Fertilization Of Eggs Research Articles

Comparison of different freezing techniques, extenders, and cryoprotectants on quality and fertility of cryopreserved Salmo trutta f. fario sperm

There is still a lack of standardized methodology in the cryopreservation of Salmo trutta f. fario sperm. Thus, the present study was designed to compare current freezing protocols to improve and as well as to examine the post-thaw quality and fertilizing ability of cryopreserved sperm in Salmo trutta f. fario. Sperm samples were diluted at a 1:10 ratio in one of three extenders (Alsever’s solution, glucose-based, and ionic-based) containing four types of cryoprotectant (DMSO, DMA, MeOH, glycerol) at 10% concentration and frozen in 0.1 mL pellets on surface of the dry ice (solid carbon dioxide, 79°C) or in 0.25 mL straws 2 cm above of the liquid nitrogen (LN2) surface at a rate of ~30°C for 10 min.1 before storage in a mL cryotank (-196°C). The frozen sperm cells in straws and pellets were thawed in a water bath at 25°C for 30 s and at 20°C for 6 s respectively. Fertilization was carried out using a ratio of 5x105 sperm/egg in both freezing methods. The glucose-based solution including glycerol produced the highest post-thaw progressive motility (62.5 ± 1.24%), motility duration (57.2 ± 0.46 s), and viability (56.4 ± 1.57%) (p < 005) in the straw method. In breeding trials, similarly, sperm frozen-thawed with the glucose-based solution including glycerol produced the highest fertilization (54.2 ± 0.36%) and hatching (30.6 ± 0.28%) in the straw method. Fresh sperm used as control produced 82.6 ± 0.45% and 78.4 ± 1.27% fertilization and hatching respectively. It was concluded that sperm frozen in straws produced higher post-thaw sperm motility and fertility of eggs than those frozen in pellets. Also, the results suggest using of glycerol-supplemented glucose solution because of producing better results in both freezing techniques.

Impacts of Diet on Reproductive Performance of Captive American Alligators (Alligator mississippiensis).

Historically, there has been little success with the captive breeding of American alligators (Alligator mississippiensis) for both commercial and conservative purposes. This study, conducted at Golden Ranch in Gheens, LA, between 2016 and 2022, utilized a newly formulated commercial feed and practical dietary supplementation (crawfish waste products) to enhance egg production, fertility, and hatch rates. The primary focus of this study was to compare the outcome of this captive breeding program at Golden Ranch with a program conducted at Rockefeller Refuge (RR) between 1979 and 1984. Notable success was achieved in terms of reproductive performance in comparison to the captive breeding program conducted at Rockefeller Refuge. In this study, 16.1 hatchlings were produced per nest on Golden Ranch from captive breeders. Additionally, when wild nests from Golden Ranch were incubated in the same controlled environmental chambers, they produced an average of 16.3 hatchlings per nest. This comparison emphasizes the similarity in egg production between captive-bred A. mississippiensis and their wild counterparts. The findings of this study suggest that a closed farming system for A. mississippiensis can be established by employing captive breeders derived from artificially incubated wild eggs. Furthermore, American alligators raised in controlled environmental chambers during their initial three years of life demonstrated adaptability to captive conditions and tolerated stocking rates associated with farming conditions and served as breeding stock.

Physiological, Haematological And Production Characteristics Of Pheasants In Different Rearing Conditions

