Changes in Phenotypes and DNA Methylation of In Vitro Aging Sperm in Common Carp .

The purpose of the current study was to analyze phenotypic and functional characteristics of common carp () spermatozoa during in vitro aging and to investigate whether global DNA methylation is affected by sperm aging. Milt was collected from five individual males, stored in vitro on ice in a refrigerator for up to 96 h post stripping (HPS) and used to fertilize eggs with intervals of 1, 24 and 96 h. Computer-assisted sperm analysis and a S3e Cell Sorter was employed to determine the spermatozoa phenotypic characteristics (motility, velocity, concentration and viability).

Light and Temperature Synchronizes Locomotor Activity in the Linden Bug, .

Circadian clocks are synchronized with the external environment by light and temperature. The effect of these cues on behavior is well-characterized in , however, little is known about synchronization in non-model insect species. Therefore, we explored entrainment of locomotor activity by light and temperature in the linden bug (Heteroptera), an insect species with a strong seasonal response (reproductive diapause), which is triggered by both photoperiod and thermoperiod.

New Circadian Clock Mutants Affecting Temperature Compensation Induced by Targeted Mutagenesis of .

has served as an excellent genetic model to decipher the molecular basis of the circadian clock. Two key proteins, PERIOD (PER) and TIMELESS (TIM), are particularly well explored and a number of various arrhythmic, slow, and fast clock mutants have been identified in classical genetic screens. Interestingly, the free running period (tau, ) is influenced by temperature in some of these mutants, whereas is temperature-independent in other mutant lines as in wild-type flies.

Transferrin Identification in Sterlet () Reproductive System.

Transferrins are a superfamily of iron-binding proteins and are recognized as multifunctional proteins. In the present study, transcriptomic and proteomic methods were used to identify transferrins in the reproductive organs and sperm of out-of-spawning and spermiating sterlet () males. The results showed that seven transferrin transcripts were identified in the transcriptome of sterlet, and these transcripts were qualified as two different transferrin genes, serotransferrin and melanotransferrin, with several isoforms present for serotransferrin.

Impact of cryopreservation on sterlet, Acipenser ruthenus sperm motility and proteome.

Fish sperm cryopreservation is a well-established technique allowing for artificial insemination on a commercial scale. The extent of proteome alterations in seminal plasma and sperm due to cryopreservation, however, is not known. This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of cryopreservation on motility variables of sterlet Acipenser ruthenus sperm and to detect the differences in protein profiles of fresh and cryopreserved sterlet sperm and seminal plasma.

Ixodid ticks parasitizing wild carnivores in Romania.

In Romania, data regarding hard-tick diversity and tick-host associations in wild carnivores are scarce. We aimed to identify tick species in wild carnivores and to establish reliable data on tick-host associations. The study was conducted in various Romanian localities from all five ecoregions found in the country.

Neonatal Anaplasma platys infection in puppies: Further evidence for possible vertical transmission.

Anaplasma platys, the aetiological agent of infectious canine cyclic thrombocytopaenia, infects platelets of dogs, usually causing mild or asymptomatic disease. Although A. platys is transmitted by ticks, as for other Anaplasma species, alternative modes of transmission may be involved.

Occurrence of ticks in the subcutaneous tissue of red foxes, Vulpes vulpes in Czech Republic and Romania.

An extensive survey of parasites in red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) was independently conducted in Romania and the Czech Republic. Carcasses were examined by necropsy, and small, dark nodules apparently containing ticks were noticed in the subcutaneous tissue of several foxes. Histopathological examination was performed using hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining.

Unexpected Geographic Variability of the Free Running Period in the Linden Bug Pyrrhocoris apterus.

Circadian clocks keep organisms in synchrony with external day-night cycles. The free running period (FRP) of the clock, however, is usually only close to-not exactly-24 h. Here, we explored the geographical variation in the FRP of the linden bug, Pyrrhocoris apterus, in 59 field-lines originating from a wide variety of localities representing geographically different environments.

Protein profile of seminal plasma and functionality of spermatozoa during the reproductive season in the common carp (Cyprinus carpio) and rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss).

The purpose of the study was to analyze seminal plasma composition, sperm production, and sperm motility over the course of the spawning season in the common carp (Cyprinus carpio) and rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). The highest mean percent of motile sperm (carp, 98.3 ± 1.

Role of golden jackals (Canis aureus) as natural reservoirs of Dirofilaria spp. in Romania.

Background: Dirofilaria immitis and Dirofilaria repens are mosquito-transmitted zoonotic nematodes, causing heartworm disease and skin lesions, respectively, in carnivores. In Europe, the domestic dog is apparently the main definitive host, but patent infections occur also in other species of carnivores. The rapid spread of the golden jackals (Canis aureus) throughout Europe opens a question of involvement of this species in the sylvatic cycle of pathogens in the colonised territories, including Dirofilaria spp.

