Early onset of puberty in cattle: implications for gamete quality and embryo survival

2018 ◽  
Vol 30 (1) ◽  
pp. 101 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. A. Kenny ◽  
J. Heslin ◽  
C. J. Byrne
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Maturation ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Nutritional Management ◽  
Embryo Survival ◽  
Biochemical Processes ◽  
Overwhelming Evidence ◽  
Subsequent Fertility ◽  
Timing Of Puberty ◽  
Female Cattle

Advancing the age at which puberty and subsequent sexual maturation is attained in cattle is central to the reproductive and economic efficiency of both beef and dairy production systems worldwide. Onset of puberty in both male and female cattle is regulated by a complex network of biochemical processes and involves interaction among many key metabolic, neuroendocrine and reproductive tissues. Although our understanding of the biochemical interplay that conditions and eventually triggers the pubertal process has improved in recent years, much of the intricate mechanistic detail still eludes us. Environmental factors, such as nutritional management, as well as the genetic makeup of the animal undoubtedly affect the timing of puberty in cattle. In particular, there is now overwhelming evidence to support the importance of early life nutrition in regulating the timing of puberty in both bulls and heifers. For both genders, there is significant evidence that an improved metabolic status, early in calfhood, advances maturation of the hypothalamic–pituitary–gonadal axis, therefore facilitating earlier sexual development. Although advancing sexual maturation is a desirable goal, it is important that any strategy used does not impinge upon normal gametogenesis or postpubertal fertility potential. To this end, the aim of this review is to discuss the underlying biology of puberty in cattle with particular emphasis on the role of nutritional management during early calfhood in: (1) advancing the maturity of the hypothalamic–pituitary–gonadal axis; and (2) implications for the quality of gametes and subsequent fertility.

Microbial Biofilms and Biotechnology – Some Perceptions

2020 ◽  
Vol 09 ◽  
Author(s):  
Subba Rao Toleti
Keyword(s):  
Tissue Culture ◽  
Synthetic Biology ◽  
Industrial Effluents ◽  
Aquatic Environments ◽  
Biochemical Processes ◽  
Microbial Biofilms ◽  
Biofilm Bacteria ◽  
Prophylactic Vaccines ◽  
Design Construction

: The review is an attempt to introduce the readers in brief about biofilms and their implications as well as some new perceptions in biotechnology. Biofilms are adherent microbial communities, which are developed on submerged surfaces in aquatic environments. Biofilms play a significant role in exopolymer production, material deterioration and also cause harmful infections. Further, the role of corrosion causing biofilm bacteria in deterioration of different materials, microbial biofilms and their enzymatic processes in reducing the toxicity of pollutants in industrial effluents are elaborated, along with clean technologies for wastewater treatment. Biotechnology is defined as any technological application that uses biological systems to synthesize or modify products or processes. The applications include biochemical processes, medical care, cell and tissue culture as well as synthetic biology and others. Synthetic biology details about the design, construction of new biological components and systems for useful purposes. Finally, to overcome the limitations that are inherent to the use of cellular host’s, cell-free systems as critical platforms for synthetic biology applications. This mini-review also mentions about new diagnostic products based on enzymes, monoclonal antibodies and engineered proteins as well as novel prophylactic vaccines.

Emerging Industrial Revolution: Symbiosis of Industry 4.0 and Circular Economy: The Role of Universities

2020 ◽  
Vol 25 (3) ◽  
pp. 505-525 ◽  
Author(s):  
Seeram Ramakrishna ◽  
Alfred Ngowi ◽  
Henk De Jager ◽  
Bankole O. Awuzie
Keyword(s):  
Economic Growth ◽  
Circular Economy ◽  
Industry 4.0 ◽  
Business Models ◽  
Industrial Revolution ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Fourth Industrial Revolution ◽  
New Jobs

Growing consumerism and population worldwide raises concerns about society’s sustainability aspirations. This has led to calls for concerted efforts to shift from the linear economy to a circular economy (CE), which are gaining momentum globally. CE approaches lead to a zero-waste scenario of economic growth and sustainable development. These approaches are based on semi-scientific and empirical concepts with technologies enabling 3Rs (reduce, reuse, recycle) and 6Rs (reuse, recycle, redesign, remanufacture, reduce, recover). Studies estimate that the transition to a CE would save the world in excess of a trillion dollars annually while creating new jobs, business opportunities and economic growth. The emerging industrial revolution will enhance the symbiotic pursuit of new technologies and CE to transform extant production systems and business models for sustainability. This article examines the trends, availability and readiness of fourth industrial revolution (4IR or industry 4.0) technologies (for example, Internet of Things [IoT], artificial intelligence [AI] and nanotechnology) to support and promote CE transitions within the higher education institutional context. Furthermore, it elucidates the role of universities as living laboratories for experimenting the utility of industry 4.0 technologies in driving the shift towards CE futures. The article concludes that universities should play a pivotal role in engendering CE transitions.