Summary This paper presents a physiological, hematological, and biochemical study of the impact of different rearing conditions on pheasant production outcomes and mortality rates in both the pheasant parent flock and pheasant chicks up to 6 weeks old. Pheasant breeding holds significance within hunting activities and meat production for the food market due to its high biological and nutritive value. Pheasant meat contains high-quality proteins, minerals, essential unsaturated fatty acids, and boasts a low-fat percentage. The quality of pheasant meat derived from natural habitats holds a higher biological value compared to that of pheasants raised on farms, featuring higher water, protein, and calcium contents, and a lower fat percentage. The dry mass of breast muscles from farm-reared birds contains more protein and less fat when compared to drumstick muscles. Notably, during the egg-laying period, alterations in hematological parameters linked to oxygen transport, decreased erythropoiesis, and increased values in white blood cell parameters were observed. Changes in blood biochemical parameters signify increased energy requirements in pheasant hens during egg laying, as well as heightened transportation of minerals, proteins, and cholesterol, which accumulate in the eggshell, albumen, and yolk. The elevated metabolic requirements in pheasant hens manifest significantly through increased levels of cholesterol, uric acid, lactates, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), calcium, and phosphorus. Simultaneously, there is a noteworthy decrease in plasma total proteins, albumins, glucose, and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) concentrations. Several challenges persist throughout all production stages, leading to reduced egg yield, compromised egg quality and fertility, as well as increased mortality rates. These issues stem from factors such as high population density, an inappropriate male-to-female sex ratio, inadequate nutrition, and insufficient assessment of the biological quality of hatching eggs.

Hubungan Kualitas Pelayanan Terhadap Kepuasaan Ibu dalam Menggunakan Alat Kontrasepsi di Klinik Siloam Kecamatan Siantar Barat Kotapematangsiantar Tahun 2023

Satisfaction is a person who has compared in terms of performance and also the expected results through the level of a person's feelings. In another theory written by Wilton, it is stated that satisfaction or dissatisfaction is the result of the final evaluation of the customer's response, namely the suitability that has been felt by the customer with the expected performance of the product that can be felt after the customer uses it. (Abarca 2021) Family planning is an effort by husband and wife to measure the desired number and distance. The effort in question includes contraception or pregnancy prevention and family planning. The basic principle of contraceptive methods is to prevent male sperm from reaching and fertilizing a woman's egg (fertilization) or preventing a fertilized egg from implanting (attaching) and developing in the uterus (Th. Endang Purwoastuti, 2016).From a preliminary survey in January 2023 at the Siloam Clinic, West Siantar District, Pematangsiantar City, 20 women of childbearing age were found, of whom 7 people expressed dissatisfaction with contraceptive services. Based on the background description, researchers are interested in taking the title The Relationship between Service Quality and Mother's Satisfaction in Using IUD Contraception at the Siloam Clinic, West Siantar District, Pematangsiantar City in 2023

Influence of Storage Time on the DNA Integrity and Viability of Spermatozoa of the Spider Crab Maja brachydactyla.

Natural populations of the spider crab Maja brachydactyla constitute a fishery resource of great economic importance in many countries. As in the rest of eubrachyurans, the females of this species have ventral-type seminal receptacles where they store sperm from copulations. Sperm can be stored in these structures for months and even years before egg fertilisation, with the consequent degradation of the sperm cells during the time. In this work, we analyse the viability and the possible genetic damage in sperm accumulated in the seminal receptacles of M. brachydactyla females as a function of the storage time (from 0 to 14 months) using the comet assay technique. On one hand, we developed an algorithm for comet image analysis that improves the comet segmentation compared with the free software Open comet v1.3.1 (97% vs. 76% of detection). In addition, our software allows the manual modification of the contours wrongly delimited via the automatic tool. On the other hand, our data show a sharp decline in sperm viability and DNA integrity in the first four months of storage, which could lead to a decrease in the fecundity rate and/or viability of the embryos or larvae from the second and third clutches of the annual cycle if the repair capacity in these gametic cells is low.

Early-stage fertilization detection in pigeon eggs during incubation using improved lightweight model

Early detection of fertilized and unfertilized eggs in the early stage of poultry egg hatching can improve economic efficiency by saving space, reducing costs, and obtaining unfertilized egg values earlier. As such, detecting early hatching information of breeding eggs is crucial in the poultry industry. This paper proposes an improved Mov3-CapNet lightweight model combined with machine vision for accurate, fast and non-destructive discrimination of pigeon breeder egg fertilization. The model is based on the MobileNetV3, with some SE (Squeeze-and-Excitation) modules replaced by DFC (Coupled Full Connected) modules, the classification layer replaced with CapProNet (Capsule Projection Network) and part of the original channel extension layer censored. The experiments use an industrial camera to collect high-definition images of breeder eggs from day 1 to day 4, which are then preprocessed with data augmentation methods. The improved Mov3-CapNet lightweight network is trained and detected, achieving 95.54 % accuracy on day 1, 98.85 % accuracy on day 2, 99.73 % accuracy on day 3, and 100 % accuracy on day 4. The average detection time of a single sample using CPU and GPU is 30 ms and 0.7822 ms, respectively. This study has practical application significance for accurate, fast and nondestructive determination of pigeon breeder egg fertilization.

