bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Antifungal activity of propolis on different species of Candida
Authors: Ota Claudia , Unterkircher Carmelinda , Fantinato Vera , Shimizu M. T.
Published: March 2003

Summary. Propolis is a resinous material collected by bees from the buds or other parts of plants. It is known for its biological properties, having antibacterial, antifungal and healing properties. The antifungal activity of propolis was studied in sensitivity tests on 80 strains of Candida yeasts: 20 strains of Candida albicans, 20 strains of Candida tropicalis, 20 strains of Candida krusei and 15 strains of Candida guilliermondii. The yeasts showed a clear antifungal activity with the following order of sensitivity: C. albicans>C. tropicalis>C. krusei>C. guilliermondii. Patients with full dentures who used a hydroalcoholic propolis extract showed a decrease in the number of Candida.

Antimyzetische Aktivität von Propolis gegen verschiedene Candida‐Arten

Zusammenfassung.  Propolis ist ein harziges Material, das von Bienen aus Knospen oder anderen Pflanzenteilen gesammelt wird. Es ist durch seine biologischen Eigenschaften bekannt: antibakteriell, pilzhemmend, heilend. Die pilzhemmende Wirkung von Propolis wurde in Sensibilitätstests an 80 Candida‐Stämmen untersucht: 20 Stämme von C. albicans, C. tropicalis, C. krusei und 15 von C. guilliermondii. Es zeigte sich folgende Reihe abnehmender Empfindlichkeit der Hefen für Propolis: C. albicans > C. tropicalis >C. krusei >C. guilliermondii. Zahnprothesen‐Träger, die Propolis‐Extrakt benutzten, zeigten eine Abnahme der Candida‐Kolonisation.
Relapse of coccidioidomycosis despite immune reconstitution after fluconazole secondary prophylaxis in a patient with AIDS
Authors: Mathew G. , Smedema M. , Wheat L. J. , Goldman M.
Published: March 2003

Summary We report a case of relapse of coccidioidomycosis in an HIV‐infected person who discontinued maintenance azole therapy following a response to antiretroviral therapy. This experience raises concern about the safety of withholding secondary prophylaxis for coccidioidomycosis in persons with HIV infection who have achieved immunological responses to antiretroviral therapy.
Identification of clinically relevant Trichosporon species
Authors: Middelhoven W. J.
Published: March 2003

Summary A dichotomous identification key to pathogenic species of the basisiomycetous genus Trichosporon Behrend is provided. It is based on growth tests with carbon sources not traditionally used in yeast taxonomy, viz. uric acid, ethylamine, l‐4‐hydroxyproline, tyramine and l‐phenylalanine as sources of carbon and nitrogen, and polygalacturonate, quinate, 4‐ethylphenol, 2,3‐dihydroxybenzoate and orcinol as sole carbon sources. Of the standard growth tests, assimilation of l‐rhamnose and the maximum growth temperature proved to be useful. In addition to medically relevant species, other species able to grow at 37 °C were treated as well.
Heritability of, and genetic correlations among, forage and seed yield traits in Ladino white clover
Authors: Annicchiarico P. , Piano E. , Rhodes I.
Published: March 2003

Sixteen white clover genotypes and their half‐sib progenies were grown in pure stand. Each clover progeny was also grown in a mixed stand that also included three grass varieties of different species. Dry matter (DM) yield was measured over 2 years and seed yield at the second year. Competitive ability of clover families was defined as the ratio between mixed stand and pure stand for clover DM yield. Narrow‐sense heritability from parent‐offspring regression of pure stand data was high to moderate (h20.50) for DM yield, seed yield and most of their components. Persistence as predicted by stolon density showed negative genetic correlations with seed yield (rg= ‐0.70) and DM yield (r2= ‐0.60), whereas seed yield and DM yield tended towards a negative correlation (r2=0.45). Sizes of different vegetative or reproductive organs were generally correlated positively. Evidence was provided that the set of parent genotypes represents well the genetic variation available within the Ladino gene pool. The results highlighted the difficulty of combining relatively short‐term DM yield, persistence and seed yield into a unique plant type. Differences in competitive ability emerged only in the second year, better ability being related mainly to petiole length among the traits assessed in pure stand.
Development of SCAR markers linked to the Pm21 gene conferring resistance to powdery mildew in common wheat
Authors: Liu Z , Sun Q. , Ni Z. , Yang T. , McIntosh R. A.
Published: March 2003

Powdery mildew is an important disease in most of the wheat production areas of the world. The resistance gene Pm21 (6AL/6VS trans‐location) derived from Haynaldia villosa confers resistance to all available isolates of Erysiphe (Blumeria) graminis f. sp. tritici in China and Europe. The objective of this study was to develop fast and reliable sequence characterized amplified region (SCAR) markers linked to the Pm21 gene. A random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) marker for Pm21, OPH171400, was converted to SCAR markers after sequencing the two ends of the polymorphic DNA fragment. Two SCAR markers, SCAR1265 and SCAR1400, were developed to detect the Pm21 gene in different genetic backgrounds. The specific SCAR1265 marker enable large‐scale accurate screening for the presence/absence of Pm21 allele.
Temperature‐dependent resistance to crown rust infection in perennial ryegrass, Lolium perenne
Authors: Roderick H. W. , Thorogood D. , Adomako B.
Published: March 2003

