High Reproductive Capacity Research Articles

Detection of triclosan using 2-domain hemoglobin promoter of Daphnia magna.

Triclosan has been widely used as an antimicrobial agent. However, triclosan was found to cause toxicity, including muscle contraction disturbances, carcinogenesis, and endocrine disorders. In addition, it was found to affect central nervous system function adversely and even have ototoxic effects. Conventional methods for detecting such triclosan can be performed easily. However, the conventional detection methods are inadequate in precisely reflecting the impact of toxic substances on stressed organisms. Therefore, a test model for the toxic environment at the molecular level through the organism is needed. From that point of view, Daphnia magna is being used as a ubiquitous model. D. magna has the advantages of easy cultivation, a short lifespan and high reproductive capacity, and high sensitivity to chemicals. Therefore, the protein expression pattern of D. magna that appear in response to chemicals can be utilized as biomarkers for detecting specific chemicals. In this study, we characterized the proteomic response of D. magna following triclosan exposure via two-dimensional (2D) gel electrophoresis. As a result, we confirmed that triclosan exposure completely suppressed D. magna 2-domain hemoglobin protein and evaluated this protein as a biomarker for triclosan detection. We constructed the HeLa cells in which the GFP gene was controlled by D. magna 2-domain hemoglobin promoter, which under normal conditions, expressed GFP, but upon triclosan exposure, suppressed GFP expression. Consequently, we consider that the HeLa cells containing the pBABE-HBF3-GFP plasmid developed in this study can be used as novel biomarkers for triclosan detection.

Characterization and application of a lytic jumbo phage ZPAH34 against multidrug-resistant Aeromonas hydrophila.

Aeromonas hydrophila is an emerging foodborne pathogen causing human gastroenteritis. Aeromonas species isolated from food such as seafood presented multidrug-resistance (MDR), raising serious concerns regarding food safety and public health. The use of phages to infect bacteria is a defense against drug-resistant pathogens. In this study, phage ZPAH34 isolated from the lake sample exerted lytic activity against MDR A. hydrophila strain ZYAH75 and inhibited the biofilm on different food-contacting surfaces. ZPAH34 has a large dsDNA genome of 234 kb which belongs to a novel jumbo phage. However, its particle size is the smallest of known jumbo phages so far. Based on phylogenetic analysis, ZPAH34 was used to establish a new genus Chaoshanvirus. Biological characterization revealed that ZPAH34 exhibited wide environmental tolerance, and a high rapid adsorb and reproductive capacity. Food biocontrol experiments demonstrated that ZPAH34 reduces the viable count of A. hydrophila on fish fillets (2.31 log) and lettuce (3.28 log) with potential bactericidal effects. This study isolated and characterized jumbo phage ZPAH34 not only enriched the understanding of phage biological entity diversity and evolution because of its minimal virion size with large genome but also was the first usage of jumbo phage in food safety to eliminate A. hydrophila.

In vitro propagation and genetic fidelity analysis of Celastrus paniculatus Willd – a vulnerable high trade medicinal woody liana of Western Ghats

Celastrus paniculatus Willd, a vulnerable important woody liana with high medicinal value and limited reproductive capacity has been over exploited due to its demand in the pharmaceutical industry. In the present study, an efficient micropropagation protocol was developed from nodal explants on Murashige and Skoog and woody plant medium. The effect of various strengths of WP and MS medium (total, half strength) and different concentrations of plant growth regulators including cytokinins [6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) and Kinetin) and auxins (α-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) and (IBA) indole-3-butyric acid] on proliferation and rooting was investigated. C. paniculatus shoots showed maximum proliferation in WP medium supplemented with BAP (0.5 mg l-1). Best rooting frequency and higher root number and length were attained in medium fortified with NAA in combination with 0.2% activated charcoal. Seventy percent of the plantlets were successfully acclimatized to ex vitro conditions, exhibiting normal development. These plantlets can be used to replenish the declining populations in the wild. Molecular profiling of the in vitro developed plantlets was done using RAPD to confirm their genetic uniformity.

