The current study was to investigate the effects of cysteamine （CS） on carcass characteristics, meat quality, and antioxidant status in finishing pigs. A total of 24 crossbred （PIC variety） finishing pigs （60.05&...The current study was to investigate the effects of cysteamine （CS） on carcass characteristics, meat quality, and antioxidant status in finishing pigs. A total of 24 crossbred （PIC variety） finishing pigs （60.05±1.24 kg, 12 gilts and 12 barrows） were assigned randomly to one of the three dietary groups, with four pens/group （one gilt and one barrow per pen）. Pigs were fed with a basal diet containing 0 （control）, 70, or 140 mg/kg CS for 47 days. The results indicated that dietary CS supplementation increased （P〈0.05） the average daily gain and feed intake with optimal responses occurring at 70 mg/kg. Dietary supplementation of CS increased （P〈0.05） the dressing percentage and lean percentage of finishing pigs with optimal responses occurring at 140 mg/kg. The CS supplementation, however, had no effect （P〉0.05） on meat quality. Dietary CS supplementation increased （P〈0.05） total antioxidant capacity （T-AOC） and decreased malondialdehyde （MDA） with optimal responses occurring at 70 mg/kg. CS supplementation at both 70 mg/kg and 140 mg/kg doses improved （P〈0.05） the muscle RNA/DNA ratio. Collectively, the results suggest dietary supplementation of 70 mg/kg CS could significantly improve growth performance and antioxidant status without adverse effects on the gastrointestinal tracts in finishing pigs while the 140 mg/kg CS supplementation improved the carcass quality. However, meat quality was not affected by CS supplementation.展开更多
AIM: To profile semen parameters of Malawian men seeking fertility testing. METHODS: Semen analysis is a key element in the fertility evaluation of men and permits male reproductive potential to be evaluated. Semen sa...AIM: To profile semen parameters of Malawian men seeking fertility testing. METHODS: Semen analysis is a key element in the fertility evaluation of men and permits male reproductive potential to be evaluated. Semen samples were collected from consenting men after 3-5 d of sexual abstinence. The samples were collected from 130 males; 78 were male partners of infertile couples while 52 were healthy semen donors. Seminal volume, motility and morphology were assessed. The results were analyzed on Prism 5. All data are expressed as mean ± SD. Student's t-test was used for statistical analysis. Differences were regarded as statistically signifi cant if P < 0.05.RESULTS: Semen volume, sperm concentration, progressive motility and normal morphology were significantly higher in the control group when compared to the participant group. On the other hand, no statistically signifi cant difference was found between the control group total sperm motility when compared to the participant group. Oligozoospermia was found in 25 cases, teratozoospermia detected in 17 cases and abnormal seminal plasma in 16 cases. Asthenozoospermia and azoosper-mia were found in 12 and 8 participants, respectively. This study has shown that most of the infertile patients seeking fertility testing had oligozoospermia. Teratozoospermia was the second most common abnormality found in the patients seeking fertility testing. CONCLUSION: Our study is in agreement with previous studies which reported that these parameters have been shown to be good predictors for fertilization.展开更多
Cancer is not rare in younger women of reproductive age therefore the preservation of fertility among them has become a significant concern due to aggressive cancer therapy they must undergo.Today different strategies...Cancer is not rare in younger women of reproductive age therefore the preservation of fertility among them has become a significant concern due to aggressive cancer therapy they must undergo.Today different strategies for fertility preservation are available in patients at risk.However,many of these available techniques are still experimental and have limited clinical experience.Under ethical principle,better interdisciplinary cooperation between clinicians and patients,appropriate counseling and further research on cryopreservation and transplantation techniques may enhance their success to preserve fertility of young cancer victims.In this article,the existing and emerging fertility preserving strategies in young cancer female as well as their safety and ethical issues are discussed.展开更多
