New records of megachilid bees (Hymenoptera: Megachilidae) for Colombia

The bee family Megachilidae consists of solitary species, some of which are important pollinators of cultivated plants. Although literature records indicate the existence of about 50 species of 10 genera of megachilid bees in Colombia, taxonomic studies are lacking and thus limited information is available on their identity as well as their distribution in the country. Herein, we provide new geographical records for the following ten species: Anthidium sanguinicaudum Schwarz, Chelostomoides otomita (Cresson), Hoplostelis bilineolata (Spinola), Megachile amparo Gonzalez, M. kalina Gonzalez et al., M. lorenziensis Mitchell, M. moderata Smith, M. simillima Smith, Pseudomegachile lanata (Fabricius), and Stelis costaricensis Friese. We report M. kalina for the first time for the country.

Las abejas de la familia Megachilidae son especies solitarias, algunas de ellas importantes polinizadores de cultivos. Aunque en la literatura se registran cerca de 50 especies de 10 géneros de abejas megachilidas en Colombia, faltan estudios taxonómicos y, por lo tanto, se dispone de información limitada sobre la identidad y la distribución de este grupo en el país. En este trabajo proporcionamos nuevos registros geográficos para 10 especies poco conocidas [Anthidium sanguinicaudum Schwarz, Chelostomoides otomita (Cresson), Hoplostelis bilineolata (Spinola), Megachile amparo Gonzalez, M. kalina Gonzalez et al., M. lorenziensis Mitchell, M. moderata Smith, M. simillima Smith, Pseudomegachile lanata (Fabricius), y Stelis costaricensis Friese]. Megachile kalina se registra por primera vez para Colombia.

Two strongly linked blocks within the KIF16B gene significantly influence wool length and greasy yield in fine wool sheep (Ovis aries)

BACKGROUND A previous genome-wide association study (GWAS) identified the kinesin family member 16B (KIF16B) as a candidate gene related to sheep wool production. In this work, DNA pool sequencing and SNPscanTM high-throughput genotyping methods were used to detect single-nucleotide polymor phisms (SNPs) in the sheep KIF16B gene. The correlations between the SNPs and wool length and greasy wool yield were systematically assessed. RESULTS Forty-five SNPs were identified and 37 of them were genotyped, including 10 exon mutations, 26 intron mutations, and 1 promoter region mutation. Most of the SNPs were of medium genetic diversity and at Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (HWE). Among them, 10 SNPs were associated with greasy wool yield and 28 SNPs impact the wool length. Five specific SNPs were found to exert significant effects on the wool length in all body parts analyzed in this study. Furthermore, linkage disequilibrium (LD) analysis was conducted among SNP loci and they were found to be significantly associated with economically important traits. Two strongly linked SNP blocks were identified within these SNPs and they might exert significant impacts on the greasy wool yield and wool length. CONCLUSIONS The identified SNPs exert significant effects on wool production and could be considered as potential DNA markers for selecting the individuals with superior phenotypes

The effect of androgen on wool follicles and keratin production in Hetian sheep / Efeito do androgênio na produção de folículos e queratina em ovinos Hetianos

Abstract To investigate the optimal androgen concentration for culturing Hetian sheep wool follicle and to detect effects of androgen concentration on wool follicle cell proliferation and apoptosis using immunofluorescence labeling and real-time quantitative fluorescence determinations of wool keratin-associated protein gene expression levels. Wool follicles were isolated by microdissection and wool follicles and skin pieces were cultured in various concentrations of dihydrotestosterone (DHT) in culture medium. Next, daily lengthwise growth measurements of wool follicles were obtained using a microscopic micrometer. Cultured Hetian wool follicles were stained using the SACPIC method to reveal wool follicle structure, while sheep skin slices were used to observe cell proliferation by immunostaining and cell apoptosis using the TUNEL method. At the molecular biological level, keratin-associated protein (Kap) gene expression was studied using wool follicles cultured for various numbers of days in vitro. Effects of androgen concentrations on Hetian wool follicle growth and development were experimentally studied. EdU proliferation assays revealed that androgen promoted cell proliferation within wool follicle dermal papillae. TUNEL apoptosis detection demonstrated that androgen treatment could delay cell apoptosis. Quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) results demonstrated that gene expression level patterns of Hetian mountain sheep super-high sulfur protein. Kap1.1, KIF1.2, Kap2.12 and Kap4.2 gene expression level of the mountainous experimental group was significantly higher than plains Hetian sheep. An androgen concentration of 100 nM can promote the growth of Hetian wool follicle cells in vitro, resulting in overexpression of some genes of the Kap family.

