17 SPERM FERTILITY RATE ASSESSED BY EMBRYO PRODUCTION IN VIVO AND IN VITRO IN SOUTH AFRICAN BULLS

The aim of this study was to determine the sperm fertility rate by embryo production in vivo and in vitro in South African bulls and further compare the embryo quality developed from different oocyte recovery methods. A total of 15 frozen semen straws (5 Bonsmara; 5 Nguni; 5 Boran) were thawed and evaluated for sperm motility characteristics using sperm class analyzer. The fertilizing ability of frozen–thawed semen was assessed by performing AI and in vitro fertilization. For AI, 6 cows were superovulated and inseminated with frozen–thawed semen followed by flushing on Day 7 post-insemination and then evaluated for embryo developmental stages. For IVF, oocytes were retrieved using two recovery methods namely ovum pick-up (OPU) and ovary aspiration. A total of 383 (106, OPU; 277, ovary aspiration) oocytes were matured in M199 + 10% fetal bovine serum (FBS) maturation medium at 38.5°C for 24h. Oocytes were washed in Bracket and Oliphant’s fertilization medium, co-incubated with frozen–thawed (Boran) semen at 38.5°C for 6 h, and then cultured in SOF-BSA medium, incubated at 38.5°C, 5% CO2 for 7 days, and further evaluated for embryo development. Data were analysed by ANOVA. Total sperm motility was >70% in all breeds. Boran had a significantly (P < 0.05) higher total post-thaw sperm motility (93.2 ± 3.6) compared with Nguni (75.1 ± 4.2) and Bonsmara (80.7 ± 6.9). Furthermore, Boran had higher (P < 0.05) progressive motility (39.7 ± 3.4) and rapid motility (36.1 ± 5.9) compared with other breeds. Interestingly, Boran produced significantly (P < 0.05) higher blastocyst rate (56.34%) compared with Bonsmara (38.03%) Nguni (31.08%). Superovulation and OPU resulted in a significantly higher (P < 0.05) number of blastocysts (10.5 ± 3.3 and 10.5 ± 3.3) respectively, compared with aspiration (1.3 ± 3.3). Moreover, the OPU method yielded a significantly higher (P < 0.05) number of grade 2 blastocyst (3.0 ± 0.1) compared with aspiration (0.50 ± 0.1). However, there was no significant (P > 0.05) difference in the number of grade 1 and grade 3 blastocysts obtained when the 3 recovery methods were used. In conclusion, the Boran breed showed better a sperm fertility rate following in vivo and in vitro embryo production. The superovulation and OPU methods resulted in higher numbers and better quality blastocysts compared with aspiration.

24 RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN BOAR SPERM TRAITS AND FERTILITY RATE FOLLOWING ARTIFICIAL INSEMINATION UNDER SMALLHOLDER PRODUCTION SYSTEMS

The prediction of sperm fertility has a great economic importance to the pig breeding industry. The objective of the study was to determine the relationship between boar sperm quality and fertility following artificial insemination (AI) under smallholder production systems. A total of 18 ejaculates were collected from 3 breeding boars using a hand-gloved technique. Aliquots of diluted semen were assessed for sperm motility using a computer aided sperm analysis before AI. Sperm viability was evaluated using Synthetic Binding CD-14 (SYBR-14+)/propidium iodide (PI–), whereas sperm morphology was evaluated using Eosin Nigrosin staining. Fluorescent microscope was used at 100× magnification to count 200 sperm per slide. The semen was extended with Beltsville Thawing Solution and contained 3 × 109 sperm/dose. A total of 73 multiparous sows were inseminated twice. Fertility was measured by conception rate, farrowing rate, litter size and number of piglets born alive following AI. Sperm quality and fertility data were analysed using one-way ANOVA. Spearman’s rank correlation was used to determine the relationship between sperm quality and fertility traits. The mean values for total sperm motility ranged from 93.5 to 96.8%. Progressive and rapid sperm motility differed significantly (P < 0.05) among the boars. However, no significant differences were found for sperm velocity traits. The mean values for morphologically normal sperm ranged from 47.8 to 60.9% and live sperm ranged from 71.8 to 77.2%, but did not differ significantly among the boars (P > 0.05). Conception rate from different boars varied (P < 0.05) from 63.6 to 93.3%. Of all fertility traits studied, conception rate was significantly related to total sperm motility rate (r = 0.34, P < 0.0029), progressive motility (r = 0.29, P < 0.0141) and rapid motility (r = 0.34, P < 0.0032), although relatively low. There was a low positive relationship between morphologically normal sperm and fertility traits (P > 0.05). In conclusion, total, progressive, and rapid sperm motility rate were the only sperm traits significantly related to conception rate. Conversely, litter size and number born alive were not correlated with sperm motility, viability, or morphology traits.