Biological Properties of the Siberian Pine’s Seeds

A study of the biological properties of the Siberian pine (Pinus sibirica Du Tour) seeds was carried out. Four seed categories were used in the work, differing in size: large (11–14 mm in length), medium (9–10 mm), small (7–8 mm) and very small seeds (6 mm). The seeds quality study using the X-ray and the histochemical analyses showed that the size of the seeds can indicate their defectiveness. Fractions of small and very small seeds of Siberian pine turned out to be completely sterile, most of the seeds of large and medium fractions were viable. Cytoembryological studies have shown that in trees that form empty and underdeveloped seeds (fractions of medium and large seeds), disturbances in the embryological structures development can be observed. These disturbances take place at the stage of gametophytogenesis and the archegonia development. In trees with large seeds, gametogenesis proceeds without deviations, four archegonia are formed in the ovules, and polyembryonic seeds are formed (up to 16 embryos in the germinal canal). In Siberian pine trees with a one-year reproductive cycle, the seed size varies from very small to large. In these trees, the development of the female gametophyte is completed and archegonia are formed. However, in the ovules of trees with a one-year reproductive cycle, fertilization of eggs does not occur and seeds without an embryo are formed. During the period of stratification (four months), in most seeds of the medium and large fractions the intraseed, growth of the embryo was completely completed. In in vitro culture on MS medium with a low concentration of hormones, the growth of the germinal axis was carried out in seven days of cultivation. The embryos germinated successfully. Thus, based on experiments on the Siberian pine embryos cultivation, it can be concluded that the seeds of this species can enter organic (morphophysiological) dormancy. When creating optimal conditions for germination (nutrient substrat, temperature 24 ± 1°C), Siberian pine seeds are able to germinate.

EFEKTIVITAS DAN EFISIENSI PENGGUNAAN MIKROPIPET DALAM PENERAPAN INSEMINASI BUATAN TERHADAP FERTILITAS TELUR AYAM LOKAL

The high demand for local chicken products in large quantities cannot be met by local chicken farmers. The high demand for local chicken products requires alternatives to increase productivity, one of which is using Artificial Insemination (AI) technology. This research aims to evaluate effectiveness and efficiency the use of micropipette in implementing artificial insemination to egg weight, fertility and hatchability of local chicken. 108 local chicken hen from three local chicken strain i.e. KUB, Merawang and IPB D-1 (each of strain 36 chicken) were used in this research and were subjected to artificial insemination using micropipette. The semen collection is done using the massase method which involves two local male chickens each (KUB, Merawang, and IPB D-1). The research was conducted using a two factors factorial complete randomized design, the factors were local chicken strain (KUB, Merawang, and IPB D-1) and amount of fresh semen (5,10, and 15 microliter), each treatment were repeated four times and each experimental unit consisted of three chickens. The results were obtained from the research were egg weight ranged between 46,15±0,40-46,95±0,48 gram with average 46,56±0,14 gram, egg Fertility ranged from 80,18±0,21%-86,11±3,21% with average 83,14± 2,3% and egg hatchability ranged from 91,03±2,84-94,45±6,41% with mean of 92,96±2,16%%. There were no significant effect either from local chicken strain nor amount of fresh semen on all variables. In Addition, there was no interaction between two factors.