Differences were found in the expression of resistance of perennial ryegrass, Lolium perenne, cultivars to crown rust, Puccinia coronata Corda, when plants were incubated at either 10°C or 25°C. In an extreme example, all the genotypes of ‘Carrick’ were resistant at 10°C but susceptible at 25°C. The variation between cultivars was due both to a general increase in expression of susceptibility and the proportion of plants which became susceptible. A BC1 line containing a stay‐green gene derived from Festuca pratensis was insensitive to temperature, while a sister line was sensitive.
Early‐bolting trait and RAPD markers in the specific monosomic addition line of radish carrying the e‐chromosome of Brassica oleracea
Authors: Kaneko Y. , Bang S. W. , Matsuzawa Y.
Published: March 2003

The specific monosomic addition line of radish, Raphanus sativus, carrying the e chromosome of Brassica oleracea (2n = 19, e‐type MAL) with the genetic background of the late‐bolting cv.‘Tokinashi’ was produced by successive backcrossing of the original e‐type MAL of radish that showed early bolting in the genetic background of the cv. ‘Shogoin’. The early‐bolting trait specific to the e‐type MAL was constantly expressed in the backcrossed progenies (BC2, BC3 and BC4), whereas the reverted radish‐like plants (2n =18) were gradually converted to bolting as late as ‘Tokinashi’. The added e‐chromosome expressed an epistatic effect against the genome of Japanese radish. Its early‐bolting trait was dominant to the late‐bolting trait of ‘Tokinashi’ which may be under the control of a few genes. Moreover, e‐type specific RAPD markers detected in eight primers were invariably transmitted in the backcrossed progenies by ‘Tokinashi’. From the analysis of the characteristics to the e‐type MAL and e‐type specific RAPD markers, it is suggested that the e‐added chromosome of kale (B. oleracea) was transmitted from generation to generation without any recombination with the radish chromosome. The gene(s) for the early‐bolting trait detected in this study may be useful for breeding work in radish, especially in the tropical areas.
Genetic parameters for agronomic traits of triticale and other small‐grain cereals grown on aluminium‐toxic soil in southern Brazil
Authors: Oettler G. , Wiethölter S. , Horst W. J.
Published: March 2003

Aluminium (Al) toxicity is a major limiting factor for plant production on acid soils. Breeding of adapted genotypes presents an alternative to corrective lime application. This study estimated genetic and non‐genetic components of variation, heritabilities, and trait correlations for 20 triticale (×Triticosecale Wittmack) genotypes grown for 2 years on naturally acidic, Al‐toxic (pH 4.4) and lime‐amended soils (pH 5.0 and 6.3). Eight traits were assessed. A 51% mean reduction in grain yield as a result of soil acidity was due to 27% fewer grains/spike, 11% fewer spikes/m2 and 7% reduced 1000‐grain weight. Genotypes were the most important source of variation for nearly all traits in the combined analysis across years. Genotype × lime interaction was relevant only for certain traits in a particular year. Despite a substantial genotype × year interaction, the general ranking of genotypes for acid‐soil tolerance did not change across years. Genotypic variation was higher on acidic than on lime‐amended soil. Heritability estimates were similar at the two extreme pH levels. Results suggest that in triticale a wide variation for adaptation to soil acidity exists. Selection under stress appears more effective than under optimal conditions. A visual plant‐development‐stress‐symptom rating can be used to select indirectly for grain yield in a breeding programme.
Stay green trait in grain sorghum: relationship between visual rating and leaf chlorophyll concentration
Authors: Xu W. , Rosenow D. T. , Nguyen H. T.
Published: March 2003

Post‐flowering drought tolerance is referred to as the stay green trait in sorghum. Plants with stay green resist drought‐induced premature plant senescence. In breeding programmes, stay green is evaluated under limited irrigation, post‐flowering moisture‐stress field conditions and visually scored at or soon after physiological grain maturity. The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between the stay green rating and total leaf chlorophyll content. The parents B35 and Tx7000, and their 98 F, recombinant inbred lines were evaluated in replicated field trials under limited (post‐flowering stress) and full‐irrigation (non‐stress) conditions. After scoring the stay green trait of stressed plants, total leaf chlorophyll contents were measured with a chlorophyll meter (SPAD values) and a spectrophotometer method. The SPAD value had a significant linear relationship with total leaf chlorophyll (R2= 0.91) and with visual stay green rating (with R2= 0.82). Relative water content in top leaves of the stay green lines was about 81%, much higher than non‐stay green lines (38%), indicating that the stay green lines kept the stalk transporting system functioning under severe drought conditions, The results indicate that visual stay green ratings were a reliable indicator of leaf senescence an should be useful to sorghum breeders in evaluating progeny when breeding for drought tolerance.
Amplified fragment length polymorphism analysis in diploid cultivars of rhodesgrass
Authors: Ubi B. E. , Fujimori M. , Ebina M. , Komatsu T.
Published: March 2003

The amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) technique was applied to detect genetic variation in a sample of 47 plants representing 12 diploid cultivars of rhodesgrass. In this analysis, 50±91 easily scorable fragments could be detected in a single reaction. Each of the individual plants was uniquely identified by a combination of three primer pairs and an 80.2% level of polymorphism was obtained. Large amounts of genetic variation were present within all the cultivars. The results showed that AFLPs could be a robust technique for genome analysis in rhodesgrass with a promising potential as a breeding tool.
Estimating the genetic relationship of hybrid bromegrass to smooth bromegrass and meadow bromegrass using RAPD markers
Authors: Ferdinandez Y. S. N. , Somers D. J. , Coulman B. E
Published: March 2003

