Philopatry and regional connectivity of the great hammerhead shark, Sphyrna mokarran in the U.S. and Bahamas

A thorough understanding of movement patterns of a species is critical for designing effective conservation and management initiatives. However, generating such information for large marine vertebrates is challenging, as they typically move over long distances, live in concealing environments, are logistically difficult to capture and, as upper-trophic predators, are naturally low in abundance. Large-bodied, broadly distributed tropical shark typically restricted to coastal and shelf habitats, the great hammerhead shark Sphyrna mokarran epitomizes such challenges. Highly valued for its fins (in target and incidental fisheries), it suffers high bycatch mortality coupled with fecundity conservative life history, and as a result, is vulnerable to over-exploitation and population depletion. Although there are very little species-specific data available, the absence of recent catch records give cause to suspect substantial declines across its range. Here, we used biotelemetry techniques (acoustic and satellite), conventional tagging, laser-photogrammetry, and photo-identification to investigate the level of site fidelity/residency for great hammerheads to coastal areas in the Bahamas and U.S., and the extent of movements and connectivity of great hammerheads between the U.S. and Bahamas. Results revealed large-scale return migrations (3030 km), seasonal residency to local areas (some for 5 months), site fidelity (annual return to Bimini and Jupiter for many individuals) and numerous international movements. These findings enhance the understanding of movement ecology in great hammerhead sharks and have potential to contribute to improved cons

Genome-Wide Association Study in BRCA1 Mutation Carriers Identifies Novel Loci Associated with Breast and Ovarian Cancer Risk

BRCA1-associated breast and ovarian cancer risks can be modified by common genetic variants. To identify further cancer risk-modifying loci, we performed a multi-stage GWAS of 11,705 BRCA1 carriers (of whom 5,920 were diagnosed with breast and 1,839 were diagnosed with ovarian cancer), with a further replication in an additional sample of 2,646 BRCA1 carriers. We identified a novel breast cancer risk modifier locus at 1q32 for BRCA1 carriers (rs2290854, P = 2.7×10-8, HR = 1.14, 95% CI: 1.09-1.20). In addition, we identified two novel ovarian cancer risk modifier loci: 17q21.31 (rs17631303, P = 1.4×10-8, HR = 1.27, 95% CI: 1.17-1.38) and 4q32.3 (rs4691139, P = 3.4×10-8, HR = 1.20, 95% CI: 1.17-1.38). The 4q32.3 locus was not associated with ovarian cancer risk in the general population or BRCA2 carriers, suggesting a BRCA1-specific associat

Effect of grass dry matter intake and fat supplementation on progesterone metabolism in lactating dairy cows

Peer-reviewedThis is the author’s version of a work that was accepted for publication in Theriogenology. Changes resulting from the publishing process, such as peer review, editing, corrections, structural formatting, and other quality control mechanisms may not be reflected in this document. Changes may have been made to this work since it was submitted for publication. A definitive version was subsequently published in Theriogenology, volume 78 (4), September 2012: pages 878-886. DOI:10.1016/j.theriogenology.2012.04.001Progesterone (P4) metabolism in dairy cattle can be manipulated by alterations in dry matter intake and diet composition. Our objectives were to determine the effects of grazing allowance and fat supplementation on P4 metabolism in lactating dairy cows. Forty mid- to late-lactation Holstein-Friesian dairy cows were used in a completely randomized block design, with a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatments. Cows were assigned to receive 1 of 2 pasture allowances (ad libitum allowance [AL], 9.5 kg dry matter per day, or restricted allowance [R] 7 kg dry matter per day) and 1 of 2 fat supplementation treatments (750 g per day saturated fat [F] or no fat supplement [NF]). All cows received an additional 4 kg per day of concentrate. Grass dry matter intake (GDMI) was measured 5 wk after the initiation of dietary treatment. Cows were treated with prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α) to eliminate the endogenous source of P4, and two intravaginal progesterone-releasing devices (CIDR) were inserted into each cow for a period of 8 days. Regular blood samples were taken before and after the removal of the intravaginal progesterone-releasing devices, and analyzed for P4 concentrations. The half-life (t½) and metabolic clearance rate (MCR) of P4 was calculated for each cow. There was no effect of GDMI or fat supplementation on the t½ or MCR of P4. There was a tendency for an interaction between GDMI and fat supplementation on the t½ of P4; cows on the restricted-F diet tended to have a longer P4 t½ than cows on the ad libitum-F diet. It was concluded that greater alterations in GDMI than achieved in the current study are required to change P4 metabolism. A combination of fat supplementation and restricted feeding slows P4 clearance, which may have beneficial implications for fertility

