Organic Zn and Cu interaction impact on sexual behaviour, semen characteristics, hormones and spermatozoal gene expression in bucks (Capra hircus).

The reproductive performance during the transition from prepubertal to pubertal stage was evaluated in Osmanabadi breed bucks supplemented with organic Zinc (Zn) and Copper (Cu). A total number of 40 bucks aged 20 weeks were randomly assigned to 10 groups (each n = 4). The control group was maintained with basal diet, without any additional mineral supplementation. The treatment groups were supplemented with graded doses of organic Zn (Zn 20 mg, Zn 40 mg and Zn 60 mg), Cu (Cu 12.5 mg, Cu 25 mg and Cu 37.5 mg) and a combination of Zn + Cu (Zn 20 mg + Cu 12.5 mg, Zn 40 mg + Cu 25 mg and Zn 60 mg + Cu 37.5 mg), respectively for a period of 26 weeks (up to the age of 46 weeks). Sexual behaviour and scrotal biometry were recorded periodically. Blood and semen samples were collected and processed for LH estimation in blood plasma, and testosterone, T3 and T4 hormones in the seminal plasma. The mounts with ejaculation were observed earlier (P < 0.05) in the treatment bucks (from 38th week of age) than the control group (43rd week onwards). A positive correlation was observed between blood plasma LH and testosterone with total mounts (r = 0.31, P < 0.05; r = 0.51, P < 0.01) and mounts without ejaculation (r = 0.40, P < 0.01; r = 0.52, P < 0.01). A negative correlation between T4 with sperm number per ejaculation (r = -0.31, P < 0.05) and sperm concentration (r = -0.35, P < 0.05) had been noticed. Different doses of minerals showed positive interaction (P < 0.05) with sperm functional and behavioural characteristics. The spermatozoal gene expression of ODF2 and ZCCHC6 were significantly influenced by the mineral supplementation in all doses. The ZCCHC6 gene expression was positively correlated with testosterone (r = 0.50, P < 0.001) and sperm number per ejaculation (r = 0.42, P < 0.001), and ODF2 gene with T3 hormone (r = 0.34, P < 0.05). The present study indicates that the diet supplemented with organic trace minerals cause intense sexual behaviour, enhancement in sperm number per ejaculate, total motility, spermatozoal genes expression and altered LH, testosterone and T4 hormones.

Relationship of organic mineral supplementation and spermatozoa/white blood cells mRNA in goats.

The antioxidant properties and the protective role of organic zinc (Zn) and copper (Cu) in white blood cells (WBCs) and spermatozoa were analyzed through quantification of superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPx4) and nuclear factor erythroid 2-like 2 (NFE2L2) and correlations were determined with sperm functional characteristics in Osmanabadi bucks. Bucks (aged 5 months; n = 40) were divided into ten groups, and the dietary treatments comprised of a control and nine treatment groups as follows: organic Zn as Zn 20, Zn 40 and Zn 60, organic Cu as Cu 12.5, Cu 25, Cu 37.5 and combined organic Zn and Cu as Zn 20+Cu 12.5, Zn 40+Cu 25, Zn 60+Cu 37.5, respectively per kg dry matter for a period of 8 months. The blood (120 and 240 days) and semen (240 days: 40 × 4 = 160) samples were collected from 40 bucks. In WBCs: the relative abundance of mRNA for SOD1, CAT, GPx4, NFE2L2 was greater (P < 0.05) in (120 and 240 days) in majority of the mineral supplemented animals. In spermatozoa: the relative abundance of SOD1, NFE2L2, GPx4 and CAT mRNA was greater (P < 0.05) in selected treatment groups. The abundance of SOD1 mRNA in WBCs was positively correlated (P < 0.05) with sperm mass motility (r = 0.692, P = 0.027). The abundance of GPx4 mRNA was negatively correlated (P < 0.05) with type A sperm (straightness; STR) > 85% and amplitude of lateral head displacement (ALH) > 2.5 µm/ s) (r = -0.711, P = 0.021) and (P < 0.05) positively correlated with sperm viability (r = 0.669, P = 0.035). Organic Zn and Cu supplementation was associated with an increase in the expression of antioxidant defense enzyme genes in bucks.

Advancement of puberty and enhancement of seminal characteristics by supplementation of trace minerals to bucks.

