The first step in fertilization is the interaction of the capacitated sperm with the zona pellucida. It has been proposed that the initial interaction, as in other types of cell adherence, is due to complementary interacting sites on the opposing surfaces of the gametes. This work intended to investigate the role of carbohydrates in sperm-egg binding in rats. Ejaculated sperm was collected from uterine horns of mated females. The sperm was suspended in Rat Fertilization Medium at final concentrations of 3-7 times 10(5) sperm/ml. After 5 1/2 h of sperm incubation, eggs were added to the sperm suspensions concomitantly with various carbohydrates to achieve a final concentration of up to 50 mM. The eggs were separated after 30 min, and the number of sperm bound to the zona pellucida was counted. Among a variety of monosaccharides tested at 50 mM concentration, it was found that alpha-methyl-mannoside was the most potent inhibitor (producing 80% inhibition); less potent was D-mannose and even less, L-fucose. A combination of alpha-methyl-mannoside and L-fucose showed a synergistic effect. Mannan was not more effective as an inhibitor than the monosugar mannose, while fucoidin was extremely potent, causing over 90% inhibition of binding at 0.1%. We assume the presence of macromolecules containing sugars on the zona pellucida because inhibition of sperm binding to this layer was observed: a) after preincubation of mannan or fucoidin with sperm, but not with the eggs; and b) after pretreatment of the egg with specific enzymes. The results obtained in this study in the rat are consistent with the hypothesis that carbohydrates are critical for the sperm-egg interaction.

BackgroundIn 2008, a program to eradicate bovine virus diarrhea (BVD) in cattle in Switzerland was initiated. After targeted elimination of persistently infected animals that represent the main virus reservoir, the absence of BVD is surveilled serologically since 2012. In view of steadily decreasing pestivirus seroprevalence in the cattle population, the susceptibility for (re-) infection by border disease (BD) virus mainly from small ruminants increases. Due to serological cross-reactivity of pestiviruses, serological surveillance of BVD by ELISA does not distinguish between BVD and BD virus as source of infection.ResultsIn this work the cross-serum neutralisation test (SNT) procedure was adapted to the epidemiological situation in Switzerland by the use of three pestiviruses, i.e., strains representing the subgenotype BVDV-1a, BVDV-1h and BDSwiss-a, for adequate differentiation between BVDV and BDV. Thereby the BDV-seroprevalence in seropositive cattle in Switzerland was determined for the first time. Out of 1,555 seropositive blood samples taken from cattle in the frame of the surveillance program, a total of 104 samples (6.7%) reacted with significantly higher titers against BDV than BVDV. These samples originated from 65 farms and encompassed 15 different cantons with the highest BDV-seroprevalence found in Central Switzerland. On the base of epidemiological information collected by questionnaire in case- and control farms, common housing of cattle and sheep was identified as the most significant risk factor for BDV infection in cattle by logistic regression.ConclusionThis indicates that pestiviruses from sheep should be considered as a source of infection of domestic cattle and might well impede serological BVD surveillance.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12917-016-0932-0) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

SUMMARY A second family with the autosomal recessive disorder now referred to as the limb/pelvis-hypoplasia/aplasia syndrome is reported. It is speculated that the gene for this rare skeletal dysplasia may be confined to the Middle East gene pool. The disorder has been shown to be diagnosable prenatally in a pregnancy at risk by using ultrasonography.In 1985, Al-Awadi et all first briefly reported on two Arab sibs of consanguineous parents with a newly recognised skeletal dysplasia disorder, consisting of profound limb deficiency, thoracic dystrophy, unusual facies, and normal intelligence.The purpose of this report is to describe and to discuss in detail a second affected consanguineous family with three affected offspring (the proband *and the two aborted fetuses) with this disorder, which we now call the limb/pelvis-hypoplasia/aplasia syndrome. Our reasons for renaming this condition will be discussed. Case reportsThe proband (fig 1) three abnormally shaped digits on each hand. The lower extremities showed severe phocomelic changes with absence of the feet. The external genitalia were displaced upwards. The penis appeared normal, but the scrotum was hypoplastic with bilateral cryptorchidism (fig 2). No other physical findings were noted. No definite diagnosis was made at that time but the parents were advised that, because of their consanguinity, they might be at risk for having similarly affected children. Furthermore, because of the severity of the malformations, it was suggested that all future pregnancies should be monitored by means of ultrasound, as there was a good chance At approximately one year of age, the proband was placed in a hospital for crippled children (Alyn Hospital, Jerusalem) and this is where he currently resides. He is at present four and a half years old, his weight is 11*5 kg (<3rd centile), and he has a head circumference of 49 cm (>2nd centile). Physical examination at this time showed a boy with normal facies except for a pointed chin and long ears. His state of alertness and intelligence appeared to be normal for his age.The upper limbs were short and symmetrically involved. Both elbow joints showed a flexion contracture deformity. His forearms were shortened and the wrist joints were very mobile. There was bilateral ectrodactyly of the hands, each having two fingers and a thumb, and all digits were malformed. The pelvis was grossly deformed. As commented upon previously, the external genitalia were displaced upwards and the scrotum appeared hypoplastic. Both testes were in the inguinal canal despite the fact that at three years of age he had had orchidopexy. Dermatoglyphic findings showed marked distortion of the digital and palmar prints, since only three digits were present on both hands. The left palm had only an axial triradius and one palmar crease was present. On the right palm there was one common triradius for digits II and III. No other triradii were present. On both palms there were many fine, small creases with no specific shape or direction. The left hand had a wh...