The effect of dry period duration and dietary energy density on milk production, bioenergetic status and postpartum ovarian function in Holstein-Friesian dairy cows

Peer-reviewed.This is the author’s version of a work that was accepted for publication in Journal of Dairy Science. Changes resulting from the publishing process, such as peer review, editing, corrections, structural formatting, and other quality control mechanisms may not be reflected in this document. Changes may have been made to this work since it was submitted for publication. A definitive version was subsequently published in Journal of Dairy Science, 92(12), Dec 2009. DOI: 10.3168/jds.2009-2374Following parturition, it is typical for dairy cows to enter a period of negative energy balance (NEB) and body condition loss to support mammary milk synthesis, and this is associated with compromised reproductive performance. Alternative management strategies during the prepartum (dry) and early post partum periods may ameliorate this. Forty mature Holstein-Friesian cows were assigned to one of two dry period treatments (standard 8 week dry period (SDP) or no planned dry period (NDP)) and one of two dietary energy density treatments (standard TMR (STMR) or high quality TMR (HTMR)). Milk yield during weeks 1 to 12 postpartum was reduced (P = 0.01) in cows assigned to the NDP treatment. Energy balance (P < 0.001) and body condition score (P = 0.07) during weeks 1 to 4 postpartum were increased in cows assigned to the NDP treatment compared to the cows assigned to the SDP, and BCS increased (P<0.001) from weeks 5 to 12 postpartum in the NDP cows compared to the SDP cows. During the first 12 weeks postpartum, cows assigned to the HTMR had greater (P = 0.02) milk yields and reduced (P < 0.001) milk fat concentration compared to the cows assigned the STMR diet. BCS was greater (P = 0.01) from weeks 5 to 12 postpartum in HTMR cows compared to STMR cows. During the period from weeks -3 to +3 relative to parturition, circulating concentrations of insulin (P = 0.001), glucose (P < 0.001) and IGF-I (P = 0.004) were greater in cows on the NDP treatment compared to cows on the SDP treatment. Cows assigned to the HTMR had greater circulating insulin (P = 0.04) and glucose (P = 0.001) concentrations compared to the STMR cows from weeks -3 to +3 relative to parturition. The first postpartum ovulation occurred earlier for cows on the NDP treatment compared to cows on the SDP treatment (16.9 vs. 24.8 days postpartum; P = 0.02). Cows assigned to the STMR tended to have a higher conception rate to first service (P = 0.07) compared to cows assigned to the HTMR. Energy balance and metabolic status can be improved by either eliminating the dry period or by feeding a higher energy diet, but effects on the reproductive axis appear to be different

Penentuan Rute Distribusi Gas LPG Tiga Kilogram dengan Metode Saving Matrix di PT Cahaya Bali Gasindo.

