Connexin-43: A possible mediator of heat stress effects on ram Sertoli cells.

Sertoli cells are an essential group of cells in seminiferous epithelium which provide nutritional and structural supports for spermatogenic cells via cell junctions. In this study, the gene expression of connexin-43, the most abundantly distributed gap junction protein of cells, was investigated in ram Sertoli cells under mild and severe heat stresses with real-time quantitative PCR. Sertoli cells were isolated from testes of 10 lambs.

Detection and quantification of cell-free fetal DNA in ovine maternal plasma; use it to predict fetal sex.

Prediction of fetal sex in the ovine species could be useful in the management decisions, such as sex selection in breeding programs, culling decisions, and lowering the progeny test cost. In the present study detection of fetal SRY gene in maternal blood plasma using the polymerase chain reaction technique was used to predict fetal sex at different times of gestation in the ewe. The quantitative changes of fetal DNA during pregnancy were also investigated using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction.