Agilent Stratagene Divisione Prodotti <ul><li> Harini Ravi </li><li> Natalia Novorodovskaya </li><li> Scott Basehore </li><li> Jeff Braman </li><li> Rachel Formosa </li><li> Ronda Allen </li><li> Rajesh Bagga </li><li> Derek Sala </li><li> Sarah Jandle </li><li> Danielle Huffman </li></ul> Agilent Laboratori <ul><li> Robert Kincaid </li><li> Maria McBride </li></ul> Agilent Europa <ul><li> Nigel Skinner </li><li> Juergen Schneider </li><li> Stephen Mueller </li><li> Martin Kratzmeier </li></ul> Campden BRI <ul><li> Steve Garrett </li></ul>

<ol>
	<li>Dooley, J. J., Sage, H. D., Brown, H. M., Garrett, S. D. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Improved+fish+species+identification+by+use+of+lab-on-a-chip+technology.">Improved fish species identification by use of lab-on-a-chip technology.</a> Food Control. 16 (7), 601-607 (2004).</li><li>Dooley, J. J., Sage, H. D., Clarke, M. -. A. L., Brown, H. M., Garrett, S. D. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Fish+species+Identification+Using+PCR-RFLP+Analysis+and+Lab-on-a-Chip+Capillary+Electrophoresis:+Application+to+Detect+White+Fish+Species+in+Food+Products+and+an+Interlaboratory+Study.">Fish species Identification Using PCR-RFLP Analysis and Lab-on-a-Chip Capillary Electrophoresis: Application to Detect White Fish Species in Food Products and an Interlaboratory Study.</a> J. Agric. Food Chem. 53, 3348-3357 (2005).</li><li>Dooley, J., Garrett, S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Determination+of+PCR-RFLP+Profiles+for+Fish+Species+Using+the+Agilent+2100+Bioanalyzer.">Determination of PCR-RFLP Profiles for Fish Species Using the Agilent 2100 Bioanalyzer.</a> Agilent Technologies Application Note. , (2005).</li><li>Dooley, J. J., Clarke, M. L., Sage, H. D., Brown, H. M., Garrett, S. D. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Application+of+a+chip-based+capillary+electrophoresis+system+to+enable+simple+PCR-RFLP+identification+of+fish+species.">Application of a chip-based capillary electrophoresis system to enable simple PCR-RFLP identification of fish species.</a> FSA Final Report Q01069. , (2004).</li></ol>

Gli autori sono impiegati da Agilent Technologies che produce i reagenti e strumenti utilizzati in questo articolo.

Abbiamo dimostrato una semplice, veloce e preciso basato sul DNA metodo di screening per l&#39;identificazione di specie ittiche nei prodotti ittici. Questo metodo fornisce potenti riproducibile, risultati precisi in meno di un giorno lavorativo e può essere implementato in strutture di collaudo commerciali a causa di protocolli snella e semplice setup. Si caratterizza per la generazione di dati oggettivi che viene analizzata utilizzando RFLP software Decoder con un database di profili espandibile pesce sperimentalmente specie derivate. Con l&#39;implementazione di routine, questo metodo di prova ha il potenziale per prevenire un&#39;etichettatura erronea di prodotti ittici e assistere a mantenere registrazioni accurate adatto per la conformità con le normative governative.

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		<th>Material Name</th>
		<th>Type</th>
		<th>Company</th>
		<th>Catalogue Number</th>
		<th>Comment</th>
		</tr>
		</thead>
		<tbody>
		
<tr>
<td>Agilent 2100 Bioanalyzer (with chip priming station and IKA vortex mixer)</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Agilent</td>
<td>G2939AA</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>Agilent 2100 Bioanalyzer laptop &amp; Expert Software</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Agilent</td>
<td>G2953CA</td>
<td>G2950CA - desktop PC &amp; Expert Software</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Agilent Bioanalyzer DNA 1000 Reagent Kit (part #5067-1504)</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Agilent</td>
<td>5067-1504</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>Thermal Cycler</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Various</td>
<td>Various</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>PCR Strip Tubes</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Agilent</td>
<td>401428</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>PCR Strip Caps</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Agilent</td>
<td>401425</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>96-Well Working Rack</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Agilent</td>
<td>410094</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>Fish Species Identification System DNA Isolation Kit</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Agilent</td>
<td>Contact</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>Fish Species Identification System PCR-RFLP Reagent Kit</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Agilent</td>
<td>Contact</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>RFLP Matcher Software</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Agilent</td>
<td>Contact</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>100% ethanol, 200 proof (USP grade or equivalent)</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Various</td>
<td>Various</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>Sterile, nuclease-free water</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Various</td>
<td>Various</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>Pipettors</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Various</td>
<td>Various</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
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<td>Incubator or water bath set to 65&deg;C</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Various</td>
<td>Various</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
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<td>Sterile glass bottle or polypropylene tube (e.g. 14-ml BD Falcon polypropylene)</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Various</td>
<td>Various</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>round-bottom tubes or 50-ml BD Falcon polypropylene conical tubes)</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Various</td>
<td>Various</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>Vortex mixer</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Various</td>
<td>Various</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>Microcentrifuge</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Various</td>
<td>Various</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>Microcentrifuge tubes 1.5ml</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Various</td>
<td>Various</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>Tube rack 1.5ml</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Various</td>
<td>Various</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>Pipette Tips</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Various</td>
<td>Various</td>
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dna-based fish species identification protocol

