Weight Of Cotyledons Research Articles

Estimating of Birth Weight Using Placental Characteristics in The Presence of Multicollinearity

In this study, it was aimed to compare the performance of proposed estimators in the presence of multicollinearity that will be used in regression analysis as an alternative to Least Squares. Birth weight was estimated by using placental features such as sex, placental efficiency, total cotyledon numbers, large cotyledon weight, medium cotyledon weight, small cotyledon weight, large cotyledon number, medium cotyledon number, small cotyledon number, large cotyledon width, medium cotyledon width, small cotyledon width, large cotyledon length, medium cotyledon length, small cotyledon length, large cotyledon depth, medium cotyledon depth, small cotyledon depth for Bafra sheep breed. In the presence of multicollinearity, more reliable models can be obtained by using some estimator. The performances of the Ridge and Liu estimators, which are suggested methods for this situation, were compared. MSE, RMSE, rRMSE, MAPE, R2, and AIC were used as model comparison criteria. As a result of, in the presence of multicollinearity; Liu estimator is recommended as an alternative method to Least Squares.

Effect of insect-proof net house on flowering and seeds quality of cucumber (Cucumis sativus)

An experiment was carried out during kharif 2013-14 under insect proof net house and open field at Centre for Protected Cultivation Technology, IARI, New Delhi and CCR (PG) College, Muzaffarnagar (UP) in Cucumber cv. (Pant Sankar Khira-1). Opening of first female and male flower in seed and pollen parents (39.0 and 34.90 days) was significantly lower under insect proof net house compared to open field condition (44.15 and 41.37 days). The production of number of female and male flowers (25.42 and 36.57) in seed and pollen parents was significantly higher under insect proof net house compared to open field condition (8.81 and 18.16). Seed length was significantly higher under insect proof net house (11.32 cm) in compared to open field condition (10.36 cm). Seed width(mm), seed coat weight(mm), cotyledon weight(g) and 100 seeds weight(g) were also significantly higher under insect proof net house (4.11, 0.13, 0.13 and 3.48 respectively) than open field condition (3.39, 0.10, 0.14 and 2.59, respectively). The germination percentage, seedling length, vigour index I and II also exhibited the same trend being significantly higher under insect proof net house (87.21, 31.43 cm, 2825.54 and 11.08, respectively) compared to open field condition (82.02, 26.38 cm, 2224.83 and 7.62, respectively). Electrical conductivity was lower under insect proof net house (11.22) but higher in open field condition (12.03).

Physiochemical properties and nutritional profile of Mediterranean oak acorn

Oaks cover a vast area of Jordanian forests, and their fruit (named acorns) have good nutritional value. In this study, we investigated the physical, chemical, and nutritional characteristics of the acorns produced by three Jordanian oak species, Quercus aegilops (QA), Quercus infectoria (QI), and Quercus calliprinus (QC). The physicochemical (acorn length, weight; cupule weight, coat weight, cotyledon weight, coat weight percent, cotyledon weight percent and acorn volume) and nutritional quality (protein, fat, fiber, ash, carbohydrate, amino acid, fatty acid and mineral compostions) of the acorns from the three oak species were determined using standard procedures. The acorn of QA showed significantly greater values compared to QC for all physical characteristics assessed while QC exhibited the lowest values; QI presented intermediate values.The chemical composition of the three species showed that fat content varied from 8.18% to 8.99% and the crude fiber and the total carbohydrate content ranged from 3.27% to 3.86% and 76.20% to 81.43%, respectively According to obtained results, oak acorn can be considered a significant source of protein (9.54% for QC to 10.9% for QA). Oak acorncontained 18 known amino acids (AAs); with total essential amino acids (TEAA) levels in these oak species as 2307.9, 1699.1, and 2262.8 mg/100 g dry weight, respectively. The most abundant essential amino acid found varied between species: in QA it was leucine (446 mg/100 g dry weight), in QC it was arginine (526 mg/100 g dry weight), and in QI it was phenylalanine (395 mg/100 g dry weight). The ratio of TEAA to total amino acids (TAA) was 0.90: 0.50 and 0.79 for QA, QC and QI, respectively, which indicates that QA is the best species in terms of essential amino acid (EAA) proportion. The EAA scores showed that (phenylalanine + tyrosine) and (methionine + cysteine) were the most abundant AAs in oak acorns, while lysine and leucine were the most limited. The ratio of unsaturated fatty acids to saturated fatty acids in the acorn oil ranged from 3.45:1.00 to 3.93:1.00. Therefore, oak acorn oil may be considered healthy for a human diet. The most abundant minerals in decreasing order were K, P, Ca, Cl, S, Fe, and Mn. These results demonstrate that oak acorns from Jordan have great potential to be included in human feeding. Key words: Amino acids, Fatty acids, Nutritional value, Oak acorn, Quercus L

Responses of hypocotyl growth and seedling emergence with respect to soil sowing depth stress in peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.)