The present trial was conducted with starry flounder Platichthys stellatus broodstock to evaluate the effects of dietary vitamin A, ascorbic acid, and a-tocopherol on the gonadal development and reproductive performan...The present trial was conducted with starry flounder Platichthys stellatus broodstock to evaluate the effects of dietary vitamin A, ascorbic acid, and a-tocopherol on the gonadal development and reproductive performance. 8 000 IU/kg diet vitaminA （VA group）, 500 mg/kg diet ascorbic acid （Vcpp group）, or 250 mg/kg diet a-tocopherol （a-TA group） was added into basal diet to create 3 vitamin experimental diets, respectively. Each diet was fed to 450 starry flounder broodstock for 104 days. Samples were collected weekly. The gonadosomatic index （GSI） of 3 vitamin experimental groups first decreased and then increased. Maximum GSI of Vcpp group was higher than that of ct-TA group but lower than that of VA group. The spawning periods of 3 vitamin experimental groups lasted 49, 56, and 45 days, respectively. No mature eggs were observed in the control group during the trial. The absolute fecundity （AF） and relative fecundity （RF） of a-TA group was higher than that of Vcpp group but lower than that of VA group. The results suggest that different vitamins play different roles in the fish reproductive process. Vitamin A stimulated the maturation of the ovary, ascorbic acid prolonged the spawning period, and a-tocopherol affected the development of the eggs.展开更多
This study aimed to obtain, by selection two lines of New Zealand white rabbits differing in total motor activity and to compare them for fertility, prolificacy, mortality and weight gains of young rabbits from birth ...This study aimed to obtain, by selection two lines of New Zealand white rabbits differing in total motor activity and to compare them for fertility, prolificacy, mortality and weight gains of young rabbits from birth until weaning. The emotional states of animals such as fear were analysed with the behavioural tests （open field, tonic immobility） and stress-induced hyperthermia （SIH）. These tests were the criterion for assigning animals to two experimental groups： group I, 10 males and 20 females with the highest total motor activity （A）; group II, 10 males and 20 females showing little or no motor activity （N）. Important differences were found in male and female fertility. During the first week, 80% of males mated in group I compared to only 20% in group II. Despite their normal breeding condition, passive males were timid and ponderous during mating, unlike active males which mated willingly and rapidly. Fertility was high in both groups （87.5% and 94.7% in group I and II）. Unlike females from group II, females from group I showed no tendency towards nest building. 40% of females from group I gave birth in different cage areas, while 90% of females from group II gave birth in nest boxes with down and straw bedding. No differences were found between the active and passive lines for body weight at birth or at 35 days of age.展开更多
In order to evaluate the effect of crossbreeding on growth performance and carcass traits, Afshari and Fashandi rams crossed with Zandi ewes. 45 Afshari x Zandi and 30 Fashandi x Zandi lambs recorded in a period of 10...In order to evaluate the effect of crossbreeding on growth performance and carcass traits, Afshari and Fashandi rams crossed with Zandi ewes. 45 Afshari x Zandi and 30 Fashandi x Zandi lambs recorded in a period of 100 days feedlot. Daily weight gain and dry matter intake significantly affected by crossbreeding which were the highest in Afshari x Zandi group （0.180 ± 0.004 and 1.415 ±0.025, respectively）, but it had no effect on feed conversion ratio. The genetic group affected final feedlot weight, empty body weight, warm carcass weight and carcass efficiency which Afshari ± Zandi group had higher amounts （44.70 ± 1.25 kg, 38.85 1.05 kg, 22.63 ± 0.95 kg and 58.63 ±0.77%, respectively）. The breed of ram lambs had no significant effect on the percentage of thigh, loin, shoulder＇, brisket, fat tail, tallow and total removal fat; however the percentage of thigh was different between two crossbred groups. Lean and fat percentage was higher in Fashandi x Zandi crosses.展开更多
A simple model for a set of integrate-and-fire neurons based on the weighted network is introduced. By considering the neurobiological phenomenon in brain development and the difference of the synaptic strength, we co...A simple model for a set of integrate-and-fire neurons based on the weighted network is introduced. By considering the neurobiological phenomenon in brain development and the difference of the synaptic strength, we construct weighted networks develop with link additions and followed by selective edge removal. The network exhibits the small-world and scale-free properties with high network efficiency. The model displays an avalanche activity on a power-law distribution. We investigate the effect of selective edge removal and the neuron refractory period on the self-organized criticality of the system.展开更多