Abbiamo sviluppato una veloce, semplice e preciso basato sul DNA metodo di screening per identificare le specie ittiche presenti nei campioni di frutti di mare freschi e trasformati. Questo metodo versatile impiega amplificazione del DNA genomico estratto da campioni di pesce, seguita dalla lunghezza del frammento di restrizione polimorfismi (RFLP) per generare modelli frammento che può essere risolto sulla Agilent 2100 Bioanalyzer e abbinati alla specie corretta utilizzando il software modello RFLP di corrispondenza. Il metodo di identificazione dei pesci utilizza un semplice, affidabile, spin basato su colonne protocollo per isolare il DNA da campioni di pesce. I campioni sono trattati con proteinasi K per liberare gli acidi nucleici in soluzione. Il DNA è poi isolato sospendendo il campione in buffer vincolante e carico su un micro-spin coppa contenente una matrice a base di silice fibra. Gli acidi nucleici nel campione si legano alla matrice fibra. Gli acidi nucleici immobilizzati vengono lavati per rimuovere i contaminanti, e il DNA totale è recuperato in un volume finale di 100 ul. Il DNA isolato è pronto per l&#39;amplificazione PCR con i primer a condizione che si legano alle sequenze si trovano in tutti i genomi di pesce. I prodotti della PCR vengono poi digeriti con tre enzimi di restrizione diversi e risolto il Agilent 2100 Bioanalyzer. Le lunghezze frammento prodotte nelle reazioni di digestione può essere utilizzata per determinare la specie di pesci da cui è stato preparato il campione di DNA, utilizzando il modello RFLP corrispondenza software contenente un database di modelli derivati ​​sperimentalmente RFLP da specie ittiche di interesse commerciale.

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about DNA-based Fish Species Identification Protocol at JoVE.com

DNA-based Fish Species Identification Protocol

Questa pubblicazione descrive come utilizzare il sistema di identificazione delle specie di pesce Agilent per identificare la specie di un pesce con l&#39;estrazione del DNA e l&#39;esecuzione di analisi di PCR e RFLP.

Basati sul DNA Fish Identification Specie protocollo

We have developed a fast, simple, and accurate DNA-based screening method to identify the fish species present in fresh and processed seafood samples. ...

dna-based-fish-species-identification-protocol

Research

JoVE Journal

Biology

29.3K Views.  Agilent Technologies. Questa pubblicazione descrive come utilizzare il sistema di identificazione delle specie di pesce Agilent per identificare la specie di un pesce con l'estrazione del DNA e l'esecuzione di analisi di PCR e RFLP.

Video: DNA-based Fish Species Identification Protocol

Non-radioactive in situ Hybridization Protocol Applicable for Norway Spruce and a Range of Plant Species