ABSTRACT Optimal sowing depth plays an important role in peanut’s stand establishment and yield. A field experiment was conducted to investigate sowing depths effects (3 cm, SD3; 5 cm, SD5; 7 cm, SD7; 9 cm, SD9; 11 cm, SD11; 13 cm, SD13; 15 cm, SD15) on soil environments, hypocotyl growth, endogenous hormones content, and pod yield. Both shallow- (3 cm) and deep-sowing (15 cm) treatments decreased the pod yield due to plant and pod number lowering that resulted from decreased seedling emergence rate (SER). SD3 treatment possessed less soil water content (SWC) that led to lowered SER. Soil penetration resistance (SPR) was significantly increased with sowing depths that resulted in SER decrease and delayed emergence time. Compared with the SD5 treatment, the SER was 15.7% and 16.6% lower in SD15 treatment in the 2017 and 2018 season, respectively. SD5 and SD15 took 111.1 and 161.5 day-degrees (°Cd), respectively; to attain maximum length. Further, sowing depth increase resulted in elevated cotyledon’s lipase activities, endogenous auxin (IAA) and gibberellin (GA3) contents, and hypocotyl dry weight. However, decreased cotyledon weight implied that hypocotyl growth of deep-sowing exhausted the stored nutrition by increasing endogenous GA3 and IAA, to sustain its emergence above the soil.

Effect of the mother tree age and acorn weight in the regenerative characteristics of Quercus faginea

The establishment of oak trees is often a slow and difficult process. Hence, it is necessary to determine the characteristics that can lead to improving their regeneration. In this genus, seed size is highly variable both at the interspecific and intraspecific levels, and the effects of intrapopulation variability are not well understood, being even less so for Quercus faginea. In this study, the effects of the age of the mother tree, seed weight and the interaction between these two factors on seed germination, emergence and growth (biomass) were analysed. For this purpose, 16 trees—8 young and 8 old—were selected with the intent to cover the entire range of acorn weights produced in this population. Among the main results, it should be noted that: (1) in older trees, it is easier to find larger acorns; (2) the percentage and the speed of germination of the acorns of young trees is greater than that of old trees; (3) the percentage and the speed of seedling emergence of young trees is greater than that of old trees; and (4) cotyledon weight is the variable that most influences biomass, quite often in a positive way. Therefore, maintaining intrapopulation variability seems to be an approach that most favours the persistence of these populations.

Resilience to drought in semi-desert sheep: Effects of water restriction during pregnancy on placental efficiency in the Awassi breed.

Assessing the resilience of Awassi sheep to water shortages during pregnancy, thereby investigating the effects of water scarcity on gestation efficiency in animals, could provide valuable and pertinent insight into future scenarios posed by climate change risks. In this study, 40 pregnant Awassi ewes randomly allocated to free watering group (C, n=20) received water ad libitum and the water restricted group (WR) received 50% less water than the amount provided to group C. Water restriction decreased (p<.05) lambs' birth weights, placental weights (PWs), and cotyledon numbers (CNs). Placental efficiency (PE) and cotyledon efficiency (CE) were significantly higher in the WR group (p<.05). A marked difference in cotyledon weight - an increase of 12.1% - was recorded in the C group. The body weights of the pregnant ewes in the WR group decreased significantly (p<.05) by 22% during pregnancy. Significant increases (p<.05) in plasma ADH, cholesterol, Cl- , and Na+ levels were observed in the WR group ewes, indicating intense dehydration. We conclude that the Awassi breed of sheep can endure 50% water restriction during pregnancy and maintain successful parturition, a key outcome for sustainability.