Teknis Pengelolaan Pembenihan Ikan Mas Mantap Cyprinus carpio untuk Mendapatkan Benih Kualitas Unggul

The development of mirror carp (Cyprinus carpio) farming in Indonesia has progressed very rapidly, as can be seen by the increasing number of varieties of mirror carp produced from various regions with their respective specifications and advantages. Along with the need for carp that are more resistant to environmental changes and disease attacks, the development of the Majalaya carp variety subsequently produces Mantap carp fish that are disease-resistant, and growth in the growth segment is faster. The aim of this study was to disseminate technical information on Mantap fish carp culture to the public so that it can be used as a reference source for the community, especially for cultivators who are interested in developing this fish. In this study, primary and secondary data were collected. Based on the results of a fecundity study, one female broodstock produced 104.496 kg broodstock-1, the average percentage of egg fertilization (FR) was 89,64%, the average hatching rate (HR) was 61,37%, and the average survival rate (SR) until the size of the seed size 2-3 cm reaches 60%.

Comparative effectiveness of cryoprotective diluents for rooster seed

The preservation and use of frozen/ thawed male sperm is important for maintaining the biodiversity of poultry and will eventually play an important role in breeding, allowing greater flexibility in breeding programs. This use of thawed semen is advisable only at a high level of its fertilizing ability. Trehalose is a promising natural component in cryoprotective media for rooster semen due to its exceptional ability to neutralize cold stress. The purpose of the study was to determine the effectiveness of using trehalose as part of a medium for cryopreservation of rooster semen based on the Russian development - Leningrad cryoprotective medium (LCM-control). The composition of the LCM-T20 experimental medium with the addition of trehalose at a concentration of 9.5 mM has been developed. The mobility indicators of thawed rooster semen (Rhode Island Red breed, ♂n=10) did not differ significantly depending on the composition of the medium. Significant differences (p <0.05) were obtained in terms of egg fertilization: 86.0% when using the LCM-T20 medium and 79.0% using LCMcontrol and in assessing the state of the vitelline membrane of the egg yolk (p <0.001). The fertilization rate of eggs at a level acceptable for thawed semen of 50% was maintained until the 10th day (20th day of egg collection) from the last insemination when using the LKS-T20 medium. The functional usefulness of thawed sperm was maintained for 15 days (the 25th day of egg collection) from the last insemination when using the LCM-T20 media - egg fertilization was 15.0%, the average number of points of interaction of sperm with the vitelline membrane of the egg yolk was 345.2 pcs/cm2. When using the LCM-control diluent, the functional ability of thawed spermatozoa was absent during the same control periods. The achieved high level of egg fertilization when trehalose was included in the cryoprotective diluent in combination with the method of freezing rooster semen in pellets confirms the feasibility of introducing the LCMT20 diluent into the technology for preserving the genetic diversity of local and indigenous breeds of chickens using in vitro methods.

An effective artificial feeder for breeding Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae)

Mosquitoes, like other hematophagous insects, need to feed on blood to produce eggs. For laboratory colony maintenance, live animals are generally used, while various artificial feeders with different characteristics have been developed for experimental assays. In this study, a previously developed and pathogen-tested glass artificial feeder was selected and evaluated for rearing Aedes aegypti (Linnaeus). The device utilizes bovine gut as a membrane and human blood as a food source, maintaining a constant temperature of 37 °C through a thermostatic bath that enables water circulation around the feeder. Egg hatching, feeding rates, and fertility were analyzed for three cohorts of a parental lineage (P) and their respective filial lineages (F1) over a period of 4-5 weeks. The results demonstrated the efficacy of this methodology for rearing an Ae. aegypti colony up to the second generation, with average egg hatching rates of P= 0.92 and F1= 0.80, average feeding rates of P= 0.54 and F1= 0.73, and egg quantities obtained of P= 1809 and F1 = 8579.

RBPome identification in egg-cell like callus of Arabidopsis.

RNA binding proteins (RBPs) have multiple and essential roles in transcriptional and posttranscriptional regulation of gene expression in all living organisms. Their biochemical identification in the proteome of a given cell or tissue requires significant protein amounts, which limits studies in rare and highly specialized cells. As a consequence, we know almost nothing about the role(s) of RBPs in reproductive processes such as egg cell development, fertilization and early embryogenesis in flowering plants. To systematically identify the RBPome of egg cells in the model plant Arabidopsis, we performed RNA interactome capture (RIC) experiments using the egg cell-like RKD2-callus and were able to identify 728 proteins associated with poly(A+)-RNA. Transcripts for 97 % of identified proteins could be verified in the egg cell transcriptome. 46 % of identified proteins can be associated with the RNA life cycle. Proteins involved in mRNA binding, RNA processing and metabolism are highly enriched. Compared with the few available RBPome datasets of vegetative plant tissues, we identified 475 egg cell-enriched RBPs, which will now serve as a resource to study RBP function(s) during egg cell development, fertilization and early embryogenesis. First candidates were already identified showing an egg cell-specific expression pattern in ovules.

