Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®
- Discipline
- Keyword
-
- Cryopreservation (3)
- Physical activity (3)
- Antioxidants (2)
- Body mass index (2)
- Motivation (2)
-
- Parametric (2)
- Product optimization (2)
- Theory of planned behavior (2)
- AIDS Model (1)
- Acetosyringone (1)
- Acidified sodium chlorite (1)
- Angiogenesis (1)
- Antioxidant (1)
- Antioxidant activity (1)
- Aquaculture (1)
- Attitude (1)
- Autonomy (1)
- Autonomy-support (1)
- Autophagy (1)
- BMPs (1)
- Bacterial concentration (1)
- Bacterial pre-culture condition (1)
- Beef cattle producers (1)
- Beliefs (1)
- Beta-binomial model (1)
- Bilateral trade (1)
- Biological resource banking (1)
- Biomechanics (1)
- Blood flow distribution (1)
- Bovine (1)
Articles 1 - 30 of 54
Full-Text Articles in Life Sciences
Calcium Intake, Bone Mineral Density, And Percent Body Fat Of University Students, Beth Peterson
Calcium Intake, Bone Mineral Density, And Percent Body Fat Of University Students, Beth Peterson
Honors Theses
No abstract provided.
Comparing Bermudagrass And Bahiagrass Cultivars At Different Stages Of Harvest For Dry Matter Yield And Nutrient Content, Ryan Thomas Dore'
Comparing Bermudagrass And Bahiagrass Cultivars At Different Stages Of Harvest For Dry Matter Yield And Nutrient Content, Ryan Thomas Dore'
LSU Master's Theses
Rapid growth of warm-season grasses such as bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon) and bahiagrass (Paspalum notatum) is associated with a decline in their nutritional value. This study was initiated to provide production and composition data with different cultivars of bermudagrass (common, Russell, Jiggs) and bahiagrass (Tifton-9, Pensacola, Argentina). Dry matter (DM), ash, crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), and acid detergent fiber (ADF) composition and production were evaluated every two weeks for a ten-week period on six different cultivars. Also, Russell bermudagrass was evaluated in a second trial very similar to the first trial for composition and production but was started …
Validity Of The Yale Physical Activity Survey For Older Adults, Angela Nickole Solomito Pugh
Validity Of The Yale Physical Activity Survey For Older Adults, Angela Nickole Solomito Pugh
LSU Master's Theses
The purpose of this study is to determine the validity of the Yale Physical Activity Survey (YPAS) in a population of oldest-old adults residing in Southeastern Louisiana. Methods: Participants were older adults (n=273) in two distinct age groups; 60-81 years of age (YOUNG-OLD) AND 29-103 years of age (OLDEST-OLD). YPAS estimates of physical activity will be compared to physical function as measured by the continuous scale physical function performance test. Results: The OLDEST-OLD demonstrated lower physical function scores and reported less physical activity (and more time sitting) in comparison to the YOUNG-OLD. The correlation between Total Time Summary Index and …
Evaluation Of Bovine Spermatid Sex Ratio By Fluorescent In Situ Hybridization, Michael Alan Stout
Evaluation Of Bovine Spermatid Sex Ratio By Fluorescent In Situ Hybridization, Michael Alan Stout
LSU Master's Theses
The objective of this study was to use fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) to determine if a skew in the sex ratio was present at the level of the bovine round spermatid. Paraffin embedded bovine testicular tissue obtained from biopsies were used to perform FISH, and the seminiferous tubules were examined. Our findings show that the skew does exist within the round spermatids. Analysis of variance on X- and Y-chromosome bearing round spermatids as affected by sex, slide, picture set, and tubule was performed. Sex showed that the variation in round spermatid sex ratio differed between slides (P = 0.0001). …
Measuring The Degree Of Market Power In The Export Demand For Soybean Complex, Dwi Susanto
Measuring The Degree Of Market Power In The Export Demand For Soybean Complex, Dwi Susanto
LSU Doctoral Dissertations
Previous studies on market power hypothesis strictly assumed that the data used in the analysis were a stationary process. This assumption has been argued that not all time series exhibit a stationary process such that conventional asymptotic theory cannot be applied. This study adopts the “New Empirical Industrial Organization” (NEIO) approach developed by Bresnahan (1982) and Lau (1982) to measure the degree of market power in the export market for soybean complex. The non-stationary properties of the data were accommodated by formulating the model in an error correction framework (ECM) developed by Bårdsen (1989) and applied by Steen and Salvanes …