The two most widely grown bromegrass species in North America are smooth bromegrass, a hay type grass, and meadow bromegrass, a pasture type grass. Hybrid populations between these two species have been developed through hybridization and recurrent selection. The objective of this study was to determine the genetic relatedness of the hybrid bromegrass population S‐9073M to its parental populations using random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers and to determine genetic variation within and between populations. Individuals from each of the three populations were genotyped at 43 polymorphic RAPD loci. One of the RAPD fragments was meadow bromegrass‐specific. Cluster analysis showed three groups representing the two parental populations and the hybrid population. An analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA), showed that the hybrid population had the highest within‐population variation, followed by meadow bromegrass and smooth bromegrass. The interpopulation genetic distance (phi‐statistic =Φst) was highest between meadow and smooth bromegrass and lowest between smooth and hybrid bromegrass. The hybrid population was genetically intermediate to smooth bromegrass and meadow bromegrass, but closer to smooth bromegrass, possibly reflecting the selection criteria used in the development of this hybrid.
Genetic effects and heterosis of flowering and fruit characteristics of tropical pumpkin
Authors: Gwanama C. , Botha A. M. , Labuschagne M. T.
Published: March 2003

Tropical pumpkin is an important vegetable in many lowland tropics. Estimation of genetic effects for a fixed set of genotypes may yield information on the presence of different types of gene action for important traits. Six landraces and one diallel set of their progeny were evaluated for time from planting to female anthesis and fruit characteristics. Variety effects and heterosis mean squares were significant for the days to female anthesis, the weight of the first mature fruit, the mean fruit weight and soluble solids, indicating the presence of both additive and non‐additive gene actions. Only variety effects were significant for the days to the first mature fruit. These characters could be improved by recurrent selection. Selection for heterosis would be effective except for the days to the first fruit to mature.
Inheritance of heading time in spring barley evaluated in multiple environments
Authors: Gallagher L. W. , Moktar L. B.
Published: March 2003

The inheritance of heading time of spring barley was studied in three extremely early genotypes IB, RL and ‘Mona’ (M), which is homozygous recessive for the early maturity ea8 (=eak) gene conferring extreme earliness under short daylengths and is relatively photoperiod insensitive, and five (GP, MA, PS, NU and BA) spring genotypes that are early to intermediate for heading time. Frequency distributions of F2 generations grown at Ouled Gnaou, Morocco (32°15′ N), an environment which maximizes differences between photoperiod‐insensitive and photoperiod‐sensitive genotypes, indicated that across populations many loci were segregating in a complex Mendelian manner. IB and RL were both homozygous recessive for the ea8 gene, which conferred an early heading time. RL had partially dominant alleles at second locus (Enea8), which enhanced its earliness. Recovery of only progeny within the parental range of genotypes for heading time from the crosses of RL/M and IB/M suggests that numerous loci remained suppressed, perhaps latent, given their diverse parentage. The ea8 recessive homozygote in RL suppressed another unidentified locus which, when homozygous recessive in the absence of the ea8 recessive homozygote, conferred extreme earliness in one short daylength environment (Ouled Gnaou, Morocco) but was undetected in another environment (Davis, CA, USA). Epistatic gene action and genotype × environment effects strongly influenced heading time. In addition to a genetic system consisting of single‐locus recessive homozygotes conferring photoperiod insensitivity, a second genetic system, based on dominant alleles at one or a few loci, derived from the early heading Finnish landrace ‘Olli’, also confers extremely early heading time under short daylengths and relative photoperiod insensitivity in the genotype GP.
Relationships in pineapple by random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis
Authors: Sripaoraya S. , Blackhall N. W. , Marchant R. , Power J. B. , Lowe K. C. , Davey M. R.
Published: March 2003

Random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis was applied to eight commercial cultivars of pineapple, two intergroup hybrids and two wild species. Morphologically, pineapple is divided into the Cayenne, Queen, Spanish, Maipure and Abacaxi groups. Members of the first three groups have been analysed in this study. The cultivars ‘Tradsithong’, ‘Phuket’, ‘Sawee’ and ‘Tainan’, with spiny leaves, form the Queen group. In ‘Pattavia’, ‘Nanglae’ and ‘Petburi no. 2’ (Cayenne group), spines are confined to the leaf tips. ‘Intrachitdang’ is normally placed in the Spanish group, which is morphologically similar to the Queen group, but with inferior quality fruit. DNA amplification products were compared from 16 arbitrary 10‐mer primers from which a dendrogram was constructed. The results confirmed morphological classifications for seven of the eight commercial cultivars, with the Queen and Cayenne groups as separate clusters. However, the cv. ‘Intrachitdang’ was more closely related to the Cayenne group. Two hybrids from reciprocal Cayenne × Queen group crosses, were more closely allied to the Queen group. The two wild species were outside the groups. RAPD analysis can be exploited to investigate relationships within pineapple germplasm.
Heritabilities of nutritive quality factors and interrelationships with yield in selected progenies of tall fescue
Authors: Santis G. de , Chiaravalle E.
Published: March 2003