Exposure of magnetic waves stimulates rapid germination of soybean seeds by enzymatic regulation in cotyledons and embryonic axis

Abstract Magnetic field (MF) regulates several biological processes in living organisms including seed germination. This study was aimed to know the reason for rapid germination of MF pretreated soybean seeds by analyzing enzymatic changes in cotyledons and embryonic-axis. The fresh weight of cotyledons and embryonic-axis was gradually increased from 2 to 10 days, and their greater enhancement was observed in initial days of MF treated soybean. The activity of α-amylase was accelerated and nitrate-reductase was suppressed in both organs of seedlings exposed with MF. Acid and alkaline-phosphatase activities were initially decreased and later increased in embryonic-axis of MF treated seedlings, and nevertheless acid-phosphatase expression in MF cotyledons was declined. Hence, this is the first report of MF induced enzyme changes in germinating seeds, and the results of present study revealed that MF exposure regulates the expression of different enzymes, which play vital role to stimulate the rapid germination of soybean seeds.

Nutrition and fetal growth: paradoxical effects in the overnourished adolescent sheep

Inappropriate maternal nutrient intake at key developmental timepoints during ovine pregnancy has a profound influence on the outcome of pregnancy and aspects of postnatal productivity. However, the responses to alterations in maternal nutrition in adult sheep are often highly variable and inconsistent between studies. The growing adolescent sheep provides a new, robust and nutritionally sensitive paradigm with which to study the causes, consequences and reversibility of prenatal growth restriction. Overnourishing the adolescent dam to promote rapid maternal growth throughout pregnancy results in a major restriction in placental mass, and leads to a significant decrease in birthweight relative to moderately fed, normally growing adolescents of equivalent gynaecological age. Maternal insulin and IGF-I concentrations are increased from an early stage of gestation in overnourished adolescent dams and these hormones ensure that the anabolic drive required to promote maternal tissue synthesis is initiated at a time when the nutrient requirements of the gravid uterus are low. The major restriction in fetal growth in rapidly growing dams occurs irrespective of high concentrations of essential nutrients in the maternal circulation and suggests that the small size or altered metabolic and transport capacity of the placenta is the primary constraint to fetal growth. The decrease in placental weight in the overnourished animals reflects a significant reduction in both fetal cotyledon number and mean cotyledon weight. The role of nutritionally mediated alterations in progesterone and the components of the IGF system in this early pregnancy placental phenomenon are being investigated. Nutritional switch-over studies have demonstrated that reducing maternal nutrient intake at the end of the first third of pregnancy can stimulate placental growth and enhance pregnancy outcome, but increasing nutrient intake at this time has a deleterious effect on placental development and fetal growth.

Ergot alkaloid exposure during gestation alters. I. Maternal characteristics and placental development of pregnant ewes1

Tall fescue [Lolium arundinaceum (Scheyreb.) Darbysh] is the primary cool season forage grass in the Southeastern United States. Most tall fescue contains an endophytic fungus (Epichloë coenophiala) that produces ergot alkaloids and upon ingestion induces fescue toxicosis. The objective of this study was to assess how exposure to endophyte-infected (E+; 1.77 mg hd-1 d-1 ergovaline and ergovalinine) or endophyte-free (E-; 0 mg hd-1 d-1 ergovaline and ergovalinine) tall fescue seed fed during 2 stages of gestation (MID, days 35-85/LATE, days 86-133) alters placental development. Thirty-six, fescue naïve Suffolk ewes were randomly assigned to 1 of 4 fescue treatments: E-/E-, E-/E+, E+/E-, or E+/E+. Ewes were individually fed the same amount of E+ or E- seed mixed into total mixed ration during MID and LATE gestation. Terminal surgeries were conducted on day 133 of gestation. Ewes fed E+ fescue seed had elevated (P < 0.001) ergot alkaloid excretion and reduced (P < 0.001) prolactin levels during the periods when fed E+ seed. Ewes switched on day 86 from E- to E+ seed had a 4% reduction (P = 0.005) in DMI during LATE gestation, which translated to a 2% reduction (P = 0.07) in DMI overall. Average daily gain was also reduced (P = 0.049) by 64% for E-/E+ ewes during LATE gestation and tended to be reduced (P = 0.06) by 33% overall. Ewes fed E+ seed during LATE gestation exhibited a 14% and 23% reduction in uterine (P = 0.03) and placentome (P = 0.004) weights, respectively. Caruncle weights were also reduced by 28% (P = 0.003) for E-/E+ ewes compared with E-/E- and E+/E-. Ewes fed E+ seed during both MID and LATE gestation exhibited a 32% reduction in cotyledon (P = 0.01) weights, whereas ewes fed E+ seed only during MID gestation (E+/E-) had improved (P = 0.01) cotyledon weights. The percentage of type A placentomes tended to be greater (P = 0.08) for E+/E+ ewes compared with other treatments. Other placentome types (B, C, or D) did not differ (P > 0.05). Total fetal weight per ewe was reduced (P = 0.01) for ewes fed E+ seed during LATE gestation compared with E-; however, feeding E+ seed during MID gestation did not alter (P = 0.70) total fetal weight per ewe. These results suggest that exposure to ergot alkaloids during LATE (days 86-133) gestation has the greatest impact on placental development by reducing uterine and placentome weights. This, in turn, reduced total fetal weight per ewe by 15% in ewes fed E+ seed during LATE gestation (E-/E+ and E+/E+).