Agrobacterium Tumefaciens-Mediated Transformation Of Tobacco (Nicotiana Tabacum L.) Leaf Disks: Evaluation Of The Co-Cultivation Conditions To Increase Beta-Glucuronidase Gene Activity, Sunjung Park
LSU Master's Theses
Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation is generally used for genetic transformation of higher plants. Several experimental factors important for the increase of beta-glucuronidase (GUS) reporter gene activity were evaluated in this study using leaf disks of tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L. cv. Xanthi). We found that co-cultivation temperature at 20C is the most critical factor to obtain the reproducible enhancement of GUS activity. pCAMBIA 1305.01 resulted in higher GUS activity than the other two pCAMBIA vectors 1301 and 1305.02. The highest GUS activity and transformation efficiency were achieved under the following experimental conditions: Agrobacterium tumefaciens strain LBA4404 containing pCAMBIA1305.01 was grown overnight at …
Examination Of Blood Flow Using Vasoconstrictor And Vasodilator Stimuli: Stability And Reproducibility, Robert B. Lestage
Examination Of Blood Flow Using Vasoconstrictor And Vasodilator Stimuli: Stability And Reproducibility, Robert B. Lestage
LSU Master's Theses
Blood flow distribution relies on the vasculature’s ability to vasodilate and vasoconstrict throughout the body. Most previous research has focused on only one of these abilities, either vasodilation or vasoconstriction. For example, Thijssen et al. (2005) focused their research on vasodilation by studying reactive hyperemia, while Kinuyoshi et al. (2003) studied the possible vasoconstriction effect with increasing muscle sympathetic nerve activity. The purpose of this study was to assess vascular function using a variety of stimuli to potentially learn more about overall vascular health, while determining the stability and reliability of blood flow measurements using strain gauge plethysmography. Measures of …
Cost-Efficacy Of Wetland Preservation And Restoration In Coastal Louisiana, Christiane Aust
Cost-Efficacy Of Wetland Preservation And Restoration In Coastal Louisiana, Christiane Aust
LSU Master's Theses
Louisiana faces a tremendous crisis of coastal wetland loss, where an estimated 1,900 square miles of coastal land has been lost in the past century. The Coastal Wetlands Planning, Protection, and Restoration Act (CWPPRA) has been the largest single source of restoration funding, providing approximately $560 million for more than 155 restoration projects since 1991. Recently reauthorized by Congress to the year 2019, current spending under CWPPRA constitutes less than 10% of the funding required to sustain coastal Louisiana as it exists today. A descriptive analysis of selected projects (n=109) was conducted to analyze the economic efficiency associated with various …
A Novel Yogurt Product With Lactobacillus Acidophilus, Senthil Ganesh
A Novel Yogurt Product With Lactobacillus Acidophilus, Senthil Ganesh
LSU Master's Theses
Health benefits of Lactobacillus acidophilus include providing immune support for infections or cancer, providing a healthy replacement of good bacteria in the intestinal tract following antibiotic therapy, reducing occurrence of diarrhea in humans, aiding in lowering cholesterol and improving the symptoms of lactose intolerance. Consumer demand exists for new dairy products. There are several types of yogurt like stir curd, set curd and drinkable yogurt and they all need to be refrigerated. Moreover there are very few dairy products that can be stored at room temperature and not many dairy foods are finger foods. A novel yogurt product like a …
Strain To Strain Differences In The Growth, Survival And Adaptation Of Vibrio Vulnificus And Vibrio Parahaemolyticus In Broth, Veronica Elaine Burnham
Strain To Strain Differences In The Growth, Survival And Adaptation Of Vibrio Vulnificus And Vibrio Parahaemolyticus In Broth, Veronica Elaine Burnham
LSU Master's Theses
Vibrio vulnificus and Vibrio parahaemolyticus are natural inhabitants of estuarine environments of the Gulf of Mexico. V. vulnificus is the leading cause of death, while V. parahaemolyticus is a leading cause of foodborne gastroenteritis from the consumption of seafood in the United States. Refrigeration is commonly used as a preservation method to control the growth of microorganisms in food. The ability of some microorganisms to adapt, as a survival response when exposed to a downshift in temperature, could compromised efforts to use low temperature storage to reduce the risk of foodborne illnesses. Limited research is available on the growth characteristics …
Self-Determination In Injury Rehabilitation: Designing A Climate For Promoting Adherence, Ryan Mark Green
