Monitoring the Green Vegetation Period of Two Narcissus Taxa by Non-Destructive Analysis of Selected Physiological and Morphological Properties

In a pot experiment, an early-flowering Narcissus pseudonarcissus cv. ‘Dutch Master’ (DM) and late-flowering N. poeticus cultural form (PO) were examined. The photosynthetic rate (A), transpiration rate (E), stomatal conductance (gs), photosynthetic water use efficiency (WUE), relative chlorophyll content (CCI) and chlorophyll fluorescence (F) were measured regularly. Leaf length, scape length and weight of the plant organs were also measured. The DM cultivar had higher gs and lower E values than the PO on most measuring dates (season average: gs: DM: 165.34, PO: 123.63; E: DM: 1.39, PO: 1.78 mmol H2O m−2s−1). The A curve was similar for the two taxa, except for the first measuring dates. The basic F values (F0, Fm, Fv) for DM were lower and CCI values were higher than for PO (season average of CCI: DM: 94.82, PO: 60.34). The Fm/F0, Fv/F0 and CCI curves were well described by a second order equation. The seasonal change of F and CCI values was the greatest for both taxa near the leaf tip. Bulb growth occurred in the two taxa in approximately the same calendar period, regardless of flowering time. A significant part of the leaf growth in DM occurred after flowering, while the leaves of PO reached their mature size by flowering.

Modelling growth in seven chicken genotypes

Three non-linear growth models were used to fit weight-age data for seven chicken genotypes: Comparisons were made among these models for goodness of fit, biological interpretability and computational case. Monomolecular and Richards Models overestimated body weight at the early phases of growth. All the three models underestimated the asymptotic mature weight but Gumpertz function gave a better estimate than the other two. Maturing rates were also variable and Richards Model gave the best estimate of K. Using these three non-linear models to describe growth rate of chest girth of the seven chicken genotypes yields a different result from that of the body weight. The point of inflection ranged from - 3 56 for FINA (F/Na) genotype to 28.26 for frizzled (Frx Fr) genotype. Genetic variations in rates of gain, maluring rute und mature size were observed.

19 Mature size and other trait differences in cows selected for calving ease and growth

Cows selected for heifer calving ease and yearling weight might also show changes in other important traits. Cattle from select and control lines within 7 populations were selected for reduced heifer calving difficulty EPD (select) or for average birth weight EPD (control) and for identical yearling weight EPD (select and control). Heifers randomly sampled within sire and born in the 4th and 5th of 7 years of selection were retained until 6 years of age with culling for once open and health, but not for other performance. Both lines were bred to the same bulls for calves born during the 3 years post-selection. Select line heifers were 7% lighter (-2.6 ± 0.5 kg, P < 0.01) at birth and not different at weaning (0.2 ± 1.5 kg) or yearling ages (-2.1 ± 2.7 kg). Select cow mature weights estimated by Brody growth curves were 5.2% lighter (-32.9 ± 3.7 kg, P < 0.01) and heights were 2.2% shorter (-3.0 ± 0.7 cm, P < 0.01) than controls. Calf weaning weights were not different. Interactions between 1st calving select (bred to select bulls) and control heifers (bred to control bulls) vs. older cows (all bred to the same bulls) were significant for survival (P < 0.01) and calving assistance (P = 0.03). Select line heifers increased calf survival (86.8% vs. 70.9%) and had decreased calving assistance (16.4% vs. 39.3%), but differences in cows for these traits were negligible. Calves born per select cow exposed exceeded those born per control cow only for 2nd calving (7.1%, P = 0.04), possibly due to reduced calving difficulty as heifers. Selection for calving ease and yearling weight resulted in cows with smaller mature size and similar or better calving ease, calf survival, and calf weaning weight. USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

