No abstract

Autophagy is a unique catabolic pathway that is linked to several physiological processes. However, its role in the process of spermiogenesis is largely unknown. The aim of the current study was to determine the in vivo role of autophagy and the origin of autophagosome membrane biogenesis within male haploid cells. Our immunohistochemistry results demonstrated that LC3 and ATG7 localization were increased dramatically in round to elongated spermatids (haploid cells) towards the lumen of seminiferous tubules, however, poorly expressed in the early stages of germ cells near the basal membrane. Moreover, transmission electron microscopy revealed that the numbers of lysosomes and autophagosomes increased in the elongated spermatids as spermiogenesis progressed. However, no evidence was found for the presence of autophagosomes in the Sertoli cells, spermatogonia or early primary spermatocytes (diploid cells). Furthermore, TEM showed that many endoplasmic reticula were transformed into a “chrysanthemum flower center,” from which a double-layered isolation membrane appeared to develop into an autophagosome. This study provides novel evidence about the formation of autophagosomes through the chrysanthemum flower center from the endoplasmic reticulum, and suggests that autophagy may have an important role in the removal of extra cytoplasm within male haploid cells during spermiogenesis.

No abstract

Micro minerals (Trace minerals) are required for normal growth and development in broilers. The present study was undertaken to compare the effect of replacing inorganic with organic trace minerals on growth performance, carcass characteristics and chemical composition of broiler thigh meat. A corn soybean based diet supplemented with organic trace minerals (OTM) (x) and an inorganic trace mineral (ITM) (y) was prepared. Four hundred eighty birds were stratified by weight and randomly assigned to 6 dietary treatments with four replicates per treatment (20 birds/replicate pen). The treatments were A) Positive control group diet (x) supplemented for whole period (0-5 wk). B) Fed diet (x) during starter and grower phase (1-4 wk) and diet (y) was offered in finisher phase (5 wk). C) 1 st 3 weeks were fed diet (x) and last two weeks were given diet (y). D) First 2 weeks were fed diet (x) while, diet (Y) offered in the last three weeks. In the treatment (E), diet (x) offered during initial phase and nourished with diet (y) during grower and finisher phase while in treatment (F), complete diet (y). The result showed that organic trace mineral supplementation did not affect growth performance in the first and last week of trail but during 2 nd , 3 rd and 4 th weeks organic trace mineral supplementation showed better growth performance than that of inorganic trace mineral supplementation. Chicken fed with organic trace mineral supplemented diets had the better growth performance which differed from that of inorganic supplemented diet groups. Additionally, organic trace minerals supplementation did not affect dressing percentage and giblets weight but shank and keel lengths were improved. While, OTM supplementation did not alter dry matter, ash and moisture content in thigh meat; however, crude protein content was improved in thigh meat. Overall results demonstrated that the quality of broiler chicken meat in high organic trace mineral supplement increased relative to the low supplemented groups. It is concluded that addition of organic trace mineral to feed can improve the growth performance of broiler particularly during growing phase.