Progesterone promotes fetal growth in a restricted interspecies gestation (Ovis canadensis x Ovis aries)

Progesterone promotes foetal growth in a restricted interspecies gestation (Ovis canadensis × Ovis aries). Veterinaria México OA. 2018;5(3).Gestations between bighorn (Ovis canadensis) and domestic sheep (O. aries) can be considered for ex situ conservation of bighorn. In the first experiment, domestic sheep were inseminated with bighorn or domestic semen. Bighorn inseminated sheep showed lower fertility than domestic inseminated sheep (40% vs. 65%, p = 0.11). Bighorn inseminated sheep had longer gestation periods (152.13 days vs. 146.54 days, p &lt; 0.001) and lower progesterone levels during the last third. Hybrid lambs weighed less than domestic lambs (2.46 kg vs. 5.10 kg, p &lt; 0.001). Their placentas were not as long (48.67 cm vs. 72.17 cm, p &lt; 0.001), were less wide (17.83 cm vs. 23.83 cm, p &lt; 0.001), and the weight of cotyledons was lower (1.50 g vs. 3.20 g, p &lt; 0.001). In the second experiment, hybrid embryos (O. canadensis × O. aries) were transferred into domestic recipients, and pregnant ewes were divided into the treated group, which had a progesterone daily dose of 25 mg from weeks 7 to 20, and the non treated group. Gestation in domestic sheep that received one hybrid embryo and progesterone reached 152.60 days, which was similar to the 153.33 days (p = 0.51) in the non treated sheep. Hybrid offspring of the group treated with progesterone were heavier, 3.41 kg, than the control, 2.21 kg (p &lt; 0.001), and their placentas were longer (71.20 vs. 50.83 cm, p = 0.002). Although progesterone levels were lower in domestic females inseminated with bighorn and in the recipients of hybrid embryos, it is possible to establish pregnancies between both species and the birth of viable offspring. The administration of progesterone during gestation increases the length of the placenta and promotes higher birth weights of hybrids.Figure 1. Progesterone (ng/mL) in interspecies gestations (O. c. mexicana × O. aries, n = 6) and intraspecies gestations (O. aries × O. aries, n = 6).*Statistically different values (p &lt; 0.01).

Physiological and Structural Modifications in Snail Medic (Medicago scutellata L.) Plants Exposed to Salinity

Seeds of snail medic (Medicago scutellata L.) were assessed for their response to salt at the germination and seedling stages. NaCl at concentrations 86 and 170 mM decreased the final germination percentage. Embryonic axis length, water content and dry weight of embryonic axis and cotyledons were also reduced by salt treatment. Furthermore, 28-d-old plants were grown hydroponically with different NaCl concentrations (0, 86 and 170 mM). After 7 days of treatment, growth, water content and development of the different organs of M. scutellata plant were affected especially at the highest NaCl concentration (170 mM). However, NaCl did not affect root length and the number of stem shoots but reduced stem length and total leaf area. Salt treatment increased markedly the concentration of Na+ in leaf and root tissues while reduced that of K+ only in root and stem tissues. Lipid peroxidation revealed the damage of the membranes of roots and leaves. Moreover, showed a more intense suberization and lignification at the cambial zone of roots of M. scutellata, were observed under the effect of NaCl.