Self-Determination In Injury Rehabilitation: Designing A Climate For Promoting Adherence, Ryan Mark Green
LSU Doctoral Dissertations
The purpose of this dissertation was to use self-determination as a theoretical framework to investigate factors that influence college athletes’ adherence to injury rehabilitation programs. A two-part study, quantitative and qualitative approaches were used to gain insight into athletes’ motivation and decisions that they make regarding their engagement in injury rehabilitation. The focus of the quantitative study was to investigate the relationships between personal autonomy, levels of self-determination, perceived autonomy support, and perceived competence in injury rehabilitation. Participants (N=193 college athletes) completed surveys in a retrospective design. Autonomy orientations were positively related to higher levels of self-determination and the perception …
Biomechanical Characteristics Of Low Back Tissues During Trunk Flexion-Extension, Michael William Olson
Biomechanical Characteristics Of Low Back Tissues During Trunk Flexion-Extension, Michael William Olson
LSU Doctoral Dissertations
Analysis of the mechanical and neural regulatory mechanisms of the flexion-relaxation phenomenon (FRP), observed in deep trunk flexion, was performed since it is believed these mechanisms provide insight into the causes of low back injury and pain. Three methods were used to analyze the behavior of the lumbar tissues during trunk flexion-extension exercises: 1) active continuous cyclic movement, 2) acute cyclic movement at different orientations, and 3) passive continuous cyclic movement. All activities were performed at a rate of 0.1 Hz (6 cycles•min-1) while monitoring the surface electromyography (EMG) of the lumbar paraspinal muscles. Abdominal, hamstring, and quadriceps muscle activities …
Evaluation Of A Plasmid Delivery System For Production Of Gnrh And Ghrh In The Horse And Goat, William Andrew Storer
Evaluation Of A Plasmid Delivery System For Production Of Gnrh And Ghrh In The Horse And Goat, William Andrew Storer
LSU Doctoral Dissertations
The efficacy of a novel plasmid delivery system was assessed for long-term expression of gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) and growth hormone releasing hormone (GHRH) in horses and goats. The efficacy of the technology was demonstrated using 3 novel plasmids: pSEAP [expressing secreted embryonic alkaline phosphatase (SEAP)], pGHRH (expressing GHRH), and pGnRH (expressing GnRH). Geldings were electroporated with a reporter plasmid expressing SEAP in 3 muscle sites. Expression of SEAP, measured from jugular plasma samples, indicated muscle specificity for uptake and expression of the plasmid. Concentrations of SEAP were greatest (P < 0.05) after pectoralis injection, which was chosen as the site for electroporation in subsequent studies. In a second experiment, stallions were electroporated with pGHRH or pSEAP to evaluate the effect of long-term GHRH treatment on the growth hormone (GH) axis and testicular function. Stallions treated with pGHRH had increased (P < 0.05) plasma concentrations of IGF-I, increased (P < 0.05) volume of accessory sex gland fluid, and increased (P < 0.05) number of normal spermatozoa in the ejaculate relative to controls. In the third experiment, stallions were electroporated with pGnRH or pSEAP to test the effects of GnRH on the reproductive axis. Treatment with pGnRH increased (P < 0.05) plasma testosterone concentrations to d 56 and increased (P < 0.01) the LH response to GnRH on d 21, but did not alter (P > 0.1) seminal characteristics evaluated after 36 d of treatment. In …
Assessment Of Interactions Amoung Viruses Infecting Sweetpotato, Charalambos D. Kokkinos
Assessment Of Interactions Amoung Viruses Infecting Sweetpotato, Charalambos D. Kokkinos
LSU Doctoral Dissertations
Viral diseases, especially those caused by mixed infections, are among the economically most important diseases of sweetpotato. Real-time PCR assays were developed for the detection and quantification of the potyviruses Sweet potato feathery mottle virus (SPFMV), Sweet potato virus G (SPVG), Ipomoea vein mosaic virus (IVMV); the crinivirus Sweet potato chlorotic stunt virus (SPCSV), and the begomovirus Sweet potato leaf curl virus (SPLCV) directly from infected sweetpotato plants. Titers of SPFMV, IVMV, and SPVG were lower in singly-infected sweetpotato plants compared to singly-infected plants of the standard indicator host Brazilian morning-glory (Ipomoea setosa) and the standard propagation host I. nil …
College Student's Motivation For Physical Activity, Lori Lynn Delong