The high-throughput expression analysis technologies available today give scientists an overflow of expression profiles but their resolution in terms of tissue specific expression is limited because of problems in dissecting individual tissues. Expression data needs to be confirmed and complemented with expression patterns using e.g. in situ hybridization, a technique used to localize cell specific mRNA expression. The in situ hybridization method is laborious, time-consuming and often requires extensive optimization depending on species and tissue. In situ experiments are relatively more difficult to perform in woody species such as the conifer Norway spruce (Picea abies). Here we present a modified DIG in situ hybridization protocol, which is fast and applicable on a wide range of plant species including P. abies. With just a few adjustments, including altered RNase treatment and proteinase K concentration, we could use the protocol to study tissue specific expression of homologous genes in male reproductive organs of one gymnosperm and two angiosperm species; P. abies, Arabidopsis thaliana and Brassica napus. The protocol worked equally well for the species and genes studied. AtAP3 and BnAP3 were observed in second and third whorl floral organs in A. thaliana and B. napus and DAL13 in microsporophylls of male cones from P. abies. For P. abies the proteinase K concentration, used to permeablize the tissues, had to be increased to 3 g/ml instead of 1 g/ml, possibly due to more compact tissues and higher levels of phenolics and polysaccharides. For all species the RNase treatment was removed due to reduced signal strength without a corresponding increase in specificity. By comparing tissue specific expression patterns of homologous genes from both flowering plants and a coniferous tree we demonstrate that the DIG in situ protocol presented here, with only minute adjustments, can be applied to a wide range of plant species. Hence, the protocol avoids both extensive species specific optimization and the laborious use of radioactively labeled probes in favor of DIG labeled probes. We have chosen to illustrate the technically demanding steps of the protocol in our film.
Anna Karlgren and Jenny Carlsson contributed equally to this study.
Corresponding authors: Anna Karlgren at Anna.Karlgren@ebc.uu.se and Jens F. Sundstr&#246;m at Jens.Sundstrom@vbsg.slu.se

Non-radioactive in situ Hybridization Protocol Applicable for Norway Spruce and a Range of Plant Species

We describe a modified DIG in situ hybridization protocol, which is fast and applicable on a wide range of plant species including Norway spruce. With just a few adjustments, including altered RNase treatment and proteinase K concentration, the protocol may be used in studies of different tissues and species.

Non radioattivo In situ Protocollo di ibridazione applicabile per la Norvegia Abete e una serie di specie di piante

The high-throughput expression analysis technologies available today give scientists an overflow of expression profiles but their resolution in terms of ...

Ricerca

Biologia

Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) Protocol in Human Sperm

Aneuploidies are the most frequent chromosomal abnormalities in humans. Most of these abnormalities result from meiotic errors during the gametogenic process in the parents. In human males, these errors can lead to the production of spermatozoa with numerical chromosome abnormalities which represent an increased risk of transmitting these anomalies to the offspring.
For this reason, the technique of fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) on sperm nuclei has become a protocol widely incorporated in the context of clinical diagnosis. This practice provides an estimate of the frequencies of numerical chromosome abnormalities in the gametes of the patients that seek for genetic reproductive advice.
To date, the chromosomes most frequently included in sperm FISH analysis are chromosomes X, Y, 13, 18 and 21.
This video-article describes, step by step, how to process and fix a human semen sample, how to decondense and denature the sperm chromatin, how to proceed to obtain sperm FISH preparations, and how to visualize the results at the microscope. Special remarks of the most relevant steps are given to achieve the best results.

Fluorescence in situ hybridization FISH Protocol in Human Sperm

This video-article describes, step by step, how to process a semen sample to achieve good-quality fluorescence in situ hybridization on human spermatozoa. Preparations obtained can be used for aneuploidy screening in the context of clinical diagnosis.

Fluorescenza In situ</emIbridazione> (FISH) Protocollo di sperma umano

Aneuploidies are the most frequent chromosomal abnormalities in humans. Most of these abnormalities result from meiotic errors during the gametogenic ...

A Noninvasive Hair Sampling Technique to Obtain High Quality DNA from Elusive Small Mammals

Noninvasive genetic sampling approaches are becoming increasingly important to study wildlife populations. A number of studies have reported using noninvasive sampling techniques to investigate population genetics and demography of wild populations1. This approach has proven to be especially useful when dealing with rare or elusive species2. While a number of these methods have been developed to sample hair, feces and other biological material from carnivores and medium-sized mammals, they have largely remained untested in elusive small mammals. In this video, we present a novel, inexpensive and noninvasive hair snare targeted at an elusive small mammal, the American pika (Ochotona princeps). We describe the general set-up of the hair snare, which consists of strips of packing tape arranged in a web-like fashion and placed along travelling routes in the pikas&#x2019; habitat. We illustrate the efficiency of the snare at collecting a large quantity of hair that can then be collected and brought back to the lab. We then demonstrate the use of the DNA IQ system (Promega) to isolate DNA and showcase the utility of this method to amplify commonly used molecular markers including nuclear microsatellites, amplified fragment length polymorphisms (AFLPs), mitochondrial sequences (800bp) as well as a molecular sexing marker. Overall, we demonstrate the utility of this novel noninvasive hair snare as a sampling technique for wildlife population biologists. We anticipate that this approach will be applicable to a variety of small mammals, opening up areas of investigation within natural populations, while minimizing impact to study organisms.