Understanding Snail Mucus Biosynthesis and Shell Biomineralisation through Genomic Data Mining of the Reconstructed Carbohydrate and Glycan Metabolic Pathways of the Giant African Snail (Achatina fulica).

The giant African snail (Order Stylommatophora: Family Achatinidae), Achatina fulica (Bowdich, 1822), is the most significant and invasive land snail pest. The ecological adaptability of this snail involves high growth rate, reproductive capacity, and shell and mucus production, driven by several biochemical processes and metabolism. The available genomic information for A. fulica provides excellent opportunities to hinder the underlying processes of adaptation, mainly carbohydrate and glycan metabolic pathways toward the shell and mucus formation. The authors analysed the 1.78 Gb draft genomic contigs of A. fulica to identify enzyme-coding genes and reconstruct biochemical pathways related to the carbohydrate and glycan metabolism using a designed bioinformatic workflow. Three hundred and seventy-seven enzymes involved in the carbohydrate and glycan metabolic pathways were identified based on the KEGG pathway reference in combination with protein sequence comparison, structural analysis, and manual curation. Fourteen complete pathways of carbohydrate metabolism and seven complete pathways of glycan metabolism supported the nutrient acquisition and production of the mucus proteoglycans. Increased copy numbers of amylases, cellulases, and chitinases highlighted the snail advantage in food consumption and fast growth rate. The ascorbate biosynthesis pathway identified from the carbohydrate metabolic pathways of A. fulica was involved in the shell biomineralisation process in association with the collagen protein network, carbonic anhydrases, tyrosinases, and several ion transporters. Thus, our bioinformatic workflow was able to reconstruct carbohydrate metabolism, mucus biosynthesis, and shell biomineralisation pathways from the A. fulica genome and transcriptome data. These findings could reveal several evolutionary advantages of the A. fulica snail, and will benefit the discovery of valuable enzymes for industrial and medical applications.

European Rabbit Invasion in a Semi-Arid Ecosystem of Chile: How Relevant Is Its Role in Food Webs?

The European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) is one of the main invasive species in Chile, where it became naturalized ca. 150 years ago. Their high reproductive capacity, lack of specialist predators, and great adaptability favored the settlement of rabbits in diverse mainland and island ecosystems of the country. Recently, rabbits have become central players in semi-arid ecosystems, such as those represented in Las Chinchillas National Reserve in north-central Chile. We undertook to analyze the place and role of rabbits in the food web of that Reserve, based on a bibliographic review and long-term annual data gathered from 1987 until 2022 (36 years). Results showed that the network comprised 77 species, where 69% were primary producers (plants), 18% were mid-level consumers (herbivores), and 13% were top-level consumers (predators). The most connected species in the food web was the rabbit, which positively or negatively affected the species interacting with it. Predators such as Galictis cuja, Geranoaetus polyosoma, Leopardus colocolo, and Puma concolor, and the scavenger Vultur gryphus, could be negatively affected by an eventual decrease (natural or human-caused) in the rabbit population of the Reserve. To the contrary, primary producers such as Oxalis perdicaria, Plantago hispidula, Schizanthus parvulus, Senna cumminggi, and Tropaeolum azureum could be positively affected by an increase in their biomass in response to a decrease in rabbits, favoring native rodents. We consider that analyzing the rabbit-centered food web and its impacts on native interacting species allows a better understanding of the relevance of invasive species in the local community, providing conceptual tools for rabbit management.

Bacterial and Viral Rodent-borne Infections on Poultry Farms. An Attempt at a Systematic Review.