Aging is a developmental process occurring in all living organisms after reaching a critical developmental stage,characterized by progressive loss of functions until death.Different cells/tissues age differently depen...Aging is a developmental process occurring in all living organisms after reaching a critical developmental stage,characterized by progressive loss of functions until death.Different cells/tissues age differently depending on epigenetics and cell-cell interactions.While males maintain fertility for the most part of their life females only maintain reproductive ability for a short time compared with their lifespan.The interesting question is why and how the females lose fertility so quickly.There have been many hypotheses proposed from different perspectives and recent research has revealed unusual interactions between germ cells and somatic cells which may determine the lifespan of reproduction in the females.This review briefly discusses recent progress in reproductive aging in the well studied model,C.elegans,and focuses on the molecular mechanisms which may be conserved across all animals including humans.展开更多
文摘The current study was to investigate the effects of cysteamine （CS） on carcass characteristics, meat quality, and antioxidant status in finishing pigs. A total of 24 crossbred （PIC variety） finishing pigs （60.05±1.24 kg, 12 gilts and 12 barrows） were assigned randomly to one of the three dietary groups, with four pens/group （one gilt and one barrow per pen）. Pigs were fed with a basal diet containing 0 （control）, 70, or 140 mg/kg CS for 47 days. The results indicated that dietary CS supplementation increased （P〈0.05） the average daily gain and feed intake with optimal responses occurring at 70 mg/kg. Dietary supplementation of CS increased （P〈0.05） the dressing percentage and lean percentage of finishing pigs with optimal responses occurring at 140 mg/kg. The CS supplementation, however, had no effect （P〉0.05） on meat quality. Dietary CS supplementation increased （P〈0.05） total antioxidant capacity （T-AOC） and decreased malondialdehyde （MDA） with optimal responses occurring at 70 mg/kg. CS supplementation at both 70 mg/kg and 140 mg/kg doses improved （P〈0.05） the muscle RNA/DNA ratio. Collectively, the results suggest dietary supplementation of 70 mg/kg CS could significantly improve growth performance and antioxidant status without adverse effects on the gastrointestinal tracts in finishing pigs while the 140 mg/kg CS supplementation improved the carcass quality. However, meat quality was not affected by CS supplementation.
文摘AIM: To profile semen parameters of Malawian men seeking fertility testing. METHODS: Semen analysis is a key element in the fertility evaluation of men and permits male reproductive potential to be evaluated. Semen samples were collected from consenting men after 3-5 d of sexual abstinence. The samples were collected from 130 males; 78 were male partners of infertile couples while 52 were healthy semen donors. Seminal volume, motility and morphology were assessed. The results were analyzed on Prism 5. All data are expressed as mean ± SD. Student's t-test was used for statistical analysis. Differences were regarded as statistically signifi cant if P < 0.05.RESULTS: Semen volume, sperm concentration, progressive motility and normal morphology were significantly higher in the control group when compared to the participant group. On the other hand, no statistically signifi cant difference was found between the control group total sperm motility when compared to the participant group. Oligozoospermia was found in 25 cases, teratozoospermia detected in 17 cases and abnormal seminal plasma in 16 cases. Asthenozoospermia and azoosper-mia were found in 12 and 8 participants, respectively. This study has shown that most of the infertile patients seeking fertility testing had oligozoospermia. Teratozoospermia was the second most common abnormality found in the patients seeking fertility testing. CONCLUSION: Our study is in agreement with previous studies which reported that these parameters have been shown to be good predictors for fertilization.
文摘Cancer is not rare in younger women of reproductive age therefore the preservation of fertility among them has become a significant concern due to aggressive cancer therapy they must undergo.Today different strategies for fertility preservation are available in patients at risk.However,many of these available techniques are still experimental and have limited clinical experience.Under ethical principle,better interdisciplinary cooperation between clinicians and patients,appropriate counseling and further research on cryopreservation and transplantation techniques may enhance their success to preserve fertility of young cancer victims.In this article,the existing and emerging fertility preserving strategies in young cancer female as well as their safety and ethical issues are discussed.