Nine polycross (PX) and nine different self (S1) progenies were randomly chosen from 43 selected tall fescue genotypes and evaluated for in vitro digestible organic matter (IVDOM), crude protein, neutral detergent fibre, acid detergent fibre and acid detergent lignin of whole plants, leaf blades and stems (stem plus leaf sheath) at each of four harvest dates in 1991 and 1992. Significant variation for all whole‐plant and leaf quality traits occurred among the PX progenies at the May harvest. Variation among S1 progenies was significant for almost all of the stem traits. Genetic variance components for both progeny groups were significant for almost all of the traits, confirming the presence of additive genetic variation. Heritability estimates on a progeny‐mean basis ranged from medium to high for almost all the traits of the whole‐plant and the leaf and stem fractions. The results suggest that spring would be the time at which direct selection for high IVDOM or low fibre content would be successful and that selection for leaf or stem quality traits improves whole‐plant quality. Selection for quality traits in the summer or in the autumn would be difficult since no significant genetic variability was found.
An STS marker distinguishing the rye‐derived powdery mildew resistance alleles at the Pm8/Pm17 locus of common wheat
Authors: Mohler V. , Hsam S. L. K. , Zeller F. J. , Wenzel G.
Published: March 2003

A sequence‐tagged site marker has been developed from restriction fragment length polymorphism marker probe IAG95 for the rye‐derived powdery mildew resistance Pm8/Pm17 locus of common wheat. This polymerase chain reaction marker enables the amplification of DNA fragments with different sizes from T1AL.1RS and T1BL.1RS wheat‐rye translocation cultivars with chromatin from ‘Insave’ and ‘Petkus’ rye, respectively, and therefore will be very useful in distinguishing Pm8‐carrying cultivars from Pm17‐carrying cultivars. Results obtained with that marker were compared with resistance tests performed on detached primary leaves of 29 wheat lines from two populations derived from doubled haploid production. The molecular assay corresponded well with the resistance tests in all the lines, and therefore will be helpful for the identification of Pm17 in lines in which other Pm genes or quantitative trait loci are present.
Mapping QTL involved in adult plant resistance to powdery mildew in the winter wheat line RE714 in two susceptible genetic backgrounds
Authors: Mingeot D. , Chantret N. , Baret P. V. , Dekeyser A. , Boukhatem N. , Sourdille P. , Doussinault G. , Jacquemin J. M.
Published: March 2003

The objective was to study the genetic basis of adult plant resistance to powdery mildew of the winter wheat line RE714 by quantitative trait loci (QTL) analysis and to investigate the stability of the QTL detected in two different genetic backgrounds. Two DH populations from the crosses between RE714 and the susceptible parents ‘Festin’ and ‘Hardi’ were used. Reaction of the DH lines to powdery mildew was assessed in different environments in Belgium under natural disease infection. Considering both populations and according to the environment tested, one to seven QTL were detected. Among them, residual effects of the race‐specific resistance genes Pm4b and MIRE were found. Two major QTL were very stable (on chromosome 5D and at the MIRE locus), since they were detected in both populations and over all environments tested. The QTL detected varied according to the susceptible parent used, and a residual effect at the Pm4b gene was not observed with the genetic background of ‘Hardi’.
Role of male‐sterile cytoplasm in resistance to barley yellow mosaic virus and Fusarium head blight in barley
Authors: Matsui K. , Yoshida M. , Ban T. , Komatsuda T. , Kawada N.
Published: March 2003

Two types of male‐sterile cytoplasm, designated msm1 and msm2, in barley were investigated to determine whether these cytoplasms confer resistance to barley yellow mosaic virus (Ba YMV) and Fusarium head blight (FHB). Alloplasmic lines and isogenic lines of two cultivars showed the same reaction to each Ba YMV as that of their euplasmic lines. This demonstrates that the barley male‐sterile cytoplasms msm1 and msm2 have no effect on resistance to BaYMV. No significant difference in reactions to FHB was recognized among fertile alloplasmic lines of ‘Adorra’, but the difference in reactions to FHB between fertile and sterile isogenic lines of ‘Adorra’ was significant. The damage caused by FHB in the male‐sterile lines that produced sterile pollen was significantly greater than the damage in a sterile line that did not produce pollen. These results suggest that pollen or anthers are important factors in infection with or spread of FHB. For production of hybrid seeds, male‐sterile lines with no pollen production, such as those with msm1 male‐sterile cytoplasm, would reduce FHB infestation.
Chromosomal effects in the endogenous contents of non‐structural carbohydrates and proteins measured in wheat substitution lines
Authors: Clua A. A. , Castro A. M. , Giménez D. O. , Tacaliti M. S. , Worland A. J.
Published: March 2003

In hexaploid bread wheat, Triticum aestivum (2n = 6x = 42), little work has been carried out to study the genetic control of the synthesis of reduced, non‐reduced and total non‐structural carbohydrates and soluble proteins in aerial and rooting structures. The aim of this paper was to determine the chromosomal location of genes determining carbohydrate and protein synthesis that could be used for diagnostic selection in segregating breeding populations. A set of wheat intervarietal chromosome substitution lines [‘Chinese Spring’ (CS) × synthetic wheat (Triticum diccocoides×Aegilops squarrosa) (Syn)], was used. Plants were cultivated in hydroponic solutions to the fully expanded third leaf stage. Carbohydrate and protein contents and dry matter were determined for aerial and root parts. The root dry weight did not show significant differences between the parental varieties and the substitution lines, except for 5A, 2B and 6B, which had significantly lower dry weights. The aerial dry weight was significantly higher for Syn and the 2A substitution line. The ratio aerial dry weight/root dry weight was significantly higher in Syn, 1A, 2A and 4B. The protein content of the plant showed highly significant differences between both parental lines but 6A and 1D of the substitution lines showed highly significant differences, with contents as high as that for Syn. Syn produced significantly lower total aerial carbohydrates. The substitution lines 2A, 5A, 6A, 7A, 2B, 3D, 5D and 6D showed highly significant total carbohydrate content increases in the aerial parts compared with both parental lines. The non‐reduced carbohydrate contents showed a pattern similar to that of the total carbohydrates. Syn had a lower reduced carbohydrate content than CS. Only the 5A, 2B, and 1D substitution lines had a highly significantly different content of reduced carbohydrates than CS. In roots, Syn produced the lowest values for every type of sugar. The highest significant values for total carbohydrates were found in substitution lines 2B, 4B, 5B, 6B, 1D and 6D. The non‐reduced carbohydrate levels were significantly higher than CS in 2B, 5B, 6B and 6D substitution lines. Only the substitution lines 3B and 1D showed a significantly higher reduced carbohydrate content in roots compared with CS. The photoassimilate partitioning in Syn, 1 A, 2A and 4B favoured the aerial parts but, in contrast, higher partitioning to the roots was found in the 7B, 1D and 3D substitution lines. Both groups appear to carry interesting patterns worth incorporating in wheat cultivars.
Variability among advanced gamma‐irradiation induced large‐seeded mutant breeding lines in the ‘Georgia Browne’ peanut cultivar
Authors: Branch W. D.
Published: March 2003

