Effect of cryopreservation and capacitation on expression patterns of ATP synthesis associated genes in bubaline spermatozoa.

This study investigated the expression patterns of certain ATP synthesis associated genes (GAPDHS, PGK2, ENO4 and MDH2) in fresh and frozen-thawed bubaline spermatozoa vis-à-vis capacitation. Eight adult Murrah buffalo bulls, aged 5-7 years, were randomly selected from a bull farm and fresh semen was collected once a week for four weeks (n = 32) from the selected bulls. Simultaneously, frozen straws of the same bulls were collected (n = 32, four straws were pooled per sample).

Perspectives of pluripotent stem cells in livestock.

The recent progress in derivation of pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) from farm animals opens new approaches not only for reproduction, genetic engineering, treatment and conservation of these species, but also for screening novel drugs for their efficacy and toxicity, and modelling of human diseases. Initial attempts to derive PSCs from the inner cell mass of blastocyst stages in farm animals were largely unsuccessful as either the cells survived for only a few passages, or lost their cellular potency; indicating that the protocols which allowed the derivation of murine or human embryonic stem (ES) cells were not sufficient to support the maintenance of ES cells from farm animals. This scenario changed by the innovation of induced pluripotency and by the development of the 3 inhibitor culture conditions to support naïve pluripotency in ES cells from livestock species.

Applications, challenges, and strategies in the use of nanoparticles as feed additives in equine nutrition.

The rapid expansion of nanotechnology has been transforming the food industry by increasing market share and expenditure. Although nanotechnology offers promising benefits as feed additives, their usage in equines is primarily geared toward immunotherapy, hyper-immunization techniques, drug delivery systems, grooming activities, and therapeutic purposes. Nanoparticles could be engaged as alternatives for antibiotic feed additives to prevent foal diarrhea.

A versatile bulk electrotransfection protocol for murine embryonic fibroblasts and iPS cells.

Although electroporation has been widely accepted as the main gene transfer tool, there is still considerable scope to improve the electroporation efficiency of exogenous DNAs into primary cells. Here, we developed a square-wave pulsing protocol using OptiMEM-GlutaMAX for highly efficient transfection of murine embryonic fibroblasts (MEF) and induced pluripotency stem (iPS) cells using reporter genes as well as gRNA/Cas9-encoding plasmids. An electrotransfection efficiency of > 95% was achieved for both MEF and iPS cells using reporter-encoding plasmids.

Systematic optimization of square-wave electroporation conditions for bovine primary fibroblasts.

Background: Gene transfer by electroporation is an established method for the non-viral mediated transfection of mammalian cells. Primary cells pose a particular challenge for electroporation-mediated gene transfer, since they are more vulnerable than immortalized cells, and have a limited proliferative capacity. Improving the gene transfer by using square wave electroporation in difficult to transfect cells, like bovine fetal fibroblasts, is a prerequisite for transgenic and further downstream experiments.

Environmental sustainability assessment of tropical dairy buffalo farming vis-a-vis sustainable feed replacement strategy.

Feeding management in dairy animals is crucial for ensuring optimal production apart from making the farming as a whole, a more sustainable activity. In our study we evaluated the production and environmental effects of two different feeding regimens i.e.

Assessment of eco-sustainability vis-à-vis zoo-technical attributes of soybean meal (SBM) replacement with varying levels of coated urea in Nellore sheep (Ovis aries).

The contemporary environmental-stewardship programmes primarily aimed at curbing the global warming potential by adopting a multidisciplinary approach. Manipulating the feeding strategies has great potential in reducing the environmental footprints of livestock production. This study intends to assess the effect of soybean meal (SBM) replacement with varying levels of coated urea (SRU) on both zoo-technical (nutrient digestibility, heat increment, and physio-biochemical parameters) and environmental attributes.

Implantation associated divergence in neutrophil glucocorticoid and cysteine-X-cysteine receptor genes in cattle.

The differential roles of Interferon-tau (IFNT) and Progesterone (P) in triggering pro- and anti-inflammatory responses during peri-implantation period were assessed in cows. An ex vivo study was done by isolating neutrophils from the animals post artificial insemination (AI) at defined intervals and analyzing the expression changes of Glucocorticoid receptor-α (GRα) and Interleukin-8 receptor (CXCR1) genes. An in vitro study was also done isolating neutrophils from prepubertal heifers subjecting them to IFNT and Progesterone P supplementation separately.

Exploring the concentration-dependent actions of interferon-τ on bovine neutrophils to understand the process of implantation.

Interferon-τ (IFNT) is a major cytokine produced by the ruminant trophoectoderm during the peri-implantation period exerting immunomodulatory actions on various cells including neutrophils. The current in vitro study was undertaken to analyze the concentration-dependent effects of IFNT on neutrophil gene dynamics to understand its possible role in implantation process. The neutrophils were isolated from the blood of heifers and were cultured subjecting them to different IFNT concentrations (1, 5, or 10 ng/mL).

HSP70 as a marker of heat and humidity stress in Tarai buffalo.

Heat and humidity stress is a constant challenge to buffalo rearing under tropical climatic conditions. Heat shock proteins (HSPs) constitute a ubiquitous class of highly conserved proteins that contribute to cell survival during different conditions of stress. The present study was carried out in Tarai buffaloes to study the expression of HSP70 in their peripheral blood mononuclear cells during different seasons and establish it as a marker of heat and humidity stress in buffaloes.

Expression and localization of locally produced growth factors regulating lymphangiogenesis during different stages of the estrous cycle in corpus luteum of buffalo (Bubalus bubalis).

Recent experiments using expression, immunolocalization, and cell culture approaches have provided leading insights into regulation of luteal angiogenesis by different growth factor systems and its role in the function of corpus luteum (CL) in buffalo. On the contrary, lymphangiogenesis and its regulation in the CL are still poorly understood. The aim of this study was to evaluate the expression and localization of lymphangiogenic factors (vascular endothelial growth factor [VEGF]-C and VEGFD), their receptor (VEGFR3), and lymphatic endothelial marker (LYVE1) in bubaline CL during different stages of the estrous cycle and to investigate functional role of VEGFC and VEGFD in luteal lymphangeogenesis.

Oligomerization and regioselective hydrosilylation of styrenes catalyzed by cationic allyl nickel complexes bearing allylphosphine ligands.

The complexes [Ni(eta(3)-CH(2)CHCH(2))Br(kappa(1)P-PR(2)CH(2)CH=CH(2))] (R = Ph 1, (i)Pr2 ) and [Ni(eta(3)-CH(2)C(R')CH(2))(kappa(1)P-PR(2)CH(2)CH=CH(2))(2)][BAr'(4)] (R' = H, R = Ph 4a, R = (i)Pr 4b; R' = CH(3), R = Ph 5a, R = (i)Pr 5b; Ar' = 3,5-C(6)H(3)(CF(3))(2)) have been prepared and characterized. The X-ray crystal structures of 1, 2 and 5b have been determined. 4a-b and 5a-b are catalyst precursors for the oligomerization of RC(6)H(4)CH=CH(2) to oligostyrene (R = H) or oligo(4-methylstyrene) (R = CH(3)) respectively, without the need of a co-catalyst such as methylalumoxane.