Is there a role for endocannabinoids in sperm-oviduct interaction?

The endocannabinoid system (ECS) has been found in reproductive cells and tissues in several mammals. Spermatozoa are able to respond to anandamide, and the oviduct is able to synthesize and modulate the concentration of this endocannabinoid along the isthmic and ampullary regions. The main aim of this study was to understand whether the ECS has a role during sperm storage and release within the oviduct in cattle. Data showed that 1) the endocannabinoid receptors 1 and 2 (CB1 and CB2) are present in bovine spermatozoa both in the initial ejaculate and in spermatozoa bound to the oviduct in vitro; 2) CB1 receptor is still detectable in spermatozoa released from the oviduct through penicillamine but not in those released through heparin; 3) arachidonylethanolamide (AEA) does not affect sperm viability, whereas it depresses sperm progressive motility and kinetic values; 4) sperm-oviduct binding and release in vitro are not influenced by AEA; 5) AEA depresses sperm-zona pellucida (ZP) binding; 6) binding of heparin-capacitated spermatozoa to the ZP is not affected by AEA; 7) N-acylphosphatidylethanolamine-selective phospholipase D, the main enzyme involved in anandamide synthesis, is expressed in oviductal epithelial cells. In conclusion, secretion of AEA from epithelial cells might contribute to the oviduct sperm-reservoir function, prolonging the sperm fertile life through the depression of motility and capacitation. Capacitation signals, such as heparin, that promote sperm release, might remodel the sperm surface and cause a loss of the sperm sensitivity to AEA.

Fabrication and characterization of a planar gradient-index, plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition lens.

A thin, one-dimensional, gradient-index slab lens with a parabolic profile was designed and fabricated in fluorine-doped silica by use of plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition in a Helicon plasma reactor. The refractive-index profile of the fabricated lens was determined by the application of an inversion technique to the values of modal effective index measured with a prism coupler. The periodic refocusing property of the lens and the independence of the wavelength were measured with the fluorescence of a specially doped, thin polymer layer spin-coated onto the surface of the lens.

Release of lipopolysaccharide during Bordetella pertussis growth.

The effect of the addition of (2,6-O-dimethyl)-beta-cyclodextrin (Me beta CD) during growth of Bordetella pertussis in synthetic Stainer-Scholte liquid medium (SS) on lipopolysaccharide (LPS; endotoxin) release was investigated. The Me beta CD concentration used (3 mg/ml) was chosen according to the optimal level found in previous studies to enhance major soluble antigen production. The profiles in SDS-PAGE (sodium dodecyl sulphate/polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis) of LPS extracted from cells grown in SS and SS + Me beta CD media revealed similar patterns. Although the LPS content of whole cells decreased during cell growth, yields obtained at different growth periods in cyclodextrin medium were lower than those corresponding to SS medium alone. Consequently, the level of LPS released in supernatants of both media increased during cellular growth. This amount of free LPS was higher in the cyclodextrin liquid medium and became significant at the beginning of the stationary growth phase. Binding of cyclodextrin to pertussis cells could account for the data obtained. Similar results were obtained with all species of the genus Bordetella.

Effect of hydromechanical forces on the production of filamentous haemagglutinin and pertussis toxin of Bordetella pertussis.

The production of Bordetella pertussis extracytoplasmic filamentous haemagglutinin (FHA) and pertussis toxin (PT) in a bioreactor under stirring conditions was studied in order to investigate the effect of hydromechanical forces on yields of both antigens. It was shown that FHA loses its haemagglutinin activity when the power transmitted by the agitator and the aerator per unit volume increases, whereas PT production is not affected. The loss of FHA activity can be explained by the action of shear forces on the filamentous structure of this antigen.

Effect of methyl-cyclodextrin on adenylate cyclase activity of Bordetella pertussis.

The activity of Bordetella pertussis extracytoplasmic adenylate cyclase (AC) decreased during decelerating growth phase in a Stainer-Scholte medium. Neither proteolytic activity nor virulence variation (phase variation; antigenic modulation) appears to be responsible for the observed activity fall. The addition of methyl-ß-cyclo-dextrin enhances AC activity and prevents the inhibition of AC activity by fatty acids. Cyclodextrin could entrap inhibitors increasing in this way the AC activity. These results show that the inclusion of cyclodextrin in the culture medium increases the AC activity.

[Chemical diagnosis of sodium chloride poisoning in thoroughbred fur-bearing animals (foxes, coypu) and in turkeys and pheasants]. / [Chemická diagnostika otráv chloridom sodným u usl'achtilých kozusinových zvierat (lísky, nutrie) a u moriek a bazantov.

For laboratory diagnosis of sodium chloride poisoning, the concentration of chlorides was polarographically determined in the liver of minks (seven-month-old and older), polar and silver foxes (eight-month-old and older), coypus (nine to ten month old), turkeys (three-month-old), and pheasants. The physiological concentration of sodium chloride in the liver of mink (n = 32) is 2.47 to 3.64 g kg-1, polar foxes (n = 30) 2.46 to 4.23 g kg-1, silver foxes (n =3) 3.27 to 3.44 g kg-1, coypu (n = 23) 1.79 to 3.05 g kg-1, turkeys (n = 30) 1.0 to 2.1 g kg-1, and pheasants (n = 28) 0.95 to 2.37 g kg-1. The exposure of the organism of a pheasant to single lethal doses of common salt (3.4 and 5 g NaCl per kg 1. w.) resulted in a 2.5- to 6-fold increase of salt concentration in liver, as compared with physiological concentration. A decreased concentration of sodium chloride (lower than the physiological standard) was found in the liver of deceased lactating minks.