Effects of Semen Dosage and Insemination Frequency on Fertility and Hatchability in Horasi Chicken Ecotype

The objective of this study was to assess the effect of Horasi chicken ecotype semen dilution, insemination dosage, and frequency of insemination on spermatozoa fertility potentials (hatchability and fertility). Twenty adult hens and four cockerels were used in a 2×2×2 factorial experiment. The factors were semen type (undiluted versus diluted semen), insemination volume (0.5 versus 0.1 ml), and insemination frequency (once versus twice inseminations per week). Egg fertility and hatchability among semen type, semen volume and insemination frequency varied from 68.35 ± 2.10 to 82.20 ± 2.29, and 59.38 ± 2.15 to 86.87 ± 2.57; 70.99 ± 2.45 to 79.56 ± 2.62, and 69.33 ± 3.88 to 76.92 ± 3.83; 67.41 ± 1.99 to 83.15 ± 2.06, and 68.53 ± 4.16 to 77.73 ± 3.40 respectively. The type of semen significantly (P ˂0.05) affected both fertility and hatchability. Higher fertility was recorded in hens inseminated with diluted fresh semen than those inseminated using undiluted fresh semen in all semen volumes and insemination frequencies. Insemination volume and insemination frequency had a significant (P ˂0.05) effect only on fertility. Higher egg fertility was observed in hens inseminated with 0.5mL of semen compared to those inseminated using 0.1mL of semen irrespective of semen type and insemination frequency. Also, hens inseminated twice a week had higher egg fertility in comparison to those inseminated once a week irrespective of semen volume and semen type. From the results obtained, it is concluded that the BPSE improved the fertilizing potential of fresh stored sperm and subsequent hatchability, while inseminating dose and insemination frequency only affected fertility. Thus, twice weekly insemination with diluted semen using 0.5mL of semen will maximize fertility and hatchability of Horasi chicken ecotype eggs.

Development of standards for artificial reproduction of pike perch Sander lucioperca in the West Siberian Fishery Basin (Novosibirsk region)

The results of fish-breeding works on artificial reproduction of sander — Stizostedion lucioperca in the West Siberian fishery basin, carried out at the fish-breeding and production base of LLC “Rybkhoz”, are presented. In the course of the research, standards for artificial reproduction of sander were worked out, taking into account the indicators approved for other regions of the country by the Order of the Ministry of Agriculture of the Russian Federation dated 30.01.2015 № 25, “On approval of the Methodology for calculating the volume of extraction (catch) of aquatic biological resources necessary to ensure the conservation of aquatic biological resources and ensure the activities of fish farms, when fishing for aquaculture (fish farming)”, as well as according to literary sources. Such biotechnical indicators have not been developed for the West Siberian Fishery basin before. The process is briefly described, including trapping, transportation and bonitization of producers, their injection, obtaining eggs, fertilization, de-gluing and incubation, rearing of sander juveniles up to 0.5 g. The producers selected for artificial reproduction were divided into three experimental groups by weight categories, which were subsequently kept in the same conditions to obtain reliable results fertilization and incubation of eggs. Recommendations are given on the selection of the most suitable producers of sander with an average weight of 1.7 kg, superior to other weight groups in terms of relative fertility, the percentage of maturation of producers and the percentage of fertilization of eggs obtained from them. Recommendations are also given on the conditions for the rearing of juvenile and its release into the reservoirs of the Novosibirsk region.