Rodents are quite common at livestock production sites. Their adaptability, high reproductive capacity and omnivorousness make them apt to become a source of disease transmission to humans and animals. Rodents can serve as mechanical vectors or active shedders of many bacteria and viruses, and their transmission can occur through direct contact, or indirectly through contaminated food and water or by the arthropods which parasitise infected rodents. This review paper summarises how rodents spread infectious diseases in poultry production. The aim of this review was to use PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) principles to meta-analyse the available data on this topic. Three databases - PubMed, Web of Science and Scopus - and grey literature were searched for papers published from inception to July 2022 using the established keywords. An initial search identified 2,999 articles that met the criteria established by the keywords. This number remained after removing 597 articles that were repeated in some databases. The articles were searched for any mention of specific bacterial and viral pathogens. The importance of rodents in the spread of bacterial diseases in poultry has been established, and the vast majority of such diseases involved Salmonella, Campylobacter, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus (MRSA), Pasteurella, Erysipelothrix or Yersinia infections. Rodents also play a role in the transmission of viruses such as avian influenza virus, avian paramyxovirus 1, avian gammacoronavirus or infectious bursal disease virus, but knowledge of these pathogens is very limited and requires further research to expand it.

Detection of Salmonella dublin using the vitellogenin 2 promoter of Daphnia magna

Salmonella is a well-known bacterium that causes waterborne diseases in humans and primates. The need for test models to detect such pathogens and study the responses of such organisms to induced toxic environments is vital. Daphnia magna has been ubiquitously used in aquatic life monitoring for decades because of outstanding properties, such as facile cultivation, short lifespan, and high reproductive capacity. In this study, the proteomic response of D. magna exposed to four Salmonella strains (Salmonella dublin, Salmonella enteritidis, Salmonella enterica, and Salmonella typhimurium) was characterized. As indicated by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis, vitellogenin fused with superoxide dismutase was completely suppressed under exposure to S. dublin. Thus, we evaluated the feasibility of using the vitellogenin 2 gene as a biomarker for S. dublin detection, particularly in providing rapid, visual detection through fluorescent signals. Accordingly, the applicability of the HeLa cells transfected with pBABE-Vtg2B-H2B-GFP as a biomarker for the detection of S. dublin was evaluated, and it was confirmed that the fluorescence signal decreased only when S. dublin was treated. Therefore, such HeLa cells can be utilized as a novel biomarker for detecting S. dublin.

The ubiquitin-like, containing PHD and RING finger domains 1 (uhrf1) gene promotes ovarian development in Exopalaemon carinicauda

Ridgetail white prawn, Exopalaemon carinicauda, with high reproductive capacity can reproduce up to three or four generations a year. In exploring the genetic factors affecting the gonadal development of E. carinicauda, we cloned and studied the function of the ubiquitin-like, containing PHD and RING finger domains 1 (uhrf1) gene. The open reading frame of uhrf1 gene was 2286 bp, encoding a total of 761 amino acids. The Uhrf1 has UBL, TTD, PhD, SRA, and ring finger domains that are associated with genome methylation, histone recognition and chromatin modification. According to the phylogenetic analysis, the amino acid sequence of Ec-uhrf1 has the highest similarity with Litopenaeus vannamei uhrf1, and it is a branch of Penaeus monodon and L. vannamei. The real-time quantitative PCR showed that the expression level of uhrf1 was highest in ridgetail white prawn ovarian tissue, which was significantly higher than that of other tissues (P < 0.05). In addition, the expression level gradually increased in stages I-IV of ovarian development, with its expression level in stage IV being significantly higher than that in other stages (P < 0.05). RNAi results showed that a knockdown of uhrf1 gene expression significantly reduced the expression of the cell proliferation-related gene pcna, the DNA methylation-related gene dnmt1 and yolk synthesis related genes vg, indicating that uhrf1 regulates the expression of pcna and dnmt1. The in situ hybridization tests further indicated that the uhrf1 gene plays an important role in oocyte proliferation and accumulation of exogenous nutrients.