Additive and non-additive effects for mature weight in beef cattle

Selection has emphasized animal growth, leading to an increase in their mature size affecting in some cases the pregnancy of the cows and the efficiency of the systems. Usually, crossbreeding improve productivity because of the genetic effects that the cows exploit, but the impact on mature weight (MW) has not been studied. The present study aimed at estimating MW and genetic parameters associated with the MW in crosses between two British breeds: Hereford (H/H) and Angus (A/A), a Continental: Salers (S/S), and a Zebu: Nelore (N/N). MW was analyzed at 4; 4.5; 5; 5.5 and 6 years of age using a repeated-measure sire model. For parameters estimation, an additive – dominant model was used including the fixed effects of breed group, contemporary group, and age as covariate linear and quadratic, with the linear regression fitted by breed group. Permanent environmental and sire were included as random effects. According to the results, it is expected to observe heterosis between H/H and N/N, however, the structure of the data may not be enough for estimate accurately the genetic parameters in this trait. The A/H, N/H, S/H, S/SH and H/NH cows were heavier than the H/H cows. All the breed groups continue gaining weight until six years of age. The results revealed that British crossbred animals are heavier than H/H at the first crossing but not in the following. Crossbred cows with proportions of 0.5 and greater for the Continental breed are heavier than H/H cows. Crosses between British and Zebu cows have higher mature weight than H/H at the first crossing and in backcrosses toward the British in all ages.

Pregnancy after mumps: a case report

Introduction Oophoritis, a complication of mumps, is said to affect only 5% of all postpubertal women. In this report, we present a case of a 31-year-old Iranian woman with amenorrhea and infertility due to an infantile uterus and atrophic ovaries associated with contracting mumps at a young age. She later successfully carried a healthy baby to term. Case presentation The patient was diagnosed with oophoritis when she was 8 years of age. She had no menses before treatment. The patient underwent a low-dose contraceptive treatment from age 19 until she was 31 years of age. During this period, the size of her uterus was constantly monitored, which revealed constant yet slow uterine growth. At age 31, Drospil (containing 3 mg of drospirenone and 0.03 mg ethinyl estradiol) treatment was initiated and administered for 3 months, which led to substantial uterine growth and menses. After her uterus had reached a mature size, the patient was referred to an assisted reproductive technology clinic. There she received a donor oocyte that was fertilized with the sperm of her husband. She had a successful low-risk pregnancy after the second embryo transfer. Conclusion Low-dose contraceptive treatment containing progesterone, followed by Drospil, which includes both estradiol and progesterone, had a synergistic effect that led to the growth of the patient’s uterus.

Rolling stones gather moss: Movement and longevity of moss balls on an Alaskan glacier

Glaciers support diverse ecosystems that are largely comprised of microbial life. However, at larger, macroscopic scales, glacier moss balls (sometimes called “glacier mice”) can develop from impurities on ice surfaces and represent a relatively rare biological phenomenon. These ovoid-shaped conglomerations of dirt and moss are only found on some glacier surfaces and provide key habitats for invertebrate colonization. Yet, despite their development and presence being widely reported, no targeted studies of their movement and persistence across years have been conducted. This knowledge gap is particularly important when considering the degree to which glacier moss balls may represent viable, long-term biotic habitats on glaciers, perhaps complete with their own ecological succession dynamics. Here, we describe the movement and persistence of glacier moss balls on the Root Glacier in southcentral Alaska, USA. We show that glacier moss balls move an average of 2.5 cm per day in herd-like fashion, and their movements are positively correlated with glacier ablation. Surprisingly, the dominant moss ball movement direction does not align with the prevailing wind or downslope directions, nor with any dominant direction of solar radiation. After attaining a mature size, glacier moss balls persist for many years, likely in excess of 6 years. Finally, we observed moss ball formation on the Root Glacier to occur within a narrow, low albedo stripe downwind of a nunatuk, a potential key source of moss spores and/or fine-grained sediment that interact to promote their formation.

109 Mature cow size and impacts on cow efficiency

According to genetic trend data, mature BW in beef cows continues to increase although the pace is slowing. This change is not increased frame size as the genetic trend for mature height in Angus cattle has been flat since about 1995. In sell-at-weaning enterprises, calf value at weaning must accompany increased cow size to justify the added expense of larger cows. We used the California Net Energy System and NASEM (2016) equations to estimate the annual cost to maintain beef cows varying in mature size. Maintenance energy requirements were assumed to be 77 kcal per kg of metabolic body weight plus 20% during lactation. Reproductive efficiency and average daily milk production was assumed to be equal among the two mature cow BW scenarios. In ranching operations with average mature cow BW of 556 kg and annual feed and grazing costs of $400, $500, $600 or $700, increasing average mature BW by 90.8 kg resulted in increased projected annual feed and grazing cost of $41.05, $51.32, $61.58 and $71.84 per cow, respectively, or about 10%. Estimated differences in variable costs (labor, depreciation, etc.) were minor for the larger cow herd. Assuming an annual replacement rate of 16% and cull cow price of $1.32 per kg, cull cow income would increase by approximately $19.20 per cow per year in the larger cow scenario. Consequently, to break even with the 556 kg mature cow BW scenario, sell-at-weaning enterprises with average mature cow BW of 647 kg must achieve $21.85, $32.12, $42.38, or $52.64 increased calf value depending on average annual cow cost. These estimates of increased income required to offset increased mature cow BW are conservative because no cost was assigned to grow the additional 90.8 kg of cow BW.

