A Non-Synonymous Point Mutation in a WD-40 Domain Repeat of EML5 Leads to Decreased Bovine Sperm Quality and Fertility.

This study is part of a concerted effort to identify and phenotype rare, deleterious mutations that adversely affect sperm quality, or convey high developmental and fertility potential to embryos and ensuing progeny. A rare, homozygous mutation in ( ), which encodes a microtubule-associated protein with high expression in testis and brain was identified in an Angus bull used extensively in artificial insemination (AI) for its outstanding progeny production traits. The bull's fertility was low in cross-breeding timed AI (TAI) (Pregnancy/TAI = 25.

The botanical multiverse of Peter Barlow.

Dr Peter Barlow, who died in 2017, was one of the most respected botanists and biologists of the latter half of the 20th Century. His interests covered a wide range of plant biological topics, e.g.

Use of ultrasonographic fetometry for the estimation of days to kidding in dairy does.

The objective of this study was to predict the number of days to kidding in dairy goats by ultrasonographic measurement of three consecutive ribs and intercostal spaces or trunk diameter of fetuses. Two groups of primiparous and multiparous goats were examined by transabdominal ultrasonography. Actual kidding date was used to compute the true number of days to kidding relative to the ultrasound examination day.

Oxidative stress and NO signalling in the root apex as an early response to changes in gravity conditions.

Oxygen influx showed an asymmetry in the transition zone of the root apex when roots were placed horizontally on ground. The influx increased only in the upper side, while no changes were detected in the division and in the elongation zone. Nitric oxide (NO) was also monitored after gravistimulation, revealing a sudden burst only in the transition zone.

Gravity affects the closure of the traps in Dionaea muscipula.

Venus flytrap (Dionaea muscipula Ellis) is a carnivorous plant known for its ability to capture insects thanks to the fast snapping of its traps. This fast movement has been long studied and it is triggered by the mechanical stimulation of hairs, located in the middle of the leaves. Here we present detailed experiments on the effect of microgravity on trap closure recorded for the first time during a parabolic flight campaign.

Retracted: IL-37 reduces inflammatory response after cerebral ischemia and reperfusion injury through down-regulation of pro-inflammatory cytokines.

The purpose of the present study was to determine the effects of interleukin-37 (IL-37) on brain inflammation induced by ischemia/reperfusion (I/R). A transgenic mouse strain was generated to express human IL-37 (hIL-37tg), and these mice were subjected to cerebral I/R. We made middle cerebral artery ischemia-reperfusion model in mice.

Indole-3-butyric acid induces lateral root formation via peroxisome-derived indole-3-acetic acid and nitric oxide.

Controlled plant growth requires regulation through a variety of signaling molecules, including steroids, peptides, radicals of oxygen and nitrogen, as well as the 'classical' phytohormone groups. Auxin is critical for the control of plant growth and also orchestrates many developmental processes, such as the formation of new roots. It modulates root architecture both slowly, through actions at the transcriptional level and, more rapidly, by mechanisms targeting primarily plasma membrane sensory systems and intracellular signaling pathways.

PIN2 turnover in Arabidopsis root epidermal cells explored by the photoconvertible protein Dendra2.

The steady state level of integral membrane proteins is dependent on a strictly controlled delivery and removal. Here we show that Dendra2, a green-to-red photoconvertible fluorescent protein, is a suitable tool to study protein turnover in plants. We characterized the fluorescence properties of Dendra2 expressed either as a free protein or as a tag in Arabidopsis thaliana roots and optimized photoconversion settings to study protein turnover.

Eduard Strasburger (1844-1912): founder of modern plant cell biology.

Eduard Strasburger, director of the Botany Institute and the Botanical Garden at the University of Bonn from 1881 to 1912, was one of the most admirable scientists in the field of plant biology, not just as the founder of modern plant cell biology but in addition as an excellent teacher who strongly believed in "education through science." He contributed to plant cell biology by discovering the discrete stages of karyokinesis and cytokinesis in algae and higher plants, describing cytoplasmic streaming in different systems, and reporting on the growth of the pollen tube into the embryo sac and guidance of the tube by synergides. Strasburger raised many problems which are hot spots in recent plant cell biology, e.