The efficacy of translocation as a tool to augment populations of Gambel's quail

AbstractTranslocation is a management strategy that can be used to augment and reestablish populations or increase a species' range by establishing new populations. Gambel's quail (Callipepla gambelii) are the only native upland game birds in many desert areas of the American Southwest. Drought may be a driver in Gambel's quail population declines; however, quail in urban environments may remain abundant because these areas may contain more reliable sources of food, water, and cover. We hypothesized that translocation of urban quail following a wet winter, when resources are plentiful in their native habitat, might allow us to increase the rate at which extant populations are able to recover following drought by capitalizing on the high reproductive capacity of quail. To assess translocation as a management tool for augmentation of populations of Gambel's quail, we translocated 370 quail from 2019 to 2021 to augment 2 sites in the Altar Valley in Arizona, USA: King's Anvil Ranch (KA) and Santa Margarita Ranch (SM). We radiotracked 155 female quail on 2 study areas (KA: n = 77, SM: n = 78) to estimate 200‐day post‐release survival. Release site had the most impact on demographic rates. Quail in KA had higher survival (63.4–70.9%) than quail in SM (19.3–33.1%); however, quail in SM had higher nesting effort and success (nest effort = 63%, nest success = 50%) than quail in KA (nest effort = 33%, nest success: 0%) in the first year. Although this study showed that urban quail can survive and reproduce following translocation, neither site showed both high survival and high reproductive success. Furthermore, although spring call counts indicated augmentation may have had some short‐term benefits due to increased reproductive activity, we are not able to conclude that it increased quail abundance. Given the low annual adult survival rates of Gambel's quail, high spring‐summer survival alone will not be enough to boost wild populations in a measurable way the following year. Therefore, the ability of translocation to augment extant populations may be limited by low and variable reproductive success.

The expansive Laughing Dove (Spilopelia senegalensis), an all-year breeder in southern Turkey

The Laughing Dove (Spilopelia senegalensis) is an adapting city bird that prefers cohabitation with humans in Turkey. We surveyed 161 nests in Antalya between 2017 and 2019. Breeding was recorded throughout the year. While the breeding activity was less during the winter season, fledging and hatching success were 100%. All-year breeding and the high reproduction capacity of the species is regarded a crucial factor for rapid population increase and the expansion of the distribution area in the last decades.

Resistência horizontal e vertical da bananeira ao nematoide cavernícola depende do nível de agressividade ou da virulência da população do nematoide

Abstract The burrowing nematode Radopholus similis is among the most damaging pathogens. Resistant plants are one of the most promising approaches for nematode control, and knowledge of resistance and aggressiveness components is essential to understand resistance genetics and developing new cultivars. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the degree of resistance of eight banana accessions to populations of R. similis to verify differences in the reproduction capacity between nematode populations and to study the horizontal/vertical resistance and aggressiveness/ virulence components of Musa spp. and R. similis pathosystem. The accessions 4249-05, 4279-06, Yangambi Km5, 0323-03, 0337-02, 1304-06, Borneo and Grande Naine were inoculated with one of three R. similis populations from the Brazilian states of Pernambuco, Distrito Federal, and Santa Catarina and kept in a greenhouse. Accessions 4249-05, Yangambi Km5, 0323-03, and 4279-06 showed different resistance levels, and the Pernambuco population had the highest reproductive capacity. Using Griffing Model IV, evidence of vertical and horizontal resistance was observed, with accessions 4249-05 and Yangambi km5 showing the highest levels of horizontal resistance.

ВЛИЯНИЕ «СТИМУЛИНА» И «ФЕРРАМИНОВИТА» НА СОСТАВ КРОВИ, ПОКАЗАТЕЛИ РЕЗИСТЕНТНОСТИ И СПЕРМОПРОДУКЦИИ У БЫКОВ-ПРОИЗВОДИТЕЛЕЙ

