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Polymorphism of Growth Hormone (GH/HaeIII) Gene and Its Association with the Performance of Merino Cross Rams
No full textMerino cross sheep (75 Merino × 25 Garut) are introduced by the government of Indonesia for meat production purposes. The present study aimed to determine the polymorphism in the exon 2 region of the growth hormone (GH) gene (422 bp) in Merino cross rams using the PCR-RFLP technique and to analyze its relationship with body weight and body measurements of the rams. A total of 145 rams aged one-year-old with an average body weight of 29.08 ± 7.96 kg from the breeding station in West Java, Indonesia were considered as the experimental animals. It was indicated that a missense mutation of c.55G > A (p.G19S) was detected in the target sequence of the GH gene in Merino cross rams. The PCR-RFLP analysis in the GH gene of Merino cross with HaeIII restriction enzyme (GH/HaeIII) was observed in a moderate category with a polymorphic informative content (PIC) value of 0.22. Therefore, the G allele was more frequent than the A allele (0.85 versus 0.15). Furthermore, the genotype AA was not present among the sheep that were part of the study. However, the polymorphism of p.G19S was found to have a significant association with birth, weight, and chest depth measurement in one-year-old Merino cross sheep. However, the GH/HaeIII gene in Merino cross rams exhibited polymorphism, primarily with two genotypes: GG (wildtype) and GA (carrier). The G allele was identified as the dominant allele in the ovine GH gene, occurring with a frequency of 0.85. Importantly, the polymorphism of the GH/HaeIII gene was significantly linked to birth weight and chest depth in one-year-old Merino cross rams. These findings provide preliminary insights that could potentially aid in the early stages of molecular selection for Indonesian Merino cross sheep. Open Access: This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License, which permits use, sharing, adaptation, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, as long as you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons licence, and indicate if changes were made. The images or other third party material in this article are included in the article’s Creative Commons licence, unless indicated otherwise in a credit line to the material. If material is not included in the article’s Creative Commons licence and your intended use is not permitted by statutory regulation or exceeds the permitted use, you will need to obtain permission directly from the copyright holder. To view a copy of this licence, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/. © The Author(s) 202
Production Performance and Some Biochemical Traits of Layer Hens Fed on Date Palm Kernel Supplementation
No full textTo enhance the well-being and productivity of poultry, researchers have conducted investigations into various botanical sources, including date palm kernel, and their bioactive components. The present investigation was conducted to assess the productive performance and certain biochemical characteristics of layer hens that were administered date palm kernel supplementation in their diet. To this end, 40 ISA Brown laying hens (48 weeks old) were used in the current study. The adaptation phase for the chickens lasted for 10 days before the initiation of the experiment. The study lasted 8 weeks. The chickens were then randomly assigned into two groups of 20, with 4 replications (5 chickens per replication). Chickens in the treatment group received 5 of dry matter ground date palm kernel (GDPK), as an additive to the basal diet, and the control group (CL) chickens were fed the basal diet. The eggs were collected daily during the study. At the end of weeks 1, 2, 4, and 6 of the study, egg production percentage, egg weight, and the feed conversion ratio were measured. At the end of the experiment, blood samples were collected to measure the serum levels of glucose, total protein, cholesterol, creatinine, and uric acid. The study findings revealed significant increases in the daily egg production percentage and egg weight during the experiment in the GDPK group, compared to the CL group. The feed conversion ratio recorded significant decreases in the GDPK group when compared to the CL group. Furthermore, the findings indicated significant increases in the serum total protein and significant decreases in the glucose, cholesterol, creatinine, and uric acid concentrations in the GDPK group, compared to the CL group. In conclusion, the results indicated the positive effects of adding ground date palm kernel to the diet of layers on production performance, such as egg weight, conversion ratio, and some biochemical traits, including total protein, glucose, cholesterol, creatinine, and uric acid. © The Author(s) 2024. All Rights Reserved
Anatomical and Histological Study of the Female Reproductive System of Green Freshwater Turtle (Chelonia mydas) During Breeding Season in Iraq
