Kisspeptin receptor on the sperm surface reflects epididymal maturation in the dog

Alongside the well-known central modulatory role, the Kisspeptin system, comprising Kiss1, its cleavage products (Kisspeptins), and Kisspeptin receptor (Kiss1R), was found to regulate gonadal functions in vertebrates; however, its functional role in the male gamete and its localization during maturation have been poorly understood. The present study analyzed Kisspeptin system in dog testis and spermatozoa recovered from different segments of the epididymis, with focus on Kiss1R on sperm surface alongside the maturation during epididymal transit, demonstrated by modification in sperm kinetic, morphology, and protamination. The proteins Kiss1 and Kiss1R were detected in dog testis. The receptor Kiss1R only was detected in total protein extracts from epididymis spermatozoa, whereas dot blot revealed Kiss1 immunoreactivity in the epidydimal fluid. An increase of the Kiss1R protein on sperm surface along the length of the epididymis, with spermatozoa in the tail showing plasma membrane integrity and Kiss1R protein (p < 0.05 vs. epididymis head and body) was observed by flow cytometry and further confirmed by epifluorescence microscopy and Western blot carried on sperm membrane preparations. In parallel, during the transit in the epididymis spermatozoa significantly modified their ability to move and the pattern of motility; a progressive increase in protaminization also occurred. In conclusion, Kisspeptin system was detected in dog testis and spermatozoa. Kiss1R trafficking toward plasma membrane along the length of the epididymis and Kiss1 in epididymal fluid suggested a new functional role of the Kisspeptin system in sperm maturation and storage

NOTAS E RESENHAS

“QUALIDADE DA ÁGUA SUPERFICIAL E SUBTERRÂNEA E AS DOENÇAS DE VEICULAÇÃO HÍDRICA EM SANTA GERTRUDES – SP” - Amanda Erica DOMINGOS e Sandra E. CONTRI PITTO

Evaluation of Brix Refractometry to Estimate Immunoglobulin G Content in Buffalo Colostrum and Neonatal Calf Serum

Brix refractometry has been widely demonstrated to be a useful tool for monitoring colostrum management program and passive immunity transfer (PIT) in Bovines, but its suitability has never been verified in Buffalo. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the utility of a simple and rapid tool such as a digital Brix refractometer to estimate colostrum quality and for evaluating the success of passive transfer of immunoglobulin G (IgG) in Buffalo calves. The optimal cut points levels for Brix Refractometry for distinguishing good- and poor-quality colostrum and for assessing the adequacy of passive immunity transfer in calves were determined. For this aim, 26 first-milking maternal colostrum (MC) were collected from first-calf heifers. Blood samples were obtained from their calves at birth (T0) and 72 hours after (T3). Colostrum and Serum IgG content were determined by indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), whereas total protein (TP, g/dL) and percentage Brix (%Brix) by means of a digital Brix refractometer. The mean colostrum IgG was 64.9 ± 29.3 mg/mL. The mean serum %Brix at T3 was 9.6 ± 0.9%. The mean serum IgG content at T3 was 11.1 ± 2.0 mg/mL. Pearson’s correlation coefficient (rp) was determined between Brix and ELISA measurements: colostrum %Brix showed a significant correlation with serum %Brix (rp = 0.82, p < 0.001); serum %Brix was highly correlated with serum TP (STP, g/dL) (rp = 0.98, p < 0.001) and serum IgG (mg/mL) (rp = 0.85, p < 0.001). A cut point of 18% Brix to estimate samples of MC ≥ 50 mg/mL from first-calf heifers was more appropriate for the buffalo. A cut point of 8.4% Brix resulted in the greatest percentage of calf serum samples being correctly classified. Based on our findings, a digital Brix refractometer could be a useful tool to monitor colostrum quality and to estimate PIT in Buffalo calves

Cross Sections for the Reactions e+e- --> K+ K- pi+pi-, K+ K- pi0pi0, and K+ K- K+ K- Measured Using Initial-State Radiation Events

We study the processes e+e- --> K+ K- pi+pi-gamma, K+ K- pi0pi0gamma, and K+ K- K+ K-gamma, where the photon is radiated from the initial state. About 84000, 8000, and 4200 fully reconstructed events, respectively, are selected from 454 fb-1 of BaBar data. The invariant mass of the hadronic final state defines the \epem center-of-mass energy, so that the K+ K- pi+pi- data can be compared with direct measurements of the e+e- --> K+ K- pi+pi- reaction. No direct measurements exist for the e+e- --> K+ K-pi0pi0 or e+e- --> K+ K-K+ K- reactions, and we present an update of our previous result with doubled statistics. Studying the structure of these events, we find contributions from a number of intermediate states, and extract their cross sections. In particular, we perform a more detailed study of the e+e- --> phi(1020)pipigamma reaction, and confirm the presence of the Y(2175) resonance in the phi(1020) f0(980) and K+K-f0(980) modes. In the charmonium region, we observe the J/psi in all three final states and in several intermediate states, as well as the psi(2S) in some modes, and measure the corresponding product of branching fraction and electron width.Comment: 35 pages, 42 figure

Measurement of B(B-->X_s {\gamma}), the B-->X_s {\gamma} photon energy spectrum, and the direct CP asymmetry in B-->X_{s+d} {\gamma} decays

The photon spectrum in B --> X_s {\gamma} decay, where X_s is any strange hadronic state, is studied using a data sample of (382.8\pm 4.2) \times 10^6 e^+ e^- --> \Upsilon(4S) --> BBbar events collected by the BABAR experiment at the PEP-II collider. The spectrum is used to measure the branching fraction B(B --> X_s \gamma) = (3.21 \pm 0.15 \pm 0.29 \pm 0.08)\times 10^{-4} and the first, second, and third moments = 2.267 \pm 0.019 \pm 0.032 \pm 0.003 GeV,, )^2> = 0.0484 \pm 0.0053 \pm 0.0077 \pm 0.0005 GeV^2, and )^3> = -0.0048 \pm 0.0011 \pm 0.0011 \pm 0.0004 GeV^3, for the range E_\gamma > 1.8 GeV, where E_{\gamma} is the photon energy in the B-meson rest frame. Results are also presented for narrower E_{\gamma} ranges. In addition, the direct CP asymmetry A_{CP}(B --> X_{s+d} \gamma) is measured to be 0.057 \pm 0.063. The spectrum itself is also unfolded to the B-meson rest frame; that is the frame in which theoretical predictions for its shape are made.Comment: 37 pages, 19 postscript figures, submitted to Phys. Rev. D. No analysis or results have changed from previous version. Some changes to improve clarity based on interactions with Phys. Rev. D referees, including one new Figure (Fig. 13), and some minor wording/punctuation/spelling mistakes fixe