The objective of this study was to compare the variability among advanced large‐seeded ‘Georgia Browne’ mutant breeding lines induced by γ‐irradiation. Seeds of the small‐seeded, high‐yielding, disease‐resistant peanut cultivar ‘Georgia Browne’ were exposed to a 200 Gy dose of γ‐radiation. Several advanced (M6:7–M6:9)‘Georgia Browne’ mutant breeding lines were developed and evaluated at the University of Georgia, Coastal Plain Experiment Station over three consecutive years 1997‐99 for disease incidence, pod yield, total sound mature kernels (TSMK) grade, pod weight, seed weight and seed size distribution. Field performance tests showed significant differences among the advanced large‐seeded mutant breeding lines compared with ‘Georgia Browne’ for each of these variables. The results obtained demonstrate the beneficial use of mutation breeding for inducing and developing variable and desirable advanced mutant breeding lines within peanut cultivars.
A comparative study of microsporogenesis and anther wall development in different types of genic and cytoplasmic male sterilities in chives
Authors: Engelke T. , Hülsmann S. , Tatlioglu T.
Published: March 2003

A new cytoplasmic and two genic male sterilities in chives are compared with male‐fertile counterparts for anther development and microsporogenesis. The genic male sterilities (wi and st1) fail to produce viable pollen, since microsporogenesis is stopped around the stage of tetrads. Compared with a previously described cytoplasmic male sterility, CMS1, which also shows alterations during this stage, wi‐ and st1‐sterile plants fail to produce pollen walls. The last two male sterilities are very similar in development but can be distinguished by the missing breakdown of callose in st1‐sterile plants. In contrast to the sterilities described above, the second cytoplasmic male sterility, CMS2, is caused by functional damages to sporophytic tissues, such as no degeneration of mesothecium cells and no thickening of the endothecial cell walls. These alterations prevent the release of pollen, although they are normally developed.
Fatty acid composition of resynthesized Brassica napus and trigenomic Brassica void of genes for erucic acid in their A genomes
Authors: Rahman M. H.
Published: March 2003

The fatty acid composition of seed oil of four interspecific hybrids, resulting from crosses between zero erucic acid Brassica rapa (AA), and high erucic acid Brassica alboglabra/Brassica oleracea (CC) and Brassica carinata (BBCC), void of erucic acid genes in their A‐genomes was examined. The erucic acid content in resynthesized Brassica napus (AACC) lines derived from these crosses was only about half that of the high erucic acid CC genome parents, indicating equal contributions of the two genomes to oil (fatty acid) synthesis and accumulation. The differences in C18 fatty acid synthesis between the parents were also evident in the resulting resynthesized B. napus plants. Hexaploid Brassica plants of the genomic constitution AABBCC, in which the AA genome was incapable of erucic acid synthesis, had lower erucic acid contents than the B. carinata (BBCC) parent. This is plausible considering the fact that the zero erucic acid AA genome contributes to oil synthesis in AABBCC plants, thus reducing erucic acid content.
Identification of S‐alleles using polymerase chain reaction‐cleaved amplified polymorphic sequence of the S‐locus receptor kinase in inbreeding lines of Brassica oleracea
Authors: Park J. I. , Lee S. S. , Watanabe M. , Takahata Y. , Nou I. S.
Published: March 2003

Identification and DNA polymorphism of the S‐locus receptor kinasegene (SRK) was analysed by pollen tube tests, polymerase chain reaction‐cleaved amplified polymorphic sequence (PCR‐CAPS) and nucleotide sequencing. SRK‐specific primers that can distinguish class and class II S haplotypes amplified single DNA fragments of 900‐1050 bp. The DNA fragments of 22 inbred lines amplified with a class SRK‐specific primer pair determined seven types with HinfI and EcoRII. In addition, the DNA fragments of 17 inbred lines amplified with a class II SRK‐specific primer pair determined three types with Hinf1. Nucleotide sequencing of the DNA fragments amplified from 10S haplotypes showed that exons of the 3′‐end in SRK are highly conserved, and that there is much variation of the introns, which produced polymorphism of the band pattern in PCR‐CAPS profiles. The S haplotypes of the plants were determined by restriction analysis of PCR products and agreed with results based on pollen tube growth tests. The PCR‐CAPS analysis using specific primer pairs of SRK is considered to be useful for S allele identification in breeding programmes.
Investigations into the causes of segregation of Ogura male sterility in Bangladeshi cultivars of radish
Authors: Hossain M. A. , Mian M. A. K. , Rasul M. G.
Published: March 2003

