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Animal Sciences Commons™

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Theses/Dissertations

2007

Discipline
Institution
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Publication

Articles 91 - 106 of 106

Full-Text Articles in Animal Sciences

In Vitro Development Of Bovine Embryos Cultured In A Frozen-Thawed Commercial Culture Medium, Jeanne Lee Glaser Jan 2007

In Vitro Development Of Bovine Embryos Cultured In A Frozen-Thawed Commercial Culture Medium, Jeanne Lee Glaser

LSU Master's Theses

As in vitro fertilization (IVF) becomes more acceptable for the treatment of human infertility, it is essential for clinics to have in place an optimal embryo culture system. The objective of this study was to evaluate whether freezing and storing human embryo culture medium will alter embryo post-thaw viability. In consecutive experiments, commercial culture medium was frozen at -20°C and at -80°C and stored at 4°C until its use in IVF. Each IVF-derived replicate of bovine embryos contained a laboratory control group, a fresh commercial culture medium group(s) and a frozen-thawed commercial culture medium group(s). The commercial culture medium was …

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Comparison Of Three Survey Methods Applied To The Recreational Rock Lobster Fishery Of Western Australia., Tara Baharthah Jan 2007

Comparison Of Three Survey Methods Applied To The Recreational Rock Lobster Fishery Of Western Australia., Tara Baharthah

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

A mail survey of recreational rock lobster licence holders has been conducted annually since 1986. The results from this survey have been used in the management of the recreational rock lobster fishery in Western Australia. Mail surveys are susceptible to non-response and recall bias. The key to determining useful estimates of fishing catch and effort is to minimise both biases. Telephone recall surveys, with high response rates, effectively eliminate nonresponse bias. However, they still suffer from recall bias when the recall period is greater than two months. Telephone diary surveys are free of non-response bias and recall bias and provide …

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Characterization Of Exotic Pathogens Associated With The Suminoe Oyster, Crassostrea Ariakensis, Jessica A. Moss Jan 2007

Characterization Of Exotic Pathogens Associated With The Suminoe Oyster, Crassostrea Ariakensis, Jessica A. Moss

Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects

The eastern oyster, Crassostrea virginica, once an integral part of the ecology and economy of Chesapeake Bay, has been severely depleted. Factors leading to the decline of the eastern oyster include over-harvesting, environmental degradation and disease pressure caused by the protozoans Haplosporidium nelsoni and Perkinsus marinus, known commonly as MSX and Dermo, respectively. Studies regarding the feasibility of introducing a nonnative oyster to the Bay were initiated, and field-based research on an Asian oyster, Crassostrea ariakensis, suggested that it might be a viable species for introduction. Research surrounding the proposed introduction has focused on recommendations such as those from the …

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Intracellular Lipids In Bos Indicus And Box Taurus Oocytes, Casey Bryant Ballard Jan 2007

Intracellular Lipids In Bos Indicus And Box Taurus Oocytes, Casey Bryant Ballard

LSU Master's Theses

It has been proposed that Bos indicus when compared with Bos taurus embryos are more sensitive to cryopreservation procedures due to higher intracellular lipid content of the embryos. With cyropreservation of Bos indicus embryos increasing for export, it is essential to improve the viability of these cryopreserved embryos. In Experiment I, M-II oocytes from mice, pigs and cows were subjected to two different procedures to evaluate lipid content. The lipid content present in pig oocytes was significantly (P<0.05) higher when compared with mouse and cow oocytes. Pig oocytes had a lower settling point in the sucrose buoyant density gradient and higher Nile Red units, which indicated higher lipids present in the oocytes. In Experiment II, it was determined that M-II oocytes aspirated from superstimulated Brahman donors were significantly higher (P<0.05) in lipid content compared with English breed donors. The lipid content present in Brahman oocytes was higher when compared with English breeds when tested with a sucrose buoyant density gradient and Nile Red staining. In addition, donor females with higher body condition scores were significantly (P<0.05) higher in oocyte lipid content when compared with donor females of lower body condition scores. Furthermore, animal body condition scores, cholesterol and triglyceride levels prior to oocyte aspiration may be indicators of intracellular lipids in the oocytes and embryos. To our knowledge, this is the first report that evaluated intracellular lipid content of M-II oocytes of different beef breed types using a sucrose buoyant density gradient and Nile Red staining.