Distribusi dan transportasi adalah dua hal berkaitan yang sangat penting di dalam rangkaian kegiatan inti yang dilakukan oleh perusahaan, khususnya perusahaan distributor untuk menyalurkan produk hasil perusahaan kepada konsumen. Dalam pelaksanaan proses distribusi perlu dilakukan perencanaan sistem distribusi yang baik salah satunya meliputi perancangan rute distribusi dengan jarak minimum untuk menghindari pemborosan dari segi biaya dan waktu operasional. PT Cahaya Bali Gasindo adalah perusahaan dalam bentuk agen resmi PT Pertamina PERSERO yang bertanggungjawab untuk menyalurkan gas LPG tiga kilogram dari Pertamina ke 20 pangkalan. Penyerahan rute pengiriman secara langsung kepada supir dan kernet menyebabkan perusahaan tidak dapat mengestimasikan biaya operasional yang harus dikeluarkan seperti estimasi biaya BBM serta biaya lembur pekerja. Permasalahan rute distribusi termasuk ke dalam Vehicle Routing Problem yang mana dapat diselesaikan dengan menggunakan metode heuristik, salah satunya adalah saving matrix. Langkah awal yang dilakukan adalah identifikasi jarak antar lokasi untuk seluruh pangkalan yang kemudian dilanjutkan dengan perhitungan matriks penghematan. Selanjutnya melakukan pengelompokan berdasarkan nilai matriks penghematan, jumlah permintaan, serta kapasitas kendaraan. Setelah kelompok didapatkan maka dilanjutkan dengan pengurutan rute terhemat menggunakan metode nearest neighbor dan nearest insert yang kemudian dilakukan perbaikan dengan metode 1-insertion. Hasil dari seluruh rangkaian metode tersebut didapatkan penghematan estimasi jarak, biaya dan waktu tempuh antara rute usulan dengan rute eksisting. Untuk aspek jarak, diketahui rute usulan dapat mengurangi jarak tempuh sebesar 40,84% sementara dari aspek biaya, diketahui terjadi penghematan sebesar 43,86% dan untuk aspek waktu tempuh diketahui bahwa terdapat selisih waktu yang membedakan antara waktu tempuh rute eksisting dengan rute usulan dimana estimasi waktu rute usulan lebih cepat 2,41 jam pada saat alokasi 1680 tabung dan lebih cepat 3,23 jam pada saat alokasi 1120 tabung

The effect of strain of Holstein-Friesian cow on size of ovarian structures, periovulatory circulating steroid concentrations, and embryo quality following superovulation

Peer-reviewedThis is the author’s version of a work that was accepted for publication in Theriogenology. Changes resulting from the publishing process, such as peer review, editing, corrections, structural formatting, and other quality control mechanisms may not be reflected in this document. Changes may have been made to this work since it was submitted for publication. A definitive version was subsequently published in Theriogenology, 70(7), Oct. 2008, DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2008.06.030When managed under grass-based systems of production, the NZ strain of Holstein-Friesian cow has superior reproductive performance compared to the NA strain despite having similar SCM yields. This study compared the ontogeny of early pregnancy events in NZ and NA cows. Ten NZ and 10 NA cows were submitted to a superovulation protocol on three occasions. Blood samples were collected daily from every cow from day -3 to +7 relative to a synchronised oestrus during each superovulation protocol. Pre-ovulatory oestradiol concentrations, follicle diameter, post-ovulatory progesterone concentrations, CL diameter, and circulating insulin-like growth factor-I concentrations did not differ between the two strains. Uteri were non-surgically flushed 7 d post AI, embryos were isolated and graded. The proportion of transferable embryos recovered was higher (P<0.01) in the NZ cows compared with the NA cows. A greater (P=0.01) proportion of the recovered structures were at the blastocyst stage in the NZ cows. Peak SCM yield and BCS at the time of peak SCM yield were not different between strains. However during the experimental period the NA cows maintained significantly higher daily SCM yields, whereas the NZ cows replenished significantly greater levels of BCS. The results indicate that differences in periovulatory steroid concentrations and size of ovarian structures do not explain the differences in embryo quality between the two strains. However, strain differences in nutrient partitioning from the time of peak SCM yield through late lactation may provide the key signals responsible for superior embryo quality in NZ cows

Genetic merit for fertility traits in Holstein cows: III. Hepatic expression of somatotropic axis genes during pregnancy and lactation