Correlation between gross morphology of the human placenta and birth weight in normotensive and pre-eclamptic pregnancies in Northwest Ethiopia

Objectives: The objective of this study was to investigate correlation of gross morphology of human placenta with birth weight in normotensive and pre-eclamptic pregnancies obtained from Bahir Dar, Northwest Ethiopia. Methods: Institutional based comparative cross-sectional study was carried out on 200 term placentas (37 to 42 weeks of gestation) between October and January 2015. 150 placentas from normotensive and 50 from pre-eclamptic pregnancies were collected and examined for weight, diameter, thickness and number of cotyledon. Birth weight and placental-fetal weight ratio also measured. Results: The mean birth weight in pre-eclamptic pregnancies (2.6 kg) was significantly (p=0.0001) reduced as compared to birth weight (3.1 kg) in normotensive pregnancies. However, placental-fetal weight ratio had no significant (p=0.658) difference between normotensive (6.34:1) and pre-eclamptic (6.41:1) groups. Birth weight was correlated with placental weight (r=0.572), diameter (r=0.583), thickness (r=0.192) and number of cotyledons (r=0.647) in the pre-eclamptic group. Birth weight was also correlated with placental weight (r=0.572), diameter (r=0.583), and number of cotyledons (r=0.647) in the normotensive group. However, no correlation was found between placental thickness (r=0.192) and birth weight in the normotensive group. Conclusion: Birth weight was significantly reduced in pre-eclamptic pregnancies as compared to normotensive pregnancies. Morphology of placenta such as weight, diameter and number of cotyledons were correlated with birth weight in both groups, but placental thickness was only correlated with birth weight in pre-eclampsia, but not in normotensive group. Placental-fetal weight ratio had not significant difference between the groups. Examination of placental morphology prenatally using ultrasound and observation immediately after delivery is important for better management of this and subsequent pregnancies.

Some Biological Characteristics and Prediction of Sheep Productivity at Different Variants of Breed Selection

The paper presents the findings on the morpho structural diversity of sheep placenta, depending on such factors as age, exterior and physique characteristics, breeds, ewes prolificacy that are fundamental in assessing progeny viability. The experiment involved the ewes of the Caucasian and North Caucasian meet-and-wool breeds inseminated by the rams of the same breeds as well as the Texel, Poll Dorset, Edilbay and their progeny. The biomaterial for the research was the placenta and blood of the experimental animals. Ewes aged 2.5 and 3.5 years had the lightest placenta – 165 and 172 gr, ewes aged 4.5 and 5.5 years had the heaviest placenta – 230 and 247 gr. It has been also determined that the most favourable age for gestation in ewes is 4.5-5.5 years. Interrelation of the placenta morphostructural parameters (placenta weight, the number and size of cotyledons) and the lambs live weight and productivity has been established. This allows us to view placenta as a bioscopic material for assessing and prediction of future sheep productivity at early age.

Morphological characteristics of foetal membranes of swamp buffaloes of Assam

The present investigation was undertaken to study the morphological characteristics of foetal membrane of swamp buffaloes of Assam. Animals were calved normally and no cases of retention of placenta were recorded. The average expulsion time, weight, length, width and number of cotyledons of foetal membranes were 241.20+ 22.05 minutes, 3.47+0.12 kg, 171.87+2.99 cm, 30.83+ 0.73 cm and 114.83+ 5.56 respectively. A highly significant (P&lt;0.01) positive correlation between birth weight of the calf and weight and width of the foetal membranes and a significant (P&lt;0.05) positive correlation between birth weight and number of small cotyledons of foetal membranes were recorded in the present study. There was no significant effect of parity on various characteristics of foetal membranes except the number of large cotyledons. The number of large cotyledons was significantly (P&lt;0.05) higher in animals of third to fifth lactation than in animals of first and second lactation. The sex of calves had no significant effect on various characteristics of foetal membranes.

