Manipulation of follicle development to ensure optimal oocyte quality and conception rates in cattle

Over the last several decades, a number of therapies have been developed that manipulate ovarian follicle growth to improve oocyte quality and conception rates in cattle. Various strategies have been proposed to improve the responses to reproductive biotechnologies following timed artificial insemination (TAI), superovulation (SOV) or ovum pickup (OPU) programmes. During TAI protocols, final follicular growth and size of the ovulatory follicle are key factors that may significantly influence oocyte quality, ovulation, the uterine environment and consequently pregnancy outcomes. Progesterone concentrations during SOV protocols influence follicular growth, oocyte quality and embryo quality; therefore, several adjustments to SOV protocols have been proposed depending on the animal category and breed. In addition, the success of in vitro embryo production is directly related to the number and quality of cumulus oocyte complexes harvested by OPU. Control of follicle development has a significant impact on the OPU outcome. This article discusses a number of key points related to the manipulation of ovarian follicular growth to maximize oocyte quality and improve conception rates following TAI and embryo transfer of in vivo-and in vitro-derived embryos in cattle.

Interaction of dietary vitamin D-3 and sunlight exposure on B. indicus cattle: Animal performance, carcass traits, and meat quality

Attempts to improve beef tenderness through supplementation with dietary vitamin D-3 have been challenged by null results and negative impacts on animal performance and carcass traits. Because vitamin D-3 is also synthesised by the animal via ultraviolet radiation from sunlight, the effectiveness of supplementation with dietary vitamin D-3 may be modulated by the degree of exposure of the animal to sunlight. Hence, this work aimed to verify whether dietary vitamin D-3 modifies meat quality without negatively affecting animal performance and carcass traits in B. indicus beef cattle that were either exposed to or protected from natural sunlight. Forty-two (411 +/- 38 kg) Nellore-type castrated males were fed a high-concentrate diet for 45 days after assignment to a treatment group. The treatments comprised combinations of three levels of vitamin D3 [ViTD - none (V0) or 2 x 10(6) IU of vitamin D-3 administered for either 2 (V2) or 8 (V8) consecutive days pre-slaughter] and two shading conditions (SHADE - unshaded or shaded). The post-mortem (pm) measurements were taken in the Longissimus thoracis et lumborum muscle. The animal performance and carcass traits were unaffected by ViTD or SHADE The V2 treatment increased the Myofibrillar Fragmentation Index in shaded animals compared to unshaded ones. Animals under shade had higher muscle calcium concentration. There was no effect of either ViTD or SHADE on the shear force. The L* values were higher at 24 h pm than at 0 and 1 h pm, with no differences among the animals in the ViTD or SHADE groups. Higher a* values were observed among animals in the V8 group than in the V0 group, and higher b* values were observed among animals in the V8 group than in the V2 or V0 groups, which were not different. In conclusion, ViTD and SHADE did not affect animal performance, carcass traits or shear force, whereas animals receiving a lower ViTD dosage and SHADE exhibited altered myofibrillar fragmentation. ViTD affected the colour parameters, and changes in the lightness of the beef related to the time pm were found in meat from animals under SHADE. (c) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Purification and characterization of Hb 98-114: A novel hemoglobin-derived antimicrobial peptide from the midgut of Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus

The antimicrobial activity of hemoglobin fragments (hemocidins) has been reported in a variety of models. The cattle tick Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus is a blood sucking arthropod from where the first in vivo-generated hemocidin was characterized (Hb 33-61). In the present work we identified a novel antimicrobial peptide from the midgut of fully engorged R. (B.) microplus females, which comprises the amino acids 98-114 of the alpha subunit of bovine hemoglobin, and was designated Hb 98-114. This peptide was active against several yeast and filamentous fungi, although no activity was detected against bacteria up to 50 mu M of the synthetic peptide. Hb 98-114 was capable of permeabilizing Candida albicans cell membrane and had a fungicidal effect against this yeast. Circulardichroism (CD) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) experiments showed that Hb 98-114 has a random conformation in aqueous solution but switches to an alpha-helical conformation in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS). This alpha helix adopts an amphipathic structure which may be the mechanism of cell membrane permeabilization. Importantly, Hb 98-114 may play an important role in defending the tick midgut against fungal pathogens and is the first hemocidin with specific antifungal activity to be characterized. (C) 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Prediction of retail beef yield, trim fat and proportion of high-valued cuts in Nellore cattle using ultrasound live measurements

The objective of this study was to develop equations to predict retail product and fat trim (weights and percentages) for Nellore (Bos indicus) cattle. Live ultrasound measurements of the longissimus muscle area, backfat thickness at the 12th rib and rump fat depth and shrunk body weight were obtained from 218 Nellore steers to predict weights and percentages of carcass retail product, pistola retail product and fat trimmings. After slaughter, carcasses were deboned and weighed and percentages of retail cuts were obtained directly. Measurements taken directly in the carcasses explained 97% and 36% of variation in carcass retail product weight and percentage, and 94% and 36% of variation in pistola retail weight and percentage, respectively. Live measurements explained 93% of carcass retail product weight and 39% of carcass retail product percentage. Lower accuracies were observed for pistola retail product weight (R-2=0.87) and percentage (R-2=0.33). Accuracies for fat trimmings weight and percentage were 79% and 55%, respectively. Ultrasound rump fat thickness showed greater correlations with retail product and fat trimmings (weights and percentages) when compared with ultrasound backfat thickness. The weight and percentage of retail products and of trimmable fat can be estimated in Nellore steers from live animal measurements, with similar accuracy to equations developed based on carcass measurements obtained at slaughter.