No full textTurtles are found in large numbers in Iraqi rivers, due to the availability of a suitable environment for reproduction and food. The breeding season begins from May to the end of October. The current study aimed to evaluate the anatomical and histological characteristics of the green freshwater turtle (Chelonia mydas) during the breeding season in Iraq. The samples included eight adult turtles within the age range of 11-14 years that were collected from Shatt Al-Hilla (Iraq) at month June. To investigate the reproductive system histological techniques and hematoxylin and eosin staining were used and before that the animals were anesthetized with chloroform. The results indicated two active ovaries and oviducts which fill the whole abdominal cavity. The mean weights of left and right ovaries and left and right oviducts in the turtles with average weights of 698 ± 0.05 g were 19.5 ± 0.01 g, 22 ± 0.022 g, 3.3 ± 0.05 g, and 4 ± 0.05 g respectively. The mean lengths of carapace, left ovary, right ovary, left oviduct, and right oviduct were 24 ± 0.08 cm, 15.9 ± 0.01 cm, 17± 0.04 cm, 13 ± 0.022 cm, 14 ± 0.056 cm. Anatomically the oviducts include the infundibulum, magnum, isthmus, uterus, and vagina. The infundibulum indicated a funnel-shaped membrane while the magnum was the muscular coiled long tube. The isthmus was shorter and less coiled than the magnum, the uterus appeared as the widest, thickest, and less coiled dark tube and swollen into the posterior to form a cyst-like part, and the vagina was muscular in structure. Histologically, the magnum and uterus were formed from mucosa, muscularis, and serosa. In both parts of the magnum and uterus, were branched crypt-like depressions that appeared devoid of sperm. The widespread distribution of this species in Iraqi rivers could be due to the activity of the ovaries and oviducts during the breeding season, which extends for 6 months. © The Author(s) 2024. All Rights Reserved
Regression Analysis of Concrete Produced from Selected Wastewater Types
No full textThis study investigates the effects of using various wastewater types on the strength characteristics of concrete through regression analysis. Given the construction industry's substantial freshwater consumption and the increasing scarcity of potable water, the research explores the viability of substituting wastewater in concrete production. Materials tested include cement, aggregates, and wastewater from kitchen, laundry, fish-pond, and paint industry, alongside potable water for control. Comprehensive tests on these materials, including physical, chemical, and bacteriological assessments, preceded the concrete mixing and casting process. The study involved curing concrete specimens and performing compressive and tensile strength tests at intervals of 7, 14, 21, and 28 days. Results indicated that while concrete made with potable water exhibited superior performance, wastewaters significantly influenced the mechanical properties of concrete, with potable water achieving the highest compressive and tensile strengths. Regression analysis confirmed a substantial impact of curing duration on strength development. The research concludes that water quality is crucial for concrete performance and suggests potable water for optimal strength, though wastewaters present a potential alternative, highlighting the need for further evaluation and adherence to quality standards
Statistical Evaluation of the Geometric Properties Steel Bars for Reinforced Concrete in Botswana
No full textUncertainties in construction materials, especially steel reinforcing bars, have multiplying adverse impacts on the integrity and reliability of constructed facilities from construction to service life stages. Botswana depends on importation of rebars to meet the ever-increasing demands for buildings and reinforced concrete civil infrastructure. The study assessed the mass and geometric properties of the two most utilized steel reinforcing bars, designated as M1 and M2, in Botswana. With the aid of digital analytical balance and Vernier calipers, measurements of mass per unit length and the relative rib area (RRA), which depends on nominal diameter, rib height, rib spacing, and longitudinal rib or gap thickness were made from 3000 standard bars each of nominal sizes from 8 mm to 25 mm randomly sampled at the suppliers’ depots/warehouses and various construction sites in Gaborone and Francistown. The RRA is a measure of the surface geometry for interfacial bonding between steel reinforcing bar and the surrounding concrete. The geometric properties of each steel bar type of the nominal sizes were characterized in terms of the statistical parameters and compared for compliance with standard specifications such as CS2 (2012), ISO 15630, ACI A408. The actual mass and diameter of bars were within the tolerance of ± 1% of the respective nominal size which satisfied all the standard requirements. Only the 8 mm diameter M2 bars did not have longitudinal ribs/gaps. ACI specifies a range of 0.10 to 0.14 for RRA, while CS2/ISO 15630 only specifies for the minimum RRA values of 0.040 for 8 to 12 mm bars and 0.056 for 16 to 25 mm bars. M2 bars of 10 mm dia. bars did not satisfy CS2/ISO 15630 requirements. However, M1 (8 mm and 12 mm) and M2 (10, 16 and 25 mm) bar sizes are below the minimum and M2 bars of 20 mm diameter are above the recommended RRA values of ACI A408. These would reduce the load carrying capacity of RC members reinforced with the unsatisfactory bar sizes
