Importance of banana flour and its effect on growth performance of broiler.

The main objective of this work was to study the effects of banana flour as energy sources on broiler performance. Seventy-five broilers were randomly distributed into five groups each with 15 broilers (n = 15 broilers/group). The broilers were grouped to maize-soybean meal diet as control, T1 : (5% of banana flour), T2 : (10% of banana flour), T3 : (15% of banana flour), and T4 : (20% of banana flour). The parameters analyzed in this research were body weight, daily weight gain, and daily feed intake at days 0, 10, 20, 30, and 40. The results showed no significant effects on body weight during the time of assessment, showing healthy values (>1,400 g) in all treatments (p > .05). Daily Weight gain was affected significantly during the days of assessment (p < .05). In all treatments and at different days of assessment, T3 showed the highest daily weight gain at day 10 (37.56 ± 4.52 g) compared to the other experimental treatments. Regarding daily feed intake, significant differences were observed at day 10 in the control and treatments T1 , T2 , T3 , and T4 compared to days 20, 30, and 40 (p < .05), being the highest value for T1 (35.14 ± 2.77).

Short-term storage sperm of coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) at 4 °C: Effect of sperm: Extender dilution ratios and antioxidant butyl-hydroxytoluene (BHT) on sperm function.

Short-term storage of semen is a necessary key procedure in fish; it allows maximizing the use of gametes. Nevertheless, sperm quality decreases during storage has been associated with oxidative stress damage due to an increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS) during storage. This study was designed to optimize a short-term storage protocol for Coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) spermatozoa, evaluating the effect of extender dilution and the addition of butyl-hydroxytoluene (BHT) antioxidant on sperm function parameters. In the first experiment, fresh semen was diluted in Storfish®: extender dilution (1:2 and 1:3) and a control sample undiluted and stored at 4 °C for 7-days. In both experiments motility (MO), viability and integrity of plasma membrane, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) and superoxide anion level (O2-) were evaluated at 0, 3 and 7 days. Result shows that, 1:3 dilution maintained a higher sperm function for a longer period time. In the second experiment, spermatozoa were suspended in Storfish® (1:3) supplemented with two different concentrations of BHT (1.0 mM and 2.0 mM) and a control sample without antioxidant and stored at 4 °C for 7 days. The results demonstrated that, antioxidant-supplemented samples greater MO than control samples (P < 0.05). The viability remained >75% during storage in all groups. MMP was higher in 2.0 mM BHT compared to 1.0 mM and control (P < 0.05), in addition, this concentration reduced O2- level (P < 0.05). In conclusion, sperm: extender dilution 1:3 and adding of 2.0 mM BHT in sperm storage extender may enhance protection sperm function in Oncorhynchus kisutch against effects harmful of the oxidative stress during the in vitro storage.

The voltage-gated T-type Ca2+ channel is key to the sperm motility of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar).

Ca2+ is a key element in the sperm activation process of Salmo salar. However, the molecular mechanisms by which this ion enters the sperm cell have been poorly studied. In this study, we examined, for the first time, the role of the voltage-gated T-type Ca2+ channel in the activation of sperm motility of Salmo salar. Using an in vitro inhibition assay, a significant decrease in total and progressive motility (P < 0.0001) was observed in Salmo salar sperm when they were treated with NNC-55-0396, a highly selective blocker. The in silico analysis showed that this blocker is docked with a strong affinity for the pore of the voltage-gated T-type calcium channel suggesting the blocking of Ca2+ ions. The results show that the T-type voltage-gated Ca2+ channel is key to sperm motility in Salmo salar.

Effects of selection by the Percoll density gradient method on motility, mitochondrial membrane potential and fertility in a subpopulation of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) testicular spermatozoa.