Cattle breeding is one of the most knowledge-intensive and dynamically developing industries, occupying one of the leading places in the agro-industrial complex of Russia. An increase in the intensity of cattle breeding technology, in general, leads to a decrease in the overall resistance and immune status of animals. Against this background, metabolic processes and changes in the reproductive system of breeding bulls decrease. The high reproductive capacity of producers ensures high fertilization and fertility of cows, thereby increasing the efficiency of cattle breeding as an industry. Balanced feeding and active exercise are necessary to ensure the safety of health, sexual activity and high quantitative and qualitative indicators of sperm of breeding bulls. As a result of the conducted biochemical studies, significant violations of metabolic processes in breeding bulls were revealed. By making adjustments to their diets, it was not possible to stabilize metabolism and resistance indicators. As a result of the use of injections of complex drugs "Stimullin" and "Ferraminovit" in the body of bulls, the content of molon dialdehyde, liver enzymes AST and ALT, sodium decreased several times, and the amount of glucose increased. The adjustment of diets and the use of drugs contributed to an increase in the indicators of natural resistance and the cellular composition of animal blood: BASC increased by 19.9%, LASC - by 12.4%, FA-11%, FI-14.9%, the functional activity of neutrophils in the spontaneous and stimulated test increased by 38.4% and 36.1%, the reserve index by 13.2%; the coefficient of metabolic activity increased – by 2 times The number of ejaculates in 5 months became higher in bulls with normal biochemical parameters – 36 versus 26 in bulls with metabolic disorders. The use of complex drugs "Stimullin" and "Ferraminovit" contributed to an increase in metabolic processes, indicators of natural resistance and sperm production.

Evaluation of changes in indicators of the liver and kidneys functional state in sheep under the influence of the drug "Аlphabet for animals"

The article provides data on the analysis of changes in the metabolic profile of the liver and kidneys during and after the use of a vitamin-amino acid complex containing essential amino acids and biologically active substances, such as vitamins A, D, E, K, B1, B3, B5, B 12. The existing shortage of nutrients and biologically active substances in the diets of sheep prompts scientists and practitioners to conduct a constant search for the use of non-traditional local feeds and additives of a wide variety of origins. An important role in this plan is given to mineral elements, enzymes, amino acids and vitamins. The use of these biologically active nutrients allows the most effective use of nutrients in the diet, which in turn ensures the maximum possible genetically determined productivity of animals, high reproductive capacity. However, these issues are still poorly studied and require fundamental research, specifically in certain regions of the country. So, in the context of the above, there is a need to conduct research related to increasing the transformation of feed nutrients into the products of ewes by optimizing amino acid and vitamin nutrition in order to maximize their productive qualities. In the conducted research, the positive effect of the drug "Аlphabet for animals" on the functional state of the liver and kidneys of ewes was established, since biomarkers that characterize the work of these organs, such as the content of total protein, cholesterol, urea nitrogen, creatinine, the activity of hepatoindicative enzymes, did not show negative changes. on the contrary, they had stabilizing dynamics. The components of the vitamin-amino acid complex had a positive effect on stimulating the albumin-synthesizing function of the liver in sheep. Key words: sheep, vitamin-amino acid complex, hepatorenal status, protein-lipid metabolism, hepatoindicative enzymes.

Influence of blood meal source on the biological parameters of Triatoma pallidipennis (Heteroptera: Reduviidae) from Mexico.

Chagas disease is one of the most important vector-borne diseases in Latin America, including Mexico. Triatoma pallidipennis (Stål) (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) is a Mexican triatomine vector commonly associated with different hosts. The influence of six blood meals (rabbits, rats, mice, dogs, cats and chickens) on six biological parameters of the biology of T. pallidipennis was evaluated. A significant difference was found in the period of egg-to-adult development between the five mammalian feeds (mean 195 days) and the chicken feed (221 days). The probability of survival was significantly lower in the chicken cohort (0.285). The total number of blood meals to moult from the first instar to the adult stage was the highest in the chicken cohort (10-15). This cohort had the significantly highest rate of females at the end cycle. The mean number of eggs laid per female and the egg eclosion rate were similar among the six food sources. Most results seemed to be influenced by the higher nutritional quality of the mammalian blood compared to the bird's blood and the increased energy expenditure required for the digestion of bird blood. These results clearly show that T. pallidipennis, unlike other triatomine species, has a high reproductive capacity when feeding on different hosts.

