Studies of the Changes in Physico-Chemical Parameters during Growth and Development of Fruits of Karonda cv. Konkan Bold

Aims: To study the changes in physical and chemical parameters of karonda cv. Konkan Bold fruits during growth and development of fruits. Place and Duration of Study: Fruit and Vegetable Processing Unit Laboratory at the Department of Horticulture, College of Agriculture, Dr. Balasaheb Sawant Konkan Krishi Vidyapeeth, Dapoli during the 2013-2014 period. Methodology: During the course of investigation, the physico-chemical changes during growth and development were studied. Drying up of the stigmatic surface and swelling of the ovary were the indication of fruit set. Such set fruits were tagged on the selected karonda bush on the farm. The physico-chemical changes during growth and development of karonda fruits Cv. Konkan Bold were be recorded at the four growth stages: 1) Fruit set, 2) Half grown, 3) Full grown and 4) Ripe stage. Results: As the fruit advanced from the set stage through to the full-grown stage, it was observed that attributes such as weight, volume, size, total soluble solids, total sugars, reducing sugars, and iron content of the karonda fruit increased. Conversely, the specific gravity and titratable acidity demonstrated a decrease from the fruit set to the full-grown stage. The days required to reach the full-grown stage from the fruit set was approximately 108.34 days. Furthermore, ripening from the fruit set took around 116.17 days. Conclusion: physical characteristics such as weight, volume, specific gravity, length, diameter, and the number of days needed for various growth stages and chemical parameters T.S.S., reducing sugars, total sugars, acidity, and iron content can serve as a maturity indices for these fruits

Angiopoietin expression in ovine corpora lutea during the luteal phase: Effects of nutrition, arginine and follicle stimulating hormone

The aim of this study was to evaluate angiopoietin (ANGPT) 1 and 2, and tyrosine-protein kinase receptor 2 (TIE2) expression in the corpora lutea (CL) of FSH-treated, or non-treated sheep administered arginine (Arg) or vehicle (saline, Sal), and fed a control (C), excess (O) or restricted (U) diet. Ewes from each dietary group were treated with Arg or Sal (experiment 1), and with FSH (experiment 2). Luteal tissues were collected at the early-, mid- and/or late-luteal phases of the estrous cycle. Protein and mRNA expression was determined using immunohistochemistry followed by image analysis, and quantitative RT-PCR, respectively. The results demonstrated that ANGPT1 and TIE2 proteins were localized to luteal capillaries and endothelial cells of larger blood vessels, and ANGPT2 was localized to tunica media of larger blood vessels. TIE2 protein was also present in luteal cells. In experiment 1, ANGPT1 protein expression was greater in O than C during early- and mid-luteal phases, and was greatest during late-luteal phase, less at the mid- and least at the early-luteal phase; 2) TIE2 protein expression was greatest at the mid-, less at the early- and least at the late-luteal phase; 3) ANGPT1 and 2 mRNA expression was greater at the mid- and late- than the early-luteal phase, and TIE2 mRNA expression was greatest at the late-, less at the mid- and least at the early-luteal phase. The ANGPT1/2 ratio was less at the early- than mid- or late-luteal phases. In experiment 2, ANGPT1 protein expression was greater in O during the mid-luteal phase than in other groups, and was greater at the mid- than early-luteal phase. TIE2 protein expression was highest at the mid-, less at the early- and least during the late-luteal phase. ANGPT1 and 2, and TIE2 mRNA expression was higher at the mid- than the early-luteal phase. During mid-luteal phase, ANGPT1 mRNA expression was greater in C than O and U, ANGPT2 was greatest in C, less in O and least in U, and TIE2 mRNA expression was greater in C than O and U. The ANGPT1/2 ratio was higher in U than in any other group. Comparison of FSH vs. Sal treatment effects (experiment 2 vs. experiment 1) demonstrated that FSH affected ANGPT1 and/or -2, and TIE2 protein and mRNA expression depending on luteal phase and/or diet. Thus, expression of ANGPTs and TIE2 in the CL changes during the luteal lifespan, indicating their involvement in luteal vascular formation, stabilization and degradation. Moreover, this study has demonstrated that plane of nutrition and/or FSH treatment affect the ANGPT system, and may alter luteal vascularity and luteal function in sheep