基金Supported by the Public Science and Technology Research Funds Projects of Ocean(No.201205025)the Platform of Aquatic Nutrition and Feed(No.201304001)the Taishan Scholar Fellowship of Shandong Province
文摘The present trial was conducted with starry flounder Platichthys stellatus broodstock to evaluate the effects of dietary vitamin A, ascorbic acid, and a-tocopherol on the gonadal development and reproductive performance. 8 000 IU/kg diet vitaminA （VA group）, 500 mg/kg diet ascorbic acid （Vcpp group）, or 250 mg/kg diet a-tocopherol （a-TA group） was added into basal diet to create 3 vitamin experimental diets, respectively. Each diet was fed to 450 starry flounder broodstock for 104 days. Samples were collected weekly. The gonadosomatic index （GSI） of 3 vitamin experimental groups first decreased and then increased. Maximum GSI of Vcpp group was higher than that of ct-TA group but lower than that of VA group. The spawning periods of 3 vitamin experimental groups lasted 49, 56, and 45 days, respectively. No mature eggs were observed in the control group during the trial. The absolute fecundity （AF） and relative fecundity （RF） of a-TA group was higher than that of Vcpp group but lower than that of VA group. The results suggest that different vitamins play different roles in the fish reproductive process. Vitamin A stimulated the maturation of the ovary, ascorbic acid prolonged the spawning period, and a-tocopherol affected the development of the eggs.
文摘This study aimed to obtain, by selection two lines of New Zealand white rabbits differing in total motor activity and to compare them for fertility, prolificacy, mortality and weight gains of young rabbits from birth until weaning. The emotional states of animals such as fear were analysed with the behavioural tests （open field, tonic immobility） and stress-induced hyperthermia （SIH）. These tests were the criterion for assigning animals to two experimental groups： group I, 10 males and 20 females with the highest total motor activity （A）; group II, 10 males and 20 females showing little or no motor activity （N）. Important differences were found in male and female fertility. During the first week, 80% of males mated in group I compared to only 20% in group II. Despite their normal breeding condition, passive males were timid and ponderous during mating, unlike active males which mated willingly and rapidly. Fertility was high in both groups （87.5% and 94.7% in group I and II）. Unlike females from group II, females from group I showed no tendency towards nest building. 40% of females from group I gave birth in different cage areas, while 90% of females from group II gave birth in nest boxes with down and straw bedding. No differences were found between the active and passive lines for body weight at birth or at 35 days of age.
文摘In order to evaluate the effect of crossbreeding on growth performance and carcass traits, Afshari and Fashandi rams crossed with Zandi ewes. 45 Afshari x Zandi and 30 Fashandi x Zandi lambs recorded in a period of 100 days feedlot. Daily weight gain and dry matter intake significantly affected by crossbreeding which were the highest in Afshari x Zandi group （0.180 ± 0.004 and 1.415 ±0.025, respectively）, but it had no effect on feed conversion ratio. The genetic group affected final feedlot weight, empty body weight, warm carcass weight and carcass efficiency which Afshari ± Zandi group had higher amounts （44.70 ± 1.25 kg, 38.85 1.05 kg, 22.63 ± 0.95 kg and 58.63 ±0.77%, respectively）. The breed of ram lambs had no significant effect on the percentage of thigh, loin, shoulder＇, brisket, fat tail, tallow and total removal fat; however the percentage of thigh was different between two crossbred groups. Lean and fat percentage was higher in Fashandi x Zandi crosses.
基金Supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China under Grant No.10675060the Doctoral Foundation of Ministry of Education of China under Grant No.2002055009
文摘A simple model for a set of integrate-and-fire neurons based on the weighted network is introduced. By considering the neurobiological phenomenon in brain development and the difference of the synaptic strength, we construct weighted networks develop with link additions and followed by selective edge removal. The network exhibits the small-world and scale-free properties with high network efficiency. The model displays an avalanche activity on a power-law distribution. We investigate the effect of selective edge removal and the neuron refractory period on the self-organized criticality of the system.
文摘Aging is a developmental process occurring in all living organisms after reaching a critical developmental stage,characterized by progressive loss of functions until death.Different cells/tissues age differently depending on epigenetics and cell-cell interactions.While males maintain fertility for the most part of their life females only maintain reproductive ability for a short time compared with their lifespan.The interesting question is why and how the females lose fertility so quickly.There have been many hypotheses proposed from different perspectives and recent research has revealed unusual interactions between germ cells and somatic cells which may determine the lifespan of reproduction in the females.This review briefly discusses recent progress in reproductive aging in the well studied model,C.elegans,and focuses on the molecular mechanisms which may be conserved across all animals including humans.