The Relationship between Frame Score, Calving Interval, and Body Mass Index in Indonesian Beef Cattle

This research was conducted to describe the relationship between cow’s frame scores and calving interval and the body mass index of cows and calves, to evaluate the reproductive performance of cows. We aimed to prove that cows in an energy balance state will have a high reproductive capacity. The parameters recorded were body weight, withers height, body length, hip height, and heart girth of 731 cows, and a calving interval of 2,117 birth records of calves from four breeds of cattle, namely, Bali, Madura, PO, and PO Kebumen, were analyzed. In addition, descriptive analysis, analysis of variance, and correlation were performed to differentiate the breed. The results of the frame score classification of Bali, Madura, PO, and PO Kebumen cattle were minimal with a value of 0 to 1, very small to moderate with a value of 0 to 4, small to large with a value of 3 to 9 and small to very large with a value of 2 to 11, respectively. The mean calving interval values of Bali, Madura, PO, and PO Kebumen cattle were 1.18 ± 0.03, 1.20 ± 0.02, 1.22 ± 0.01, and 1.22 ± 0.01 years, respectively. The relationship between cow’s frame score and calving interval was a positive and non-significant correlation. However, the relationship between calving interval and cow’s body mass index was a significant negative correlation. This relationship indicates that the calving interval will remain optimal based on the cow’s frame score. However, if the energy balance in the body is increased, marked by an increase in the body mass index, it will support better reproductive performance with a smaller calving interval. The relationship between the calf’s heart girth and cow’s body mass index was a negative and highly significant correlation. However, the relationship between the calf’s body mass index and calf’s heart girth was a positive, non-significant correlation, which can provide information that the calf’s heart circumference is a limitation in the calving ease. We suggest that measuring the body mass index is the most appropriate system for estimating the optimum reproductive capacity of Indonesian beef cattle. Since such a study has never been conducted before, our findings are expected to be consideration on the evaluation of livestock reproductive performance in Indonesia.

The IMD pathway in Hemipteran: A comparative analysis and discussion

The evolutionary patterns of the genes in the IMD pathway in hemipterans were characterized and compared. The hemipteran insects were clustered into two groups. One group that encompasses whitefly, plant lice, and scale insect partially lacks the IMD pathway and all antimicrobial peptide (AMP) genes, with the vast majority of IMD pathway and all AMP genes being absent in aphids. The reasons for the absence of the IMD pathway and AMP genes in hemipterans were analyzed based on aphids, in terms of fitness costs. In case of limited resources, aphids have to make a trade-off between the necessary costs such as clean food sources, the essential amino acids supplied by primary bacterial symbionts for survival, nutrients and/or protections against stress provided by secondary symbionts, and the high reproductive capacity, and the costs that do not increase the fitness. Obviously, aphids have to abandon the strong immune system, especially the AMPs and IMD pathway which is mainly against Gram-negative bacteria. The common ground shared with aphids may be the reason for the absence of the IMD pathway and AMP genes in other hemipteran insects.

Metal ions in insect reproduction: a crosstalk between reproductive physiology and immunity.

Most insects exhibit high reproductive capacity, which demands large amounts of energy, including macronutrients and micronutrients. Interestingly, many proteins involved in oogenesis depend on metals ions, in particular iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), and copper (Cu). Mechanisms by which metal ions influence reproduction have been described in Drosophila melanogaster, but remain poorly understood in hematophagous insects where blood meals include significant ingestion of metal ions. Moreover, there is evidence that some proteins involved in reproduction and immunity could have dual function in both processes. This review highlights the importance of metal ions in the reproduction of non-hematophagous and hematophagous insects. In addition, we discuss how insects optimize physiological processes using proteins involved in crosstalk between reproductive physiology and immunity, which is a double-edge sword in allocating their functions to protect the insect and ensure reproduction.

Does the Age of Pinus sylvestris Mother Trees Influence Reproductive Capacity and Offspring Seedling Survival?

