IMD/ADM21-47, a factor that improves embryo quality.

Starting in vitro fertilization process with competent oocytes that may endure first cellular divisions is a critical step for obtaining an embryo. To obtain in vitro competent oocytes, culture conditions should emulate the in vivo microenvironment as close as possible. With the aim of improving the in vitro culture medium, the present study evaluated the IMD/ADM21-47 peptide as a factor that promotes oocyte competence and improves embryo quality in bovine systems. The culture supplemented with 153 µg/mL of IMD/ADM21-47 was correlated with the production of healthy oocytes in metaphase II (MII) stage in compacted cumulus-oocyte complexes (COC) with a decrease of BAX/BCL-2 to mRNA ratio and a reduction of late apoptosis by TUNEL in MII oocytes. In addition to this, treatment with IMD/ADM21-47 caused cAMPi level to be constant over time, and the cAMPi level kept increasing until 6 h. COC supplementation with 153 µg/mL of IMD/ADM21-47 increased the blastocyst production rate two-fold in comparison with control conditions. Only embryos from COC treatment with this peptide were capable of developing blastocysts in stage-6 grade I; compared with the control culture, it was the treatment with the greater number of blastocysts stage-5; these are characteristics of good quality blastocysts.

Isolation and characterization of yeasts from fermented apple bagasse as additives for ruminant feeding

Abstract Solid-state fermentation can be used to produce feeds for ruminants, which can provide an enriched population of yeasts to improve ruminal fermentation. Fermentation of apple bagasse was performed to obtain a yeast-rich product, with the objective of isolating, identifying, and characterizing yeast strains and testing their capability to enhance in vitro ruminal fermentation of fibrous feeds. Yeasts were isolated from apple bagasse fermented under in vitro conditions, using rumen liquor obtained from cannulated cows and alfalfa as a fibrous substrate. A total of 16 new yeast strains were isolated and identified by biochemical and molecular methods. The strains were designated Levazot, followed by the isolate number. Their fermentative capacity was assessed using an in vitro gas production method. Strain Levazot 15 (Candida norvegensis) showed the greatest increase in gas production (p < 0.05) compared with the yeast-free control and positively affected in vitro ruminal fermentation parameters of alfalfa and oat straw. Based on these results, it was concluded that the Levazot 15 yeast strain could be potentially used as an additive for ruminants consuming high-fiber diets. However, further studies of effects of these additives on rumen digestion, metabolism, and productive performance of ruminants are required.

Isolation and characterization of yeasts from fermented apple bagasse as additives for ruminant feeding.

Solid-state fermentation can be used to produce feeds for ruminants, which can provide an enriched population of yeasts to improve ruminal fermentation. Fermentation of apple bagasse was performed to obtain a yeast-rich product, with the objective of isolating, identifying, and characterizing yeast strains and testing their capability to enhance in vitro ruminal fermentation of fibrous feeds. Yeasts were isolated from apple bagasse fermented under in vitro conditions, using rumen liquor obtained from cannulated cows and alfalfa as a fibrous substrate. A total of 16 new yeast strains were isolated and identified by biochemical and molecular methods. The strains were designated Levazot, followed by the isolate number. Their fermentative capacity was assessed using an in vitro gas production method. Strain Levazot 15 (Candida norvegensis) showed the greatest increase in gas production (p<0.05) compared with the yeast-free control and positively affected in vitro ruminal fermentation parameters of alfalfa and oat straw. Based on these results, it was concluded that the Levazot 15 yeast strain could be potentially used as an additive for ruminants consuming high-fiber diets. However, further studies of effects of these additives on rumen digestion, metabolism, and productive performance of ruminants are required.