Recent Advances in the Scaffold Engineering of Protein Binders.

In recent years, extensive attention has been given to the generation of new classes of ligand- specific binding proteins to supplement monoclonal antibodies. A combination of protein engineering and display technologies has been used to manipulate non-human antibodies for humanization and stabilization purposes or even the generation of new binding proteins. Engineered protein scaffolds can now be directed against therapeutic targets to treat cancer and immunological disorders. Although very few of these scaffolds have successfully passed clinical trials, their remarkable properties such as robust folding, high solubility, and small size motivate their employment as a tool for biology and applied science studies. Here, we have focused on the generation of new non-Ig binding proteins and single domain antibody manipulation, with a glimpse of their applications.

Effect of different levels of dietary vitamin E on reproductive and productive performances in Japanese quails (Coturnix coturnix japonica).

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of dietary vitamin E on reproductive and productive parameters in Japanese quails. A total number of 240 female and 80 male Japanese quail were divided into five treatments with four replications in a completely randomized design. Experimental diets were zero control, 30, 60, 120 and 240 mg kg-1 of vitamin E. Fertility and total hatchability were not affected by treatments. But, the lowest hatch of fertile eggs and the highest embryonic death were observed in control group (p < 0.05). Left testes weight in T2 and T4 was higher than control (p < 0.05). Right testes weight and sera FSH concentration in males were not affected by treatments. The highest testosterone concentration of males was observed in T5 (p < 0.05). Weight and length of oviduct as well as weight of ovary and FSH concentration in females did not affected by treatments. Estrogen concentration in T4 treatment was greater than control (p < 0.05). Most of the egg characteristics were not affected by treatments. However, higher egg mass and production rates were observed in T2 and T3groups than control group (p < 0.05). Feed intake and conversion ratio did not differ among treatments. In conclusion, dietary vitamin E improved hatch of fertile egg, embryonic viability, egg mass and production rates in Japanese quail. The effect of dietary vitamin E combined with selenium on these characteristics are recommended for future study in Japanese quail.

Reproductive characteristics and thyroidal function in relation with season in Khuzestan buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) bulls.

High ambient temperature is the major constraint on Buffalo productivity. The aim of this study was to evaluate the reproductive performance and thyroid gland function in winter and summer seasons in Khuzestan buffalo bulls. Six male indigenous buffaloes of Khuzestan with nearly the same age (2-3 years old) and weight were used. Semen and blood samples through jugular vein were collected, every two weeks throughout the summer and winter seasons. The thyroid hormones and thyrotropin stimulating hormone (TSH) concentration in blood serum were measured by radioimmunoassay method. Semen quality was determined, using computer assisted sperm analyzer (CASA) and routine methods. The concentration of thyroxin (T4) was lower in winter than summer (p ≤ 0.05). The level of T3 uptake was higher in cold season than that of in hot season (p ≤ 0.05). The differences of tri-iodotyronine (T3) and TSH concentrations, as well as free thyroxin index were not significant between seasons. The semen volume and spermatozoa parameters including concentration, progressive motility, linear velocity, mean velocity, beat cross frequency, linear coefficient and straightness coefficient were higher in winter than summer (p ≤ 0.05). Semen pH and amplitude of lateral head displacement of spermatozoa were higher in summer than winter (p ≤ 0.05). In winter, there was positive correlation between spermatozoa concentration and T3 value of blood serum (p ≤ 0.05). There were positive correlations between values of semen volume and T4, progressive spermatozoa motility percent and TSH, as well as, total motility of spermatozoa and TSH in summer (p ≤ 0.05). In general, thyroid function and semen quality of Khuzestan buffaloes may be affected by seasons.