College Student's Motivation For Physical Activity, Lori Lynn Delong
LSU Doctoral Dissertations
The purpose of this study was to examine college students' motivations to be physically active by merging the perspectives of self-determination theory and the transtheoretical model. The secondary purpose was to examine the effects of a required physical activity course on college students' levels of physical activity. The premise is that both the theory and model can be used to help predict physical activity outcomes. Participants were 277 male and female students at a small private college. Motivation, self-determination, stage of change, self-efficacy, decisional balance, and leisure time activity levels were assessed using an online survey. Results revealed that activity …
Physical Activity Behavior Of University Students: An Ecological Approach, Lisa Gaye Johnson
Physical Activity Behavior Of University Students: An Ecological Approach, Lisa Gaye Johnson
LSU Doctoral Dissertations
Despite the health benefits associated with active lifestyles, a majority of adults do not engage in sufficient levels of physical activity (PA). Few individual-focused interventions have produced sustained changes in PA behavior. Therefore, public health officials are promoting the use of ecological approaches to examine the multidimensional factors that influence choices about PA and other health behaviors. National statistics are mirrored in college populations, with one-half of students in the US failing to meet current PA recommendations and one-third classified as either overweight or obese. In light of this, increasing PA and obesity prevention have been identified as the top …
Analysis Of Trade In The Western Hemisphere Utilizing A Gravity Model Framework, Brian Matthew Hilbun
Analysis Of Trade In The Western Hemisphere Utilizing A Gravity Model Framework, Brian Matthew Hilbun
LSU Master's Theses
With the recent proliferation of Regional Trade Agreements (RTAs) the tendency world-wide has been seemingly toward trade liberalization. This thesis is primarily concerned with the impacts RTAs have had in the Western Hemisphere regarding agricultural trade flows. Utilizing the framework of the Gravity Model, agricultural trade flows for 24 Western Hemisphere Nations were examined. In the course of the study it was expected that if RTAs were to have an effect it would be a positive Trade Creation Effect and a negative Trade Diversion Effect with positive effects for GDP of importer/exporter and population size of importer/exporter and a negative …
Awareness Of The Environmental Quality Incentives Program And Subsequent Adoption Of Best Management Practices By Cattle Farmers In Louisiana, Joyce Mamle Obubuafo
Awareness Of The Environmental Quality Incentives Program And Subsequent Adoption Of Best Management Practices By Cattle Farmers In Louisiana, Joyce Mamle Obubuafo
LSU Master's Theses
In recent years, the US livestock industries have undergone structural changes that have led to larger livestock operations with their associated environmental problems. Louisiana is within one of the major cow-calf production areas in the US (the Southeast). Louisiana accounts for about 1.72% of the total US cattle operations. In an attempt to control degradation of the environment, conservation programs have been put in place, one of which is the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). The EQIP was established in the 1996 Farm Bill, involving the payment of government subsidies to landowners willing to implement specific cost-intensive conservation practices. The …
Evaluation On Antioxidant Activities Of The Soybean Oils And Gums, Xianglong Yuan
Evaluation On Antioxidant Activities Of The Soybean Oils And Gums, Xianglong Yuan
LSU Master's Theses
In this study crude soy oil was extracted from the soy flour by hexane solvent. The crude oil was refined using a refining procedure similar to the one in edible oil industries, which included degumming, neutralizing, and bleaching. As the result, the eight groups of the oils and the gums were obtained. The compositions of fatty acids and tocopherols in the eight groups of samples were analyzed using GC-FID and HPLC, respectively. The antioxidant activities of the samples were analyzed by two chemical models, cholesterol and DHA. The results showed that ã- and ä-tocopherols may not be the main antioxidants …
The Effects Of Perceptions On Consumer Acceptance Of Genetically Modified (Gm) Foods, Jae-Hwan Han
The Effects Of Perceptions On Consumer Acceptance Of Genetically Modified (Gm) Foods, Jae-Hwan Han
LSU Doctoral Dissertations
