Cryopreservation of ram semen results in low post-thaw survival. Thus, studies were conducted to optimize liquid-storage of chilled semen. In Experiment 1, semen collected from rams (n = 5) was extended using either m...Cryopreservation of ram semen results in low post-thaw survival. Thus, studies were conducted to optimize liquid-storage of chilled semen. In Experiment 1, semen collected from rams (n = 5) was extended using either milk, TRIS (tris[Hydroxymethyl]aminomethane), TEST (N-Tris (hydroxymethyl)-methyl-2-aminoethane sulfonic acid), or CJ-2 (choline-based extender) and stored at either 4℃ and 15℃. All extenders were supplemented with 5% (v/v) egg yolk. In Experiment 2, semen collected from 9 rams was distributed across TRIS or milk extenders supplemented with 5% or 20% (v/v) egg yolk, and 0 or 1% ethylene glycol (EG), during storage for 72 hours at 4℃. The effect of penicillamine, hypotaurine, and epinephrine (PHE) on motility parameters was also evaluated following storage. In Experiment 1, most of the sperm motility parameters were higher after extension, and storage at 4℃ compared with 15℃ (P P in vivo sperm viability and conception rates when using extended, stored semen for artificial insemination of ewes.展开更多
The US Department of Energy is currently building strategies for the expansion of clean and renewable energy sources, and tall, rapidly-growing grasses such as giant miscanthus (Miscanthus × giganteus) and giant ...The US Department of Energy is currently building strategies for the expansion of clean and renewable energy sources, and tall, rapidly-growing grasses such as giant miscanthus (Miscanthus × giganteus) and giant reed (Arundo donax) are two of the many of species that could fill this renewable energy niche. The objective was to compare stalk growth components of giant miscanthus and giant reed, in a low-input system (no irrigation and no fertilizer use) in Arkansas, USA. Due to the potential invasiveness of giant reed, our study was conducted on an upland site to minimize escape. Plant height and dry weight per stalk were measured every week for two consecutive growing seasons in 2012 and 2013. Leaf area index (LAI) was measured every two weeks from May to September in 2012. A significant species × day interaction occurred for plant height and dry weight per stalk, due to the relatively greater height and weight of giant reed compared to giant miscanthus after May. Stalk elongation rate was greater for giant reed than giant miscanthus (1.85 and 1.11 cm day-1, respectively). Leaf area index differed between species, giant reed (10.4 m2 m-2) > giant miscanthus (4.4 m2 m-2). We showed that giant reed produced taller, heavier stalks, and had a greater stalk elongation rate, compared to giant miscanthus. For sustainable bioenergy production from giant reed in Arkansas, further studies should be performed to determine ideal number of harvests per year and associated production cost.展开更多
Anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) is an endocrine marker for fertility in many species. This study investigated possible correlations between serum AMH concentrations, mean number of lambs born (out-of-season in spring or ...Anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) is an endocrine marker for fertility in many species. This study investigated possible correlations between serum AMH concentrations, mean number of lambs born (out-of-season in spring or fall), and estimated breeding values (EBVs) for number of lambs born (NLB), number of lambs weaned (NLW), maternal weaning weight (MWWT), weaning weight (WWT), and maternal index (determined by Sheep Genetics Australia). Blood was collected at breeding from Katahdin ewes between 0.7 and 7 years of age in 2015 (n = 163) for the analysis of serum concentrations of AMH. Anti-Mullerian hormone concentration was either expressed quantitatively or divided into quartiles (AMH Q1 through Q4, with Q1 the lowest and Q4 the highest, pg/ml). Data were analyzed by PROC CORR, GLM or chi-squared using SAS. Mean serum AMH was 182 ± 11 pg/ml and ranged from 0 to 1112 pg/ml. There was no correlation between serum AMH and EBVs for NLB, NLW, MWWT, WWT and the maternal index. Serum AMH concentration was similar in ewes in different age categories (P = 0.157). There was a correlation between EBV for NLB (0.29;P = 0.0002) and NLW (0.19;P = 0.013) with average number of lambs born. Ewes in the lowest AMH quartile (Q1) had a lower mean number of offspring born from spring breeding compared with ewes in other AMH quartiles (Q2, Q3, and Q4;P < 0.05). Further study is needed to determine the effectiveness of using serum AMH for selecting ewes for out-of-season (spring) breeding.展开更多