Attainment of puberty in animals is dependent on their age, body weight, nutritional status, genetic and environmental conditions. Nutritionally, organic minerals are suggested to improve semen production, sperm motility and male fertility. In this context, role of organic zinc (Zn) and copper (Cu) in advancing male puberty and semen characters in Osmanabadi goats were studied. Forty one (n = 41) bucks (Aged 5 months) were divided into ten groups and the dietary treatments comprised of a control group (basal diet; without additional trace mineral supplementation) and nine treatment groups that received, in addition to the basal diet, various doses of trace minerals (mg) on per kg dry matter basis, organic Zn as low Zn20, medium Zn40 and high Zn60, organic Cu as low Cu12.5, medium Cu25, high Cu37.5 and combination of organic Zn + Cu as low Zn20 + Cu12.5, medium Zn40 + Cu25, high Zn60 + Cu37.5, respectively fed for a period of 8 months. Bucks fed organic trace minerals reached puberty 28-35 days earlier than control group. In addition, improvement (P < .01) in testosterone hormone (ng/ml) levels (control: 1.63 ± 0.07 VS Zn60: 2.54 ± 0.02; Cu12.5: 6.17 ± 0.05; Cu25: 3.01 ± 0.04; Cu37.5: 2.39 ± 0.06; Zn20 + Cu12.5: 1.94 ± 0.02; Zn60 + Cu37.5: 2.44 ± 0.16 at 240 days), semen production capacity (sperm concentration, volume, mass motility) and semen quality (higher progressive motility, velocity, sperm membrane integrity and acrosome integrity) were observed in supplemented groups (P < .05) than the control bucks. The present study demonstrated that, additional feeding of organic Zn and Cu to growing male goats advanced onset of puberty and improved quantitative and qualitative semen characteristics. The results also implied that the organic Cu had a significant effect on overall performances of bucks as compared to Zn alone or Zn and Cu in combination.

3-(6-Methyl-2-pyrid-yl)-2-phen-oxy-3,4-dihydro-1,3,2-benzoxaza-phosphirine 2-oxide.

In the title compound, C(19)H(17)N(2)O(3)P, the six-membered 1,3,2-oxaza-phospho-rine ring adopts a twist-boat conformation with the phosphoryl O atom in an equatorial position. The P=O(oxide) bond length is 1.457 (1) Šand the average value of the P-O distances is 1.588 Å. The crystal structure is stabilized by C-H⋯O and C-H⋯π inter-actions.

2-(2,6-Dimethoxy-phen-yl)-5-hydr-oxy-7-meth-oxy-4H-1-benzopyran-4-one.

In the title compound, C(18)H(16)O(6), the dimethoxy-phenyl ring is rotated by 61.8 (1)° from the plane of the benzopyran system. The mol-ecule is stabilized by an intra-molecular O-H⋯O hydrogen bond.

4-(4-Chloro-phen-yl)-5-phenyl-isoxazole.

The title compound, C(15)H(10)ClNO, is a functionalized isoxazole with a chloro-phenyl and a phenyl substitutent. The mean plane of the isoxazole ring is inclined to those of the two benzene ring mean planes by 38.32 (16) and 43.91 (18)°.

Diethyl [(5-chloro-2-hydroxy-anilino)(4-chloro-phen-yl)meth-yl]phospho-nate.

In the title compound, C(17)H(20)Cl(2)NO(4)P, the P atom is bonded in a distorted tetra-hedral environment. The dihedral angle between the two benzene rings is 80.5 (1)°. In the crystal structure, inter-molecular O-H⋯O and N-H⋯O hydrogen bonds link pairs of mol-ecules into centrosymmetric dimers. These dimers, are in turn, linked by weak inter-molecular C-H⋯O hydrogen bonds into one-dimensional chains along [010]. Additional stabilization is provided by very weak C-H⋯Cl inter-actions.

3-(6-Methyl-2-pyrid-yl)-2-phenyl-3,4-dihydro-1,3,2-benzoxaza-phosphinine 2-oxide.