Mapping Buildings from Semi-Informal Settlements Using Non-Parametric Classifiers: A Case of Old Naledi
No full textBuilding footprints are essential for planning and designing new infrastructure like water reticulation, electricity transmission, sewer, and road networks. They are also necessary for delivery, census, and disaster management. It is therefore important to have up-to-date maps and GIS databases for service provision. However, mapping building of footprints in semi-informal settlements is problematic because of the spatial heterogeneity of settlements. This study evaluates three non-parametric machine learning algorithms for extracting building footprints from WorldView-2 (WV2) satellite imagery in a semi-informal settlement. WV2 satellite imagery data was fused with gray-level co-occurrence matrices (GLCM) to enhance building extraction. The algorithms used include the Gaussian Mixture Model (GMM), Random Forest (RF), and Support Vector Machine (SVM). The results indicate that GLCM does not improve the detection of buildings when using the GMM algorithm, but it increases building detection with RF and SVM. The GMM algorithm achieved the highest average accuracy of 92% for building detection. However, SVM and RF have an overall accuracy of 79% and 70% respectively. Though RF did not perform very well in identifying individual buildings, its overall accuracy was high. The outcome indicates that machine learning algorithms can adequately map building footprints from high-resolution satellite imagery
Geotechnical characterization of the Manyana black cotton soils in Botswana
No full textThe Manyana Village is divided into two types of soils. The center of the village is covered with sand that overlays clays from weathered dolerite whilst the eastern side is covered with exposed clays. Houses constructed on the eastern side of the village are prone to severe cracking attributed to the black cotton soils. The paper hints at shrink-swell mechanism of black cotton soils as a possible explanation for the cracking observed on the houses. Three laboratory methods of identifying and characterizing expansive soils are discussed followed by use of Dynamic Cone Penetration (DCP) in field-testing as well as use of indicator tests and particle sizing in the laboratory. The experimental results have shown a high field moisture content of (18 to 27%) in the eastern part of the village which was three times larger than moisture content at the village center. The clays had a plasticity index range of 12% to 30% with a clay content of 21% to 47% whilst the sandy areas were non-plastic with a clay content of at most 4%. The clay minerals identified from the samples tested were vermiculite, illite, kaolinite and montmorillonite. The soil samples from the village had low potential expansiveness whilst most samples on black cotton soil had a medium to high potential of expansiveness. The bearing capacity estimated from DCP data at depths of 1m throughout the village were 72 kPa to 275 kPa under dry conditions. A draft plasticity index map of Manyana village was produced based on the results of the investigation, the next step is to investigate the effectiveness of different soil stabilization methods for this area and taking in to consideration cost, durability and environmental impact
Phenotypic Variability of Native Guinea Pig (Cavia porcellus) Lines Associated with Productive and Reproductive Variables in the Traditional Production Systems of the Pastos Indigenous Reserve
No full textGenetic improvement seeks to meet human needs, resulting in a loss of genetic variability, affecting indigenous communities' biodiversity and food sovereignty. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the phenotypic variability of native guinea pig (Cavia porcellus) lines associated with productive and reproductive variables in the traditional production systems of the Pastos Indigenous Reserve in the Department of Nariño, southwestern Colombia. A total of 2007 guinea pigs older than 3 months were divided into 2 batches. 1934 individuals (batch 1) were randomly selected for phenotypic characterization, including hair length, leg size, body size, and behavior. Seventy-three individuals (batch 2) were used to evaluate productive and reproductive variables, and the lines with the highest similarity were clustered using the UPGMA method. In addition, ethnoveterinary information obtained through interviews within the production systems was described. As a result, nine traditionally known phenotypes were described including Shinhuzo, Pelochon, Zambo, Guarico, Chocolate, Peruvian, Coral, Piño, and Moro. The lines were clustered into 4 groups, highlighted by lines with high production and reproductive potential (group 1), lines with low progeny mortality (group 2), a line with low reproductive potential (group 3) a line that presented a unique coat and high productive potential as Group 1 (Group 4). As a result, local knowledge was shown to be crucial for the conservation of native guinea pig lines, as it includes traditional feeding techniques and disease treatment. The native lines Shinhuzo and Coral, with morphological differences between them, showed the potential to reach productive and reproductive parameters similar to the improved Peruvian line, according to the UPGMA dendrogram. However, a detailed analysis of the specific nutritional requirements of each guinea pig line is necessary to improve the traditional breeding of guinea pigs, enhancing the production of all native lines already adapted to the indigenous territory, maintaining the important genetic variability that, in the context of climate change, is relevant to promoting research on sustainable production strategies using resilient native species adapted to local conditions for the future exploration of differentiated markets