[Selective electrochemical method of quantitative determination of chlorides in biological material]. / Selektívna elektrochemická metóda kvantitatívneho stanovenia chlorido v biologickom materiáli.

An experiment was made to test the possibility of the quantitative analysis of chlorides in biological material by the modern potentiometric method using an ion-selective electrode. The results were compared with the current practical methods--polarography and photometry. The results demonstrate the suitability and benefits of the use of the ion-selective electrode, mainly in the series determination of Cl- ion concentration in biological material. The expediency of the tested analytical method and its well-reproducible results demonstrate the advantages of the ion-selective method in the analysis of chlorides in biological material, as compared with the polarographic and photometric methods.

[Cadmium in the organs and tissues of slaughter cattle]. / Kadmium v orgánoch a tkanivách jatocného hovädzieho dobytka.

By the method of atomic absorption spectrophotometry the cadmium concentration in liver, kidney, muscles and bony tissue of the slaughtered, clinically healthy fattened cattle from different localities in East Slovakia was determined. The highest cadmium values were determined in kidneys (n = 39) 7.93 x 10(-1) mg x kg-1 and in bony tissue (n = 32) 8.45 x 10(-1) mg x kg-1. The cadmium concentration differs in animals originating from different localities, which is probably in connection with different cadmium content in soil and plants. The problem of higher cadmium concentrations in organism is discussed from the viewpoint of its negative effects on the biosynthetic processes in human beings and in animals. The achieved of the toxicologically important content of cadmium in foodstuffs of animal origin, as well as in chemical diagnostics of animal poisoning.

[Lead in the organs and tissues of slaughter cattle as a result of environmental pollution]. / Olovo v orgánoch a tkanivách jatocného hovädzieho dobytka ako dôsledok znecistovania prostredia.

The normal values of lead in the organs and tissues of clinically healthy slaughter cattle were determined by the method of atomic absorption spectrophotometry and by the polarographic method. Animals of various age categories came from several farms of the East-Slovakian region. The lead found in the liver of young fattened cattle was not determined polarographically, since its concentration was under the threshold of sensitivity of the method (1.0 ppm). In the older category of animals (4-16 years old dairy cows) the following lead levels were revealed by the method of atomic absorption spectrophotometry: liver: (n = 76) 1.4 ppm, kidney cortex (n = 51) 1.5 ppm, bone tissue (n = 37) 3.3 ppm, muscle (n = 24) 1.0 ppm. The animals coming from different places had diverse amounts of lead in their tissues. The fact that the organs and tissues of slaughter cattle contained lead as a non-biogenic element is attributed mainly to environment pollution. The normal concentrations of lead, as determined in our study, can be used in chemical diagnosis of poisoning and in the evaluation of the hygienic safety of foodstuffs of animal origin.

[Dynamics of changes in the activity of plasma lactate dehydrogenase, leucylarylamidase and GOT and GPT aminotransferases in poultry following damage to the organism caused by cadmium and tetrachloromethane]. / Dynamika zmien aktivity laktátdehydrogenázy, leucylarylamidázy a aminotransferázy got a gpt v krvnej plazme hydiny po poskodení organizmu kadmion a tetrachlôrmetánom

In the experiments performed with broilers, after a per os application of tetrachloromethane and cadmium (Cd+2), the activity of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), leucylarylamidase (LA), and the GOT and GPT amino transferase was determined in the blood plasm. By means of an electrophoretic division of the blood plasm of clinically healthy broilers one enzymatically active fraction of LA and LDH was ascertained. The injury caused to the organism of poultry by carbon tetrachloride and cadmium did not affect the heterogeneity of these two enzymes. After an application of tetrachloromethane (CCl4) in the dose of 8 and 10 ml kg-1 the total activity of LDH and LA changed. The influence of cadmium on the organism in the total dose of 200 mg kg-1 resulted in the changed activity of LDH, GOT, and LA. From the results obtained it has been assumed that the examined activity of LDH, GOT, and LA can be utilized for the diagnosing of non-specific injuries of the organism of poultry.

[Electrophoretic characteristics of arylamidases in some organs of cattle]. / Elektroforeticke vlastnosti arylamidáz z niektorých orgánov hovädzieho dobytka

Agar electrophoresis was employed to study the homogeneity of arylamidase enzymes in the soluble fractions of liver, kidney, heart, spleen, brain, pancreas, and muscle homogenates and in serum. Enzymatic activity was determined in relation to the L-leucyl- and L-lysyl-p-nitroanilide chromogenic substrates. In all cases, electrophoresis made it possible to find at least two active zones with different electrophoretic mobility and with different activity in relation to the two substrates used.

[Electrophoretic properties of arylamidases from various cattle organs]. / Elektroforetické vlastnosti arylamidáz z niektorých orgánov hovädzieho dobytka

Agar electrophoresis was employed to study the homogeneity of arylamidase enzymes in the soluble fractions of liver, kidney, heart, spleen, brain, pancreas, and muscle homogenates and in serum. Enzymatic activity was determined in relation to the L-leucyl- and L-lysyl-p-nitroanilide chromogenic substrates. In all cases, electrophoresis made it possible to find at least two active zones with different electrophoretic mobility and with different activity in relation to the two substrates used.