This study investigates the effects of risk/benefit beliefs on consumer purchase intentions for genetically modified (GM) foods. A random, national, mail survey is conducted. Three main problems are addressed in the study. The first problem addressed is to analyze the relationship between consumers risk/ benefit beliefs regarding GM foods, and their willingness to buy GM crop and meat products. The second problem deals with linkages between a consumer’s risk/benefit beliefs about GM foods and willingness to pay (WTP) for GM foods with a benefit disclosure. The third problem addressed is to test a causal relationship between knowledge and trust toward …
The Effect Of A Condensed Tannin Containing Forage, Sericea Lespedeza On Existing And Challenge Infections Of Haemonchus Contortus In Sheep, Leigh Ann Chafton
The Effect Of A Condensed Tannin Containing Forage, Sericea Lespedeza On Existing And Challenge Infections Of Haemonchus Contortus In Sheep, Leigh Ann Chafton
LSU Master's Theses
Haemonchus contortus is one of the most threatening parasites to small ruminant production. Control has traditionally relied on the use of anthelmintics. Control has waned because the worm population has developed resistance to most of the currently available anthelmintics and alternative control measures are needed. Current consumer pressure is to reduce the use of chemicals in agricultural products, thus pushing control methods to more natural and acceptable approaches. One such approach is the feeding of condensed tannin containing forages either as fresh forage or dried products (hay, meal, pellets, etc). This study was conducted to determine the effect of a …
Interrelationships Between Mitochondrial Function, Maximal Oxygen Consumption, Running Economy, And Diet In Elite Male And Female Runners, Ryan Peyton Mcmillan
Interrelationships Between Mitochondrial Function, Maximal Oxygen Consumption, Running Economy, And Diet In Elite Male And Female Runners, Ryan Peyton Mcmillan
LSU Master's Theses
The relationships between maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max), mitochondrial function and running economy were investigated in a population of twenty-one endurance trained males and females (range=18-54 yrs). The purposes of this study were: 1) to determine whether mitochondrial oxidative capacity, as defined by the maximal activities of citrate synthase (CS), cytochrome c oxidase (COX), and beta-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase (BHAD), is a significant determinant of maximal oxygen consumption in endurance trained men and women, and 2) to observe the relationship between maximal oxygen uptake and running economy in the same population. Muscle biopsy samples were taken from the vastus lateralis prior to a …
The Effects Of Micronutrients On Pullets And Broilers, Danielle Armantine Lauzon
The Effects Of Micronutrients On Pullets And Broilers, Danielle Armantine Lauzon
LSU Master's Theses
Two experiments were conducted to determine the availability of various vitamin E (E) sources (absorbed to verxite or adsorbed to silica) in broilers. In Experiment 1, at 100 and 300 IU supplemental E, an average of 94 and 44% of E intake from verxite and silica, respectively, was excreted in the feces, but at 30 IU E, 49 and 45% of E intake was excreted in the feces. In Experiment 2 at 30 IU, 52 and 43% of E intake from verxite and silica was excreted (source, P < 0.02). Based on these results, E adsorbed to silica is more available. Two experiments were conducted to determine the relative bioavailability of organic versus inorganic sources of either Mn or Zn. In Experiment 1, Mn as MnSO4 or a Mn amino acid complex (Availa-Mn) were compared. In Experiment 2, ZnSO4 or a Zn amino acid complex (Availa-Zn) were compared. The results indicate that Availa-Mn is a more available source of Mn than MnSO4, but Availa-Zn is not as available as a source of Zn as ZnSO4. An experiment was conducted to determine the effects of organic sources of Zn, Mn, and Cu on White Leghorn pullet performance. Treatment diets consisted of a control diet with 66 ppm Zn as ZnSO4 or a combination of ZnSO4 and Availa-Zn, 66ppm Mn as MnSO4 or a combination of MnSO4 and Availa-Mn, and 10 ppm Cu as CuSO4 or a combination of CuSO4 and a Cu amino acid complex (Availa-Cu). Diets are inorganic sources (IO), organic Zn (OZ), organic Zn and Mn (OZM), or organic Zn, Mn, and Cu (OZMC). Addition of OZM increased (P < 0.08) intestinal tensile strength and increased (P < 0.06) grams of ash per bone compared with OZMC. Pullets fed OZ had a higher (P < 0.08) bone concentration of all minerals than pullets fed OZM. Total tibia Mn was decreased (P < 0.06) by OZMC, but total tibia Cu was increased (P < 0.08) by OZ addition over IO or OZM.