We assess how the age of Pinus sylvestris mother trees influences seed size, seed viability, germination capacity and later offspring seedling survival under greenhouse conditions. Thirty trees ranging from 30 to 219 years old were selected in the north facing slopes in the Sierra de Guadarrama, where we could find the oldest Pinus sylvestris trees in central Spain. Forty cones per tree were harvested to study cone and seed characteristics (size and weight), seed viability and germination capacity related to the mother tree age. In addition, 25 germinated seeds per tree were grown in a greenhouse to assess offspring seedling survival during a death trial, where watering was stopped. Significant differences between trees in cone and seed morphological traits were observed. The age of the mother tree had a significant effect on cone size, seed size, and seed weight, but there was no effect on seed germination capacity and seed viability. Seedling survival was mainly affected by the decrease in water availability. However, a significant effect of the tree age was found once soil moisture had reached 0%. Our results show the ability of overmature Pinus sylvestris trees to maintain a relatively high reproductive capacity that assures its persistence.

Fetal exposure to maternal cigarette smoking and male reproductive function in young adulthood.

Maternal smoking during pregnancy constitutes a potential, major risk factor for adult male reproductive function. In the hitherto largest longitudinal cohort, we examined biomarkers of reproductive function according to maternal smoking during the first trimester and investigated whether associations were mitigated by smoking cessation prior to the fetal masculinization programming window. Associations between exposure to maternal smoking and semen characteristics, testicular volume and reproductive hormones were assessed among 984 young men from the Fetal Programming of Semen Quality (FEPOS) cohort. Maternal smoking was assessed through interview data and measured plasma cotinine levels during pregnancy. We applied negative binomial, logistic and linear regression models to estimate differences in outcomes according to levels of maternal smoking. Sons of light smokers (≤ 10 cigarettes/day) had a 19% (95% CI - 29%, - 6%) lower sperm concentration and a 24% (95% CI - 35%, - 11%) lower total sperm count than sons of non-smokers. These estimates were 38% (95% CI - 52%, - 22%) and 33% (95% CI - 51%, - 8%), respectively, for sons of heavy smokers (> 10 cigarettes/day). The latter group also had a 25% (95% CI 1%, 54%) higher follitropin level. Similarly, sons exposed to maternal cotinine levels of > 10ng/mL had lower sperm concentration and total sperm count. Smoking cessation prior to gestational week seven was not associated with a higher reproductive capacity. We observed substantial and consistent exposure-response associations, providing strong support for the hypothesis that maternal smoking impairs male reproductive function. This association persisted regardless of smoking cessation in early pregnancy.

Entomopathogenic fungi tested in planta on pepper and in field on sorghum, to control commercially important species of aphids.

Given the aphids high reproductive capacity, assessing their biocontrol by using entomopathogenic fungi is crucial; to determine their potential, fungi were tested in planta and in field conditions. Significant decrease of Myzus persicae (Sulzer) population was observed in planta after applying Beauveria bassiana (strain 7R), Trichoderma gamsii (strain Z) or Metarhizium brunneum (strain Meta Br1) at 1 × 107 or 1 × 108 conidia/mL on pepper plants. Significant differences of aphids' populations were detected between fungus concentration and control (F = 68.743, df = 6.980, P < 0.001), where M. brunneum at 1 × 108 conidia/mL reduced aphids population close to zero. At 20°C, dead aphids' mycosis by B. bassiana and T. gamsii was 78% and 84%; at 25°C was 83% and 88%; and at 30°C was 75% and 79%, respectively. In field conditions, Mexican PTG4 and commercial GHA B. bassiana strains were tested [(1 × 106 conidia/mL + corn starch) seed treatments] against the Melanaphis sacchari (Zehntner) aphid populations, on naturally infested sorghum plants. Results showed that plant germination and emergence were not affected, whereas yield (grams of sugar/plant) was significantly higher among treated compared with untreated plants. The aphid population decreased in plants from PTG4 treated seeds; indeed, this treatment had a significant positive effect on the flowering index, whereas the stem fresh weight and juice volume was significantly increased among plants from GHA treated seeds. Taken together, tested strains can be used as a tool to control aphids' population on several crops such as pepper and even increase the yield in sorghum.