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Equine Obesity-Related Hyperleptinemia, Nan Killen Huff Jan 2007

Equine Obesity-Related Hyperleptinemia, Nan Killen Huff

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Plasma leptin concentrations in obese adult horses have been shown to vary widely, and horses tend to fit into two groups: low leptin (<10 ng/mL) and hyperleptinemic (10 to 50 ng/mL). Observations over time revealed that the hyperleptinemic condition was consistent, possibly indicating a relatively permanent underlying cause. Based on these observations, three experimental approaches were used to further study equine obesity-related hyperleptinemia. The first experiment determined the prevalence of hyperleptinemia among postpartum, lactating mares, evaluated its consequence on their re-breeding success, and investigated correlations between leptin levels in lactating and non-lactating mares. Postpartum mares (n = 198) and non-foaling mares (n = 31) were categorized based on their leptin status: normoleptinemic or hyperleptinemic. Leptin in the lactating mares averaged 4.8 ng/mL, and 11 of the 198 (13%) displayed hyperleptinemia. Leptin in the non-lactating mares averaged 7.5 ng/mL, with 9 mares (29%) displaying hyperleptinemia. Of the 198 lactating mares bred, 81% became pregnant; there was no effect of leptin status on re-breeding success. To study one possible cause for hyperleptinemia in well-fed horses, a second experiment explored polymorphism(s) within exon 2 of the equine leptin gene. The DNA from five hyperleptinemic and five normal mares of high body condition was used to analyze exon 2 of the leptin gene for polymorphisms. Based on the 10 mares tested, there was no polymorphism in exon 2 of the equine leptin gene; therefore, polymorphism is not a likely explanation for the high vs. low leptin difference. The third experiment explored the possible effects of hyperleptinemia on the endocrine and immune systems. Endotoxin was given to mares and geldings to investigate the role and/or regulation of leptin in the pro-inflammatory cytokine response. Of the endpoints measured, only platelet count differed between normal and hyperleptinemic horses. Endotoxin infusion caused the expected pro-inflammatory cytokine and endocrine responses, but leptin status was not a significant factor for any endpoint. It is concluded that hyperleptinemia in mares is not associated with polymorphism in exon 2 of the leptin gene, does not affect re-breeding rates of foaling mares, and does not alter the endotoxin-induced responses of the endocrine and immune systems.

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Chromosomal Stability And Epigenetic Modifications Of Fibroblast Cells Used For Nuclear Transfer, Angelica Maria Giraldo Gomez Jan 2007

Chromosomal Stability And Epigenetic Modifications Of Fibroblast Cells Used For Nuclear Transfer, Angelica Maria Giraldo Gomez

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Investigations into the importance of the nuclear integrity of the donor cell prior to nuclear transfer (NT) are limited. In Experiment 1, the proliferative characteristics, chromosomal stability and level of histone phosphorylation in cell lines established by explants and enzymatic dissociation at different population doublings (PDs) were investigated. The cells divided at a constant rate and cell cycle length increased only at the end of the proliferative stage. The level of aneuploidies was high and remained elevated throughout the study independent of the technique used to establish the primary culture. High levels of multinucleated cells and abnormal spindle configurations were …

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Effects Of Cryopreservation And Constituents Of Semen Extenders On Mitochondrial Function Of Bull Spermatozoa, Abdulhakeem Hashim Eljarah Jan 2007

Effects Of Cryopreservation And Constituents Of Semen Extenders On Mitochondrial Function Of Bull Spermatozoa, Abdulhakeem Hashim Eljarah

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

This study investigated the effects of semen extender constituents and cryopreservation on bovine spermatozoal mitochondrial function. Three yearling Holstein bulls were used. Two ejaculates per bull were collected and pooled on a weekly basis for five weeks and extended in four treatments: 1) sodium citrate egg yolk extender with antibiotics (lincomycin, spectinomycin, gentamicin and tylosin); 2) ¡°1¡± with glycerol; 3) ¡°2¡± without antibiotics; and 4) ¡°1¡± without antibiotics. Each was divided into portions for analyses before freezing and after cryopreservation. The pre-freeze and thawed semen were transferred to a 37¡ãC water bath, the same assays were performed. In experiment 1, …

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Effect Of Age, