Beneficial Effect of Two Culture Systems with Small Groups of Embryos on the Development and Quality of In Vitro‐Produced Bovine Embryos     

A. Cebrian‐Serrano  I. Salvador  M. A. Silvestre 《Anatomia, histologia, embryologia》2014,43(1):22-30

Currently, in vitro‐produced embryos derived by ovum pick up (OPU) and in vitro fertilization (IVF) technologies represent approximately one‐third of the embryos worldwide in cattle. Nevertheless, the culture of small groups of embryos from an individual egg donor is an issue that OPU‐IVF laboratories have to face. In this work, we tested whether the development and quality of the preimplantation embryos in vitro cultured in low numbers (five embryos) could be improved by the addition of epidermal growth factor, insulin, transferrin and selenium (EGF‐ITS) or by the WOW system. With this aim, immature oocytes recovered from slaughtered heifers were in vitro matured and in vitro fertilized. Presumptive zygotes were then randomly cultured in four culture conditions: one large group (LG) (50 embryos/500 μl medium) and three smaller groups [five embryos/50 μl medium without (control) or with EGF‐ITS (EGF‐ITS) and five embryos per microwell in the WOW system (WOW)]. Embryos cultured in LG showed a greater ability to develop to blastocyst stage than embryos cultured in smaller groups, while the blastocyst rate of WOW group was significantly higher than in control. The number of cells/blastocyst in LG was higher than control or WOW, whereas the apoptosis rate per blastocyst was lower. On the other hand, the addition of EGF‐ITS significantly improved both parameters compared to the control and resulted in similar embryo quality to LG. In conclusion, the WOW system improved embryo development, while the addition of EGF‐ITS improved the embryo quality when smaller groups of embryos were cultured.  相似文献   

Distinct spatial activation of intrinsic and extrinsic apoptosis pathways in natural scrapie: association with prion-related lesions     

Carmen Serrano  Jaber Lyahyai  Rosa Bolea  Luis Varona  Eva Monle��n  Juan J. Badiola  Pilar Zaragoza    Inmaculada Mart��n-Burriel 《Veterinary research》2009,40(5)

Neurodegeneration and gliosis are the main neuropathological features of prion diseases. However, the molecular mechanisms involved in these processes remain unclear. Several studies have demonstrated changes in the expression of apoptotic factors and inflammatory cytokines in animals with experimental infection. Here we present the expression profiles of 15 genes implicated in the intrinsic and extrinsic apoptotic pathways in the central nervous systems of sheep naturally infected with scrapie. Expression changes obtained by real-time RT-PCR were also compared with the extent of classical scrapie lesions, such as prion deposition, neuronal vacuolisation, spongiosis, and astrogliosis as well as with the activation of caspase-3, using a stepwise regression. The results suggest that the factors assessed participate in apoptotic or inflammatory functions, depending on the affected area. The mitochondrial apoptosis pathway was associated with prion deposition in the prefrontal cortex (the less affected area), and with activation of caspase-3-mediated cell death via over-expression of BAK. In addition to its known association with astroglial activation, the extrinsic apoptosis pathway was also related to cell death and neuronal vacuolisation.  相似文献   

Prestorage heat treatment to maintain nutritive and functional properties during postharvest cold storage of pomegranate     

Mirdehghan SH  Rahemi M  Serrano M  Guillén F  Martínez-Romero D  Valero D 《Journal of agricultural and food chemistry》2006,54(22):8495-8500

Heat treatments have been used to extend storability of several fruits, although no information is available about their effects on nutritive and functional properties in pomegranates, which was the objective of this research. Thus, pomegranate fruits were heat treated (dips at 45 degrees C for 4 min) and stored at 2 degrees C for 90 days. Every 15 days, samples were taken and further stored 2 days at 20 degrees C for shelf life study. Arils from heat-treated pomegranates exhibited higher total antioxidant activity than controls, which was correlated primarily to the high levels of total phenolics and to lesser extent to ascorbic acid and anthocyanin contents. Additionally, the levels of sugars (glucose and fructose) and organic acids (malic, citric, and oxalic acids) remained also at higher concentrations in arils from treated fruits. With this simple and non-contaminant technology, the functional and nutritive properties, after long periods of storage, could then be even greater than in recently harvested fruits, thus providing a high content in health-beneficial compounds to consumers after the intake of these fruits.  相似文献   

Phytoestrogen treatment induces testis alterations in dogs. Potential use in population control     

Perez-Rivero JJ  Martinez-Maya JJ  Perez-Martinez M  Aguilar-Setien A  Garcia-Suarez MD  Serrano H 《Veterinary research communications》2009,33(1):87-95