Aus der Geschichte der Juden in Hessen am Anfang des 19. Jahrhunderts : Gutachten des Staatsministers Du Bos Du Thil über "die Verbesserung des bürgerlichen Zustandes der Juden"

hrsg. u. erläutert von J. Lebermann

Zur Kenntnis von Aphelenchus ormerodis Ritzema Bos.

Von Dr. Kati Marcinowski

Fritillaria sieana : aus dem kilikischen Taurus

AR

Whole Genome Analysis of Pinkeye Scores in Angus Cattle

Infectious Bovine Keratoconjunctivitis (IBK), known as pinkeye, is a common infectious disease affecting the eyes of cattle. It is characterized by excessive tearing, inflammation of the conjunctiva, and ulceration of the cornea. Although pinkeye is non-fatal, it has a marked economic impact on the cattle industry, due to the decreased performance of infected individuals. Genetic effects on the susceptibility of IBK have been studied and Hereford, Jersey, and Holstein breeds were found to be more susceptible to IBK than Bos Indicus breeds. The objectives of our study were: 1) to estimate genetic parameters of IBK scored in different categories by using genomic threshold model, and 2) to detect markers in linkage disequilibrium with quantitative tract loci (QTL) associated with IBK.

Cortina, Adela: Hasta un pueblo de demonios. Ética pública y sociedad. Madrid, Taurus, 1998, 218 páginas.

Fil: Giménez, Gabriela. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Facultad de Ciencias Políticas y Sociales

Parrhesía cínica e Bíos Kunikos : Desplazamientos del lugar del cuerpo en El Coraje de la Verdad

Nos proponemos en este ensayo discutir los desplazamientos del lugar del cuerpo en el contexto del último curso dictado por Michel Foucault en el Collège de France en el año 1984. Particularmente nos interesan los modos en los cuales, en virtud de la singularidad de la parrhesía cínica, el cuerpo adquiere el estatuto de ser el lócus en el cual la vida como escándalo se realiza. Además, nos instiga comprender la manera en que ese movimiento permite al pensador francés radicalizar su apuesta por una filosofía de la inmanencia, en la cual vida, subjetividad y verdad se con-fundan, y se co-fundan. Consideramos que el concepto de bíos kynikós es una herramienta teórica importante por sus cuatro valores: la no-disimulación - la vida vivida sin vergüenza, la pureza en cuanto pobreza radical, la vida recta porque conforme a la naturaleza, como la vida animal, y, la soberanía (de sí) que le permite al cínico solamente depender sólo de sí y ser más soberano que cualquier monarca. En ese movimiento conceptual buscamos captar los desplazamientos en el modo de concebir al cuerpo operados por el autor entre el bíos philosophikos, característico del platonismo-estoicismo-epicurismo, rumbo al bíos kynikós del cinismo. Por último, nos interesa subrayar cómo éste modo de concebir al cuerpo, nos brinda en potencia un espacio para proyectar la Educación Corporal desde carrilles singularmente diferenciados a los que construyó la Teoría de la Educación Física en el Proyecto de la modernidad

Anthony Giddens. La tercera vía. La renovación de la socialdemocracia. Taurus, Madrid, 1999, 198 páginas. (edición original en inglés de 1998)

Fil: Prati, Marcelo. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Humanidades y Ciencias de la Educación; Argentina.

Anthony Giddens. La tercera vía. La renovación de la socialdemocracia. Taurus, Madrid, 1999, 198 páginas. (edición original en inglés de 1998)

Fil: Prati, Marcelo. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Humanidades y Ciencias de la Educación; Argentina.

Parrhesía cínica e Bíos Kunikos : Desplazamientos del lugar del cuerpo en El Coraje de la Verdad

Nos proponemos en este ensayo discutir los desplazamientos del lugar del cuerpo en el contexto del último curso dictado por Michel Foucault en el Collège de France en el año 1984. Particularmente nos interesan los modos en los cuales, en virtud de la singularidad de la parrhesía cínica, el cuerpo adquiere el estatuto de ser el lócus en el cual la vida como escándalo se realiza. Además, nos instiga comprender la manera en que ese movimiento permite al pensador francés radicalizar su apuesta por una filosofía de la inmanencia, en la cual vida, subjetividad y verdad se con-fundan, y se co-fundan. Consideramos que el concepto de bíos kynikós es una herramienta teórica importante por sus cuatro valores: la no-disimulación - la vida vivida sin vergüenza, la pureza en cuanto pobreza radical, la vida recta porque conforme a la naturaleza, como la vida animal, y, la soberanía (de sí) que le permite al cínico solamente depender sólo de sí y ser más soberano que cualquier monarca. En ese movimiento conceptual buscamos captar los desplazamientos en el modo de concebir al cuerpo operados por el autor entre el bíos philosophikos, característico del platonismo-estoicismo-epicurismo, rumbo al bíos kynikós del cinismo. Por último, nos interesa subrayar cómo éste modo de concebir al cuerpo, nos brinda en potencia un espacio para proyectar la Educación Corporal desde carrilles singularmente diferenciados a los que construyó la Teoría de la Educación Física en el Proyecto de la modernidad