Molecular detection of Anaplasma platys infection in free-roaming dogs and ticks from Kenya and Ivory Coast.

Background: Anaplasma platys is a bacterium parasitic in the canine platelets, representing the causative agent of canine cyclic thrombocytopenia, with a worldwide distribution, mainly in tropical countries. The agent has zoonotic potential, being reported in several human clinical cases. The suspected vector is the tick Rhipicephalus sanguineus (sensu lato), widely distributed in animals and humans in the tropical regions of South America, Africa, Asia and Australia, but also in southern Europe.

Cryptochrome 2 mediates directional magnetoreception in cockroaches.

The ability to perceive geomagnetic fields (GMFs) represents a fascinating biological phenomenon. Studies on transgenic flies have provided evidence that photosensitive Cryptochromes (Cry) are involved in the response to magnetic fields (MFs). However, none of the studies tackled the problem of whether the Cry-dependent magnetosensitivity is coupled to the sole MF presence or to the direction of MF vector.

Complete genome sequence of a novel hypovirus infecting Phomopsis longicolla.

The complete nucleotide sequence and genome organization of a hypovirus from the isolate ME711 of Phomopsis longicolla was determined and compared to sequences of members of the family Hypoviridae. The genome of the hypovirus, tentatively named Phomopsis longicolla hypovirus 1 (PlHV1-ME711), was determined to be 9760 nucleotides long, excluding the 3' poly (A) tail. The genome contains a single large open reading frame (ORF) encoding a polyprotein designated as P307.

Phylogenetic and serological analysis of turnip ringspot virus and radish mosaic virus isolates.

Turnip ringspot virus (TuRSV) has been proposed to be a member of a new species in the genus Comovirus. Its remarkable host-range similarity to radish mosaic virus (RaMV) may have led to its misrecognition in the past. Findings from both sequence analysis and serological tests support the assignment of TuRSV to a new comovirus species.

Determination of the complete nucleotide sequence of a lupine potyvirus isolate from the Czech Republic reveals that it belongs to a new member of the genus Potyvirus.

The complete nucleotide sequence of the ssRNA genome of a lupine potyvirus (LP) isolate was determined. It comprised 10,113 nucleotides excluding the poly(A) tail. Phylogenetic analysis of CP protein sequences identified pepper veinal mottle virus, narcissus yellow stripe virus, and chili veinal mottle virus as the closest relatives, sharing coat protein amino acid sequence identities of only about 64% with the LP isolate.

Complete genome sequence of broad bean true mosaic virus.

The complete genome sequence of a severe isolate of broad bean true mosaic virus (genus Comovirus, subfamily Comovirinae, family Secoviridae) is presented. Comparison of the amino acid sequences of the capsid proteins and the polymerase showed striking differences to other comoviruses and highest similarities to legume-infecting comoviruses. Red clover mottle virus was recognized as the most similar virus with amino acid sequence identities ranging from 43 to 67% for individual genes.

Emerging viruses in the genus Comovirus.

The intraspecies variability of capsid proteins of five viruses of the genus Comovirus was established. Inclusion of both capsid proteins to the sequence analysis reduces some uncertainties about species/strains demarcation criteria in the Comovirus genus. New approach is proposed for discrimination of Turnip ringspot virus as a separate species.

Association of 'Candidatus Phytoplasma asteris' with yellowing and phyllody of Plantago lanceolata.

Long plantains (Plantago lanceolata L.) with symptoms resembling those associated with phytoplasma infection were observed repeatedly during the period 2000-2008 in southern Bohemia (Czech Republic). The symptoms of the plants were leaf yellowing, stunted growth, flower phyllody and lack of seed production.

Complete genome sequence of turnip ringspot virus.

Here we present the complete genome sequences of two TuRSV isolates. They are 90-100% identical in distinct genes, but reasonably less identical with RaMV isolates. Regarding the CPs, TuRSV and RaMV have an aa sequence identity of 72-74% among all isolates and the proposed cut-off level is 75%.

Occurrence of Potato virus X on hybrid dock in Czech Republic.

Hybrid dock of Uteush (Rumex patientia L. x Rumex tianschanicus A. Los.

The influence of conspecific chemical cues on walking behavior of Ixodes ricinus males.

The influence of female and male cues on the male searching behavior of the sheep tick, Ixodes ricinus (Acari: Ixodidae), was studied under constant laboratory conditions by means of a computerized video tracking system. Males were released into an open glass arena in which one half had been exposed for 1 h to 5 freely walking unfed females or five males. The obtained track data were analyzed to reveal if male walking pattern was random or affected by cues of conspecifics left on the arena surface.