We present a noninvasive sampling approach to efficiently collect hair samples from elusive small mammals, as shown for the American pika. We demonstrate the utility of this method by extracting DNA from sampled hair and amplifying several types of molecular markers commonly used in studies of wildlife ecology and conservation.

Una tecnica non invasiva di campionamento dei capelli per ottenere DNA di alta qualità da Elusive piccoli mammiferi

Noninvasive genetic sampling approaches are becoming increasingly important to study wildlife populations. A number of studies have reported using ...

A Protocol for the Identification of Protein-protein Interactions Based on 15N Metabolic Labeling, Immunoprecipitation, Quantitative Mass Spectrometry and Affinity Modulation

Protein-protein interactions are fundamental for many biological processes in the cell. Therefore, their characterization plays an important role in current research and a plethora of methods for their investigation is available1. Protein-protein interactions often are highly dynamic and may depend on subcellular localization, post-translational modifications and the local protein environment2. Therefore, they should be investigated in their natural environment, for which co-immunoprecipitation approaches are the method of choice3. Co-precipitated interaction partners are identified either by immunoblotting in a targeted approach, or by mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) in an untargeted way. The latter strategy often is adversely affected by a large number of false positive discoveries, mainly derived from the high sensitivity of modern mass spectrometers that confidently detect traces of unspecifically precipitating proteins. A recent approach to overcome this problem is based on the idea that reduced amounts of specific interaction partners will co-precipitate with a given target protein whose cellular concentration is reduced by RNAi, while the amounts of unspecifically precipitating proteins should be unaffected. This approach, termed QUICK for QUantitative Immunoprecipitation Combined with Knockdown4, employs Stable Isotope Labeling of Amino acids in Cell culture (SILAC)5 and MS to quantify the amounts of proteins immunoprecipitated from wild-type and knock-down strains. Proteins found in a 1:1 ratio can be considered as contaminants, those enriched in precipitates from the wild type as specific interaction partners of the target protein. Although innovative, QUICK bears some limitations: first, SILAC is cost-intensive and limited to organisms that ideally are auxotrophic for arginine and/or lysine. Moreover, when heavy arginine is fed, arginine-to-proline interconversion results in additional mass shifts for each proline in a peptide and slightly dilutes heavy with light arginine, which makes quantification more tedious and less accurate5,6. Second, QUICK requires that antibodies are titrated such that they do not become saturated with target protein in extracts from knock-down mutants.
Here we introduce a modified QUICK protocol which overcomes the abovementioned limitations of QUICK by replacing SILAC for 15N metabolic labeling and by replacing RNAi-mediated knock-down for affinity modulation of protein-protein interactions. We demonstrate the applicability of this protocol using the unicellular green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii as model organism and the chloroplast HSP70B chaperone as target protein7 (Figure 1). HSP70s are known to interact with specific co-chaperones and substrates only in the ADP state8. We exploit this property as a means to verify the specific interaction of HSP70B with its nucleotide exchange factor CGE19.

A Protocol for the Identification of Protein-protein Interactions Based on 15N Metabolic Labeling, Immunoprecipitation, Quantitative Mass Spectrometry and Affinity Modulation

We present a variation of the QUICK (QUantitative Immunoprecipitation Combined with Knockdown) approach that was introduced previously to distinguish between true and false protein-protein interactions. Our approach is based on 15N metabolic labeling, the modulation of affinities of protein-protein interactions by the presence/absence of ATP, immunoprecipitation, and quantitative mass spectrometry.

Un protocollo per l&#39;identificazione di interazioni proteina-proteina Sulla base di<sup&gt; 15</sup&gt; N marcatura metabolica, immunoprecipitazione, Spettrometria di massa quantitativa e di affinità di modulazione

Protein-protein interactions are fundamental for many biological processes in the cell. Therefore, their characterization plays an important role in ...