Resumo Investigar a concentração ideal de andrógenos em cultura de folículos pilosos de carneiro Hetiano e detectar os efeitos da concentração de andrógenos na proliferação e apoptose de células foliculares, por meio de imunofluorescência e de determinação quantitativa, em tempo real, da fluorescência dos níveis de expressão gênica de proteína associada à queratina. Folículos pilosos foram isolados por microdissecção, e folículos de lã e pedaços de pele foram cultivados em várias concentrações de di-hidrotestosterona (DHT) em meio de cultura. Em seguida, medições diárias de crescimento longitudinal dos folículos capilares foram obtidas usando um micrômetro microscópico. Folículos de lã cultivados de Hetianos foram corados pelo método SACPIC para revelar a estrutura do folículo piloso, enquanto fatias de pele de carneiro foram usadas para observar a proliferação celular por imunocoloração e apoptose celular por meio do método TUNEL. Em âmbito da biologia molecular, a expressão gênica da proteína associada à queratina (Kap) foi estudada usando folículos capilares cultivados por vários dias, in vitro. Os efeitos das concentrações de andrógenos no crescimento e desenvolvimento dos folículos de lã de Hetianos foram estudados experimentalmente. Ensaios de proliferação de EdU revelaram que o andrógeno promoveu a proliferação celular dentro das papilas dérmicas do folículo piloso. A detecção de apoptose por TUNEL demonstrou que o tratamento com andrógeno poderia atrasar a apoptose celular. Os resultados da reação em cadeia da polimerase transcrição reversa quantitativa (qPCR) demonstraram que os padrões de expressão gênica da proteína de enxofre Kap1.1, KIF1.2, Kap2.12 e Kap4.2 foram significativamente maiores no grupo de ovinos Hetianos de montanha. Uma concentração de androgênio de 100 nM pode promover o crescimento de células foliculares de lã de Hetianos in vitro, resultando na superexpressão de alguns genes da família Kap.

Suplementação gestacional na produção de lã de ovelhas e cordeiros / Gestacional supplementation in wool production of ewes and lambs

O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o efeito da suplementação durante diferentes períodos gestacionais sobre a produção de lã de ovelhas e cordeiros da raça Ideal. Foram utilizadas 53 ovelhas da raça Ideal, com escore corporal médio (3), inseminadas pela técnica de laparoscopia, com sêmen fresco de um único reprodutor; e seus cordeiros. Os tratamentos experimentais foram: sem suplementação (n=9); suplementação do início da gestação até 50 dias (n=11); suplementação dos 51 aos 100 dias de gestação (n=11); suplementação dos 101 aos 150 dias - final da gestação (n=11); e suplementação durante toda a gestação (n=11). A suplementação foi a 1,5% do peso corporal. Amostras de lã das ovelhas e dos cordeiros foram tomadas na região do costilhar esquerdo e enviadas ao laboratório para análises objetivas de finura de lã. As suplementações no terço final e durante toda a gestação proporcionavam os melhores resultados, com aumento de produção de lã e de peso das ovelhas. Ovelhas que receberam suplementação durante toda a gestação apresentaram maior diâmetro de fibra e peso corporal. O desempenho de lã dos cordeiros não foi influenciado pela alimentação de ovelhas durante a gestação.(AU)