In a series of three experiments during 1998‐99 and 1999‐2000 at Gazipur, Bangladesh, the causes of segregation of Ogura cytoplasmic genetic male sterility in local cultivars of radish were studied. Male‐sterile populations at the BC5 and BC6 generations were grown under a range of field temperatures for 2 years and the results on pollen fertility tests revealed that the expression of male sterility was not affected by temperature. Neither was a genotype‐year interaction found. The unexpected segregation observed in the male‐sterile backcross generations might be due to the presence of restorer alleles in the maintainer parents.
Chloroplast DNA variation in cultivated and wild Prunus avium L: a comparative study
Authors: Panda S. , Martin J. P. , Aguinagalde I. , Mohanty A.
Published: March 2003

Chloroplast DNA variation in 96 Prunus avium L. cultivars was assessed and compared with the results of a previous study of cpDNA diversity in 23 wild populations of the species. The polymerase chain reaction‐restriction fragment length polymorphism method was used in these studies. Approximately 9% of the chloroplast genome was analyzed, using five universal primer pairs and three restriction enzymes. Ten polymorphic fragments were common to both the wild and sweet cherry; eight polymorphic fragments were found only in the wild cherry. In the cultivars, all mutations were small (5‐30 bp) indels. In the wild populations, a point mutation was also detected in addition to indels. The mutational combinations revealed three haplotypes in the cultivars, which are the main haplotypes in the wild cherry populations. Chloroplast DNA diversity in wild cherry is higher (16 haplotypes) than in sweet cherry cultivars (three haplotypes). The probable wild origin of the sweet cherry cultivars in the maternal line, on the basis of haplotypic similarity, was discussed.
Genetic analysis of forage grasses based on heterologous RFLP markers detected by rice cDNAs
Authors: Yamada T. , Kishida T.
Published: March 2003

Genetic polymorphism within and between three species of forage grasses, perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L), meadow fescue (Festuca pratensis Huds.) and tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.), was analyzed using restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) markers detected by rice cDNA probes developed at the Rice Genome Research Programme of Japan (RGP). One hundred and ninety‐seven rice cDNA clones were used for hybridization to genomic DNA of forage grasses. Many of the rice cDNA clones produced no visible band or only a smear with no discrete bands. Twenty‐three clones showed high efficiency cross‐hybridization to the genomic DNA of forage grasses. Genetic variation was evaluated for five varieties and one population of forage grasses using 12 polymorphic rice cDNA RFLP probes. Genetic variability within varieties as measured by Rogers’ genetic distance was considerably lower for the F. pratensis variety ‘Tomosakae’ than for the L. perenne and F. arundinacea varieties. To determine the genetic diversity between varieties of different species, cluster analysis was performed using data from the 12 RFLP probes. The two accessions of Lolium perenne were clustered more closely together than the three varieties of F. arundinacea. Two Japanese varieties of F. arundinacea were grouped in the same cluster. The variety‐specific RFLP markers were seen among six accessions of L. perenne, F. pratensis and F. arundinacea. Such variety‐specific RFLP markers would provide very useful tools for breeding programmes such as the intergeneric hybridization of Lolium and Festuca genera.
Development of self‐incompatible Brassica napus: (II) Brassica oleracea S‐allele expression in B. napus
Authors: Ripley V. L. , Beversdorf W. D.
Published: March 2003

Brassica napus var. oleifera varieties have traditionally been developed as open‐pollinated varieties. The successful introduction of several high‐yielding hybrids based on cytoplasmic male sterility or transgenic pollination control systems has generated interest in the development of new hybrid systems. Self‐incompatibility could be an additional useful pollination control system for B. napus if a sufficient number of S‐alleles could be developed in this species. The S‐alleles, S2, S5, S13, S24 and S39, were identified in five hybrids of B. oleracea var. italica and subsequently transferred to B. napus. Doubled haploid lines were produced for the self‐incompatible (SI) lines in B. napus and intercrossed to produce SI heterozygotes in order to study allele interaction. There was a greater incidence of interallelic dominance in the stigmas and pollen of B. napus than was reported for the S‐alleles in B. oleracea. Allele S24 exhibited the greatest degree of dominance over the other alleles tested, while allele S2 was generally recessive or codominant with other alleles. Self‐incompatible expression was very similar in the SI homozygotes and heterozygotes, thus no weakening of the SI trait in the heterozygote was observed. The implications of S‐allele interaction for the use of SI in B. napus are discussed.
Detection of loci controlling seed glucosinolate content and their association with Sclerotinia resistance in Brassica napus
Authors: Zhao J. , Meng J.
Published: March 2003