Generation, Purification, and Characterization of Cell-invasive DISC1 Protein Species

Protein aggregation is seen as a general hallmark of chronic, degenerative brain conditions like, for example, in the neurodegenerative diseases Alzheimer's disease (A&beta;, tau), Parkinson's Disease (&alpha;-synuclein), Huntington's disease (polyglutamine, huntingtin), and others. Protein aggregation is thought to occur due to disturbed proteostasis, i.e. the imbalance between the arising and degradation of misfolded proteins. Of note, the same proteins are found aggregated in sporadic forms of these diseases that are mutant in rare variants of familial forms.
Schizophrenia is a chronic progressive brain condition that in many cases goes along with a permanent and irreversible cognitive deficit. In a candidate gene approach, we investigated whether Disrupted-in-schizophrenia 1 (DISC1), a gene cloned in a Scottish family with linkage to chronic mental disease1, 2, could be found as insoluble aggregates in the brain of sporadic cases of schizophrenia3. Using the SMRI CC, we identified in approximately 20 % of cases with CMD but not normal controls or patients with neurodegenerative diseases sarkosyl-insoluble DISC1 immunoreactivity after biochemical fractionation. Subsequent studies in vitro revealed that the aggregation propensity of DISC1 was influenced by disease-associated polymorphism S704C4, and that DISC1 aggresomes generated in vitro were cell-invasive5, similar to what had been shown for A&beta;6, tau7-9, &alpha;-synuclein10, polyglutamine11, or SOD1 aggregates12. These findings prompted us to propose that at least a subset of cases with CMD, those with aggregated DISC1 might be protein conformational disorders.
 Here we describe how we generate DISC1 aggresomes in mammalian cells, purify them on a sucrose gradient and use them for cell-invasiveness studies. Similarly, we describe how we generate an exclusively multimeric C-terminal DISC1 fragment, label and purify it for cell invasiveness studies. Using the recombinant multimers of DISC1 we achieve similar cell invasiveness as for a similarly labeled synthetic &alpha;-synuclein fragment. We also show that this fragment is taken up in vivo when stereotactically injected into the brain of recipient animals.

The generation, purification and cell invasion of intracellular, cytoplasmic full length DISC1 protein aggresomes from cell cultures and of a labeled, multimeric recombinant DISC1 protein fragment in E. coli are described. Cell invasiveness is shown for recipient cells in cell culture and for neurons in vivo after stereotactical brain inoculation.

Generazione, purificazione e caratterizzazione di specie DISC1 Cell-invasive Protein

Protein aggregation is seen as a general hallmark of chronic, degenerative brain conditions like, for example, in the neurodegenerative diseases ...

Robust 3D DNA FISH Using Directly Labeled Probes

3D DNA FISH has become a major tool for analyzing three-dimensional organization of the nucleus, and several variations of the technique have been published. In this article we describe a protocol which has been optimized for robustness, reproducibility, and ease of use. Brightly fluorescent directly labeled probes are generated by nick-translation with amino-allyldUTP followed by chemical coupling of the dye. 3D DNA FISH is performed using a freeze-thaw step for cell permeabilization and a heating step for simultaneous denaturation of probe and nuclear DNA. The protocol is applicable to a range of cell types and a variety of probes (BACs, plasmids, fosmids, or Whole Chromosome Paints) and allows for high-throughput automated imaging. With this method we routinely investigate nuclear localization of up to three chromosomal regions.

We describe a robust and versatile protocol for analyzing nuclear architecture by 3D DNA FISH using directly labeled fluorescent probes.

Robusto FISH 3D DNA con sonde marcate direttamente

3D DNA FISH has become a major tool for  analyzing three-dimensional organization of the nucleus, and several variations  of the technique have been ...

Assessing Species-specific Contributions To Craniofacial Development Using Quail-duck Chimeras

The generation of chimeric embryos is a widespread and powerful approach to study cell fates, tissue interactions, and species-specific contributions to the histological and morphological development of vertebrate embryos. In particular, the use of chimeric embryos has established the importance of neural crest in directing the species-specific morphology of the craniofacial complex. The method described herein utilizes two avian species, duck and quail, with remarkably different craniofacial morphology. This method greatly facilitates the investigation of molecular and cellular regulation of species-specific pattern in the craniofacial complex.&#160;Experiments in quail and duck chimeric embryos have already revealed neural crest-mediated tissue interactions and cell-autonomous behaviors that regulate species-specific pattern in the craniofacial skeleton, musculature, and integument. The great diversity of neural crest derivatives suggests significant potential for future applications of the quail-duck chimeric system to understanding vertebrate development, disease, and evolution.

This article describes a method to generate chimeric embryos that are&#160;designed to test the species-specific contributions of neural crest and/or other tissues to craniofacial development.

Valutare Contributi specie-specifiche per lo sviluppo craniofacciale Uso Chimere Quaglia-anatra

The generation of chimeric embryos is a widespread and powerful approach to study cell fates, tissue interactions, and species-specific contributions to ...