Impact of grape (Vitis vinifera) seed extract on egg production traits, nutrients digestability, lipid peroxidation and fertility of golden laying hens (Gallus gallus) during early stage of production

Grape by-products represent outstanding alternatives to replace conventional and unsustainable feed sources, given the substantial quantities generated annually by the winery industry. Regrettably, the majority of these by-products are wasted, resulting in significant environmental and economic repercussions. This study was conducted to assess the growth performance, feed efficiency, egg production and quality, lipid peroxidation, fertility and hatchability of reproductive laying hens during their early production stage. A total of 720 golden laying hens, all approximately 25 weeks old and with similar body weights, were randomly assigned to four experimental treatments (six replicates) as follows: control group receiving only the standard diet, (2) a group receiving the standard diet supplemented with grape seed extract at a rate of 250 g/kg (GSE1), (3) a group receiving the standarddiet supplemented with grape seed extract at a rate of 500 g/kg (GSE2), and (4) a group receiving the standarddiet supplemented with grape seed extract at a rate of 750 g/kg (GSE3). There were no significant change (p > 0.05) in feed intak, body weight gain and feed conversion ratio between the control and the experimental groups. Egg weight, egg shell thickness and egg shell weight were significantly (p < 0.05) higher in GSE250 GSE500 and GSE750 compared to the control. The results showed that hen day egg production was also significantly higher (p < 0.05) in GSE500 and GSE 750 compared to the control. Fertility level of GSE 500 and GSE750 was significantly (p < 0.5) higher compared to the control. The MDA level decreased significantly (p < 0.05) in the GSE supplemented birds compared to the control. From these findings, we concluded that GSE 750 had positive impact on egg production, reducing lipid peroxidation and improving fertility in golden laying hens.

Kegiatan Produksi Benih Rajungan (Portunus pelagicus) Sebagai Upaya Penyediaan Stok di Alam

Blue swimming crab (Portunus pelagicus) is one type of crustacean that has great potential to be cultivated. Crab seed production activities are carried out to support the availability of crab seeds so as to reduce fishing activities in nature. Data collection during observation using the survey method, namely by making observations in the field. Seed production activities were carried out since container preparation, preparation of rearing media water, broodstock selection, broodstock rearing, egg hatching, larval rearing, feed management, water quality management, pest and disease management and harvesting. Egg fecundity of 750,000 eggs, egg fertilization rate of 83.60%, egg hatching rate of 76% and larval survival rate of 36.55% were obtained.&#x0D; &#x0D;

Development of Chicken Embryos in Double-Yolk Eggs: Fertility, Hatchability, Embryo Malposition and Time of Embryonic Mortality.

Fertility rate and hatchability rate are low for all types of double-yolk (DY) eggs in comparison to single-yolk eggs (SY), but these parameters also depend on the number of developing embryos in the egg. The hatchability rate of double-yolk eggs containing two developing embryos (DY2F) is vastly lower than in the case of double-yolk eggs containing only one embryo (DY1F). The aim of the study was to determine the differences between egg fertility rate, hatchability rate, time of embryonic mortality, and embryo malposition during incubation in three types of eggs from Hy-Line Brown hens: SY, DY1F and DY2F. In addition, the quality of the hatched chicks was assessed using the Pasgar©score. Following a 21-day incubation, chicks were obtained from DY1F and SY eggs. No chicks were obtained from DY2F eggs, although the embryos in these eggs developed up to the late stage of incubation. Early (≤7 d of incubation), middle (8-14 d), and late (≥15 d) embryonic mortality was significantly higher in DY eggs than in SY eggs. The embryonic mortality rate during early incubation was the same for DY1F and DY2F eggs, but middle and late embryonic mortality were significantly higher for DY2F eggs. Based on evaluation of embryo position according to Landauer, only three types of malposition that could potentially lead to embryonic death were noted. There were fewer malpositioned embryos in double-yolk eggs containing one embryo. Quality assessment of chicks (Pasgar©score) showed no differences between chicks hatched from eggs containing one yolk and those hatched from double-yolk eggs with one developing embryo, but chicks from double-yolk eggs were significantly heavier. The results of the research will contribute to a better understanding of the development and mortality of embryos in double-yolk eggs.