The aim of this study was to evaluate effects of selection using the Percoll density gradient method on motility, mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨMit) and fertility in a subpopulation of testicular spermatozoa obtained from Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar). Samples were divided into three groups: Control (C), T1 (45/90 % Percoll®) and T2 (45/60 % Percoll®). Sperm motility was evaluated using CASA (Computer-Assisted Sperm Analysis), ΔΨMit using flow cytometry, and fertility evaluating whether cleavage of fertilised eggs had occurred after 16 h of incubation at 10 °C. Results indicate that motility was greater in T1 (92 ± 2.91 %) and T2 (89 ± 2.88 %) than in the Control (83.2 ± 2.04 %). The percentage of ΔΨMit was 88.3 ± 0.58 % and 85 ± 2% for T1 and T2, respectively, compared to 35 ± 6.24 % for the control. The fertility rates were 76 ± 9.1 % and 70 ± 8.1 % for T1 and T2, respectively, compared with 66 ± 12 % for the control. The kinetic characteristics for T1 were curvilinear velocity (VCL): 92.44 ± 21.12 µm/s, average path velocity (VAP): 85.87 ± 21.83 µm/s; and for T2 VCL was 78.69 ± 17.63 µm/s and VAP was 73.62 ± 17.08 µm/s. The results indicate sperm motility and ΔΨMit were greater in T1 and T2 compared with the control (P < 0.05). Similarly, there was an increase in the fertilisation rate compared to the control. The results from this study are the first where sperm quality variables were evaluated for Salmo salar testicular sperm using the Percoll® density gradient method.

Effects of cryopreservation on cAMP-dependent protein kinase and AMP-activated protein kinase in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) spermatozoa: Relation with post-thaw motility.

Sperm motility in fish with external fertilization is critical for reproductive efficiency in aquaculture, especially in salmonids. Gamete preservation techniques, such as cryopreservation, however, reduce sperm motility and fertilizing capacity. Very few studies have addressed cryodamage from energetic and cell signalling approaches. In this study, cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) and AMP-activated kinase (AMPK) activities were quantified in fresh and cryopreserved spermatozoa of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar); and the relation with motility was analysed. Results indicate there was a decrease in membrane integrity and motility in post-thawed spermatozoa compared to fresh samples, however, there was about 30% of cells with intact plasma membrane but incapable of motility. The PKA and AMPK activities were less after cryopreservation, indicating that loss of motility may be related to alteration of these key enzymes. Furthermore, PKA and AMPK activities were positively correlated with each other and with motility; and inhibition decreased motility, indicating there is a functional relationship between PKA and AMPK. The PKA inhibition also decreased AMPK activity, but results from protein-protein docking analyses indicated AMPK activation directly by PKA is unlikely, thus an indirect mechanism may exist. There have been no previous reports of these kinase actions in fish spermatozoa, making these findings worthy of assessment when there are future studies being planned, and may serve as base knowledge for optimization of cryopreservation procedures and development of biotechnologies to improve reproduction efficiency in the aquaculture industry.

Morphology and ultrastructure of pink cusk-eel (Genypterus blacodes, Schneider 1801) spermatozoa by scanning and transmission electron microscopy.

In this study, the morphology and ultrastructure of Genypterus blacodes spermatozoa were characterized through scanning and transmission electron microscopy. Findings revealed that the G. blacodes spermatozoa can be differentiated into three major parts: a spherical head without an acrosome (typical for externally fertilizing fish), a short mid-piece, and a long flagellum. The mean length of the spermatozoa was 57.6 ± 6.08 µm, with flagella accounting for 56.2 ± 7.2 µm. The head was 1.47 ± 0.2 µm long, and 0.89 ± 0.06 µm wide. The mid-piece had a total dimension of 0.72 ± 0.16 µm, and was 0.31 ± 0.02 µm in length and 0.6 ± 0.05 µm in width. It was located lateral to the nucleus and contained 4 or 5 spherical mitochondria. The mitochondria were separated from the axoneme by a cytoplasmic canal. The main piece of the flagellum had short irregular side-fins, and the axoneme was composed of the typical 9 + 2 microtubular doublet structure enclosed by a cell membrane. The present study reveals that G. blacodes sperm can be categorized as a primitive type. This study is the first to provide comprehensive details on the morphology and ultrastructure of spermatozoa in G. blacodes.

Extremozymes: A Potential Source for Industrial Applications.

Extremophilic microorganisms have established a diversity of molecular strategies in order to survive in extreme conditions. Biocatalysts isolated by these organisms are termed extremozymes, and possess extraordinary properties of salt allowance, thermostability, and cold adaptivity. Extremozymes are very resistant to extreme conditions owing to their great solidity, and they pose new opportunities for biocatalysis and biotransformations, as well as for the development of the economy and new line of research, through their application. Thermophilic proteins, piezophilic proteins, acidophilic proteins, and halophilic proteins have been studied during the last few years. Amylases, proteases, lipases, pullulanases, cellulases, chitinases, xylanases, pectinases, isomerases, esterases, and dehydrogenases have great potential application for biotechnology, such as in agricultural, chemical, biomedical, and biotechnological processes. The study of extremozymes and their main applications have emerged during recent years.