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of supplementation during different gestational periods on the wool production of sheep and lambs of the Ideal breed. Fifty-three adult Ideal sheep were used, with a mean body score inseminated by the laparoscopy technique using fresh sperm from a single breeder and his lambs. Treatment groups: No supplementation (n=9); Supplementation in the beginning of gestation up to 50 days (n=11); Supplementation from 51 to 100 days of gestation (n=11); Supplementation from 101 to 150 days - end of gestation (n=11) ;and Supplementation throughout the gestation (n=11). The supplementation was at 1.5% of body weight. After birth, lambs were kept with their mothers in cultivated pasture of black oats and ryegrass. Wool samples from sheep and lambs were taken in the left-hand region and sent to the laboratory for objective analyzes of wool fineness. The supplementation performed in the final third and throughout the gestation provides the best results, with increased sheep weight. Ewes that received supplementation throughout pregnancy had greater fiber diameter and body weight. The wool performance of lambs was not influenced by feeding sheep during gestation.(AU)

Comparative Efficacy of PercollTM Discontinuous Density Gradient Centrifugation and Glass Wool Filtration Techniques for Spermatozoa Selection in Buffalo (Bubalus bubalis)

Dead and damaged spermatozoa cells present universally in the ejaculates of all eutherian mammals exert toxic effect on contemporary healthy cells mostly through generation of excessive free radicals. This is much more evident during extended period of processing, resulting in poor ejaculate quality. The solution lies in depletion of dead/damaged spermatozoa from the neat ejaculates itself. Thus the objective of the study was to evaluate the efficiency of the protocols such as discontinuous PercollTM density gradient centrifugation (PDGC) and glass wool filtration (GWF) for depletion of dead/damaged spermatozoa from fresh semen in buffalo. Random ejaculates (n=6) of Murrah buffalo bulls were divided into two aliquots after quality assessment: PDGC and GWF protocols (Group I and II, respectively). At the end of the purification protocol, efficiency of the protocols in depleting dead/damaged spermatozoa as reflected by certain quality parameters were evaluated. The mean efficiency (%) of purification protocols based on recovery of spermatozoa was 44.68 and 40.02% for PDGC and GWF, respectively. Moreover significantly (p<0.05) greater values for quality parameters was observed in the Group II (26.4+6.8 vs 68.8+4.4 for acrosome integrity (%); 12.68+6.6 vs 57.7+7.5 for functional plasma membrane integrity (%); 20.3+5.8 vs 80.75+6.7 for viability (%) in Group I and II, respectively). It was concluded that GWF is a better technique than PGDC to filter out dead/damaged spermatozoa from fresh semen with improvement in semen quality and can be a valuable tool in assisted reproductive technology

O confessional para além do íntimo: luto como efeito estético na escritura de Virginia Woolf / The confessional beyond the intimate: mourning as aesthetical effect in Virginia Woolf's writing

Propomo-nos, a partir de dados obtidos em estudos antes realizados, a discorrer sobre algumas das marcas do universo literário de Virgínia Woolf. Para tanto, levaremos em consideração uma particularidade de sua escritura: a recorrente e impactante presença da morte em sua narrativa, a qual revelou-se ser o índice de um modo de defesa frente ao encontro com o real. Considera-se que o caráter confessional de sua escritura assume uma forma e função inédita na literatura moderna, não podendo ser entendido a não ser em referência à dificuldade experimentada pela escritora em enfrentar os lutos sucessivos de familiares e pessoas que lhe eram queridas, o que a levou a se fazer valer da criação como forma de auxílio à lida com a dimensão inassimilável dessas perdas. Ao contrário de outras narrativas de caráter confessional, que primam pela produção da atmosfera do íntimo, defendemos que a sua produz, diferentemente, no leitor, o luto como efeito estético, contaminando-o com o sem sentido da existência.

