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Testicular Development And Endocrine Characteristics Of Boars Selected For Either High Or Low Testis Size , A. P. Schinckel, R. K. Johnson, R. J. Kittock

Department of Animal Science: Faculty Publications

Thirty-six Landrace x Large White cross boars were selected from litters with either high or low estimated breeding values for 150-d paired testis weight. Blood samples were taken via jugular venipuncture at eight ages (42, 56, 70, 84, 98, 112, 126 and 140 d). At each sampling age, nine blood samples were taken at 30-min intervals. Luteinizing hormone (LH) was determined on the individual serum samples. Serum samples from each boar at each age were pooled and concentrations of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), estradiol-17β (E₂) and testosterone (T) were determined. Paired testis width, testis length and body weight were …

Seasonal And Spatial Heterogeneity In The Limnetic Zooplankton Community Of Lake Mead, Gene Robert Wilde

Publications (WR)

Zooplankton samples collected from throughout Lake Mead, in 1981-1982, demonstrate the presence of a statistically significant seasonal and spatial heterogeneity in zooplankton densities. Seasonally, the major zooplankton groups were most abundant in the spring and fall, coincident with maxima in chlorophyll-a concentrations. Successions among the various rotifers, cladocerans and copepods present in the reservoir were influenced by food availability, diapause, predation by planktivorous fish and, possibly, water temperatures. Spatial heterogeneity in zooplankton densities was unrelated to water temperature, pH, conductivity and dissolved oxygen concentrations, but was related to the abundance of phytoplankton (chlorophyll-a concentrations) and fish. Statistical analyses indicate that …

The Role Of Nannoplankton In The Phytoplankton Dynamics Of Four Colorado River Reservoirs (Lakes Powell, Mead, Mohave, And Havasu), Jeffrey John Janik

Publications (WR)

Phytoplankton species composition and community size structure were studied in four warm-monomictic Colorado River reservoirs; lakes Powell, Mead, Mohave, and Havasu from March 1981 to February 1982. Sampling was done at approximately monthly intervals from several stations in each reservoir. The Utermohl technique was used to enumerate phytoplankton. The phytoplankton assemblage was divided into the following six size classes using microscopic techniques; netplankton (>64 um), and nannoplankton (>5, 5-11, 12-21, 22-44, and 45-64 um).

Total phytoplankton biomass and community size structure were different among these four reservoirs with considerable spatial and temporal variation present. Average reservoir-wide areal weighted …

Effects Of Adrenalectomy On Hemoconcentration And Blood Ph, Urea And Electrolytes In The Mongolian Gerbil (Meriones Unguiculatus), Magally Aellos De Cova

Master's Theses

The effects of adrenalectomy on some blood profiles of the Mongolian gerbil, Meriones unguiculatus, were studied in order to clarify the possible causes of its short survival after adrenal ablation. Measurements of hematocrit, pH, urea and electrolytes were made 18, 24 and 30 hours after surgery. Results show the expected alterations: hemoconcentration, metabolic acidosis, high values of urea and disturbances in electrolytes. While hyponatremia was significant only after 24 hours, important hypochloremia was not present at any time. Hyperkalemia was the most significant alteration observed. It occurred as early as 18 hours after surgery, suggesting that it may be an …

A Lactic Culture Stimulant Blend From Kluyveromyces Fragilis And Whey, Steven L. Wright

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

A buffered growth medium was developed that sustained a significantly greater concentration of various strains of Streptococcus lactis and Streptococcus cremoris than did milk. The active buffering ingredients of this medium were magnesium hydroxide, ammonium and sodium salts of phosphate and citrate. This medium was entitled Lactic Culture Buffered Growth medium (LABGRO) and possessed about 8 times the buffering strength between pH 6.6 and 5.1.

Significant differences in growth and acid production rates were noted among Prt+ and Prt- lactic strains evaluated. Also noted were significant differences in cellular acid production rates. The two Prt- strains having the slowest growth …

The Hellbender, Cryptobranchus Alleganiensis, In Indiana, William H. Kern Jr.