Inhibition Of Hormone Dependent And Independent Breast Cancer Cells By Oyster(Crassostrea Virginica) Ceramide, Madhavi Chintalapati
Inhibition Of Hormone Dependent And Independent Breast Cancer Cells By Oyster(Crassostrea Virginica) Ceramide, Madhavi Chintalapati
LSU Master's Theses
The purpose of this research was to investigate the in vitro and in vivo anti-angiogenic properties of ceramide isolated from oyster (Crassostrea virginica). Ceramide was isolated from oyster by silicic acid chromatography, purified by alkaline hydrolysis, and analyzed by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS). In vitro, the activity of ceramide on human hormone-dependent (MCF-7) and hormone-independent (MDA-MB-435s) breast cancer cells was evaluated for cell viability and proliferation, VEGF-induced cell migration and invasion, apoptosis, and autophagy. The activity of ceramide was also evaluated for VEGF-induced human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) tube formation. The protein levels of vascular endothelial growth factor …
Self-Regulation In Physical Activity: Understanding Decisions That Older Adults Make, Janene Marie Grodesky
Self-Regulation In Physical Activity: Understanding Decisions That Older Adults Make, Janene Marie Grodesky
LSU Doctoral Dissertations
Physical activity and exercise have been shown to strongly contribute to an extended quality of life. Half of all physical declines in aging can be prevented by engaging in adequate levels of daily physical activity. Only one in four older adults over the age of 65 participates in regular physical activity. There are various factors that have been identified in this population that influence physical activity behaviors including gender, ethnicity, education, and socioeconomic status. Though important for providing baseline data on older adults, these descriptions do not fully explain why or why not this population engages in physical activity; or …
Phenolic Compounds And Antioxidant Activity Of Oat Bran By Various Extraction Methods, Darryl Lourey Holliday
Phenolic Compounds And Antioxidant Activity Of Oat Bran By Various Extraction Methods, Darryl Lourey Holliday
LSU Master's Theses
Recent studies have suggested that the health promoting capabilities of oats are due to its antioxidants (tocopherols, tocotrienols, and sterols) found within the bran along with phenolic compounds, such as avenanthramides, p-hydroxybenoic acid and vanillic acid. Long-chain fatty acid oxidation is directly responsible for most off-flavors in food. Since oat bran is a good source of antioxidants, a concentrated extract could be used as a natural preservative, for foods rich in unsaturated long-chain fatty acids. Three methods, traditional solvent (TSE), microwave-assisted solvent (MAS), and supercritical fluid treatment (SFT), were used to obtain the extracts. One extraction temperature in TSE, 60°C, …
A Semiparametric Assessment Of Export-Led Growth In The Philippines, Lorna E. Amrinto
A Semiparametric Assessment Of Export-Led Growth In The Philippines, Lorna E. Amrinto
LSU Master's Theses
This study contributes to the literature on the export-led growth (ELG) hypothesis by adopting a semiparametric approach under two levels of temporal aggregation to investigate the ELG hypothesis in the Philippines. To assess the impact of model specification on the ELG hypothesis, parametric and semiparametric ECMs are estimated using Philippine annual and quarterly data on GDP, exports, exchange rates and gross fixed-capital formation, focusing on the role of exchange rates. The causal relationship between exports and economic growth is examined using the Granger-causality procedure. It can be concluded that for the Philippines, the ELG hypothesis is (a) sensitive to model …
Vitrification And Dehydration For The Preservation Of Gametes, Allison E. Moisan
Vitrification And Dehydration For The Preservation Of Gametes, Allison E. Moisan
LSU Doctoral Dissertations