Genetic associations between mature size and condition score of Nelore cows, and weight, subjective scores and carcass traits as yearlings

The size and body condition of female livestock is critical for improving production efficiency. However, we know little about how height and body condition score in mature beef cattle are genetically related to traits observed when the animals are younger. In the present study, we used data from 321650 Nelore cattle, first, to compare genetic parameters and breeding values on the basis of different models employing weight (MW), height (MH) and body condition score (BCS) of mature cows (3–17 years old). Next, we estimated the genetic correlations between the three traits and assorted yearling traits (YW, weight; YC; conformation score; YP, precocity score; YM, muscling score; YN, navel score; LMA, longissimus muscle area; BF, back fat thickness). Finally, we obtained the expected direct responses to selection for MW, MH and BCS of cows and correlated responses for these traits when the selection was applied to yearling traits. For MW and MH, single-trait Bayesian analyses were used to evaluate the effects of including BCS when defining contemporary groups (BCS included, CG1; BCS not included, CG2). For BCS trait, linear and threshold animal models were compared. After, bi-trait analyses that included MW, MH or BCS with yearling traits were performed. The CG1 scenario resulted in a higher heritability for MW (0.45 ± 0.02) than did CG2 (0.39 ± 0.02). Both scenarios yielded the same heritability estimates for MH (0.35 ± 0.02). Sires’ rank correlations between predicted breeding values under CG1 and CG2 were 0.60–0.92 for MW and 0.90–0.98 for MH, considering different selection intensities. Thus, only for MW genetic evaluations, the incorporation of BCS in the definition of the contemporary groups is indicated. For BCS trait, the same sires were selected regardless of the model (linear or threshold). Genetic correlations between MW and five yearling traits (YW, YC, YP, YM and YN) ranged from 0.18 ± 0.03 to 0.84 ± 0.01. The MH had a higher and positive genetic association with YW (0.64 ± 0.02) and YC (0.54 ± 0.03), than with YN (0.18 ± 0.03). However, MH was negatively and lowly genetically correlated with YP (–0.08 ± 0.03) and YM (–0.14 ± 0.03). The BCS had positive genetic associations with all yearling traits, particularly with YP (0.61 ± 0.06) and YM (0.60 ± 0.07). Mature size and carcass traits exhibited a low to moderate negative genetic correlations. However, BCS had positive genetic associations with LMA (0.38 ± 0.12) and BF (0.32 ± 0.14). Despite a shorter generation interval, selection at the yearling stage will result in a slower genetic progress per generation than does direct selection for cow MW, MH or BCS. Moreover, using YW and YC as selection criteria will increase cattle size at maturity without altering BCS. Last, LMA or BF-based selection will reduce mature size, while improving BCS, as a correlated response.

Reproductive Schedule of the Largescale Stoneroller (Campostoma oligolepis) in North Alabama, USA

Understanding the reproductive patterns and strategies of a species is an important step in establishing the species’ life history. Campostoma oligolepis, the Largescale Stoneroller, is a species that has received little attention in the 90 years since it was first identified, and the work that has been done has been localized in the American Midwest. Collections of C. oligolepis were made monthly from the Flint River in Madison County in northern Alabama, USA, from March, 2014, to September, 2015. A total of 768 fish were collected over the collection period including 492 adults, 268 females and 224 males. We found strong evidence that the peak spawning time for C. oligolepis in the Flint River is March and April. Ovarian maturation, gonadosomatic index for both sexes, and monthly clutch size all support this conclusion. Two unexpected features were found. The first is how few females of mature size were found to carry either oocytes or a clutch except in the peak observed reproductive month of April, 2014. The second unusual feature is the prevalence of asymmetric ovaries, with the left the larger if a difference exists. Campostoma oligolepis may have unusually strong inter-annual responses to abiotic factors such as water temperature and river discharge.