Dog overpopulation is considered a human health risk; they are the terrestrial vector of rabies and reservoirs for other human diseases. Surgical neutering and intratesticular injections have been used in male dogs. Physiological and morphological alterations in reproductive organs can be induced by phytoestrogens. Our goal was to evaluate the effect of oral coumestrol on dog ejaculates and testis histology. Two groups of 5 healthy adult dogs were used. One coumestrolcontaining biscuit was given once a week for a 4 week period to the experimental group. Ejaculates were obtained and evaluated. After treatment, testis were obtained and processed for histology. Compared to controls, treated dogs have reduced tubules (462 ± 1.4 vs 336 ± 2 μ²), spermatogenic epithelium (49.1 ± 0.01 vs 13.3 ± 0.01 μ²), and lumen opening (891 ± 1.4 vs 530 ± 26.9 μ). Ejaculates from treated animals have increased numbers of abnormal spermatozoa and reduced sperm concentration.  相似文献   

Effects of crossbreed pregnancies on the abortion risk of Neospora caninum-infected dairy cows     

S. Almería  F. Lpez-Gatius  I. García-Ispierto  C. Nogareda  G. Bech-Sbat  B. Serrano  P. Santolaria  J.L. Yniz 《Veterinary parasitology》2009,163(4):323-329

Previous studies have shown that the use of beef bull semen significantly reduces the rate of abortions due to Neospora caninum in artificially inseminated (AI) seropositive dairy cows. In addition, certain beef breeds could be more resistant to N. caninum infection and abortion than others. The aim of the present study was to determine whether different crossbreed pregnancies, those derived from Limousin, Charolais, Piedmontese or Belgian Blue semen, carry different risks of abortion in Neospora-infected dairy cows. The effects of possible interactions between maternal levels of N. caninum antibodies and the different breed crosses were also evaluated. The study was performed on five commercial Holstein–Friesian dairy herds in Northeast Spain with previously confirmed diagnoses of N. caninum infection in aborted foetuses. The study population was comprised of 1115 pregnancies: 633 pregnancies recorded after AI using Holstein–Friesian semen from 18 bulls and 482 after AI using beef semen from 27 bulls (304 inseminations using semen from Limousin bulls, 191 from Belgian Blue bulls, 89 from Piedmontese bulls and 49 from Charolais bulls). Abortion rates were 32.2% (155/482) and 15.2% (96/633) for seropositive cows inseminated with Holstein–Friesian and beef breed semen, respectively. Logistic regression analysis revealed the herd and the interaction between maternal N. caninum antibody titre and the different crossbreeds as significant factors affecting the abortion rate. Lowest abortion rates, similar to that shown by seronegative animals in the analysed herds (3.2%, 239/7432), were observed in dams AI using Limousin semen that had low (<30 relative index (RI) units) N. caninum antibody titres (2.1% abortion, 3/145) and these cows were used as reference. Compared to the cows used as reference, cows with low N. caninum antibody titres (<30 RI units) showed a similar risk of abortion when inseminated with Piedmontese or Charolais bull semen, but higher risk of abortion when inseminated with Holstein (17.9 times) or Belgian Blue (7.2 times) bull semen. All cows with high N. caninum antibody titres (≥30 RI units) had a higher risk of abortion, ranging from 8.9 times (cows inseminated with Limousine semen) to 37.8 times (cows inseminated with Piedmontese semen), compared to the cows used as reference. In conclusion, different crossbreed pregnancies carried different abortion risks in Neospora-infected dairy cows. The use of beef bull semen dramatically reduced the risk of abortion in dairy cows, especially if Limousin breed semen was used. Moreover, this reduction was found to be dependent on the N. caninum antibody titre such that the lowest incidence of abortions was recorded in Limousin semen inseminated cows with low antibody titres. Insemination of Neospora-seropositive cows with beef bull semen could both reduce the risk of abortion and avoid breeding replacements for infected cattle.  相似文献   

High-performance liquid chromatographic determination of the glycoalkaloids alpha-solanine and alpha-chaconine in 12 commercial varieties of Mexican potato     

Sotelo A  Serrano B 《Journal of agricultural and food chemistry》2000,48(6):2472-2475

The glycoalkaloid content in 12 commercial varieties of Mexican potatoes was measured by HPLC in both the peel and the flesh of the potato. The principal glycoalkaloids alpha-solanine and alpha-chaconine were present in higher concentration in the peel than in the flesh of all varieties. The main alkaloid in the peel of the potatoes was alpha-chaconine and comprised about 65-71% of the total glycoalkaloids. The high concentration of alpha-chaconine in peel, which is more toxic than alpha-solanine, gives more protection to the tuber against predators. The total alkaloids in the peel of Alpha, Juanita, Michoacan, Norte?a, Rosita, and Tollocan varieties were higher than the limit recommended for food safety. However, the peel represents less than 10% of the total tuber in most of the varieties. The total alkaloids contained in the peel of Atzimba, Lopez, Marciana, Montsama, Murca, and Puebla was lower than the limits recommended for food safety. The glycoalkaloid content in the boiled peeled potatoes was less than 9 mg/100 g but in Alpha, Montsama, and Puebla varieties, both glycoalkaloids were absent. According to the results, the consumption of the 12 commercial varieties of Mexican potatoes does not represent any danger to human health.  相似文献   