N-fixation in legumes--An assessment of the potential threat posed by ozone pollution

The growth, development and functioning of legumes are often significantly affected by exposure to tropospheric ozone (O3) pollution. However, surprisingly little is known about how leguminous Nitrogen (N) fixation responds to ozone, with a scarcity of studies addressing this question in detail. In the last decade, ozone impacts on N-fixation in soybean, cowpea, mung bean, peanut and clover have been shown for concentrations which are now commonly recorded in ambient air or are likely to occur in the near future. We provide a synthesis of the existing literature addressing this issue, and also explore the effects that may occur on an agroecosystem scale by predicting reductions in Trifolium (clovers) root nodule biomass in United Kingdom (UK) pasture based on ozone concentration data for a "high" (2006) and "average" ozone year (2008). Median 8% and 5% reductions in clover root nodule biomass in pasture across the UK were predicted for 2006 and 2008 respectively. Seasonal exposure to elevated ozone, or short-term acute concentrations >100 ppb, are sufficient to reduce N-fixation and/or impact nodulation, in a range of globally-important legumes. However, an increasing global burden of CO2, the use of artificial fertiliser, and reactive N-pollution may partially mitigate impacts of ozone on N-fixation.

Application of a simple multiplicative spatio-temporal stream water quality model to the river Conwy, North Wales

We use a simple multiplicative spatio-temporal model to describe variability in a sequence of water quality monitoring data from headwater streams in the Conwy catchment, North Wales. The spatial component of the model treats concentrations as due to simple mixing of a small number of distinct source types, each associated with particular upstream catchment characteristics. The temporal component allows concentration variability due to seasonal or hydrological change. We apply the model using three candidate catchment characteristic classifications to generate mixing concentrations, and a seasonal component to describe temporal variability, and test a range of sub-models. We identify a cross-classification of soil and land cover as providing the best spatial indicator of water quality of the classifications considered. The spatial model based on a selected grouped cross-classification was shown to account for between 35% and 90% of the spatial variability and the seasonal model accounted for between 45% and 100% of the temporal variability in the data. Analysis of residuals showed an inverse relationship between DOC and sulphate and between hydrogen ion concentration and calcium and magnesium. We also found residual correlations between sites which are strongly related to landscape class. These are attributed to landscape class by time interactions which are not accounted for in the simple multiplicative model.

CHF5074 Reduces Biomarkers of Neuroinflammation in Patients with Mild Cognitive Impairment: A 12-Week, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study

As neuroinflammation is an early event in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease, new selective anti-inflammatory drugs could lead to promising preventive strategies. We evaluated the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of CHF5074, a new microglial modulator, in a 12-week, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel groups, ascending dose study involving 96 MCI patients. Subjects were allocated into three successive study cohorts to receive ascending, titrated doses of CHF5074 (200, 400 or 600 mg/day) or placebo. Vital signs, cardiac safety, neuropsychological performance and safety clinical laboratory parameters were assessed on all subjects. Plasma samples were collected throughout the study for measuring drug concentrations, soluble CD40 ligand (sCD40L) and TNF-α. At the end of treatment, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples were optionally collected after the last dose to measure drug levels, β-amyloid1-42 (Aβ42), tau, phospho-tau181, sCD40L and TNF-α. Ten patients did not complete the study: one in the placebo group (consent withdrawn), two in the 200-mg/day treatment group (consent withdrawn and unable to comply) and seven in the 400-mg/day treatment group (five AEs, one consent withdrawn and one unable to comply). The most frequent treatment-emergent adverse events were diarrhea, dizziness and back pain. There were no clinically significant treatment-related clinical laboratory, vital sign or ECG abnormalities. CHF5074 total body clearance depended by gender, age and glomerular filtration rate. CHF5074 CSF concentrations increased in a dose-dependent manner. At the end of treatment, mean sCD40L and TNF-α levels in CSF were found to be inversely related to the CHF5074 dose (p=0.037 and p=0.001, respectively). Plasma levels of sCD40L in the 600-mg/day group were significantly lower than those measured in the placebo group (p=0.010). No significant differences between treatment groups were found in neuropsychological tests but a positive dose-response trend was found on executive function in APOE4 carriers. This study shows that CHF5074 is well tolerated in MCI patients after a 12-week titrated treatment up to 600 mg/day and dose-dependently affects central nervous system biomarkers of neuroinflammation.

Genetic analysis of body weights of individually fed beef bulls in South Africa using random regression models

The aim of this study was to estimate genetic parameters for body weights of individually fed beef bulls measured at centralized testing stations in South Africa using random regression models. Weekly body weights of Bonsmara bulls (N = 2919) tested between 1999 and 2003 were available for the analyses. The model included a fixed regression of the body weights on fourth-order orthogonal Legendre polynomials of the actual days on test (7, 14, 21, 28, 35, 42, 49, 56, 63, 70, 77, and 84) for starting age and contemporary group effects. Random regressions on fourth-order orthogonal Legendre polynomials of the actual days on test were included for additive genetic effects and additional uncorrelated random effects of the weaning-herd-year and the permanent environment of the animal. Residual effects were assumed to be independently distributed with heterogeneous variance for each test day. Variance ratios for additive genetic, permanent environment and weaning-herd-year for weekly body weights at different test days ranged from 0.26 to 0.29, 0.37 to 0.44 and 0.26 to 0.34, respectively. The weaning-herd-year was found to have a significant effect on the variation of body weights of bulls despite a 28-day adjustment period. Genetic correlations amongst body weights at different test days were high, ranging from 0.89 to 1.00. Heritability estimates were comparable to literature using multivariate models. Therefore, random regression model could be applied in the genetic evaluation of body weight of individually fed beef bulls in South Africa.

