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Goose is a seasonal breeding animal. Its reproduction is regulated by hypothalamus-pituitary-gonad axis and also affected by environmental factors such as light and location. Zi-goose is characterized with long egg-laying period and high egg-laying potential and belongs to the long-day type of seasonal breeding. In this study, the regulation mechanism of different lighting on reproductive performance of Zi-goose by using metabonomics analysis technology. In addition, 1,481 differential metabolites were screened out totally. 583 differential metabolites were identification in hypothalamus of Zi-goose. 196 differential metabolites were identification in pituitary of Zi-goose. 692 differential metabolites were identification in ovary of Zi-goose. Under red light condition for 12 h, expression of 433 differential metabolites were down-regulated and expression of 150 differential metabolites were up regulated in hypothalamus of Zi-goose, expression of 125 differential metabolites were down-regulated and expression of 71 differential metabolites were up-regulated in pituitary of Zi-goose, expression of 355 differential metabolites were down-regulated and expression of 337 differential metabolites were up-regulated in ovary of Zi-goose. 33 differential metabolites were closely associated with 1,264 transcripts and 400 homologous genes of related enzymes in hypothalamus of Zi-goose. 15 differential metabolites were closely associated with 163 transcripts and 47 homologous genes of related enzymes in pituitary of Zi-goose. 55 differential metabolites were closely associated with 1,255 transcripts and 360 homologous genes of related enzymes in ovary of Zi-goose. It was confirmed that four metabolic pathways were closely related to light regulation of reproductive performance of Zi-goose, namely GnRH signaling pathway, prolactin signaling pathway, thyroid hormone synthesis and ovarian steroidogenesis. Typical differential metabolites of arachidonic acid, glucose-6-phosphate, progesterone, glutathione, oxidized glutathione, testosterone, deoxyepiandrosterone and their related protein genes would play an important role in light regulation of reproductive performance of Zi-goose.

The lattice parameters, bulk modulus, shear modulus, Young's modulus and other mechanical constants of Ir-xRh (x=0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 15, 17, 20, 22, 25, 27, 30) alloys were calculated by using the first-principles analysis method based on density functional theory. The calculation model is established by the virtual crystal potential function approximation method. The effect of Rh doping on the mechanical properties of Ir-Rh alloy was also analyzed from the electronic point of view by calculating the enthalpy change value, electron density of state and energy band structure. The results show that the strength and hardness of the material can be improved by doping a small amount of Rh in Ir. The peak point at Ir-5Rh decreases slightly and then continues to rise, reaching the maximum at Ir-10Rh, and the value is basically the same as that of Ir-5Rh. With the increase of Rh content, the absolute value of enthalpy changed gradually increased from 0.186 eV to 0.634 eV, and the thermodynamic stability of Ir-Rh alloy was improved. In addition, the density of states and band structure of Ir-Rh alloy show that the bond energy increases with the increase of Rh content, and the brittleness of Ir-Rh alloy increases gradually. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sertoli cells were isolated from newborn calves and cultured in a medium supplemented with 0, 0.25, 0.50, 0.75, and 1.00 mg/L of sodium selenite to study their immune stimulatory effect, influence on cell’s viability, and expression of blood-testis barrier proteins (occludin, connexin-43, zonula occluden, E-cadherin) using quantitative PCR and western blot analyses. Results showed that medium supplemented with 0.50 mg/L of selenium significantly (P < 0.05) promoted cell viability, upregulated toll-like receptor gene (TLR4), anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-4, IL-10, TGFβ1), and expressions of blood-testis barrier proteins, and modulated expressions of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β, IFN-γ). Sertoli cells grown in culture medium supplemented with 0.25 mg/L of selenium significantly upregulated TLR4, IL-4, IL-10, TGFβ1, and blood-testis barrier proteins compared to the control group. Sodium selenite supplementation at 0.75 and 1.00 mg/L levels was cytotoxic and temporarily downregulated the expression of blood-testis barrier protein within 24 h after culture; however, commencing from 72 h post culture, increased cell viability and upregulation of expression of blood-testis barrier proteins were observed. In conclusion, the results of this study showed that selenium supplementation in the culture medium up to 0.50 mg/L concentration upregulates immune genes and blood-testis barrier constituent proteins of bovine Sertoli cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chicken Sertoli cells (SCs) and fibroblast cells (FCs) were transfected with two different plasmid vectors to study their comparative responses to transfection and to heterogenous protein appeared in vitro cultures of both cell lines. Sertoli cells and FCs (control) were transfected with plasmids pEGFP-N3-HNP-1 and pEGFP-N3 and efficacy was recorded. Subcellular localization of both proteins was observed. IL-1β, IL-1RN, Fas, FasLG (FasL) and Caspase-3 expressions were examined using Real-Time PCR. The fibroblast cells were more efficient in transfection activity than SCs. Moreover, plasmid pEGFP-N3 had higher capability of transfection compared to pEGFP-N3-HNP-1 plasmid. The cells confined the poisoning protein in large particles and non-poisonous protein appeared all over cell in thin particles. The inflammatory response of SCs to non-poisonous heterogenous protein was lower than to poisonous heterogenous proteins compared to FCs. The FasL response of SCs to poisonous protein was faster than to non-poisonous proteins. It is concluded that Sertoli cells may create strong resistance against transfection than fibroblast cell, while the former contain large amounts of harmful/poisonous proteins that may modulate a quick inflammatory response. The quick inflammatory response may lead to apoptosis in Sertoli cells which is thought to be a way to get rid of unhealthy cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]