The effect of Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) stimulation on the concentrations of free and conjugated androstenone in plasma was studied in 34 crossbred entire male pigs (Landrace x Swedish Yorkshire). Seventeen pigs were treated with hCG 4 days prior to slaughter and the remaining pigs were treated with sterile saline and served as controls. Blood samples were taken prior to hCG or saline injection and on the day before slaughter and analysed for concentrations of free and conjugated androstenone. Testicular tissue samples were taken at slaughter and analysed for the levels of cytochrome b5 (cyb5) protein. Here we have demonstrated for the first time that hCG stimulation causes an increase in the plasma levels of both free and conjugated androstenone. Not all animals responded in the same way to hCG treatment regarding levels of free and conjugated androstenone demonstrating that individual animals can have differences in their capacity to produce free and conjugated androstenone. We suggest that hCG treatment is a good way to determine the potential for androstenone conjugation when androstenone synthesis in the testis is high. The levels of cyb5 protein in the testis were slightly related (r=0.41, p < 0.10) to free androstenone levels in the pigs after hCG administration, although levels of cyb5 protein were not affected by hCG treatment. 相似文献
The aim of this study was to assess the ultrasonographic characteristics of ovulatory follicles in cyclic Western White Face ewes (December) that had received intravaginal sponges containing medroxyprogesterone acetate (MAP; 60 mg) for 12 days, with or without an injection of 500 IU of equine chorionic gonadotropin (eCG) at sponge removal. We hypothesized that quantitative echotextural attributes of the follicles in ewes treated only with MAP would differ from those in MAP/eCG-treated ewes, reflecting the increased antral follicular growth and secretory function under eCG influence. Digital images of ovulatory follicles obtained at 0 and 24 h after MAP sponge removal and at 24 h before ovulation in the eCG-treated (five ewes, 13 follicles) and control (six ewes, 9 follicles) animals, were subjected to computerized analyses. The mean diameter of ovulatory follicles increased (p < 0.001) 24 h after eCG treatment. The mean pixel intensity and heterogeneity of the follicular antrum (p < 0.001), as well as mean pixel intensity of the follicular wall and perifollicular ovarian stroma (p < 0.05), were greater in eCG-treated animals compared with control ewes 24 h after sponge removal and at 24 h before ovulation. Mean serum concentrations of oestradiol-17beta tended to increase (p = 0.06) 24 h after eCG treatment and the eCG-treated ewes exceeded (p < 0.05) control animals in progesterone concentrations from days 9-15 after ovulation. Our results support the hypothesis that large antral follicles in eCG-treated ewes exhibit distinctive echotextural characteristics. Follicular image attributes in eCG-treated ewes appear to be indicative of the changes in follicular morphology and secretory activity caused by the administration of the exogenous gonadotropin, which has both FSH- and LH-like activities. 相似文献
Central Greenland ice cores provide evidence of abrupt changes in climate over the past 100,000 years. Many of these changes have also been identified in sedimentary and geochemical signatures in deep-sea sediment cores from the North Atlantic, confirming the link between millennial-scale climate variability and ocean thermohaline circulation. It is shown here that two of the most prominent North Atlantic events-the rapid warming that marks the end of the last glacial period and the Bolling/Allerod-Younger Dryas oscillation-are also recorded in an ice core from Taylor Dome, in the western Ross Sea sector of Antarctica. This result contrasts with evidence from ice cores in other regions of Antarctica, which show an asynchronous response between the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. 相似文献
The cover image is based on Research Article Development of enzymes for robust aryloxyphenoxypropionate and synthetic auxin herbicide tolerance traits in maize and soybean crops by Clayton T Larue et al., DOI: 10.1002/ps.5393 X‐ray crystallography was used to solve the structure of FT enzymes (FT_T shown in both ribbons and space fill views).
