Polymyxin B enhances acrosomal exocytosis triggered by calcium and the calcium ionophore A23187 in ejaculated boar spermatozoa.

Polymyxin B (PMB) is beneficial for boar semen storage since it neutralizes the endotoxin of bacteria. However, the direct effect of PMB on boar spermatozoa has been unknown. This study aimed to examine the effect of PMB on acrosomal exocytosis, an essential process for successful fertilization in boar spermatozoa.

Association between liver failure and hepatic UDP-glucuronosyltransferase activity in dairy cows with follicular cysts.

Uridine 5'-diphospho-glucuronosyltransferase (UGT) liver activity was measured using estradiol-17β as a substrate in dairy cows with follicular cysts. The activity was significantly lower than that in dairy cows with normal estrous cycles (P<0.01).

The origin of perpendicular magneto-crystalline anisotropy in L1(0)-FeNi under tetragonal distortion.

We investigated the origin of perpendicular magneto-crystalline anisotropy (MCA) in L1(0)-ordered FeNi alloy using first-principles density-functional calculations. We found that the perpendicular MCA of L1(0)-FeNi arises predominantly from the constituent Fe atoms, which is consistent with recent measurements of the anisotropy of the Fe orbital magnetic moment of L1(0)-FeNi by means of x-ray magnetic circular dichroism. Analysis of the second-order perturbation of the spin-orbit interaction indicates that spin-flip excitations between the occupied majority-spin and unoccupied minority-spin bands make a considerable contribution to the perpendicular MCA, as does the spin-conservation term for the minority-spin bands.

Aspects of glycoconjugate production and lysozyme- and defensins-expression of the ceruminous glands of the horse (Equus przewalskii f. dom.).

The distribution of complex glycoconjugates and antimicrobial substances in the ceruminous glands of the horse (Equus przewalskii f. dom., type: pony) was studied using carbohydrate histochemical and immunohistochemical methods.

Histochemical localization of complex carbohydrates in the nasolabial glands of the Japanese deer (Cervus nippon yakushimae).

The localization of complex glycoconjugates in the nasolabial glands of the Japanese deer (C. nippon yakushimae) was studied using various histochemical methods, including lectin histochemistry, viewed using both light and electron microscopy. The secretory epithelium and luminal secretion of the deer nasolabial glands exhibited neutral and acidic glycoconjugates with different saccharide residues (alpha-D-mannose, alpha-N-acetyl-D-galactosamine, beta-D-galactose, beta-N-acetyl-D-glucosamine and sialic acid).

Development of a method of diagnosing ovarian disorders in sows and gilts using uterine ultrasonography.

In ultrasonographic diagnosis of ovarian disorders and the estrous cycle in sows, transverse observation of the uterus yielded more characteristic findings than observation of sagittal sections. Transverse ultrasonography revealed that the low progesterone (P) type uterus showed a round structure, while the high P type uterus showed a flattened structure. These results corresponded well with rectal palpation findings: the low P type uterus had a hard, pipe-like structure and the high P type a soft, balloon-like structure.