Gamete Collection, Artificial Fertilization and Captive-Rearing of Eggs in a Terrestrial-Breeding Anuran with Parental Care: Alytes obstetricans.

The genus Alytes consists of six primitive terrestrial-breeding species (five of them endangered or present in restricted distributions) with unique male parental care. Alytes obstetricans was used as a model for the development of assisted reproductive technologies for gamete collection, artificial fertilization and captive-rearing of embryos. Sperm collection was achieved with human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), but only 17 to 50% of males responded to the hormone. In addition, an effect of captivity on sperm quality was observed. A combination of gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRHa) and hCG was tested for induction of ovulation, and 100% of females responded to the treatment. Recently collected sperm was used in artificial fertilization, and 10% of eggs showed complete embryo development. To design a method for captive-rearing of embryos, natural clutches (n = 13) were removed from males and divided into two sub-clutches. One was kept with all eggs together and in the other, the egg string was cut and eggs were split individually. All sub-clutches with eggs kept separated presented embryo survival (ranging from 27 to 61%) that hatched normally, while only one sub-clutch with embryos maintained together had some embryo survival (36%). These results may contribute to the management of this and related species.

Species-wide genomics of kākāpō provides tools to accelerate recovery.

The kākāpō is a critically endangered, intensively managed, long-lived nocturnal parrot endemic to Aotearoa New Zealand. We generated and analysed whole-genome sequence data for nearly all individuals living in early 2018 (169 individuals) to generate a high-quality species-wide genetic variant callset. We leverage extensive long-term metadata to quantify genome-wide diversity of the species over time and present new approaches using probabilistic programming, combined with a phenotype dataset spanning five decades, to disentangle phenotypic variance into environmental and genetic effects while quantifying uncertainty in small populations. We find associations for growth, disease susceptibility, clutch size and egg fertility within genic regions previously shown to influence these traits in other species. Finally, we generate breeding values to predict phenotype and illustrate that active management over the past 45 years has maintained both genome-wide diversity and diversity in breeding values and, hence, evolutionary potential. We provide new pathways for informing future conservation management decisions for kākāpō, including prioritizing individuals for translocation and monitoring individuals with poor growth or high disease risk. Overall, by explicitly addressing the challenge of the small sample size, we provide a template for the inclusion of genomic data that will be transformational for species recovery efforts around the globe.

Antidepressants and their metabolites primarily affect lysosomal functions in the marine mussel, Mytilus galloprovincialis

Antidepressants widely occur as emerging contaminants in marine coastal waters, with concentrations reported in the low ng/L range. Although at relatively lower levels with respect to other pharmaceuticals, antidepressants – fluoxetine (FLX) in particular - have attracted attention because of their striking effects exerted at low doses on marine invertebrates. In this study, the effects of four antidepressants including FLX, sertraline (SER), and citalopram, as members of the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) class, and venlafaxine (VEN) as a member of the serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI) class, were evaluated in the mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis. In addition, the effects of two main metabolites of FLX and VEN, i.e., norfluoxetine (NFL) and O-desmethylvenlafaxine (ODV) respectively, were compared to those of the parent compounds. Eight concentrations of each drug (0.5–500 ng/L range) were tested on the early life stage endpoints of gamete fertilization and larval development at 48 h post fertilization (hpf). Egg fertilization was reduced by all compounds, except for VEN. Larval development at 48 hpf was affected by all SSRIs, but not by SNRIs. The above effects were significant but never exceeded 20 % of control values. Adult mussels were exposed in vivo for 7 days to environmental concentrations of the drugs (0.5, 5, and 10 ng/L) and a battery of eight biomarkers was assessed. Antidepressants primarily targeted lysosomal functions, decreasing haemocyte lysosome membrane stability (up to 70 % reduction) and increasing of the lysosome/cytosol ratio (up to 220 %), neutral lipid (up to 230 %), and lipofuscin (up to 440 %) accumulation in digestive gland. Only SER and NFL significantly affected catalase and glutathione-S-transferase activities in gills and digestive gland. NFL and ODV, were effective and sometimes more active than the parent compounds. All compounds impaired mussel health status, as indicated by the low to high stress levels assigned using the Mussel Expert System.