduling inadult pomegranate trees, because its signal:noise ((T1/T0):coefficient of variation) ratio was higher thanthat for midday stem water potential((T1/T0):coefficient of variation) and gl((T0/T1):coefficient of variation). MDS increasedin response to water stress, but when the stemfell below ¿1.67 MPa, the MDS values decreased. Fornon-limiting water conditions, MDS could be predicted from mean daily air temperature (Tm) throughexponential equations fitted to pooled data across several seasons. First-order equations were alsoobtained by pooling data across several seasons to predict MDS from crop reference evapotranspira-tion (ETo), mean daily air vapour pressure deficit (VPDm), Tmand solar radiation (Rs), but these should beused only within a certain range of values (ETo, 2.1¿7.4 mm; VPDm, 0.64¿2.96 kPa; Tm, 12.1¿28.3¿C; Rs,119.4¿331.3 Wm¿2). Hence, automated MDS measurements have the potential to be used in irrigationscheduling of pomegranate, and these values can be normalized to non-limiting water conditions bylocally derived empirical relationships with meteorological variables.This research was supported by Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación (MICINN) (CICYT/FEDER AGL2010-19201-C04-01AGR) and Agencia Española de Cooperación Internacional para el Desarrollo (AECID) (A1/035430/11) grants to the authors

PIBF+ extracellular vesicles from mouse embryos affect IL-10 production by CD8+ cells

Earlier evidence suggests, that the embryo signals to the maternal immune system. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are produced by all types of cells, and because they transport different kinds of molecules from one cell to the other, they can be considered as means of intercellular communication. The aim of this work was to test, whether the embryo is able to produce sufficient amounts of EVs to alter the function of peripheral lymphocytes. Embryo-derived EVs were identified by their Annexin V biding capacity, and sensitivity to Triton X dependent lysis, using flow cytometry. Transmission electron microscopy was used to detect EVs at the implantation site. Progesterone-induced blocking factor (PIBF) expression in embryo-derived EVs was demonstrated with immuno-electron microscopy. The % of IL-10 + murine lymphocytes was determined by flow cytometry. EVs were present in embryo culture media, but not in empty media. Mouse embryo-derived EVs adhere to the surface of both CD4+ and CD8+ murine peripheral T lymphocytes, partly, via phosphatidylserine binding. The number of IL-10+ murine peripheral CD8+ cells increases in the presence of embryo-derived EVS, and this effect is counteracted by pre-treatment of EVs with an anti-PIBF antibody, suggesting that the embryo communicates with the maternal immune system via EVs

Est-ce que l'interaction entre l'ennoiement et la sécheresse renforce le dépérissement du chêne (Quercus petraea et Quercus robur) ?

International audienceThe purpose of this study was to explain decline in vitality of even-aged oak (Quercus robur and Q. petraea) stand observed in three sites located in the county of Allier (Auvergne, Central France). Our analysis showed that microclimatic variables measured under tree cover (air relative humidity and temperature, rainfall, radiation, and calculated ETP) were very similar among the three sites. Records showed that no root growth occurred during waterlogging period (from January to June) in the three sites, because water excess led to hypoxia (oxygen deficiency) which probably caused a decay of the flooded fraction of the root systems. Waterlogging also affected the period of root active growth, i.e. the first flush of root growth did not occur, when oak normally has two flushes of root growth, one in late June and another in late July. After the water table decrease, root growth was observed in the three sites, but rooting profiles (0-180 cm below ground) were variable in the course of time, this fact is related to soil water content. As the soil surface horizons desiccated, root growth and plant water uptake may preferentially occur in deeper horizons in order to attenuate the duration and intensity of water deficit. These deep fine roots probably acted only during a short period (end of summer), when oxygen supply was sufficient, i.e., when water table fell. However, water deficit was strongest in one site, this fact may be due to its soil type, podzolic pseudogley, susceptible to dry out quickly and strongly in summer due to the coarser texture: the maximum water reserve is particularly low. Therefore, we can conclude than the root growth has two main issues in a one-year cycle. One is the temporary ground water table which stops the growth of the new roots during the waterlogging period, and the second issue is a low soil water content that becomes the main water limit for well root growth in a drought period

New tools for regulated deficit irrigation scheduling in early maturing peach trees

4 pages, 1 figure, 2 tables, 11 references. Simposio celebrado del 6-8, octubre, 2010, en Cartagena, España.Regulated deficit irrigation (RDI) is an irrigation strategy designed to save water with a minimum impact on yield and fruit quality (Chalmers, 1989). In stone fruits trees two critical periods have been defined. The first one corresponds to the second rapid fruit growth period (stage III), when water stress induces a reduction in yield due to the smaller fruit size at harvest. The second critical period is the early postharvest period, in which water stress affects flower bud induction and/or the floral differentiation processes that occur at this time (Ruiz-Sánchez et al., 1999).Research supported by MEC (CICYT/FEDER AGL2007-66279-C03-02/AGR) and Fundación Séneca (11981/PI/09) grants to the authors. Del Simposium: Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación. Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas. Universidad Politécnica de Cartagena. Sociedad Española de Fisiología Vegetal. Asamblea Regional de Murcia. Ayuntamiento de Cartagena. Fundación Séneca. Vías y Construcciones, S.A. (Grupo ACS)Peer reviewe

Using trunk diameter sensors for regulated deficit irrigation scheduling in early maturing peach trees

The aim of this paper was to test the possibility of scheduling regulated deficit Irrigation (RDI) using exclusively maximum daily trunk shrinkage (MDS) measurements, and that RDI strategies can be applied in early maturing peach trees reducing significantly the seasonal water use. During three growing seasons, 6-year-old peach trees (Prunus persica (L.) Batsch cv. Flordastar) grafted on P. persica x P. amygdalus GF-677 peach rootstock were submitted to different drip irrigation treatments. Control (T0) plants were irrigated above the estimated crop evapotranspiration level (approximate to 130% ET(C)) and T1 plants were submitted to RDI, which were irrigated in order to maintain MDS signal intensity (SI) values close to unity (no irrigation-related stress) from the fruit thinning stage to 2 weeks after harvest, at MDS SI values close to 1.3 during the early postharvest period, and at MDS SI values of 1.6 during the late postharvest period. The RDI strategy assayed reduced the seasonal water applied by 35-42% with respect to estimated ET(C) without affecting yield efficiency components or the distribution of different peach fruit categories, while improving water productivity. The only vegetative growth component affected by RDI was pruning weight, indicating that vigor regulation as a result of RDI may decrease the competition for assimilates between vegetative apexes and reserve tissues. Also, the absence of any significant effect of RDI on the ratio between yield and the increase in trunk cross sectional area suggested similar carbon partitioning schemes during fruit growth. To improve the precision of MDS SI-driven schedule in RDI strategies changes in the irrigation protocol should be considered so that the scheduled water deficit levels are attained more rapidly. For this, when it is necessary to change from a MDS SI threshold value to a higher one, the daily irrigation rate should be decreased by more than 3%.Peer Reviewe