A genetic linkage map of Brassica napus constructed from a cross between a low glucosinolate cultivar ‘H5200’ and a high glucosinolate line ‘NingRS‐1’ was used to identify loci associated with seed glucosinolate content and to understand the association between specific glucosinolate components and Sclerotinia resistance. Seed glucosinolate content was assessed by standard High pressure Liquid Chromatogram (HPLC) protocol. Seven components of seed glucosinolate, including four types of aliphatic glucosinolate, two types of indolyl glucosinolates and one aromatic glucosinolate were detected in the seeds. Three quantitative trait loci (QTLs) were identified for seed total glucosinolate content. From three to 15 loci were found to be responsible for different types of glucosinolates, and by comparing the overlapped intervals, eight genomic regions were defined. One of the nine loci associated with aliphatic glucosinolate content was found to be associated with Sclerotinia resistance on the leaf at the seedling stage, and one locus, responsible for 3‐indolyl‐methyl glucosinolate content, was probably linked with Sclerotinia resistance on the stem of the maturing plant. The association between seed glucosinolate content and Sclerotinia resistance is discussed.
The Hereditary ‘Short Tail’ Sperm Defect ‐ A New Reproductive Problem in Yorkshire Boars
Authors: Andersson M , Peltoniemi Oat , Makinen A , Sukura A , Rodriguez‐Martinez H
Published: March 2003

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This study describes a new sperm defect in Yorkshire boars. The length of the sperm tail is markedly reduced, resulting in a total immotility in all spermatozoa. At transmission electron microscopy level, the morphology of the midpiece microtubular components area is seriously affected. This boar sperm defect differs from the ‘tail stump’ defect observed in bulls, the tails being longer in most spermatozoa than those found in affected bulls. Therefore, the term ‘short tail’ sperm defect is more adequate. The authors observed the first case in 1987. In 1998, this defect became a noteworthy reproductive problem, when it was observed in nine boars intended for breeding. In one litter, three littermates were affected with the ‘short tail’ sperm defect. At the present time the authors believe that the defect is recessively inherited.
Anoestrus in Dairy Cows: Causes, Prevalence and Clinical Forms
Authors: Mwaanga Es , Janowski T
Published: March 2003

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This article reviews some of the recent advances in veterinary research regarding the causes, prevalence and clinical forms of pathological anoestrus in dairy cows. It is one of the few components responsible for occurrence of postpartum infertility in cattle, expressed in four clinical forms: silent heat, cystic ovarian disease, ovarian afunction and corpus luteum pseudograviditatis. The prevalence of these four forms in different herds is dependent on the managerial, environmental and nutritional status of the farm. Anything, regardless of its nature, that impedes the physiological mechanism involved in oestrus expression is liable to cause anoestrus. Nutrition (energy deficiency), interacted with other factors, is the major cause of this phenomenon (anoestrus). It has direct control of the postpartum anoestrus by negatively affecting the endocrine pathways responsible for proper functioning of the reproductive system through the blockage of pulsatile release of gonadotropin‐releasing hormone in the hypothalamus. Lack of proper training by the stockman substantially contributes to silent heat occurrence. Numerous attempts have been made to prevent or treat pathological anoestrus with exogenous hormones, or nonhormonal remedies like uterine palpation and infusion of Lugol's solution, all of which have produced variable but positive results. Specific treatment for each one of the four clinical forms is briefly outlined.
New Biotechniques and their Consequences for Farm Animal Welfare
Authors: Kruip ThAm , Van Reenen Cg
Published: March 2003

ContentsThis paper considers (potentially) harmful consequences of new biotechnologies for farm animal welfare. The most important new biotechnologies that are currently used in farm animals breeding and husbandry include: multiple ovulation and embryo transfer (MOET) andin vitroembryo production (IVP). Cloning by nuclear transfer (NT) and transgenesis are still in development and mainly applied for experimental purposes with the prospect of a more widespread practical implemention in the future. Evidence is presented showing that generally accepted technologies such as MOET and IVP, relative toin vivoprocedures, can result in a host of deleterious side‐effects commonly known as the large offspring syndrome (LOS). Likewise, NT and transgenesis, which also typically include severalin vitroreproductive manipulations, have clearly been associated with the occurrence of LOS symptoms. It is argued that transgenesis may constitute one additional set of factors that may negatively affect farm animal welfare: the expression of the transgene and the concomitant synthesis and release of a protein. NT might lead to incompletely reprogramming of the transferred genome. It is suggested that the introduction of new biotechnologies into farm animal husbandry should be accompanied by scientifically valid and systematic studies into the effects on animal welfare, with the help of a comprehensive welfare protocol.
Blastocyst Evaluation by Means of Differential Staining: a Practical Approach
Authors: Van Soom A , Vanroose G , De Kruif A
Published: March 2003

Techniques for in vitro production of embryos have been developed world‐wide in different species, with promising results in human and ruminants. Thousands of human IVF‐babies have been born during the last 20 years and thousands of in vitro‐produced calves have been born since the late 1980s. With current methods for bovine in vitro fertilization, about 30–40% of in vitro‐fertilized bovine oocytes develop further to the blastocyst stage and can be used for transfer. A proper evaluation of blastocyst quality remains however, an important challenge for every researcher involved in embryology and for every clinician who wants to select the best embryos for transfer. This review attempts to summarize the different methods available for estimation of blastocyst quality with a special emphasis upon differential staining.
Use of the Sperm Quality Analyzer (SQA II‐C) for the Assessment of Dog Sperm Quality
Authors: Rijsselaere T , Van Soom A , Maes D , De Kruif A
Published: March 2003