The suitability of potatoes for processing into potato chips is dependent on chip color, and internal and external defects. Concentrations of reducing sugars, and more specifically glucose, have been used as a quantitative indicator of acceptability of potato for chipping. The research reported here investigated the correlation between sugar concentrations and chip color, and the variability of sugar concentrations between samples and sample locations. Three potato storage research bins, each with an independent air handling and control system, were located inside of commercial potato storage bins. Snowden potatoes were harvested in the fall of 1992 and stored at different temperatures in the bins through late March, 1993. The potatoes were sampled bi-weekly during the storage period, and the samples were analyzed for sugar concentrations (sucrose and glucose) using a YSI model 2700 sugar analyzer.1 The results indicated that a Snowden potato sample with a glucose concentration less than 0.0075%2 (fresh weight basis) will have a 90% probability of having an acceptable Snack Food Association color score of 1.5 or lower. Lower numbers indicate whiter chips which are generally preferred by chip producers. Similarly, a sample with a glucose concentration of 0.01% will have a 90% probability of having a color of 2 or lower. Based on tubers sampled from four heights within the storage bins, samples from the top of a potato bin will provide a representative sample as long as recommended storage procedures are followed, and potato pulp temperatures are similar throughout the storage. 相似文献
We report atmospheric methane carbon isotope ratios (delta13CH4) from the Western Greenland ice margin spanning the Younger Dryas-to-Preboreal (YD-PB) transition. Over the recorded approximately 800 years, delta13CH4 was around -46 per mil (per thousand); that is, approximately 1 per thousand higher than in the modern atmosphere and approximately 5.5 per thousand higher than would be expected from budgets without 13C-rich anthropogenic emissions. This requires higher natural 13C-rich emissions or stronger sink fractionation than conventionally assumed. Constant delta13CH4 during the rise in methane concentration at the YD-PB transition is consistent with additional emissions from tropical wetlands, or aerobic plant CH4 production, or with a multisource scenario. A marine clathrate source is unlikely. 相似文献
The relationship between bulk tank somatic cell count (SCC) and farm management and infrastructure was examined using data from 398 randomly selected, yet representative, Irish dairy farms where the basal diet is grazed grass. Median bulk tank SCC for the farms was 282,887 cells/ml ranging from 82,209 to 773,028 cells/ml. Two questionnaires were administered through face-to-face contact with each farmer. Herd-level factors associated with bulk tank SCC were determined using linear models with annual somatic cell score (i.e., arithmetic mean of the natural logarithm of bulk tank SCC) included as the dependent variable. All herd level factors were analysed individually in separate regression models, which included an adjustment for geographical location of the farm; a multiple regression model was subsequently developed. Management practices associated with low SCC included the use of dry cow therapy, participation in a milk recording scheme and the use of teat disinfection post-milking. There was an association between low SCC and an increased level of hygiene and frequency of cleaning of the holding yard, passageways and cubicles. Herd management factors associated with bulk tank SCC in Irish grazing herds are generally in agreement with most previous studies from confinement systems of milk production. 相似文献
The assessment of thyroid volume plays an indispensable role in the diagnosis and management of different thyroid diseases. The present study evaluates the accuracy of dolphin thyroid volume measurement as determined by four two-dimensional (2D) ultrasound methods (A-D), with a standard of reference using three-dimensional (3D) ultrasound. The measurement accuracy for different recognized thyroid configuration is also evaluated. Inter- and intraoperator variability of the measurement methods was determined. Thyroid ultrasound examinations were conducted in 16 apparently healthy Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops aduncus) with 2D and 3D ultrasound under identical scanning conditions. All 2D ultrasound measurement methods yielded high accuracies (79.9-81.3%) when compared with the 3D ultrasound measurement, and had high measurement reproducibility (77.6-86.2%) and repeatability (78.1-99.7%). For 2D ultrasound measurements, Methods A and B were more accurate and reliable than Methods C and D, regardless of thyroid configuration. Ultrasound is useful in the measurement of thyroid volume in bottlenose dolphins. For the first time, a reliable ultrasound scanning protocol for measuring dolphin thyroid volume was developed, which provides a means to establish a normative reference for the diagnosis of thyroid pathologies and to monitor the thyroid volume during the course of treatment in living dolphins. Key words: 3D ultrasound, Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphin, thyroid volume measurement, Tursiops aduncus. 相似文献