Fish Sperm Assessment Using Software and Cooling Devices

For gamete quality evaluation, there are innovative, rapid, and quantitative techniques that can provide useful data for aquaculture. Computerized systems for sperm analysis were developed to measure several parameters and one of the most commonly measured is the sperm motility.
Initially, this computer technology was designed for mammalian species, although it can also be used for fish sperm analysis. Fish have specific features that can affect sperm assessment such as a short motility time after activation and, in some cases, adaptation to lower temperatures. Thus, it is necessary to modify both software and hardware components to make motility analysis more efficient for fish sperm analysis. For mammalian sperm, the heating plate is used to maintain optimal temperatures of spermatozoa. However, for some fish species, it is advantageous to use a lower temperature to prolong the duration of motility, since the sperm remain active for less than 2 min. Therefore, cooling devices are necessary to refrigerate samples at constant temperature over the time of analysis, including on the optical microscope. This protocol describes the analysis of fish sperm motility using software for sperm analysis and new cooling devices to optimize the results.

The present protocol describes a procedure of fish sperm assessment using computer-assisted sperm analysis and cooling devices. The software gives a rapid, accurate and quantitative analysis of fish sperm quality based on spermatozoa motility, which can be a useful tool in aquaculture to improve reproduction success.

Valutazione di sperma di pesce utilizzando Software e dispositivi di raffreddamento

For gamete quality evaluation, there are innovative, rapid, and quantitative techniques that can provide useful data for aquaculture. Computerized systems ...

Standardizing a Non-Lethal Method for Characterizing the Reproductive Status and Larval Development of Freshwater Mussels (Bivalvia: Unionida)

Actively monitoring the timing, development, and reproductive patterns of endangered species is critical when managing for population recovery. Freshwater mussels are among the most imperiled organisms in the world, but information about early larval (glochidial) development and brooding periods is still lacking for many species. Previous studies have focused on the complex life history stage when female mussels are ready to parasitize host fish, but few studies have focused on the brooding period and timing of larval development. The protocol described here allows researchers to non-lethally evaluate the state of gravidity for female mussels. The results of this study show that this method does not affect a female mussel&rsquo;s ability to stay gravid or become gravid again after sampling has been performed. The advantage of this method may permit its use on federally threatened or endangered species or other populations of high conservation concern. This protocol can be adapted for use on both preserved or live individuals and was tested on a variety of mussel species. The database provided is a repository for a breadth of information on timing of reproductive habits and will facilitate future freshwater mussel research, conservation, and recovery efforts.

Standardizing a Non-Lethal Method for Characterizing the Reproductive Status and Larval Development of Freshwater Mussels Bivalvia: Unionida

Freshwater mussel conservation is dependent on monitoring reproductive patterns and processes of species. This study standardizes a non-lethal protocol for sampling gill contents, characterizing larval development, and providing a digital repository for data collected. This protocol-database package will be an important tool for mussel researchers in recovery of imperiled species.

Standardizzazione di un metodo non letale per caratterizzare lo stato riproduttivo e lo sviluppo larvale delle cozze d'acqua dolce (Bivalvia: Unionida)

Actively monitoring the timing, development, and reproductive patterns of endangered species is critical when managing for population recovery. Freshwater ...

Assessing Agrochemical Risk to Mated Honey Bee Queens

Current risk assessment strategies for honey bees rely heavily upon laboratory tests performed on adult or immature worker bees, but these methods may not accurately capture the effects of agrochemical exposure on honey bee queens. As the sole producer of fertilized eggs inside a honeybee colony, the queen is arguably the most important single member of a functioning colony unit. Therefore, understanding how agrochemicals affect queen health and productivity should be considered a critical aspect of pesticide risk assessment. Here, an adapted method is presented to expose honey bee queens and worker queen attendants to agrochemical stressors administered through a worker diet, followed by tracking egg production in the laboratory and assessing first instar eclosion using a specialized cage, referred to as a Queen Monitoring Cage. To illustrate the method&#39;s intended use, results of an experiment in which worker queen attendants were fed diet containing sublethal doses of imidacloprid and effects on queens were monitored are described.

This protocol was developed to enhance the understanding of how agrochemicals affect honey bee (Apis mellifera) reproduction by establishing methods to expose honey bee queens and their worker caretakers to agrochemicals in a controlled, laboratory setting and carefully monitoring their relevant responses.

Valutazione del rischio agrochimico per le regine delle api da miele accoppiate

Current risk assessment strategies for honey bees rely heavily upon laboratory tests performed on adult or immature worker bees, but these methods may not ...