T-2 mycotoxin slows down the development of mouse blastocysts, decreases their blastomere number and increases chromatin damage

The mycotoxin T-2 has many harmful effects on mammalian cells and reproductive functions. In the present study, the in vitro effect of T-2 toxin on mouse blastocysts was examined. Embryos were cultured in media supplemented with 0.5, 0.75 and 1 ng/ml T-2. Different exposure times were applied [96 h (treatment I) or 24 h following 72 h in toxin-free media (treatment II)]. Blastomere number, nuclear chromatin status and blastocoel formation were investigated in blastocysts. Our data show that the effect of T-2 toxin may vary depending on the stage of the embryo at the start of exposure. At 96 h of exposure, the blastocysts had blastomeres with normal chromatin quality but their developmental potential was decreased. After 24 h of exposure applied following a 72-h culture, blastomeres had a higher level of chromatin damage, although their developmental potential was the same as in the control embryos. In both cases, decreased mitotic rate was found, which resulted in decreased blastomere number even at low toxin concentration

Út a beteljesedéshez. A dzso-ha-kjú ritmus szerepéről a hagyományos japán nó-játékban Zeami Motokijo Súgjoku tokka című tanítása nyomán

Besides the work done by the actor and the technical elements of nō performance, the connection between the audience and performer is also of great importance in the writings of Zeami Motokiyo, an example being the way artists build upon the expectations, reactions, and taste of the audience. Zeami interprets the jo-ha-kyū rhythm as an essential structural and rhythmical principle in nō, which is why I analyze Shūgyoku tokka, his most informative teaching, in which he deals with jo-ha-kyū not just as a practical element of nō, but elevates it to a higher, more theoretical level. Based on the original text and translations of Tom Hare, J. Thomas Rimer, Yamazaki Masakazu, and commentary by Shelley Fenno Quinn, I examine what effect jo-ha-kyū can have on the audience – and find my answer in Zeami’s concept of fulfillment (jōju), which he deduces from jo-ha-kyū. As he connects these two concepts with the principle of interest (omoshiroki) I point to how important a role the process of recognition plays in nō. This paper is a shortened version of two chapters from the author’s doctoral dissertation: Jo-ha-kyū: Rhythm, Effect and Meaning in Traditional Japanese Nō Theatre. (Originally in Hungarian.

Az idegen vonzásában

Cseh Dávid Sándor recenziója Doma Petra Az idegen vonzásában. Sadayakko, Matsui Sumako és Hanako: színésznők az interkulturális színház kontextusában című kötetéről

Egyes metabolikus és hormonális jellemzők alakulása ellés után és hatása az első ovuláció időpontjára valamint az asszisztált reprodukciós technológiák eredményességére anyajuhokban = The changes of certain metabolic and endocrine characteristics postpartum and its effect to the day of first ovulation and the efficiency of assisted reproductive technologies in ewes

A vizsgálatok keretében a szezonnak, fotóperiódusnak és a metabolikus állapotnak az ellés után jelentkező első ivarzás/ovuláció idejére gyakorolt hatását vizsgáltuk intenzíven tejelő, nem szoptató Awassi juhokban. Az eredmények azt jelzik, hogy körülményeink között (kontinentális zóna) az Awassi juhok petefészkének aktivitása szezonálissá válik és az ellés utáni első ivarzás/ovuláció az ősszel ellett, nem szoptató anyákban nagyon korán megtörténhet, még azelőtt, hogy a méh teljes involuciója befejeződhetne. A plazma metabolitok és metabolikus hormonok szintje a vizsgált időszakban mindvégig a fiziológiás tartományban maradt; az intenzív tejtermelés sem borította fel a metabolikus egyensúlyt. A fénykiegészítés késleltetheti az ellés után jelentkező első ivarzás/ovuláció jelentkezésének idejét. A tenyész szezonon kívül alkalmazott melatonin kezelésnek a spermiumokra, a here endokrin funkciójára és az IGF-I szintre kifejtett hatását is vizsgáltuk Awassi tenyész kosokban. A vizsgálatok eredményei azt jelzik, hogy a melatonin javíthatja a here tesztoszteron termelését, de nincs hatással a spermiumtermelésre és az IGF-I szintre. | The influence of the season, photoperiod and metabolic status on the time of the first postpartum ovulation in lactating, non-suckled dairy Awassi ewes was studied. Trials were conducted in a commercial Awassi flock, where lambs are weaned immediately after birth. It was found that ovarian function of Awassi population became seasonal under temperate continental weather and the first postpartum ovulation of non-suckling, autumn-lambing dams may happen very early, even before the completion of uterine involution. Plasma metabolites and metabolic hormones were in physiological range in the periparturian period; the metabolic balance was not turned by the intensive milk production. Additional lightening may retard the time of first postpartum ovulation. The effect of melatonin treatment applied out of the breeding season on semen characteristics, endocrine function of testicles and baseline level of IGF-I in Awassi rams were also studied. It was found that melatonin treatment may improve testicular testosterone production but does not influence semen parameters and IGF-I level

Involuntary reduction in vigour of calves born from sexed semen

The objective of this study was to compare the reproductive traits of heifers and the development characteristics of their calves following artificial insemination (AI) with sexed and non-sexed semen. The analysed characteristics included conception rate, gestation length, calf birth weight, calf vigour, stillbirth rate, and twinning rate. Data of 530 calves produced with sexed and 1,163 calves produced with non-sexed semen were analysed. The General Linear Model (GLM) was applied to assess the influence of semen type, farm, season of insemination, the calf’s sex and the inseminating sire on gestation length and calf birth weight. With the exception of gestation length (P > 0.05), all other traits studied were significantly (P 0.05); however, artificial insemination with X-sorted sexed semen significantly altered the sex ratio of calves (85.1:14.9%, P < 0.01). The results obtained in this investigation are in agreement with the majority of studies which compared the fertility traits, sex ratio and calf characteristics depending on the application of artificial insemination with sexed or conventional semen