Characterization and multilineage differentiation of embryonic stem cells derived from a buffalo parthenogenetic embryo.

Embryonic stem (ES) cells derived from mammalian embryos have the ability to form any terminally differentiated cell of the body. We herein describe production of parthenogenetic buffalo (Bubalus Bubalis) blastocysts and subsequent isolation of an ES cell line. Established parthenogenetic ES (PGES) cells exhibited diploid karyotype and high telomerase activity.

Complete deficiencies of complement C4A and C4B including 2-bp insertion in codon 1213 are genetic risk factors of systemic lupus erythematosus in Thai populations.

The complement component C4 is encoded by two genes: C4A and C4B on human chromosome 6p in the major histocompatibility complex (MHC). Most studies have linked the deficiencies in C4 with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in Angio-Irish, North American, Black American, Mexican American, Australian and Japanese populations. Null alleles at either locus (C4AQ0 or C4BQ0) are relatively common in Americans occurring at the C4A and C4B loci in approximately 10% and 16% of normal individuals, respectively.

In view of an optimal gut antifungal therapeutic strategy: an in vitro susceptibility and toxicity study testing a novel phyto-compound.

Objective: In view of the raising concern for gut fungal infection, the aim of the present research was to carry out a systematic in vitro study testing the antifungal activity and possible toxicity of a polygodyal-anethole compound (Kolorex) in several strains of Candida albicans and in other fungal pathogens.

Methods: The in vitro susceptibility tests were carried out on 4 strains of C. albicans (C.

Evaluation of post-thaw Asian elephant (Elephas maximus) spermatozoa using flow cytometry: the effects of extender and cryoprotectant.

Although the development of semen cryopreservation in the African elephants (Loxodonta africana) has been accomplished, effective procedures for cryopreservation of Asian elephant (Elephas maximus) spermatozoa have not been established. In the present study, we investigate the freezing methods for conservation of Asian elephant spermatozoa under field conditions and identify the most suitable freezing protocols which provide acceptable post-thaw semen quality. Semen was collected from two Asian elephant bulls (EM1 and EM2, 10 ejaculates from each bull) by manual manipulation and were assessed for volume, pH, sperm cell concentration, and progressive motility.

Development of swamp buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) embryos after parthenogenetic activation and nuclear transfer using serum fed or starved fetal fibroblasts.

The knowledge of oocyte activation and somatic cell nuclear transfer in the swamp buffalo (Buballus bubalis) is extremely rare. The objectives of this study were the following: (1) to investigate the various activation treatments on the parthenogenetic development of buffalo oocytes, (2) to examine the events of nuclear remodeling and in the in vitro development of cloned buffalo embryos reconstructed with serum fed or starved fetal fibroblasts, and (3) to investigate the in vivo development of cloned embryos derived from serum fed or starved cells after transfer into the recipients. The rates of cleavage and blastocyst development were found to be significantly higher (P < 0.

Somatic cell nuclear transfer in domestic cat oocytes treated with IGF-I for in vitro maturation.

Oocyte maturation and somatic cell nuclear transfer (NT) studies conducted in the domestic cat can provide valuable insights that are relevant to the conservation of endangered species of felids. The present investigation focuses on the in vitro maturation (IVM) of domestic cat oocytes stimulated by insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) and their possible use as recipient cytoplasts for somatic cell NT. In Experiment I, the effects of IGF-I on cat oocyte IVM were monitored.

Xenonuclear transplantation of buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) fetal and adult somatic cell nuclei into bovine (Bos indicus) oocyte cytoplasm and their subsequent development.

Bovine oocyte cytoplasm has been shown to support the development of nuclei from other species up to the blastocyst stage. Somatic cell nuclei from buffalo fetal fibroblasts have been successfully reprogrammed after transfer to enucleated bovine oocytes, resulting in the production of cloned buffalo blastocysts. The aim of this study was to compare the in vitro development of fetal and adult buffalo cloned embryos after the fusion of a buffalo fetal fibroblast, cumulus or oviductal cell with bovine oocyte cytoplasm.