Strasburger's legacy to mitosis and cytokinesis and its relevance for the Cell Theory.

Eduard Strasburger was one of the most prominent biologists contributing to the development of the Cell Theory during the nineteenth century. His major contribution related to the characterization of mitosis and cytokinesis and especially to the discovery of the discrete stages of mitosis, which he termed prophase, metaphase and anaphase. Besides his observations on uninucleate plant and animal cells, he also investigated division processes in multinucleate cells.

The signal transducer NPH3 integrates the phototropin1 photosensor with PIN2-based polar auxin transport in Arabidopsis root phototropism.

Under blue light (BL) illumination, Arabidopsis thaliana roots grow away from the light source, showing a negative phototropic response. However, the mechanism of root phototropism is still unclear. Using a noninvasive microelectrode system, we showed that the BL sensor phototropin1 (phot1), the signal transducer NONPHOTOTROPIC HYPOCOTYL3 (NPH3), and the auxin efflux transporter PIN2 were essential for BL-induced auxin flux in the root apex transition zone.

Characterization of profilin polymorphism in pollen with a focus on multifunctionality.

Profilin, a multigene family involved in actin dynamics, is a multiple partners-interacting protein, as regard of the presence of at least of three binding domains encompassing actin, phosphoinositide lipids, and poly-L-proline interacting patches. In addition, pollen profilins are important allergens in several species like Olea europaea L. (Ole e 2), Betula pendula (Bet v 2), Phleum pratense (Phl p 12), Zea mays (Zea m 12) and Corylus avellana (Cor a 2).

Age-matched comparison reveals early electrocardiography and echocardiography changes in dystrophin-deficient dogs.

The absence of dystrophin in the heart leads to Duchenne cardiomyopathy. Dystrophin-deficient dogs represent a critical model to translate novel therapies developed in mice to humans. Unfortunately, little is known about cardiophysiology changes in these dogs.

Root apex transition zone: a signalling-response nexus in the root.

Longitudinal zonation, as well as a simple and regular anatomy, are hallmarks of the root apex. Here we focus on one particular root-apex zone, the transition zone, which is located between the apical meristem and basal elongation region. This zone has a unique role as the determiner of cell fate and root growth; this is accomplished by means of the complex system of a polar auxin transport circuit.

The 'root-brain' hypothesis of Charles and Francis Darwin: Revival after more than 125 years.

This year celebrates the 200(th) aniversary of the birth of Charles Darwin, best known for his theory of evolution summarized in On the Origin of Species. Less well known is that, in the second half of his life, Darwin's major scientific focus turned towards plants. He wrote several books on plants, the next-to-last of which, The Power of Movement of Plants, published together with his son Francis, opened plants to a new view.

Calcium, parathyroid hormone, oxytocin and pH profiles in the whelping bitch.

Despite the high prevalence of primary uterine inertia in whelping bitches, the underlying pathogenesis remains unclear. The objectives were to i) determine serum concentrations of total calcium, ionized calcium (iCa), parathyroid hormone (PTH), and blood pH in normally whelping bitches throughout the peri-parturient period; and ii) investigate relationships among iCa, PTH, and acid-base status, and the role that they and oxytocin may have in the underlying pathogenesis of canine uterine inertia. Bitches were randomly selected from a population of German Shepherd Dog bitches with a history of uncomplicated parturition (Group 1; n=10), and from a population of Labrador bitches with a clinical history of an increased incidence of uterine inertia and stillbirths (Group 2; n=20).

Comparison between vestibular and subcutaneous insertion of deslorelin implants for oestrus induction in bitches.

Investigations using sustained-release deslorelin implants at various insertion sites have shown that this method consistently induces oestrus in anoestus bitches. However, fertility comparisons between implant insertion sites have not been performed. Anestrous beagle bitches received one 2.

Technical note: A rapid enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay blood test for pregnancy in dairy and beef cattle.