A model linking immediate serial recall, the Hebb repetition effect and the learning of phonological word forms

We briefly review the considerable evidence for a common ordering mechanism underlying both immediate serial recall (ISR) tasks (e.g. digit span, non-word repetition) and the learning of phonological word forms. In addition, we discuss how recent work on the Hebb repetition effect is consistent with the idea that learning in this task is itself a laboratory analogue of the sequence-learning component of phonological word-form learning. In this light, we present a unifying modelling framework that seeks to account for ISR and Hebb repetition effects, while being extensible to word-form learning. Because word-form learning is performed in the service of later word recognition, our modelling framework also subsumes a mechanism for word recognition from continuous speech. Simulations of a computational implementation of the modelling framework are presented and are shown to be in accordance with data from the Hebb repetition paradigm.

Autografting followed by rituximab for chemosensitive mantle cell lymphoma: A pilot study and literature review

Mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) is rarely cured with either conventional-dose chemotherapy or autografting. Recent evidence suggests that anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody therapy (rituximab) in combination with chemotherapy may improve the response rate. We report a pilot study of autografting using busulfan-melphalan conditioning followed by rituximab in 9 patients (median age 52 years) with chemosensitive MCL. Rituximab was given for 4 doses of 375 mg/m(2) between 4 and 10 weeks post-transplant. Three of 5 patients autografted after induction therapy remain alive in clinical and molecular complete remission at 33-50 months post-transplant. Only 1 of 4 patients autografted after relapse remains in complete remission. Two of the 3 patients with persistent marrow molecular positivity post-autograft became negative after rituximab therapy. Molecular negativity was first observed in 2 patients only after rituximab therapy. Overall, 2 patients have relapsed and the remaining 3 died of late-onset respiratory failure, probably reflecting infection and/or aggressive conditioning in an older patient population. These preliminary results, together with a review of the literature, suggest that the combination of autografting and rituximab may lead to durable molecular remissions in patients with chemosensitive MCL. Further studies are required to clarify whether the administration of rituximab: (1) is optimal pre- or post-autograft and (2) impacts on the incidence of infection and idiopathic pneumonitis in this context.

Effect of polyethylene glycol 4000 supplementation on the performance of indigenous Pedi goats fed different levels of Acacia nilotica leaf meal and ad libitum Buffalo grass hay

In a first of two experiments, twenty yearling male Pedi goats weighing 21.3 +/- 0.5 kg live weight were used in a 37-day study in a 2 (levels of PEG 4000) x 2 (levels ofAcacia) Factorial arrangement in a Completely Randomised Design to determine the effect of the level of Acacia nilotica leaf meal supplementation plus 23 g polyethylene glycol 4000 on diet intake and digestibility, and growth rate of Pedi goats fed ad libitum Buffalo grass hay. Acacia nilotica leaf meal contained high amounts of total phenolics (2.04% DM) and low amounts of condensed tannins; both extracted (0.37% DM) and unextracted (1.83% DM). Supplementation with PEG 4000 increased (P < 0.05) crude protein intake as the level of Acacia nilotica leaf meal increased from 80 to 120 g. Similarly, treatment with PEG 4000 improved (P < 0.05) DM, OM and CP digestibilities when compared to 80 g Acacia nilotica leaf meal. Supplementation with PEG 4000 resulted in an increase (P < 0.05) in blood urea concentrations. Polyethylene glycol 4000 has the potential to improve the feeding value of A. nilotica leaf meal and can, therefore, be used in the feeding systems for ruminant animals. The second experiment determined the effect of A. nilotica leaf meal supplementation on in vitro digestibility of the diets similar to the actual ratios of the first experiment. Level of A. nilotica leaf meal supplementation plus 23 g PEG 4000 supplementation improved (P < 0.05) in vitro DM, OM and CP digestibilities where 120 g A. nilotica leaf meal was supplemented. Similarly, 23 g PEG 4000 supplementation also improved (P < 0.05) in vitro CP digestibility where 80 g A. nilotica leaf meal was supplemented. In vivo DM and OM digestibilities were best predicted from in vitro DM and OM digestibilities while in vivo CP was explained by in vitro OM and CP digestibilities. It is, therefore, concluded that in vitro DM and OM digestibilities have good capacity to predict in vivo DM and OM digestibilities while OM and CP digestibilities have good capacity to predict in vivo CP digestibility.