All-Inclusive List of Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Very 1 ittle was previously known ubout the Hellbender, Crrp:t:£branchus alleganiensis alleganiensis, in Indiana. The purpose of this study was to determine its current range and status in Indiana and collect life history information. The hell benders were captured by hand from under rocks and 1d th hoopnets baited with cut fish. They were tagged, measured, wei~hed, examined for large external parasites, wounds, and reproductive cond:i - tion. Stoma ch contents were taken with a non-lethal, stomach-flushfog technique. The animals were then released at the site of capture. Al though they were originally found in the Ohio River, \\'hi tewater …

The Influence Of Edaphological Factors On The Biological Activity Of Selected Insecticides In Agricultural Soils, Bruce John Monke

Department of Entomology: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

A rating system was developed to predict the mortality of southern corn rootworm (Diabrotica undecimpunctata howardi Barber) larvae used as test animals to bioasaay soil insecticides. The mortality probabilities, based on behavior of moribund larvae, resulted in data that was more consistent with the assumptions underlying parameteric statistics and provided more precision when compared to the usually accepted alternate method of considering moribund larvae as dead.

The rating system bioassay technique was used to study the effects of different soil factors on the relative decline in biological activity of six soil insecticides: carbofuran, chlorpyrifos, fonofos, isofenphos, phorate, and terbufos. …

Plant Gas Exchange Of Two Bunchgrasses In Relation To Herbivory Tolerance, Robert S. Nowak

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The occurrence of compensatory photosynthesis was examined in the field during the spring for all foliage elements on two Agropyron bunchgrass species that differ in their evolutionary history of grazing pressure. Compensatory photosynthesis did occur in many individual foliage elements during at least part of their ontogeny. For both species, compensatory photosynthesis was related primarily to delayed leaf senescence and increased soluble protein concentrations, but not to an improvement in the water status of clipped plants. Photosynthetic water use efficiency and photosynthetic rates per unit soluble protein of foliage on partially defoliated plants were not increased following the clipping treatments. …

Resource Acquisition In The Presence Of A Novel Stimulus By Coyotes Of Different Social Rank, Warren E. Johnson

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

This study investigated the acquisition of food by hand-reared coyotes, Canis latrans, of different social rank in a familiar area with and without novel objects (safe and potentially unsafe conditions). The first objective was to test the hypothesis that dominant animals are more hesitant than subordinates in approaching food in the presence of a novel stimulus. The results were that dominant pups usually were the first to feed in the absence of novel stimulus, and subordinate pups were the first to feed when novel objects were present. The second objective was to see if the behavior of subordinates in …

Natural Killer Cell Activity And Beta-Endorphin In The Mink (Mustela Vison) And The In Vitro Effect Of Beta-Endorphin In Immunologic Assays, Nancy Cathleen Pace

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The purpose of this study was to investigate natural killer cell activity and the possible role of beta- endorphin in a natural model of autoimmune orchitis, the dark mink.

An assay was developed to study natural killer cell activity in the mink and base-line levels of activity in this specie were determined. Natural killer cell activity was assessed in fertile mutation mink, primary infertile dark mink and secondary infertile Utah dark mink with autoimmune orchitis. The study included three sampling times: November, March and April. Natural killer cell activity was significantly lower in mink studied in April than it was …

Effects Of Folic Acid Or Zinc Malnutrition On Rotaviral Infection In A Murine Model, John Douglas Morrey

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The influences of dietary deficiencies of folic acid or zinc on rotaviral disease infant mice were studied. Preliminary studies indicated that bovine and simian rotaviruses, but not porcine rotavirus, caused diarrhea in infant mice. Bovine and porcine rotaviruses were not, however, sufficiently infectious to replace murine rotavirus in studies utilizing the murine model. It was also determined that murine rotavirus purified by a cesium chloride gradient was highly infectious and useful for subsequent studies on nutritional influences of rotaviral disease. In dietary studies, female Swiss Webster mice were fed diets containing deficient, moderately deficient, or adequate levels of folic acid …

Initial Assessment Of The Introduction Of Spottail Shiner (Notropis Hudsonius) And Delta Smelt (Hypomesus Transpacificus) Into Willard Bay Reservoir, Utah., Thomas E. Sommerfeldt