Evidence for placental compensation in cattle

Prenatal development is known to be extremely sensitive to maternal and environmental challenges. In this study, we hypothesize that body growth and lactation during gestation in cattle reduce nutrient availability for the pregnant uterus, with consequences for placental development. Fetal membranes of 16 growing heifers and 27 fully grown cows of the Belgian Blue (BB) breed were compared to determine the effect of body growth on placental development. Furthermore, the fetal membranes of 49 lactating Holstein Friesian (HF) cows and 27 HF heifers were compared to study the impact of dam lactation compared to dam body growth. After parturition, calf birth weight and body measurements of dam and calf were recorded, as well as weight of total fetal membranes, cotyledons and intercotyledonary membranes. All cotyledons were individually measured to calculate both the surface of each individual cotyledon and the total cotyledonary surface per placenta. Total cotyledonary surface was unaffected by breed or the breed×parity interaction. Besides a 0.3 kg lower cotyledonary weight (P=0.007), heifer placentas had a smaller total cotyledonary surface compared with placentas of cows (0.48±0.017 v. 0.54±0.014 m2, respectively, P<0.001). Within the BB breed, fetal membranes of heifers had a 1.5 kg lower total weight and 1.0 kg lower intercotyledonary membrane weight (P<0.005) compared with cows. A cotyledon number of only 91±5.4 was found in multiparous BB dams, while growing BB heifers had a higher cotyledon number (126±6.7, P<0.001), but a greater proportion of smaller cotyledons (<40 cm2). Within the HF breed, no parity effect on intercotyledonary membrane weight, cotyledon number and individual cotyledonary surface was found. Placental efficiency (calf weight/total cotyledonary surface) was similar in HF and BB heifers but significantly higher in multiparous BB compared with multiparous HF dams (106.0±20.45 v. 74.3±12.27 kg/m2, respectively, P<0.001). Furthermore, a seasonal effect on placental development was found, with winter and spring placentas having smaller cotyledons than summer and fall placentas (P<0.001). Main findings of the present study are that lactation and maternal growth during gestation entail a comparable nutrient diverting constraint, which might alter placental development. However, results suggest that the placenta is able to manage this situation through two potential compensation mechanisms. In early pregnancy the placenta might cope by establishing a higher number of cotyledons, while in late gestation a compensatory expansion of the cotyledonary surface is suggested to meet the nutrient demand of the fetus.

Intravenous maternal -arginine administration to twin-bearing ewes during late pregnancy enhances placental growth and development.

This study aimed to investigate if intravenous maternal Arg administration to well-fed twin-bearing ewes, from 100 to 140 d of gestation or birth, could enhance placental development and placental nutrient transport. Ewes received intravenous infusions of saline (control) or 345 μmol Arg HCl/kg of BW 3 times daily from d 100 of pregnancy (P100) to d 140 of pregnancy (P140; cohort 1) or from P100 to birth (cohort 2). At P140, ewes in cohort 1 were euthanized and individual placentae per fetus were dissected and placentomes were classed per type (A to D) and size (light to heavy). Placentome number and individual weight were recorded. As an indicator of placental nutrient transport, blood plasma was collected from the uterine ovarian vein (UOV), uterine artery (UA), and umbilical vein and artery at the time of euthanasia and analyzed for metabolites and free AA concentrations. The ewes in cohort 2 were allowed to lamb and lambs were weighed at birth. The expelled placenta was dissected and number of cotyledons and weights of total cotyledons, remaining fetal membranes, and total placenta were recorded. At P140, Arg-infused ewes had a 63% ( = 0.03) greater number of unoccupied caruncles than control ewes. No differences were observed for placental weight at P140. At birth, lambs from Arg-infused ewes tended to have 11% ( = 0.09) greater placental weight and 34% ( = 0.03) greater total cotyledon weight compared with control lambs. Arginine-infused ewes (Arg-infused) had increased concentrations of Arg ( = 0.0001) and ornithine (Orn; = 0.004) but decreased concentrations of Met ( = 0.01) and His ( = 0.02 and = 0.09, respectively) compared with control ewes in plasma UOV and UA. Fetuses from Arg-infused ewes had increased concentrations of Orn ( = 0.005) and decreased concentrations of His ( = 0.006), Met ( = 0.003), and Lys ( = 0.01) but no differences in Arg ( > 0.10) concentrations were found compared with control fetuses in umbilical artery and vein plasma. This study showed that maternal Arg administration of well-fed twin-bearing ewes during late pregnancy tended to improve placental growth and development.

Effect of temperature on biomass allocation in seedlings of two contrasting genotypes of the oilseed crop Ricinus communis

Ricinus communis is becoming an important crop for oil production, and studying the physiological and biochemical aspects of seedling development may aid in the improvement of crop quality and yield. The objective of this study was to assess the effect of temperature on biomass allocation in two R. communis genotypes. Biomass allocation was assessed by measuring dry weight of roots, stems, and cotyledons of seedlings grown at three different temperatures. Root length of each seedling was measured. Biomass allocation was strongly affected by temperature. Seedlings grown at 25°C and 35°C showed greater biomass than seedlings grown at 20°C. Cotyledon and stem dry weight increased for both genotypes with increasing temperature, whereas root biomass allocation showed a genotype-dependent behavior. Genotype MPA11 showed a continuous increase in root dry weight with increasing temperature, while genotype IAC80 was not able to sustain further root growth at higher temperatures. Based on metabolite and gene expression profiles, genotype MPA11 increases its level of osmoprotectant molecules and transcripts of genes encoding for antioxidant enzymes and heat shock proteins to a higher extent than genotype IAC80. This might be causal for the ability to maintain homeostasis and support root growth at elevated temperatures in genotype MPA11.

