Rapid Communication: Ranking dairy cows for methane emissions measured using respiration chamber or GreenFeed techniques during early, peak, and late lactation.

Our objective was to compare the ranking of dairy cows according to their methane (CH) emissions as measured by a respiration chamber (RC) technique and the GreenFeed (GF) technique during 3 periods in second lactation. Two-day CH measurements in a RC performed in wk 3, 14, and 42 of lactation were flanked by GF measurements for 20 (period 1 [P1]), 35 (period 2 [P2]), and 35 (period 3 [P3]) days, respectively, before and after RC measurement. This gave the total duration of CH measurements using the GF system of 40, 70, and 70 d for P1, P2, and P3, respectively. Mean daily CH production (g/d) of the 8 dairy cows was 346, 439, and 430 using the RC technique and 338, 378, and 416 using the GF system during P1, P2, and P3, respectively. Average daily CH production determined by the GF technique was 2.4, 13.8, and 3.2% lower in P1, P2, and P3, respectively. Methane normalized to DMI continuously increased from P1 to P3 when measured in a RC, whereas it was lowest during P2 when measured by the GF method. Ranking of the cows according to CH production, CH/energy-corrected milk yield (ECM; CH/ECM), and CH/DMI differed between periods no matter which method was used. Cluster analysis including all 3 periods, however, identified the same cows with the highest and lowest CH production determined either by the RC technique or the GF system. In conclusion, multiple CH measurements at different stages of lactation are necessary for reliable discrimination of highest and lowest CH emitting cows and the GF system may be used to discriminate the extremes.

Body fat mobilization in early lactation influences methane production of dairy cows.

Long-chain fatty acids mobilized during early lactation of dairy cows are increasingly used as energy substrate at the expense of acetate. As the synthesis of acetate in the rumen is closely linked to methane (CH4) production, we hypothesized that decreased acetate utilization would result in lower ruminal acetate levels and thus CH4 production. Twenty heifers were sampled for blood, rumen fluid and milk, and CH4 production was measured in respiration chambers in week -4, +5, +13 and +42 relative to first parturition. Based on plasma non-esterified fatty acid (NEFA) concentration determined in week +5, animals were grouped to the ten highest (HM; NEFA > 580 µmol) and ten lowest (LM; NEFA < 580 µmol) mobilizing cows. Dry matter intake (DMI), milk yield and ruminal short-chain fatty acids did not differ between groups, but CH4/DMI was lower in HM cows in week +5. There was a negative regression between plasma NEFA and plasma acetate, between plasma NEFA and CH4/DMI and between plasma cholecystokinin and CH4/DMI in week +5. Our data show for the first time that fat mobilization of the host in early lactation is inversely related with ruminal CH4 production and that this effect is not attributed to different DMI.

[The effects of micro-laparoscopic ovarian electrocautery as a method of polycystic ovary syndrome treatment]. / Mikrolaparoskopia operacyjna--elektrokauteryzacja jajników w nieplodnosci wywolanej zespolem PCO.

The paper concerns the treatment results of 113 women with PCO-S by laparoscopic (102) and microlaparoscopic (11) ovarian electrocautery. All of them were qualified for operation on the basis of the following criteria: menstrual cycle disturbances (oligo-/amenorrhoea), anovulation, hirsutism, obesity, LH/FSH ratio > 2 and when more than 10 follicles of < 8 mm diameter are seen in the ovary under theca albuginea in USG examination. During the one year after operation these women were observed. In the first group (patients after laparoscopy) ovulation occurred in 86 (84%) and pregnancy in 54 (53%); accordingly in the second group (women after microlaparoscopy) ovulation occurred in 9 (83%) and pregnancy in 4 (45%). The treatment results by microlaparoscopic and laparoscopic ovarian electrocautery are similar, but the method by microlaparoscopy is easier to carry out in selected cases.

[Administration of natural anthocyanins derived from chokeberry (aronia melanocarpa) extract in the treatment of oligospermia in males with enhanced autoantibodies to oxidized low density lipoproteins (oLAB). The impact on fructose levels]. / Zastosowanie naturalnych antocyjanów pochodzacych z ekstraktu aronii czarnoowocowej (aronia melanocarpa) w leczeniu oligospermii u mezczyzn z podwyzszonymi poziomami przeciwcial anty-O-LDL (OLAB). Wplyw na poziom fruktozy w nasieniu.

PURPOSE: To determinate the influence of anthocyanins from chokeberry on the generation of serous autoantibodies to oxidized low density lipoproteins (oLAB) and fructose levels in semen of males with oligospermia. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Study group consisted of 38 males with oligospermia of who were randomly divided into 2 subgroups: in 22 subjects anthocyanins were administered, while 16 men were on placebo; control group consisted of 25 healthy male volunteers. We examined the level of oxidative stress measured by serum concentration of oLAB, together with fructose levels in semen. RESULTS: In the anthocyanin group oLAB titres decreased from 1103 +/- 34 mU/ml before treatment to 742 +/- 24 mU/ml (1st month) and 724 +/- 23 mU/ml (2nd month), p < 0.01. In the placebo group oLAB titres were as follows--1094 +/- 21 mU/ml before treatment, 1114 +/- 36 mU/ml (1st month) and 1117 +/- 33 mU/ml (2nd month), p > 0.05; oLAB tires in the control group: 601 +/- 40 mU/ml before treatment, 609 +/- 38 mU/ml (1st month) and 609 +/- 38 mU/ml (2nd month), p > 0.05. In the anthocyanin group fructose levels in semen increased from 850 +/- 42 mg/ml before treatment to 1121 +/- 26* mg/ml (1st month) and 1230 +/- 27* mg/ml (2nd month), p < 0.05. In the placebo group fructose levels were as follows--832 +/- 36 mg/ml before treatment, 845 +/- 33 mg/ml (1st month) and 841 +/- 35 mg/ml (2nd month), p > 0.05; fructose levels in the control group: 1376 +/- 40 mg/ml before treatment, 1376 +/- 40 mg/ml (1st month) and 1388 +/- 37 mg/ml (2nd month), p > 0.05. CONCLUSIONS: 1. Our results indicate that natural antioxidants (anthocyanins) can be useful in controlling of oxidative stress in males with oligospermia. 2. Anthocyanins from aronia melanocarpa induce enhanced levels of fructose in semen of males with oligospermia.