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Spottail shiner (Notropis hudsonius) and delta smelt (Hypomesus transpacificus) were introduced into Willard Reservoir to improve the forage base for walleye (Stizostedion vitreum vitreum) and black crappie (Pomoxis nigromaculatus). Spottail shiners were stocked in early spring in 1981, 1982, and 1983. Hauling mortality was generally great and an estimated 34,500 live fish were stocked in the 3-year period. Spottail shiner reproduction occurred each year of stocking. Delta smelt were introduced in 1982 with the stocking of 15,000 adult spawning fish. Stocking survival was estimated at 99%. Freshly spawned eggs were also obtained …

Seed Reserves In Stockpiled Topsoil On A Coal Mine Near Kemmerer, Wyoming, Cynthia K. Johnson

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The objectives of this study were to determine how seed reserves varied with depth in topsoil stockpiles and to evaluate the effect of length of time of storage on the number of viable seeds and number of species of seeds.

Soil samples were taken from five topsoil piles representing zero to three years of storage on the Elkol-Sorenson mine near Kemmerer in southwestern Wyoming. Seeds were extracted using flotation/separation methods and were tested for viability using 2,3,5-triphenyl tetrazolium chloride solution. Data were analyzed using nonparametric statistical tests.

Overall density of seeds in topsoil piles was low. No relationship was found …

Effects Of Clearcutting On Forage Production, Quality And Decomposition In The Caatinga Woodland Of Northeast Brazil: Implications To Goat And Sheep Nutrition, Robert D. Kirmse

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Clearing of trees from the so-called caatinga woodland that characterizes the vegetation of the semi-arid region of northeast Brazil offers possibilities for increasing forage production. This research analyzed the first-year effects of clearing caatinga on dry season forage for goats and sheep. In addition, factors affecting litter decomposition on cleared and uncleared caatinga were assessed to evaluate the viability of deferring grazing of forages during the wet season for use later in the dry season.

Removing the trees resulted in a sixfold increase in production of herbaceous vegetation, however, 88 percent of the increased yield on the cleared areas was …

Dynamics Of Arid-Land, Perennial Plant Populations With An Examination Of Potential Causal Agents, Henry George Gardiner

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Rigorous statistical examination of the population dynamics of a number of long-lived perennial plant species permitted an interpretation of changes in those populations and the establishment of potentially important causal agents. Survival and recruitment of six species from the mulga-zone rangelands of Western Australia varied across three climatically different periods following the removal of domestic livestock.

Two species' populations (Eragrostis xerophila and Maireana glomerifolia) had their rates of increase reduced by kangaroo and euro grazing. Both survival and recruitment of Eragrostis xerophila were reduced by this grazing while Maireana glomerifolia suffered reduced recruitment during all periods. These negative …

The Relationship Of Ewe Body Mass To Lamb Production, Sebhatu Gebrelul

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Body size was estimated by multiplying the average of the hip and chest widths by body length and chest depth in 208 ewes of three genotypes: Targhee x Targhee (TXT), Finn x Targhee (FXT), and Suffolk x Targhee (SXT), and two seasons, fall (pre-breeding) and spring (post-lambing). The estimated ewe body size did not fluctuate with season, body condition or physiological stress and proved to be a constant measure of size. Measuring linear body dimension is time consuming; and hence ewe body size can best be approximated by the chest depth in a regression equation. In the absence of linear …

Chemical Composition And Acceptability Of Rain Damaged, Field Dried Alfalfa Hay, Cesar Augusto Araque H.

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Water was applied to swaths of cut alfalfa forage with oscillating sprinklers to stimulate rain damage to field drying alfalfa hay to determine the changes in chemical composition, loss of yield, and acceptability of rain damaged hay to sheep. An additional objective was to develop models to estimate yield losses form experimental hay. The experimental hay was prepared with a 2x2x4x4x2 factorial design. The factors were two different cuttings (July and September), two width of swath (3.05 m and 4.27 m), four times of applying artificial rain (3h, 8h, 13h, and 24h after cutting), four levels of artificial rain (no …

Combined Scale Weight, Height At Hips And Visual Condition Score As An Indicator Of Functional Body Size In Range Cows, Patricia B. Davis