Our goal with this paper is to discuss about some of the features of the literary universe of Virginia Woolf, starting from conclusions obtained in previous studies. To do so, we will take in consideration a particularity of her writing: the recurrent and shocking presence of death in her narrative, which has shown to be an indication of a way to defend herself against the encounter with the Real. We consider that the confessional aspect of her writing becomes a new role in modern literature, which can only be understood as reference to her difficulty in facing successive mournings of family and loved ones, fact that led her to use her own writing is help in the struggle with these unassimilable losses. On contrary of other confessional nararatives, that cherish the creation of an intimate atmosphere, we defend the Woolf's writing create, in the reader, a mourning as aesthetical effect, contaminating it with the meanless of existence

Effect of wool waste in combination with farm yard manure and fertilizer on soil properties in aridisol of Bikaner, Rajasthan, India

Aim: The objective of the present study was to assess the impact of conjunctive use of wool waste, farm yard manure and chemical fertilizer on soil properties of Aridisol of Bikaner, Rajasthan, India. Methodology: After harvest of cabbage crop, soil samples were collected from the respective experimental plot of crop field by adopting the standard procedure. Bulk density, particle density, pH, electrical conductivity, organic carbon, available N, P, K, S, Zn, Cu, Mn, Fe, microbial count and dehydrogenase activity were estimated following the standard protocol. Results: Application of wool waste @ 7.5 t ha-1 along with FYM @ 7.5 t ha-1 (W1) significantly increased organic carbon and plant available nutrients (N, P, K, S, Zn, Cu, Mn, Fe) over control and rest of the treatment. but W1 and W2 (Wool waste @ 5 t ha-1 along with FYM @ 10 t ha-1) treatment was found at par with respect to nitrogen. Treatment W1 also gave significant performance of microbial count and dehydrogenase activity during experimental season over rest of the treatment. Application of each increasing level of recommended dose of fertilizer significantly enhanced all chemical and biological properties of soil. Application of wool waste @7.5 t ha-1 along with FYM @7.5 t ha-1 increased available macronutrients and micronutrients over control. Interpretation: It can be concluded that conjunctive use of wool waste, farm yard manure and inorganic fertilizer proved better nutrient management option for improving soil properties.

Posterior segment manifestations in human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome patients in rural population of central india

Background: Ocular manifestations of HIV infections are common in the developing countries with lacking data in rural areas. The aim of study was to assess the prevalence of ophthalmic manifestations among HIV infected individuals in rural population and to find the relationship between CD4 count and ocular manifestations among these individuals.Methods: Authors have included 400 HIV patients of age more than 15 years that were registered in ART center of our institute. Ocular examination was done with slit lamp biomicroscope and indirect ophthalmoscope. Blood sample was sent for CD4 count analysis.Results: The mean age of patients ware 31.9±9.3 years, the ocular manifestations were more commonly found in the age group 25-35 years. 51 % were males and 49% were females. Most common mode of transmission was heterosexual contact (51%).55 % patients had CD4 count >150 cell/cumm. Cotton wool spots (36%) and intra-retinal haemorrhages (32%) was most common posterior segment findings followed by ocular toxoplasmosis (13%), CMV retinitis (10%), acute retinal necrosis (3 %).Conclusions: The prevalence of ocular manifestations in HIV patients is high and is a burden for our society, authors recommend screening of all the HIV patients to detect any vision threatening ocular lesions at the earliest.

Design and application of pottery frame for warm acupuncture moxibustion / 医疗卫生装备

Objective To develop a pottery frame to facilitate warm acupuncture moxibustion.Methods The frame was made of clay,and was composed of a moxa wool retaining table,a handle,a base and a support.The moxa wool holding table had a hollow structure wide at the top and narrow at the bottom,and there was a slot at its middle to hold the needle;while the base had a hollow structre narrow at the top and wide at the bottom,and there were several air vents at its inner wall to accelerate the full combustion of the moxa wool.Results The frame avoided patient burn due to dropped spark or overweight moxa cone during traditional warm acupuncture moxibustion therapy, and relieved the patients' pain and medical staffs' workload. Conclusion The frame has simple structure, easy operation, high safety, high patient satisfaction and high practicability.