Peer-reviewedThis is the author’s version of a work that was accepted for publication in Journal of Dairy Science. Changes resulting from the publishing process, such as peer review, editing, corrections, structural formatting, and other quality control mechanisms may not be reflected in this document. Changes may have been made to this work since it was submitted for publication. A definitive version was subsequently published in Journal of Dairy Science, Volume 95, Issue 7, July 2012, Pages 3711–3721: DOI 10.3168/jds.2011-4977The objective of this study was to characterize the circulating concentrations of insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) and the hepatic expression of key genes regulating the somatotropic axis in cows divergent in genetic merit for fertility traits but with similar genetic merit for milk production traits. A total of 11 cows with good genetic merit for fertility (Fert+) and 12 cows with poor genetic merit for fertility (Fert−) underwent liver biopsy by percutaneous punch technique on d 20 (± 6.7 d) prepartum and on d 2 (± 1.5 d), d 58 (± 3.7 d), d 145 (± 13 d), and d 245 (± 17.1 d) postpartum. Total RNA was isolated and the mRNA expression of growth hormone receptor (GHR 1A and GHRtot), IGF-I, janus tyrosine kinase 2 (JAK2), signal transducer and activator of transcription 5B (STAT5B), suppressor of cytokine signaling 3 (SOCS-3), acid-labile subunit (ALS), and IGF-binding proteins (IGFBP1 to IGFBP6) were measured by real-time quantitative PCR. During lactation, the circulating concentrations of IGF-I were 34% greater in Fert+ cows. The Fert+ cows had increased mean expression of IGF-I mRNA during the study; however, the difference in IGF-I mRNA abundance between Fert+ and Fert− cows was most pronounced at d 145 and 245. The expression of IGFBP3 and ALS transcript was similar in Fert+ and Fert− cows for the duration of the study. The Fert− cows, however, had greater expression of IGFBP2, IGFBP4, IGFBP5, and IGFBP6. Genotype had no effect on mRNA abundance of GHR 1A, STAT5B, JAK2, or SOCS-3. Genetic merit for fertility traits affects hepatic expression of key genes of the somatotropic axis regulating the synthesis, bioavailability, and stability of circulating IGF-I

Genetic merit for fertility traits in Holstein cows: I. Production characteristics and reproductive efficiency in a pasture-based system

Peer-reviewedThis is the author’s version of a work that was accepted for publication in Journal of Dairy Science. Changes resulting from the publishing process, such as peer review, editing, corrections, structural formatting, and other quality control mechanisms may not be reflected in this document. Changes may have been made to this work since it was submitted for publication. A definitive version was subsequently published in Journal of Dairy Science, Volume 95, Issue 3, July 2012, Pages 1310-1322. DOI 10.3168/jds.2011-4742.The objective of the present study was to characterize the phenotypic performance of cows with similar proportions of Holstein genetics, similar genetic merit for milk production traits, but with good (Fert+) or poor (Fert−) genetic merit for fertility traits. Specifically, we tested the hypothesis that cows with a negative estimated breeding value for calving interval would have superior fertility performance and would have detectable differences in body reserve mobilization and circulating concentrations of metabolic hormones and metabolites compared with cows that had a positive estimated breeding value for calving interval. For the duration of the study, cows were managed identically as a single herd in a typical grass-based, spring-calving production system. A total of 80 lactation records were available from 26 Fert+ and 26 Fert− cows over 2 consecutive years (2008 and 2009). During yr 1, cows were monitored during a 20-wk breeding season to evaluate reproductive performance. Milk production, body condition score (scale 1 to 5), body weight, grass dry matter intake, energy balance, and metabolic hormone and metabolite data were collected during both years. The Fert+ cows had greater daily milk yield (19.5 vs. 18.7 kg/d), shorter interval from calving to conception (85.6 vs. 113.8 d), and fewer services per cow (1.78 vs. 2.83). No difference between groups in grass dry matter intake, energy balance, or body weight was observed. The Fert+ cows maintained greater BCS during mid (2.84 vs. 2.74 units) and late lactation (2.82 vs. 2.73 units). Circulating concentrations of insulin-like growth factor-I were greater throughout the gestation-lactation cycle in Fert+ cows (148.3 vs. 128.2 ng/mL). The Fert+ cows also had greater circulating concentrations of insulin during the first 4 wk of lactation (1.71 vs. 1.24 μIU/mL). Analysis of records from national herd data verified the association between genetic merit for fertility traits and phenotypic reproductive performance; Fert+ cows (n = 2,436) required 11.1 d less to recalve than did Fert− cows (n = 1,388), and the percentage of cows that successfully calved for the second time within 365 and 400 d of the first calving was 8 and 13% greater for Fert+ compared with Fert− cows, respectively. These results demonstrate that genetic merit for fertility traits had a pronounced effect on reproductive efficiency, BCS profiles, and circulating concentrations of insulin-like growth factor-I