Novel edible coating based on aloe vera gel to maintain table grape quality and safety   总被引：1，自引：0，他引：1  

Valverde JM  Valero D  Martínez-Romero D  Guillén F  Castillo S  Serrano M 《Journal of agricultural and food chemistry》2005,53(20):7807-7813

A novel edible coating based on Aloe vera gel obtained according to SP Patent Filed 200302937 has been used as a means of preservation to maintain the quality and safety of cv. Crimson Seedless table grapes during cold storage and subsequent shelf life. Table grapes have a crucial economic value as a dessert fruit, but once harvested show a reduction of shelf life due to a rapid loss of quality. Uncoated clusters showed a rapid deterioration with an estimated shelf life period of 7 days at 1 degrees C plus 4 days at 20 degrees C, based on the fast weight loss, color changes, accelerated softening and ripening, rachis browning, and high incidence of berry decay. On the contrary, those clusters treated with A. vera gel significantly delayed the above parameters related to postharvest quality losses, and storability could be extended up to 35 days at 1 degrees C. Interestingly, this edible coating was able to reduce the initial microbial counts for both mesophillic aerobic and yeast and molds, which significantly increased in uncoated berries over storage. Moreover, the sensory analyses revealed beneficial effects in terms of delaying rachis browning and dehydration and maintenance of the visual aspect of the berry without any detrimental effect on taste, aroma, or flavors. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first time A. vera gel has been used as an edible coating in fruits, which would be an innovative and interesting means for commercial application and an alternative to the use of postharvest chemical treatments.  相似文献   

Indicator taxa of spider (Araneae) diversity and their efficiency in conservation     

Pedro Cardoso  Israel Silva  Nuno G. de Oliveira  Artur R. M. Serrano 《Biological conservation》2004,120(4):517-524

A considerable number of alternative approaches have been suggested during the last years to predict species richness of a given taxon, while retaining information on the identities of the observed individuals. Such information can be extremely useful for choosing conservation priority areas, either by using raw richness values or, preferentially, by considering the complementarity between potential sites. Among the most popular approaches is the use of indicator taxa. Both one single family and a group of several families are here tested in their ability to predict the number of spider (Araneae) species independently of sampling effort, geographical location and type of habitat. We use data from three Portuguese protected areas as a test case. A two-family indicator group – Gnaphosidae and Theridiidae – is found to be a good surrogate of species richness, even if caution is needed regarding the comparison of sites with considerably different sampling effort or vegetation cover. No single family can be seen as a good surrogate of the totality of spiders. In addition, only a group of the two mentioned families is found to be efficient and reliable either when used to rank sites according to taxa richness or for determining near-minimum sets of sites for conservation. We therefore recommend surrogacy with this indicator group as a promising approach for the prediction of spider species richness or evaluation and ranking of areas according to their conservation importance. The reached conclusions should uphold for Portugal and the entire Mediterranean region.  相似文献   

Role of ethylene and abscisic acid in physicochemical modifications during melon ripening     

Martínez-Madrid MC  Martínez G  Pretel MT  Serrano M  Romojaro F 《Journal of agricultural and food chemistry》1999,47(12):5285-5290

Hormonal metabolism associated with fruit ripening in two cantaloupe muskmelon cultivars, Talma and Manta, has been studied. The ethylene crisis began on day 33 after fruit set, reaching the maximum values of internal ethylene concentration and ethylene production rate on day 35 after fruit set. This was the optimum moment for consumption as shown by the higher content in soluble solids, ripening index, sensory analysis, and color parameter values. The b parameter and the b/a quotient values in peel were good indicators of the maturity stage, the optimum moment for harvesting being about day 33 after fruit set (when autocatalytic ethylene synthesis has begun), with values of 20 and 5 for the b parameter and b/a quotient, respectively. In both cultivars, free 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC) content increased until day 35 after fruit set and conjugated ACC increased in postclimacterium. The increase in both ACC-synthase and ACC-oxidase activities together could be responsible for the climacteric ethylene production. Significant differences in the abscisic acid evolution in Talma and Manta cultivars were reached, and also a possible stimulation of ethylene by this hormone could be established.  相似文献   

Evaluation of serum lidocaine/monoethylglycylxylidide concentration to assess shunt closure in dogs with extrahepatic portosystemic shunts     

Nausikaa Devriendt  Gonalo Serrano  Siska Croubels  Emmelie Stock  Eva Vandermeulen  Dominique Paepe  Jennifer von Luckner  Hilde de Rooster 《Journal of veterinary internal medicine / American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine》2021,35(1):261-268

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