文摘Cryopreservation of ram semen results in low post-thaw survival. Thus, studies were conducted to optimize liquid-storage of chilled semen. In Experiment 1, semen collected from rams (n = 5) was extended using either milk, TRIS (tris[Hydroxymethyl]aminomethane), TEST (N-Tris (hydroxymethyl)-methyl-2-aminoethane sulfonic acid), or CJ-2 (choline-based extender) and stored at either 4℃ and 15℃. All extenders were supplemented with 5% (v/v) egg yolk. In Experiment 2, semen collected from 9 rams was distributed across TRIS or milk extenders supplemented with 5% or 20% (v/v) egg yolk, and 0 or 1% ethylene glycol (EG), during storage for 72 hours at 4℃. The effect of penicillamine, hypotaurine, and epinephrine (PHE) on motility parameters was also evaluated following storage. In Experiment 1, most of the sperm motility parameters were higher after extension, and storage at 4℃ compared with 15℃ (P P in vivo sperm viability and conception rates when using extended, stored semen for artificial insemination of ewes.
文摘The US Department of Energy is currently building strategies for the expansion of clean and renewable energy sources, and tall, rapidly-growing grasses such as giant miscanthus (Miscanthus × giganteus) and giant reed (Arundo donax) are two of the many of species that could fill this renewable energy niche. The objective was to compare stalk growth components of giant miscanthus and giant reed, in a low-input system (no irrigation and no fertilizer use) in Arkansas, USA. Due to the potential invasiveness of giant reed, our study was conducted on an upland site to minimize escape. Plant height and dry weight per stalk were measured every week for two consecutive growing seasons in 2012 and 2013. Leaf area index (LAI) was measured every two weeks from May to September in 2012. A significant species × day interaction occurred for plant height and dry weight per stalk, due to the relatively greater height and weight of giant reed compared to giant miscanthus after May. Stalk elongation rate was greater for giant reed than giant miscanthus (1.85 and 1.11 cm day-1, respectively). Leaf area index differed between species, giant reed (10.4 m2 m-2) > giant miscanthus (4.4 m2 m-2). We showed that giant reed produced taller, heavier stalks, and had a greater stalk elongation rate, compared to giant miscanthus. For sustainable bioenergy production from giant reed in Arkansas, further studies should be performed to determine ideal number of harvests per year and associated production cost.
文摘Anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) is an endocrine marker for fertility in many species. This study investigated possible correlations between serum AMH concentrations, mean number of lambs born (out-of-season in spring or fall), and estimated breeding values (EBVs) for number of lambs born (NLB), number of lambs weaned (NLW), maternal weaning weight (MWWT), weaning weight (WWT), and maternal index (determined by Sheep Genetics Australia). Blood was collected at breeding from Katahdin ewes between 0.7 and 7 years of age in 2015 (n = 163) for the analysis of serum concentrations of AMH. Anti-Mullerian hormone concentration was either expressed quantitatively or divided into quartiles (AMH Q1 through Q4, with Q1 the lowest and Q4 the highest, pg/ml). Data were analyzed by PROC CORR, GLM or chi-squared using SAS. Mean serum AMH was 182 ± 11 pg/ml and ranged from 0 to 1112 pg/ml. There was no correlation between serum AMH and EBVs for NLB, NLW, MWWT, WWT and the maternal index. Serum AMH concentration was similar in ewes in different age categories (P = 0.157). There was a correlation between EBV for NLB (0.29;P = 0.0002) and NLW (0.19;P = 0.013) with average number of lambs born. Ewes in the lowest AMH quartile (Q1) had a lower mean number of offspring born from spring breeding compared with ewes in other AMH quartiles (Q2, Q3, and Q4;P < 0.05). Further study is needed to determine the effectiveness of using serum AMH for selecting ewes for out-of-season (spring) breeding.