Effects of Anti-inhibin Free α Immunization on Ovulation, in Vitro Fertilization, and Embryo Development in Mice
No full textInhibin is a dimeric glycoprotein comprised of two subunits, α and B. Immunization against dimeric inhibin is mainly used in assisted reproductive technology to induce superovulation. However, the specific function of immunoreactive-free inhibin α subunit remains unclear. In this study, two main investigations were conducted (first on ovulation and the other on fertilization) using a novel monoclonal antibody targeting free inhibin α subunit (Pro-αN-αC). The ovulation study was conducted in 6 replicates, involving a total of 48 female CD1 mice aged 4–6 weeks. In each replicate, 4 control mice received PMSG/hCG treatment, and 4 treated mice received PMSG/hCG with mAb- Free α subunit. The fertilization study was conducted in 3 replicates, involving a total of 22 female CD1 mice. In each replicate, there were 4, 3, and 4 mice respectively for both control and treatment groups. In both investigations, female mice were injected intraperitoneally with 50 units/ml of Pregnant Mare Serum Gonadotropin (PMSG), alone or combined with 400ug of mAb- Free α subunit, followed by an injection of 50 units/ml of Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG) 48 hours later. Seventeen hours post-injection, the females from all groups were sacrificed, and the ovulated oocytes were collected from the oviducts. For the fertilization study, in vitro fertilization was performed using fresh sperm from male CD1 mice. The results revealed that neutralization of the free inhibin α subunit significantly decreased the ovulation rate by 47.29% compared to the control group, while immunoneutralization significantly increased the fertilization rate by 55.68% and the blastocyst development by 43.85% compared to the control group. This study suggests that immunization against free inhibin α subunit decreases ovulation, in contrast to the effect of immunoneutralization of dimeric inhibin. The authors hypothesize that the free α subunit may function as an inhibin antagonist, competing with inhibin for binding to its co-receptor
Efficacy of Avocado Oil Cream in Wound Repair: Macroscopic Analysis, Inflammatory Cells Count, and Collagen Density
No full textThe wound healing process goes through a series of complex stages that are mutually continuous, namely inflammation, proliferation, and maturation. Following wound formation and the release of proinflammatory cytokines and growth factors, inflammation occurs immediately after the hemostasis phase. Proliferation occurs when products processed by the growth factors are present. The final stage, maturation, is portrayed by the plan of the extracellular network. This study utilized oil from avocado fruit (Persea americana), which contains linoleic and oleic acid content that supports skin tissue repair. The study aimed to explore the effects of using avocado oil cream on the area of wound healing, the number of inflammatory cells, and the collagen density. Twenty-four female mice, aged eight weeks, were used as experimental animals by making excision wounds using a 4 mm biopsy punch on the dorsal skin on the left and right sides. The mice were divided into four groups based on the percentage of avocado oil in the topical cream included Group K (control, topical cream without avocado oil), Group P1 (5% topical avocado oil cream), Group P2 (10% topical avocado oil cream), and Group P3 (15% topical avocado oil cream). Macroscopic examination of the wounds was conducted daily on days 3, 6, and 9 after topical cream treatment using a digital caliper. A total of 48 skin tissue samples were collected from days 3, 6, and 9 after cream application, which were then processed for histopathology evaluations using hematoxylin-eosin staining and Masson’s Trichrome staining. Hematoxylin-eosin staining was used to count the inflammatory cells, and Masson's Trichrome staining was employed to assess collagen density. The results revealed that avocado oil had a great impact on wound closure after 9 days of 15% avocado oil cream treatment, reducing the inflammatory cells after 3-6 days of 10% avocado oil cream therapy, and increasing collagen density after 9 days of 15% avocado oil cream application, as compared to the control, non-avocado oil cream group. Avocado oil can help close wounds, reduced the number of inflammatory cells, and increased collagen density when used in topical pharmaceutical formulations. Avocado oil cream may, therefore, be considered a viable option for wound repair treatment