The onset of puberty in Cameroon Dwarf goats kept as pets in northwestern Croatia.

The aim of this study was to determine onset of puberty in Cameroon Dwarf goats (CDGs) kept as pets in northwestern Croatia by determining progesterone (PGS) and insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) levels in the blood by RIA methods. The first cyclic ovarian activity was estimated according to hormone profiles as determined in CDG in a moderate climate environment. Sixteen female CDG kids were kept in stables with access to pasture which provided space for exercise. The goat kids born in winter (December-January-February), spring (March-April-May), summer (June-July-August) and autumn (September-October-November) were assigned into four groups according to the season of the year of birth (n = 4 in each group). At 75 days of age at the initiation of the study, they weighed between 3.2 and 5.1 kg (4.24 ± 0.53 kg). The onset of ovulatory activity was determined by PGS and IGF-I serum concentrations every 10 days starting from 75 days to 155 days of age. The onset of puberty in CDG kids occurred on average at 141.15 ± 2.66 days of age, but varied depending on the season of birth. All CDG kids born during summer were in heat by 155 days of age. In the other groups (kids born in autumn, winter or spring), one goat in each group was not in heat. Changes in blood serum PGS and IGF-I concentrations during prepubertal and pubertal periods could aid in the evaluation of reproductive status and determination of the onset of puberty in CDG during all seasons of the year in a moderate climate region.

Concentrations of total proteins and albumins, and AST, AP, CK and GGT activities in the blood serum Boer and Saanen goats during puerperium.

The metabolism of proteins in the blood serum in Boer and Saanen goats was investigated during puerperium. Twenty Boer goats (10 primiparous and 10 pluriparous) and 10 Saanen goats (five primiparous and five pluriparous) between 2 and 5 years of age were used in this research. Blood for analysis was taken every fourth day from day 3 until day 40 post-partum. Blood samples were collected by jugular puncture. In the obtained blood serum, the concentration of total proteins (PT) and albumin (ALB), and the activity of enzymes aspartate aminotransferase (AST) [the Enzyme Commission number (EC number) 2. 6. 1. 1.], gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT) (EC 2. 3. 2. 2.), creatine kinase (CK) (EC 2. 7. 3. 2.) and alkaline phosphatase (AP) (EC 3. 1. 3. 1.) were determined by spectrophotometry. These parameters were in physiological ranges in Boer goats and in Saanen goats, without significant differences according to number of kids per doe. According to the research results of the blood serum in goats during puerperium, there were no significant differences in the concentration of ALB. Boer goats had significant higher (p < 0.05) concentration of PT and enzyme activity of AP, CK and GGT. Saanen goats had only enzyme activity of AST significantly higher (p < 0.05). Enzyme activity of alkaline phosphatase was significant higher (p < 0.05) in pluriparous goats in both breeds than in primiparous. The obtained results may represent a contribution to a better understanding of protein metabolism during puerperium in dairy and meat goats and for diagnostic purposes.

A comparison of BoviPure and Percoll on bull sperm separation protocols for IVF.

In the present study, we have examined the effect of density gradient preparations BoviPure and Percoll on bull sperm separation and the in vitro fertilization (IVF) and culture (IVC) results. Frozen/thawed semen from five simmental bulls were pooled. Sperm quality parameters such as sperm motility, concentration, membrane activity (HOS assay), membrane integrity (SYBR-14/PI assay) and acrosomal status (EthD-1/FITC-PSA assay) were evaluated before and after sperm processing for IVF using BoviPure and Percoll density gradient separations. The results of the evaluated parameters before sperm processing were: motility 50%, concentration 82.33x10(6)spz/mL, membrane activity 39.05%, membrane integrity 42.97% and the acrosomal status 46.90% of the live spermatozoa with intact acrosomes. After sperm processing with BoviPure and Percoll the motility was 66.67 and 64.17%, the concentration was 25.50x10(6) and 27.67x10(6)spz/mL, the membrane activity was 53.78 and 56.58%, the membrane integrity was 70.85 and 68.76% of and the acrosomal status was 74.16 and 67.46% of the live spermatozoa with intact acrosomes, respectively. Percentages were referred to the total number of spermatozoa. There were significant differences (P<0.05) between the evaluated parameters before and after sperm processing for both separation protocols. We found no significant differences (P>0.05) regarding sperm evaluation parameters between the protocols. A total of 492 oocytes were matured and fertilized in vitro and cultured in SOFaaBSA in six replicates. The cleavage (D2) and blastocysts (D7) rate were significantly higher (P<0.05) for the BoviPure group compared to the Percoll group: 75.80 and 28.21%; 61.58 and 20.83%, respectively. However, the number of hatched blastocysts (D10) did not differ significantly between sperm separation protocols (P>0.05). Our results indicate that both protocols gave suitable sperm for IVF. This finding and the similarity between those two density gradient preparations suggests that BoviPure is a good alternative for sperm separation in bovine IVF.

Individual moral judgment and cultural ideologies.

Moral judgment cannot be reduced to cultural ideology, or vice versa. But when each construct is measured separately, then combined, the product predicts powerfully to moral thinking. In Study 1, 2 churches (N = 96) were selected for their differences on religious ideology, political identity, and moral judgment. By combining these 3 variables, a multiple correlation of .79 predicted to members' moral thinking (opinions on human rights issues). Study 2 replicated this finding in a secular sample, with the formula established in Study 1 (R = .77). Individual conceptual development in moral judgment and socialization into cultural ideology co-occur, simultaneously and reciprocally, in parallel, and not serially. Individual development in moral judgment provides the epistemological categories for cultural ideology, which in turn influences the course of moral judgment, to produce moral thinking (e.g., opinions about abortion, free speech).

A comparison of rectal palpation and ultrasonography for the evaluation of superovulatory response in beef heifers.

The superovulatory response was followed up in 14 beef heifers by rectal palpation and by ultrasonographic examinations of the 28 ovaries, on day 7 after superovulation induced with PMSG (ovulation = day 0). Using a B-mode ultrasound instrument (Aloka Echo Camera SSD-210-DX II) equipped with a 5 MHz linear transrectal transducer, ultrasonography was found to be more reliable than rectal palpation. A significantly higher number of follicles (P < or = 0.049) was identified by ultrasound scanning than by rectal palpation of the ovaries: follicles were more easily differentiated from cysts using ultrasonography, since each fluid-filled vesicle was accurately measured on the screen and presented on the echogram.