A Case of Bilateral Retinal Hemorrhage with Cotton Wool Spot Following Viper Bite.

A 38 years male, admitted in the department of Internal Medicine with a history of snake bite in his left lower leg during agriculture work. He was treated with anti snake venom after admission. He had history of dimness of vision in both eyes. On examination, swelling and subcutaneous hemorrhage was noted in his left leg. His best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was 6/60 in the both eyes. Fundus examination with 90 D lens and Indirect Ophthalmoscopy of both eyes showed retinal hemorrhage with cotton wool spots. Blood tests revealed increased titers of D-dimer and fibrin degradation products. The patient was followed up regularly at 2 weeks interval and BCVA and Fundus examination was carried out. At the end of 10 weeks, retinal hemorrhages had significantly cleared in both eyes with improvement of vision in both eyes (BCVA of right eye at last follow-up 6/6 and left eye 6/9).

Zygomycosis as a Rare Cause of Surgical Site Infection: A Case Report and Review Literature

Zygomycosis is a rare invasive fungal infection seen most often in patients with haematological malignancies, particularly in the neutropenic phase[1]. Fungal infection causing surgical site infection is uncommon, of which yeast attributes predominant cause, followed by aspergillosis. But zygomycosis manifesting as the surgical site infection is still very rare entity. The treatment of zygomycosis is multimodal, and consists of surgical debridement, use of antifungal drugs and reversal of underlying risk factors, if possible. We report a case of zygomycosis presenting as post-caesarean surgical site infection.

A Review of Sheep Wool Quality Traits.

The commercial value of unprocessed wool is determined by its intrinsic quality; an indication of capacity to meet both processor and consumer demands. Wool quality is evaluated through routine assessment of characteristics that include mean fibre diameter, coefficient of variation, staple characteristics, comfort factor, spinning fineness, fibre curvature and clean fleece yield. The association between these characteristics with wool quality stems from their correlation with raw wool processing performance in terms of speed, durability, ultimate use as apparel or carpet wool, and consumer satisfaction with the end-product. An evaluation of these characteristics allows wool quality to be objectively quantified prior to purchase and processing. The primary objective of this review was to define and explore these aforementioned key wool characteristics, focusing on their impact on quality, desirable parameters and methodology behind their quantification. An in-depth review of relevant published literature on these wool characteristics in sheep is presented.

In vivo anti-inflamatory potential of various extracts of Sida tiagii Bhandari

Objective: The present study is an attempt to explore the anti-inflammatory activity of n-Hexane extract (HS), Ethyl acetate extract (EAS) and Residual ethanolic extract (RES) of fruits of Sida tiagii Bhandari by using carrageenan and egg-albumin induced paw edema, xylene induced ear edema and cotton wool granuloma animal models. Methods: The biochemical markers like or lysosomal enzymes viz. serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (SGOT), serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase (SGPT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) were also found out in blood serum. Results:There was decrease in edema volume in EAS and RES administered animals in carrageenan and egg-albumin induced edema models. The percentage inhibition of inflammation in EAS (34.15%) and RES (39.66%) was found comparable with that of the standard drug, diclophenac sodium (46.69%). The two extracts EAS and RES was found to have good anti-inflammatory activity as compared to standard drug. Conclusions: Thus the plant can be used as a potential anti-inflammatory candidate in animals.

