Northern fowl mites (NFM) are external parasites that can lower egg production and cause anemia and even death in laying hens. An experiment was conducted with New Hampshire Red and Single Comb White Leghorn laying hens. Hens were individually caged and provided a complete laying diet and water ad libitum. Hens were assigned to groups in a way that assured that treatments, within each breed, would be applied to comparable numbers of birds with light and heavy mite infestations. Each hen was sprayed around the vent with either water or 10% garlic juice in water. Spraying continued each week for 3 wk. During the fourth week, each bird was scored for the presence of NFM on its skin and feathers. A small snippet of feathers was removed from below the vent of each hen and placed in a labeled petri dish with a round, white filter paper insert. The NFM content of each dish was scored by two individuals approximately 1 h after sampling. There was no significant difference in the NFM scores for hens based on breed or future treatment. After the birds were treated for 3 wk, there was no significant difference in external NFM scores based on breed. There were significantly fewer NFM on the birds treated with garlic juice compared with controls, based on external and petri dish scoring (P < 0.002 and P < 0.04, respectively). The reduction in external NFM score was also significant (P < 0.004), with controls declining approximately 0.2 units, whereas garlic-treated hens had a 1.8-unit decrease in external NFM score. Topical application of garlic juice may be an effective way to decrease NFM in laying hens.
Micro-ribonucleic acids (miRNA) regulate gene expression posttranscriptionally by altering translation of protein(s) encoded by specific messenger RNA. Therefore the ability to detect and quantify the expression levels of specific miRNA present within a cell or tissue is necessary to thoroughly examine cellular physiology and gene expression. Here we describe procedures that allow for the isolation and quantification of miRNA in bovine adipocytes and adipose tissue.
Sperm migration through polycarbonate and nylon membrane filters was studied by the trans-membrane migration ratio method. Sperm crossed the former filters but not the latter because of the greater pore length and complexity of the relatively thick nylon membrane. Adhesion of spermatozoa to the nylon structure was also observed. Using the polycarbonate filter we were able to correlate trans-membrane migration with conventional motility and measure the effects of drugs on sperm motility.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.