Of the 36 species of felines in the world, all except the domestic cat are listed as endangered or threatened. To preserve the genetic diversity of felines and other species, genome resource banks have been established. Due to limited availability of germ cells for research, studies must use models to optimize the techniques before they are applied to endangered species. In this study, preservation of oocytes and spermatozoa was examined using the bovine as a model for felines. In the first series of experiments, bovine and feline oocytes were dehydrated, vitrified, warmed and cultured to assess their ability to undergo …
Depolymerization And Decolorization Of Chitosan By Ozone Treatment, Seung-Wook Seo
Depolymerization And Decolorization Of Chitosan By Ozone Treatment, Seung-Wook Seo
LSU Master's Theses
Currently, depolymerization and decolorization of chitosan are achieved by chemical or enzymatic methods which are time consuming and expensive. Ozone has been shown to be able to degrade macromolecules and remove pigments due to its high oxidation potential. In this study, the effects of ozone treatment on depolymerization and decolorization of chitosan were investigated. Crawfish chitosan was ozonated in water and acetic acid solution for 0, 5, 10, 15, and 20 minutes at room temperature with 12wt% gas. For the determination of viscosity–average Molecular weight of chitosan, an ubbelohde viscometer was used to measure the intrinsic viscosity, and the Mark-Houwink …
Cryopreservation And Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection With Bovine Epididymal Spermatozoa, Carlos Andres Guerrero
Cryopreservation And Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection With Bovine Epididymal Spermatozoa, Carlos Andres Guerrero
LSU Doctoral Dissertations
Recently, interest in the preservation of epididymal sperm as a potential source of valuable genes for genome resource banks has escalated. The development of a successful protocol to recover and cryopreserve sperm harvested from the epididymides would salvage germplasm from genetically valuable males that are injured and can no longer mate or have unexpectedly died and can be used as a model for the preservation of male gametes from endangered species. In a series of experiments, epididymal sperm was successfully harvested, cryopreserved and used for intracytoplasmic sperm injection. In Experiment I, ethylene glycol was found to cause significantly (P<0.05) less osmotic damage to bovine sperm during a one step addition and/or removal at 4°C as compared with glycerol in all concentrations evaluated. Furthermore, prolonged exposure (5 days at 4°C) of ethylene glycol was found to be less toxic than glycerol to sperm. In Experiment II, it was demonstrated that glycerol was more effective than ethylene glycol in providing protection against freezing injury during the cryopreservation process in the concentrations evaluated. In Experiment III, it was demonstrated that epididymal sperm retrieval using seminal plasma is beneficial to enhance sperm overall and progressive motility characteristics and to protect it from morphological abnormalities derived from the freezing process. In Experiment IV, a one step dilution process for removal of glycerol from cryopreserved epididymal sperm was found to significantly affect plasma membrane integrity and mitochondrial function of sperm previously exposed to seminal plasma. However, seminal plasma exposure did not have any significant detrimental effect on acrosome integrity. Furthermore, it was demonstrated that the longevity and survivability in vitro during a 4-hour incubation period at 37°C of post-thaw epididymal sperm exposed to seminal plasma prior to cryopreservation was not compromised when compared with the control extended sperm. In Experiment V, we have demonstrated that fertilization, blastocyst and fetal development could be achieved with cryopreserved bovine epididymal sperm by intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). To our knowledge, this is the first report in the United States and second in the world to use bovine epididymal sperm for ICSI. We achieved far markedly improved blastocyst rates over those results recently reported in the first study originating in Japan.