scholarly journals Inevitable future: space colonization beyond Earth with microbes first

2019 ◽  
Vol 95 (10) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jose V Lopez ◽  
Raquel S Peixoto ◽  
Alexandre S Rosado
Keyword(s):  
Potential Space ◽  
Public And Private ◽  
Planetary Protection ◽  
Overwhelming Evidence ◽  
Future Space ◽  
Private Research ◽  
Life On Earth ◽  
Space Colonization ◽  
Future Plans

ABSTRACT Based on modern microbiology, we propose a major revision in current space exploration philosophy and planetary protection policy, especially regarding microorganisms in space. Mainly, microbial introduction should not be considered accidental but inevitable. We hypothesize the near impossibility of exploring new planets without carrying and/or delivering any microbial travelers. In addition, although we highlight the importance of controlling and tracking such contaminations—to explore the existence of extraterrestrial microorganisms—we also believe that we must discuss the role of microbes as primary colonists and assets, rather than serendipitous accidents, for future plans of extraterrestrial colonization. This paradigm shift stems partly from the overwhelming evidence of microorganisms’ diverse roles in sustaining life on Earth, such as symbioses and ecosystem services (decomposition, atmosphere effects, nitrogen fixation, etc.). Therefore, we propose a framework for new discussion based on the scientific implications of future colonization and terraforming: (i) focus on methods to track and avoid accidental delivery of Earth's harmful microorganisms and genes to extraterrestrial areas; (ii) begin a rigorous program to develop and explore ‘Proactive Inoculation Protocols’. We outline a rationale and solicit feedback to drive a public and private research agenda that optimizes diverse organisms for potential space colonization.

Consumers want pork with ‘adjectives'

2017 ◽  
Vol 57 (12) ◽  
pp. 2331 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. N. D'Souza ◽  
D. Cleary ◽  
R. J. E. Hewitt
Keyword(s):  
Production Systems ◽  
Consumer Preferences ◽  
Pork Products ◽  
Consumption Decisions ◽  
Brand Recognition ◽  
Extrinsic Cues ◽  
Credence Attributes ◽  
Pork Product ◽  
Welfare Production

Pork is the most consumed meat globally, but its consumption varies widely across the major pork-consuming nations. Consumers consider a wide variety of intrinsic and extrinsic cues, and credence attributes, when making purchasing and consumption decisions for food products. Brand recognition has been an important extrinsic cue for consumers, especially in the case of pork-product quality. However, the branding of fresh pork products in Australia has not been very prominent, due to the dominance of retailer ‘home-brand’ labels. However, increasingly these retailer labels are using information and branding relating to adjectives (credence attributes), for example, animal welfare, production systems, environment. The role of these credence attributes in Australia are now very much regarded by consumers as surrogate indicators of pork quality. The present paper will look at consumer preferences and attitudes to pork and the role credence attributes play when consumers purchase pork. In addition, the paper looks at the role of retailers in delivering pork with adjectives.

The potential role of sheep in dryland grain production systems

2005 ◽  
Vol 111 (1-4) ◽  
pp. 349-353 ◽  
Author(s):  
H.B. Goosey ◽  
P.G. Hatfield ◽  
A.W. Lenssen ◽  
S.L. Blodgett ◽  
R.W. Kott
Keyword(s):  
Potential Role ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Grain Production

scholarly journals Contract farming in Brazil – an approach to Law and Economics

2017 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 95-122 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kassia Watanabe ◽  
Nunziata Stefania Paiva ◽  
Ana Elisa Bressan Smith Lourenzani
Keyword(s):  
Agricultural Production ◽  
Applied Research ◽  
Law And Economics ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Complete Information ◽  
Legal Certainty ◽  
Contract Farming ◽  
Economic Agents ◽  
Means Of Production

Abstract Contract farming is based on agreements settled prior to the farmer deciding about agricultural production, and influence their judgment regarding inputs and production systems. Therefore, they provide means of production coordination and safety for both farmer and agro-industry/distributor. However, contract farming has its gaps since it is written in abscence of complete information, due to the behavioral assumption of bounded rationality of economic agents. A specific law might generate legal certainty for economic agents, insofar as the Judiciary fulfills the contractual gaps. From the other side, private agents may also fulfill the contractual gaps. As an effort to understand the role of institutions in contract farming, this study aims to analyze the Bill 6,459/2013, which intends to rule contract farming and takes private instituctions into account, through the agency of the Monitoring, Development and Reconciliation of Integration Committee (Cadec). This is an applied research with qualitative approach. The research concludes that the approval of bill might lead to effective typical law for contract farming, provided that the creation of Cadec is encouraged.

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