Transplacental transfer of 2-naphthol in human placenta

ObjectiveTo determine the transfer of 2-naphthol (2-NPH) in fullterm human placental tissues. MethodsSix placentas were studied. The ex-vivo dual closed-loop human placental cotyledon perfusion model was used. 2-NPH was added to the perfusate in the maternal compartment. Samples were obtained from the maternal and fetal up to 360min measuring. ResultsThe mean fetal weight was 2880±304.2g. Mean perfused cotyledon weight was 26.3 (±5.5)g. All unperfused placental tissue samples contained NPH with a mean level of 7.98 (±1.73)μg\\g compared to a mean of 15.58 (±4.53)μg\\g after 360min perfusion. A rapid drop in maternal 2-NPH concentration was observed; from 5.54μg\\g in the first 15min and 13.8μg\\g in 360min. The fetal side increased from 0.65μg\\g in the initial 15min to 1.5μg\\g in 360min. The transfer rate of NPH was much lower than that of antipyrine. Conclusion2-NPH has the ability to rapidly across the placenta from the maternal to the fetal compartment within 15min. The placenta seems to play a role in limiting the passage of 2-NPH in the fetal compartment.

Relationship between placental traits and birth related factors in Damascus goats

The relationship between placental traits and litter related factors of Damascus goats were investigated. In total, 39 Damascus goats of same age were used in the study. One-way ANOVA was used for statistical comparison and a Poisson regression analysis was used to determine the effect of litter size and sex on cotyledon number. Pearson correlation co-efficient was used to determine the relationships between variables. Cotyledon efficiency (CE), cotyledon number (CN), number of small, medium and large cotyledons, cotyledon density (CD), individual cotyledon surface area and litter weight have been determined significant for litter size (p<0.05). A positive correlation was revealed between placental weight (PW) individual cotyledon weight (ICW) (r=0.88, P<0.05), cotyledon weight (CW) (r=0.64, P<0.05), large cotyledons number (LCN) (r=0.54, P<0.05), also between birth weight (BW) and PW (r=0.47, P<0.05) and litter weight (LW) (r=0.38, P<0.01). CW was negatively correlated with CD (r=−0.55, P<0.05) and placental efficiency (PE) (r=−0.82, P<0.05). PW and PE were found highest in twin births. Single kids at an average of 4704±147g were born heavier than twin kids (4315±333g). While CW did not differ between single and twin births ICW was much higher (double) for twins. Sex had no effect on CN (P>0.05); however litter size was found significant according to Poisson regression results. The most important finding of this study was the significant variance in cotyledon numbers between single and twin births. There was a notable increase of small and medium cotyledon numbers and a significant decrease of large cotyledons for single births while the exact opposite occurred for twin births. This significant correlation initiated to a new parameter for measuring the efficiency of placental exchange.

Placental traits and their relation with birth weight in Meriz and Black goats

At a commercial farm of goat, Duhok province, Kurdistan Region, Iraq, the relationship between placental traits and birth weight of kids together with some factors affecting these traits were investigated in this study. A total of 79 foetal placental delivered at normal kidding were collected from Black goat (n=33) and Meriz (n=46). The results revealed that neither breed of goat nor sex had a significant effect on all placental traits. A positive correlation between birth weight (BW) of kids and each of placental efficiency (PE) ( r =0.38; P ≤0.01), placental weight (PW) ( r = 0.01, P ≥0.05), cotyledon weight (CW) ( r = 0.08, P ≥0.05) was found, and a non significant negative correlations was noticed between BW and each of cotyledon number (CN) ( r = -0.05, P ≥0.05), and cotyledon density (CD) ( r = -0.12, P ≥0.05). PW is positively correlated with the CW ( r = 0.73, P ≤0.01) and CN ( r = 0.41, P ≤0.01) and negatively correlated with PE ( r = 0.80, P ≤0.01) and CD ( r = -0.46, P ≤0.01). Results showed a significant positive correlation between placental efficiency and each of birth weight of kids and cotyledon density.