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Thirty-five range cows of various breeds were obtained for the study. Body measurements taken were live weight and hip height and all cows were condition scored for level of fatness. The cows were slaughtered and the following morning several carcass measurements were taken and the plate was removed from the left side. These plates were boned and the remaining flesh ground for chemical analysis of percent carcass fat. Regression equations were calculated for estimating percent carcass fat from condition score, weight:height ratio and hip height (R²=.765). However, condition score alone is the single best estimator for percent carcass …

Influence Of Breed Type, Milk Production Potential And Cow Size Upon Maintenance Requirements, Jacqueline Lee Kennedy

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Two biological types of cows, straightbred Herefords (HxH) and Simmental-Hereford crosses (SxH), of similar body condition were individually fed over a 10 week period to compare the biological types for maintenance and to determine the influence of milk production potential and of size. Cows were nonlactating and in the last part of the first trimester of pregnancy. During the first 5 weeks of the feeding experiment, one-half of each type was fed 75% of estimated maintenance while the other half was fed 125% of estimated maintenance. During the last 5 weeks of the experiment those fed at 75% of maintenance …

Range Beef Cattle Productivity In Southern Utah, Mouslim A. Maiga

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Twenty-six range beef cattle ranches in southern Utah were surveyed by personal interview to obtain production data. The data were used to characterize the level of production efficiency in terms of calving rate, weaning rate, weaning weight, and net weaning weight in these operations; and to identify factors associated with differences in productivity.

The data revealed that productive efficiency was generally lower than the potential.

Mean calving rate of cows exposed for breeding was 83.4%. Stepwise regression involving calf death losses at or shortly after birth and heifer replacement rate accounted for 98.3% of the variance in calving rate. Calving …

Detailed Description And Nomenclature Of High Resolution G-Banded Horse Chromosomes And Cytogenetic Analysis Of Hereditary Multiple Exostosis In Horses, Alma Maciulis

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

A reliable technique for obtaining late prophase, prometaphase and greater numbers of metaphase chromosomes is presented. The increased number of mitoses and high resolution chromosomes were obtained using a modification of the typical three-day blood culture technique in which the cell cycle was temporarily blocked at the G₁-s border with methotrexate. A high resolution G-band idiogram is presented using a system similar to the standardization of human chromosomes. The use of this technique and system of nomenclature will facilitate routine analyses of horse chromosomes and provide a basis for the identification and recording of chromosome aberrations in this …

Effects Of 3, 5, 6-Trichloro-2-Pyridinol On Thyroid Function, Charles Franklin Luke

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

3,5,6-trichloro-2-pyridinol, when administered in the diet, increases the feed efficiency (the ratio of weight gain to feed consumed) in various species of domestic animals and also appears to be retained in the liver at low concentrations, possibly by binding to a specific macromolecule. Because of its structural similarities to the outer ring of the thyroid hormones, trichloropyridinol and three structural analogs (2,4,5-trichlorophenol, 4-bromo-2,5-dichlorophenol, or 4-iodo-2,5-dichlorophenol) were tested for ability to compete in vitro with 3,5,3'-triiodothyronine (T₃) for nuclear receptors specific for the thyroid hormones. All four of the halogenated compounds were found to be weakly competitive for the …

Vocal Behavior And Interactions Among Parents And Offspring In The American Dipper, Mary Kathleen Fite

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The American Dipper (Cinclus mexicanus), an inhabitant of rapidly flowing mountain streams, is an aquatic passerine whose vocalizations have previously been undescribed. This study examines the spectrographic characteristics and contexts of calls and song in a color-banded population of Dippers. Calls of adults are the Jih, Weep and Grawk calls; calls of nestlings and fledglings are the Chip and Beg calls. Adult Dippers have a limited number of call types which occupy a middle range of frequencies (3 to 6kHz) and have structural characteristics which enhance detection of vocal signals. Gradation is present between call types. Possible explanations …

Forage Quality Comparison Of Burned And Nonburned Aspen Communities, Deborah L. Blank

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The objectives of this study were to assess the effects of prescribed burning on herbaceous and browse forage quality in the aspen forest type for elk and domestic sheep.

Plant samples of selected forage species were taken from burned and nonburned plots within three different prescribed burns in southeastern Idaho. These samples were analyzed for in vitro dry matter digestibility, crude protein, calcium and phosphorus. Data were analyzed using the analysis of variance.