[Laparoscopic or laparotomic surgery in the treatment of ovarian benign teratomas?]. / Chirurgia laparoskopowa czy tradycyjna w leczeniu potworniaków dojrzalych jajników?

The operation treatment of ovarian dermoid cysts by laparoscopy (examined group) and by laparotomy (control group) was compared. The mean size of teratomas measured by USG was similar: in the examined group 59 +/- 20 mm, in the control group 62 +/- 27 mm. There was no significant difference in the operation time: laparoscopy 65 +/- 27 min. (range 35-105 min.) and laparotomy 66 +/- 27 min. (range 40-120 min.). The antibiotic therapy both intra-operation and after operation was applied twice more frequent for laparotomy operated patients. The number of patients with post-operative fever was much higher in the control group (laparotomy: 7 patients--26.9%) than in examined group (laparoscopy: only 1 patient--3.9%). The hospitalization after operation was longer in the control group (mean: 6.8 +/- 3.7 days) than in examined group (mean: 3.1 +/- 2.8 days). Laparoscopic surgery is valuable operating method for selected teratomas in comparison with classical surgery.

[Successful coping with declining objective life style by institutionalized long-term patients. Results of a follow-up analysis of quality of life in long-term care institutions with the Zurich Quality of Life Inventory]. / Erfolgreiche Bewältigung abnehmender objektiver Lebensbedingungen institutionalisierter Langzeitpatienten. Resultate der Verlaufsanalyse der Lebensqualität in Langzeitpflegeinstitutionen mit dem Zürcher Lebensqualitätsinventar.

Measurement of quality of life in institutionalized frail patients is difficult considering the high prevalence of dementia. The Zurich quality of life inventory was developed specifically for this purpose and applied to describe longitudinally 103 institutionalized long-term care patients 3-12 months after entry: 11 slow-stream-rehabilitation patients (SSR), 16 severely dependent patients (ASL), 61 moderately dependent patients (ALL), and 15 young severely dependent patients, all of whom were assessed at least twice. The objective conditions of life deteriorated in all 4 groups, significantly in the SSR and ASL, and with high significance in the whole population from 121 +/- 54 to 139 +/- 58 (P < 0.001). Well-being did not change significantly in any of the groups or overall (from 122 +/- 59 to 117 +/- 54, p = 0.90). Deteriorating life conditions were due to a decline in clinical dementia rating, (p < 0.01) and living space diameter (p < 0.001), whereas the remaining subscores of life condition, i.e., number of falls, days of sickness, life style rating, and all subscores of well-being, i.e., number of medicines, valuation of handicap and of suffering, visual self-rating of well-being and caregivers' stress did not change significantly.

[A test for sperm cell survival in peritoneal fluid]. / Test przezycia plemników w plynie otrzewnowym (Test P.P.O).

The role of the peritoneal fluid in the physiology of reproduction, as well as in the transportation and survival of gametes, is little known. The authors have examined interactions between spermatozoa and the peritoneal fluid, collected during laparoscopy in the, so-called, survival test, from 42 infertile couples. The studied survival of spermatozoa in the peritoneal fluid was relatively high--19% after 48 hours--longer than in Menezo B2 fluid. Values of the test have been indicated, especially in cases of endometriosis-caused and idiopathic infertility.

[Postcoital test evaluated in peritoneal fluid]. / Test po stosunku oceniany w plynie otrzewnowym.

The role of the peritoneal fluid in the physiology of reproduction, as well as in the transportation and survival of gametes, is little recognized. Taking this into consideration, the authors have examined the occurrence of spermatozoa in the peritoneal fluid, collected from patients during diagnostic laparoscopies, following intrauterine insemination with husband's sperm, in, so-called, Templeton's Test. In the group of patients with cervical factor six (6) mobile spermatozoa (85%) were observed, in the group with male factor -- three (3) (42%) and in the group with idiopathic infertility -- 1 (25%). A high utility of this test has been indicated, especially in infertility caused by the male factor and in endometriosis.

Sperm penetration in parthenogenetic mouse embryos triggers a plasma membrane block to polyspermy.

Mouse oocytes activated parthenogenetically do not generate a plasma membrane block against spermatozoa over the first three cell cycles. We show that they lose this fusibility spontaneously at the 8-cell stage. Insemination of 1-cell parthenogenetic embryos induces loss of fusibility earlier, at the 2-cell stage. This observation suggests that incorporation of the sperm cell membrane components into the oolemma may be responsible for the development of the membrane block.