The ruminant trophoblast produces pregnancy-associated glycoproteins (PAG) that can be detected in the blood of pregnant animals. The objective was to determine the accuracy of a rapid ELISA PAG-based test for the purpose of pregnancy detection in cattle. Blood was sampled from dairy cattle (539 Holstein cows, 173 Holstein heifers, 73 Guernsey cows, 22 Guernsey heifers, and 12 Jersey heifers) and crossbred beef cattle (145 cows and 46 heifers) that were >or=25 d after insemination (range = 25 to 45 d for dairy and 29 to 56 d for beef).

Influence of seminal plasma on fertility of fresh and frozen-thawed stallion epididymal spermatozoa.

The use of epididymal stallion spermatozoa for routine artificial insemination can secure easy future use of valuable genetics after unforeseen death or injury of a valuable stallion. The aims of this study were to (1) directly compare pregnancy rates for fresh and frozen-thawed stallion epididymal and ejaculated spermatozoa after conventional artificial insemination and (2) to investigate the effect of seminal plasma on the fertility of epididymal spermatozoa after insemination. Twenty-one mares were randomly assigned to three stallions.

Nitric oxide modulates dynamic actin cytoskeleton and vesicle trafficking in a cell type-specific manner in root apices.

NO is an important regulatory molecule in eukaryotes. Much of its effect is ascribed to the action of NO as a signalling molecule. However, NO can also directly modify proteins thus affecting their activities.

Vesicular secretion of auxin: Evidences and implications.

The plant hormone auxin is secreted in root apices via phospholipase Dzeta2 (PLDzeta2) activity which produces specific population of phosphatidic acid that stimulates secretion of vesicles enriched with auxin. These vesicles were reported to be localized at plant synapses which are active in auxin secretion, especially at the transition zone of the root apex. There are several implications of this vesicular secretion of auxin.

Hormone profiles of mares affected by the mare reproductive loss syndrome.

While searching for the cause of the Mare Reproductive Loss syndrome (MRLS), we postulated that 1 of 3 tissues in 40-120 D pregnant mares was the likely primary target of the noxious factor that caused early abortions: The corpora lutea (CL), the endometrium or the fetus and/or its membranes. At this stage of gestation, progesterone (P4) is solely produced by luteal tissue, eCG by endometrial cups in the endometrium and oestrogens by the feto-placental unit. We determined whether concentrations of P4, eCG and/or total conjugated oestrogens (CE) would indicate which tissue was targeted during the MRLS.

Arabinogalactan-protein epitope Gal4 is differentially regulated and localized in cell lines of hybrid fir (Abies alba x Abies cephalonica) with different embryogenic and regeneration potential.

Arabinogalactan proteins (AGPs) are important proteoglycans regulating somatic embryogenesis in diverse plant species. Embryogenic cells of somatic embryos are covered by special extracellular cell wall layer called extracellular surface matrix network (ECMSN) at their early developmental stages. Here we show that highly embryogenic cell line AC78 of hybrid fir (Abies alba x Abies cephalonica) differs from very low-embryogenic cell line AC77 in the abundance, subcellular localization and deposition of subset of secreted AGPs.

Calreticulin mRNA and protein are localized to protein bodies in storage maize callus cells.

Maize callus cells possess numerous protein bodies which develop as sub-compartments of the endoplasmic reticulum. We localized maize calreticulin mRNAs and protein in maize callus cells using in situ hybridization and immunocytochemistry. Calreticulin mRNAs were selectively targeted to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) subdomains surrounding protein bodies.

Domain-specific mechanosensory transmission of osmotic and enzymatic cell wall disturbances to the actin cytoskeleton.

Plant protoplasts are embedded within surrounding cell walls and the cell wall-plasma membrane-cytoskeleton (WMC) structural continuum seems to be crucial for the proper functioning of plant cells. We have utilised the protoplast preparation methodology to study the organisation and the putative components of the WMC continuum. Application of an osmotic agent evoked plasmolysis of the Zea mays root apex cells which appeared to be cell type- and growth stage-specific.