In the title compound, C(19)H(17)N(2)O(2)P, the six-membered 1,3,2-oxaza-phosphinine ring adopts a boat conformation with the phosphoryl O atom in an equatorial position. The dihedral angle between the 6-methyl-2-pyridyl and phenyl groups is 75.5 (1)°. These substituents are trans to each other, and are oriented at angles of 57.2 (1) and 74.8 (1)°, respectively, to the benzene ring. The crystal structure is stabilized by intra- and inter-molecular hydrogen bonds. The phosphoryl O atom participates in inter-molecular C-H⋯O inter-actions with the neighbouring mol-ecules, forming centrosymmetric R(2) (2)(14) dimers.

6-Bromo-2-(4-nitro-phen-oxy)-3-(1-phenyl-ethyl)-3,4-dihydro-1,3,2-benzoxaza-phosphinine 2-oxide.

In the title compound, C(21)H(18)BrN(2)O(5)P, the six-membered oxaza-phosphinine ring is in a twist-boat conformation. One of the phosphoryl O atoms is in an equatorial configuation while the other is axial with respect to the oxaza-phosphinine ring. The mean planes of the benzene ring to which the nitro group is attached and the phenyl ring form a dihedral angle of 83.5 (1)°. In the crystal structure, weak inter-molecular C-H⋯O hydrogen bonds link the mol-ecules into chains along [100].

(E)-3-[2-(4-Chloro-phenyl-sulfon-yl)vin-yl]-6-methyl-4H-chromen-4-one.

In the title compound, C(18)H(13)ClO(4)S, the mean planes of the chloro-phenyl ring and the S-C=C-C chain are oriented at angles of 52.7 (2) and 51.3 (2)°, respectively, with respect to the sulfonyl (O=S=O) plane. The dihedral angle between the mean planes of the chloro-phenyl group and the benzopyran ring is 80.7 (1)°. The crystal structure is stabilized by two inter-molecular C-H⋯O inter-actions, forming centrosymmetrc dimers, which are linked via a second C-H⋯O inter-action into a chain structure.

2-Bromo-1,2-diphenylethenyl 4-methyl-phenyl sulfoxide.

In the title compound, C(21)H(17)BrO(2)S, the two phenyl rings attached to the ethene group are oriented at dihedral angles of 76.19 (10) and 57.99 (8)° with respect to the Br-C=C-S plane [r.m.s. deviation 0.003 Å]. The sulfonyl-bound phenyl ring forms a dihedral angle of 83.26 (8)° with the above plane. The crystal structure is stabilized by weak C-H⋯π inter-actions.

Diethyl [(4-bromo-phen-yl)(5-chloro-2-hydroxy-anilino)meth-yl]phospho-nate.

In the title compound, C(17)H(20)BrClNO(4)P, inter-molecular C-H⋯O and N-H⋯O hydrogen bonds form centrosymmetric R(2) (2)(10) dimers linked through O-H⋯O inter-molecular hydrogen bonds, which form centrosymmetric R(2) (2)(16) dimers. All these hydrogen bonds form chains along [010]. In addition, the crystal structure is stabilized by weak C-H⋯Br hydrogen bonds. The very weak intramolecular N-H⋯O interaction forms a five-membered ring.

2,4,8,10,13-Penta-methyl-6-phenyl-13,14-dihydro-12H-6λ-dibenzo[d,i][1,3,7,2]dioxaza-phosphecin-6-thione.

In the title compound, C(25)H(28)NO(2)PS, the cyclo-decene ring exhibits a crown conformation. The two dimethyl-benzene rings which are fused symmetrically on either side of the ten-membered ring, make dihedral angles of 20.2 (1) and 18.0 (1)°. The phenyl ring substituted at P is perpendicular to the heterocyclic ring, making a dihedral angle of 88.4 (1)°. The crystal structure is stabilized by very weak intra-molecular C-H⋯O hydrogen bonding.

Acetylated pseudoguaianolides from Parthenium hysterophorus and their cytotoxic activity.

Chemical examination of the flowers of Parthenium hysterophorus has resulted in the isolation of four acetylated pseudoguaianolides along with several known constituents. The structures of the compounds were derived from detailed studies of their spectral (1D and 2D NMR and FABMS) data and by comparison of the values with those of parthenin, a major known constituent of the plant. The cytotoxic activity of parthenin and the constituents was evaluated using Jurkat (human: T lymphocyte; acute T cell leukemia), HL-60 (human leukemia) and Hela (human cervical carcinoma) cells.