A Single Isolated Cotton-Wool Spot not Associated with Systemic Diseases

PURPOSE: To present a case of a single isolated cotton-wool spot in a healthy patient. CASE SUMMARY: A 43-year-old woman with no systemic disease complained of sudden inferior field defect of the right eye. On fundoscopic examination of the right eye, a single soft white spot was observed in the superotemporal vascular arcade. An elevated hyper-reflective area in the inner retina corresponding to a white spot was observed on optical coherence tomography. Automated perimetry revealed an arcuate field defect which was wider than the cotton-wool spot. A complete workup for systemic diseases was within normal range except a positive rheumatoid factor. At the 2-week follow-up, the patient's subjective symptom improved and the white spot decreased. After 6 months, the cotton-wool spot disappeared and slit-like retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) defects corresponding to the location of the cotton-wool spot was noticed. One year later, disc and RNFL defect were unchanged but the previous field defect disappeared. CONCLUSIONS: Isolated cotton-wool spots can occur without serious systemic diseases in healthy patients. A single isolated cotton-wool spot in the present case disappeared spontaneously leaving permanent structural damage on the retina over time.

A Single Isolated Cotton-Wool Spot not Associated with Systemic Diseases

PURPOSE: To present a case of a single isolated cotton-wool spot in a healthy patient. CASE SUMMARY: A 43-year-old woman with no systemic disease complained of sudden inferior field defect of the right eye. On fundoscopic examination of the right eye, a single soft white spot was observed in the superotemporal vascular arcade. An elevated hyper-reflective area in the inner retina corresponding to a white spot was observed on optical coherence tomography. Automated perimetry revealed an arcuate field defect which was wider than the cotton-wool spot. A complete workup for systemic diseases was within normal range except a positive rheumatoid factor. At the 2-week follow-up, the patient's subjective symptom improved and the white spot decreased. After 6 months, the cotton-wool spot disappeared and slit-like retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) defects corresponding to the location of the cotton-wool spot was noticed. One year later, disc and RNFL defect were unchanged but the previous field defect disappeared. CONCLUSIONS: Isolated cotton-wool spots can occur without serious systemic diseases in healthy patients. A single isolated cotton-wool spot in the present case disappeared spontaneously leaving permanent structural damage on the retina over time.

Progressive Localized Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer Defect Following Cotton Wool Spots and a Dot Hemorrhage

We report two cases of progressive localized retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) defect following cotton wool spots and a dot hemorrhage, 63-year-old woman with RNFL defect in inferior temporal retina of the right eye and 43-year-old man with RNFL defect in superior temporal retina of the right eye. Case 1 showed a dot hemorrhage adjacent to RNFL defect in the right eye and a new slit-like localized RNFL defect in the left eye 5 months later. The visual field in the left eye demonstrated corresponding field defect 9 months later. Case 2 showed a slit-like RNFL defect starting from cotton wool spots in the right eye and corresponding visual field defect. Cotton wool spots and dot hemorrhages represented ischemic damages at the nerve fiber layer. Two noticeable cases showed the progression of RNFL defect caused by repetitive localized microvascular ischemic events, resulting in visual field loss.

Determination of Cyromazine and Dicyclanil Residues on Greasy Wool by High Performance Liquid Chromatography / 分析化学

A method for the determination of cyromazine and dicyclanil residues on greasy wool was developed with HPLC and confirmed with HPLC-MS/MS.The cyromazine and dicyclanil residues on greasy wool were extracted with 1% trichloroacetic acid solution with ultrasonic, and cleaned up by MCX SPE column.The HPLC separation was performed on a Hypersil NH_2 using water-acetonitrile (V/V) as the mobile phase with gradient elution and detected at the wavelength of 214 nm.The corroboration method of HPLC-MS/MS was used with electro-spray ionization of positive ion mode.The [ M + H ]~+ and characteristic ions of dicyclanil were m/z 191.0, 150.0 and 163.0, and cyromazine were m/z 167.0, 85.0 and 125.0.The linear ranges of cyromazine and dicyclanil were 0.05-5.0 mg/L.There were good linear relationships between the peak area and concentration in the linear range.The correlation coefficient was 0.9999.The detection limit of cyroma zine was 0.02 mg/kg, and dicyclanil was 0.01 mg/kg.The average recoveries of cyromazine and the dicycla nil were 95.0%-99.9% and 83.6%-92.2%, respectively.