There was little improvement in forage quality as a result of prescribed burning, with some reduction in quality in 1983 exhibited by pinegrass (Calamagrostis rubescens). …

Effects Of Diflubenzuron When Fed To Adult Female Alfalfa Weevils, Mohamed M. Middib

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The purpose of this project was to evaluate diflubenzuron ovicidal effects on adult female alfalfa weevils Hypera postica in the laboratory. There was little relationship of weevil mortality to dosage or length of exposure of the adult to the chemical. An indirect result of diflubenzuron was an increase in muscardine fungus (Beauveria Sp.). Other effects of the chemical on the adults were yellow deposits and tissue extending from the tip of the abdomen.

The main effect of dilfubenzuron when fed to female alfalfa weevils was on the eggs. The effects were dosage related, especially on eggs viability. The viability was …

Time Course Of Enzyme Catalyzed Reactions: The Stoichiometry A --> P + Q, Tamra Tuttle

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The feasibility of using an integrated rate equation to analyze the kinetics of a second-order, enzyme-catalyzed reaction has been investigated. The inducible arginine decarboxylase from Escherichia coli B. was chosen for this study because it catalyzes an irreversible reaction with stoichiometry A --> P + Q, the simplest second order case. Values for five of the eight possible kinetic constants were determined from 21 time courses. Of the remaining three, the uncompetitive product inhibition constant for CO₂ was shown to be between 0 and 0.06, while the values of the competitive product inhibition for CO₂ and the uncompetitive …

Photoaffinity Labeling Of The Antimycin Binding Site In Rhodopseudomonas Sphaeroides, Emily Wilson

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The purpose of this study was to identify the site of interaction of antimycin with the ubiquinone-cytochrome b-c1 oxidoreductase in the photosynthetic bacteria, Rhodopseudomonas sphaeroides. To accomplish this goal, three areas of research were undertaken: the synthesis of a radiolabeled, photoaffinity analog of antimycin, identification of the inhibitory characteristics of this analog, and the photoaffinity labeling of the antimycin binding site. All three areas were accomplished.

The major finding of this study was the identification of an 11,000 dalton polypeptide as the predominantly labeled protein. Although this polypeptide was not exclusively labeled, it was consistently labeled and showed competition …

Comparisons Of Snow Deposition, Soil Temperature, Matric Potential And Quasi-Friction Velocity Between A Windward Site And A Lee Shelter In A Cold Desert, Harvey L. Neuber

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Regimes of snow depth, soil temperature, soil matric potential and quasi-friction velocity in a windward site and a lee shelter were examined. The differences were analyzed from a biological perspective to characterize each location in terms of site favorability to plant growth. The chronology of wind and precipitation events was investigated.

Snow depth was measured with a system of stakes arranged around and in the interior of a rectangular plot encompassing both a windward site and a lee shelter. Soil temperature, soil matric potential and water potential were measured along a transect which originated in the windward site and terminated …

Source Of Inoculum, Yield And Quality Of Tomato As Affected By Leveillula Taurica, Wayne B. Jones

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Tomato transplant stock from southern Nevada served as a source of inoculum and developed disease symptoms of tomato powdery mildew approximately three weeks before Utah-grown transplants. Plants from Nevada and Utah were equally infected seven weeks after planting and no differences in severity or yield were detected at the end of the season due to rapid spread of the fungus. Tomato yields were reduced ca 40% in check plots when compared to plots treated with triadimefon, propiconazol or sulfur. The amount of sunburned fruit in check plots was three to four times greater than in plots where the disease was …

Distribution Of The Shoshone Scuplin (Cottus Greenei: Cottidae) In The Hagerman Valley Of South Central Idaho, Richard L. Wallace, J. S. Griffith Jr., D. M. Daley, Patrick J. Connolly, G. B. Beckham

Great Basin Naturalist

Cottus greenei, a potentially threatened species endemic to Idaho, was collected from 49 localities in 25 springs/streams in south central Idaho. Most localities were along the north bank of the Snake River in waters of the Thousand Springs formation, Gooding County. One population was found in a spring in the main Snake River. Another sculpin, Cottus bairdi, was collected with C. greenei at 23 locations in 16 springs/streams. Confusion concerning the type locality of Cottus greenei is discussed.>