Contents

In the present study, an automated system for sperm analysis, the Sperm Quality Analyzer (SQA II‐C), was tested as a potential tool for the assessment of dog sperm quality. In the first experiment the device displayed a good repeatability of measurements for semen of medium and high quality, as evidenced by a low coefficient of variance (CV; 0.08), whereas a high CV (0.46) was obtained for one dog with semen of inferior quality. In the second experiment, seven different sperm concentrations (25–300 ×106/ml), obtained by dilutions in Hepes‐TALP medium were stored for 48 h at room temperature. A concentration dependent increase in sperm motility index (SMI) was shown, reaching a plateau at 150×106 spermatozoa/ml. For all sperm concentrations, the SMI value decreased significantly after 24 h, indicating the importance of sperm motility for SMI values. For sperm concentrations lower than 150×106/ml, highly significant correlations [r=0.80;p<0.05] were established between SMI values on one hand and sperm concentration, and semen parameters expressing the overall semen sample quality on the other hand (experiment 3) while non‐significant or low correlations were found between SMI values and other individual sperm parameters. In experiment 4, significantly high correlations (r=0.97) were found between mean SMI values and post‐thaw motility and progressive motility assessed subjectively. In conclusion, our study indicates that both motility and concentration largely influence SMI values and that the SQA II‐C saturates at 150×106 fresh spermatozoa/ml. In our opinion, the SQA II‐C may be a useful and objective device to assess the post‐thaw motility of dog sperm.
Cryopreservation of Cat Semen in Straws: Comparison of Five Different Freezing Rates
Authors: Zambelli D , Caneppele B , Castagnetti C , Belluzzi S
Published: March 2003

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The first pregnancies in domestic cats were obtained using semen frozen in pellets (Platz et al. 1978). Other freezing methods, vials (Lengwinant and Blottner 1994) or straws (Pope et al. 1991;Hay and Goodrowe 1993), have also been used. Pelleted freezing has often been the standard method (Howard 1986).

Opinions about the freezing method are discordant; the best method forPope et al. (1991)was using straws; in fact, the post‐thaw motility and the percentage of normal acrosomes were of 44 ± 4 and 62 ± 3%, respectively, with straws and 11 ± 3 and 26 ± 4%, respectively, with pellets. According toWood et al. (1993), there are no differences between the two methods, with a motility of 66.2% and a percentage of normal acrosomes of 28.6% for the pellet method and a motility of 67.0% and a percentage of normal acrosomes of 27.4% for the straw container. However, these two authors used two different freezing protocols.

A high concentration of glycerol (i.e. 8%, vol/vol) damages cat semen (Zambelli 1994;Nelson et al. 1999), because of his toxicity to spermatozoa (Graham 1996); while a concentration of 4% is suggested (Zambelli 1994).

Fast green FCF Bengal pink staining is often used to evaluate the acrosomal morphology (Wood et al. 1993;Zambelli et al. 1993).

As there are no studies on the influence of freezing rate on motility and on acrosomal morphology, the aim of this study was to test five freezing rates in order to verify which is the best for the cryopreservation of cat semen in straws.
Erratum
Authors: Van den Broeck W , D'haeseleer M , Coryn M , Simoens P
Published: March 2003

Contents

This study describes the localization of progesterone receptors (PR) in the bovine ovary. Ovaries were obtained from 11 non‐pregnant and two pregnant cows. Progesterone receptors were visualized by immunohistochemistry on paraffin sections. Nuclear staining for PR was observed in cells of the follicles, corpora lutea, theca layers, surface epithelium, tunica albuginea, and in superficial and deep stroma cells. No staining was noticed in apoptotic bodies of atretic follicles. Expression of PR in follicle cells indicates an intrafollicular role of progesterone. The higher expression in thecal cells compared with follicle cells indicates that thecal cells mediate some effects of progesterone on the follicular development. Superficial stroma cells showing high expression might have a similar influence on primordial and primary follicles. In general, luteal cells had a lower expression than follicle cells, which may be explained by the down‐regulatory effect of locally produced progesterone. The lower expression in luteal cells during pregnancy can be due to the longer life span of this corpus luteum and concomitant degeneration of its PR. The high and rather constant expression of PR in cells of the surface epithelium remains to be elucidated.
Aspartic Proteinase Members Secreted by the Ruminant Placenta: Specificity of Three Radioimmunoassay Systems for the Measurement of Pregnancy‐associated Glycoproteins
Authors: Perényi ZS , Szenci O , Drion PV , Banga‐Mboko H , Sousa NM , El Amiri B , Beckers JF
Published: March 2003

Contents

Pregnancy‐associated glycoproteins (PAGs) isolated from the placenta of various ruminant species are enzymatically inactive members of the aspartic proteinase family. The measurement of these proteins in the maternal blood can be a good indicator of the presence of a live embryo. As certain aspartic proteinases are present in biological fluids in physiological and pathological conditions at various concentrations, it was necessary to determine the specificity of three radioimmunoassay (RIA) systems currently used for the detection of PAG molecules. Commercially available members of the aspartic proteinase family like pepsinogen, pepsin, chymosin, rennet, cathepsin D and renin were tested in a wide concentration range (10 ng/ml – 1 mg/ml). Pepsinogen cross‐reacted in RIA 1, RIA 2 and RIA 3 over 1 mg/ml, 50 μg/ml and 500 μg/ml concentrations, respectively. In the presence of pepsin, cross‐reaction was observed in RIA 1, RIA 2 and RIA 3 over 1 mg/ml, 500 μg/ml and 1 mg/ml concentrations, respectively. Chymosin and rennet could cross‐react in RIA 2 and RIA 3, while renin and cathepsin D did not decrease the binding of the tracer to antisera more, than that of the minimal detection limit. As the plasma/serum concentrations of the examined aspartic proteinases reported in the literature were outside the concentration range where cross‐reaction was observed, it can be concluded that these RIA systems were specific for the detection of PAGs in biological fluids.