Análisis de la mecha y las fibras de lana en la raza ovina Xisqueta / Fleece and fiber analysis in the Xisqueta ovine breed

El objetivo de este trabajo fue caracterizar el vellón de la raza autóctona Xisqueta, una raza catalana perteneciente al Tronco Ibérico. Se tomaron muestras de lana de la parte media lateral en 21 ovejas adultas. El promedio de longitud absoluta de la fibra larga-gruesa fue de 12,4 cm, la de la fibra corta-fina, de 7,3 cm, y la de fibra kemp, de 1,5 cm. La cantidad de fibras largas-gruesas fue del 1,5%, y de cortas-finas, de 94,1%. El rendimiento de la lana al desengrasado isoalcohólico fue superior al 80%, que explica que el vellón presenta poca “suarda” y una mecha medianamente cerrada. El diámetro promedio de la fibra fue de 30,6 µ; los histogramas de distribución de las fibras confirman la existencia de un vellón monocapa. La Xisqueta queda englobada claramente dentro de las razas entrefinas. Del estudio comparativo con otras razas, la Xisqueta se incluye dentro de en un clúster que engloba razas del tronco entrefino Celtibérico, como son la Aranesa, Manchega y Ripollesa.

The indigenous breed Xisqueta, which pertains to the historic Iberian trunk, was studied in order to establish the characteristics of its wool. Samples from lateral medial zone were taken in 21 adult sheep and submitted for their analysis. The medium length of long-coarse fibers was 12.4 cm, that of short-fine fibers was 7.3 cm, and that of kemp fibers was 1.5 cm. Within the samples, the long-coarse proportion was 1.5% and the short-fine proportion was 94.1%. The yield after alcoholic scouring was more than 80%, which explains the little amount of grease in wool. The medium fiber diameter was 30.6 µ; the histograms of frequency in diameter distribution confirm the existence of single-layer wool. The Xisqueta breed can be included into the entrefine group. In the comparative study with other ovine breed, the Xisqueta breed appears into a cluster that includes other breeds belonging to the celtiberian entrefine trunk, such Aranese, Manchega and Ripollesa.

A comparative study of Sephadex, glass wool and Percoll separation techniques on sperm quality and IVF results for cryopreserved bovine semen

The aim of this study was to compare the effects of spermatozoa separation techniques on sperm quality and in-vitro fertilization (IVF) results for cryopreserved bovine semen. Sephadex, glass wool and Percoll gradient separation techniques were used for sperm separation and sperm motility, morphology and membrane integrity were evaluated before and after separation. Also, cleavage and blastocyst developmental rate were investigated after IVF with sperm recovered by each separation technique. The motility of samples obtained by the three separation techniques were greater compared to the control samples (p < 0.05). The percentage of spermatozoa with intact plasma-membrane integrity, identified by 6-carboxyfluoresceindiacetate/propidium iodide fluorescent staining and the hypo-osmotic swelling test, was highest in the glass wool filtration samples (p < 0.05). The cleavage and blastocyst rate of total oocytes produced from glass wool filtration samples were also higher than the control and Sephadex filtration samples (p < 0.05), but were not significantly different from Percoll separation samples. However, a significantly greater number of cleaved embryos produced by glass wool filtration developed to blastocyst stage than those produced by Percoll separation (p < 0.05). These results indicate that spermatozoa with good quality can be achieved by these three separation techniques and can be used for bovine IVF. In particular, it suggests that glass wool filtration would be the most effective method of the three for improving sperm quality and embryo production for cryopreserved bovine spermatozoa.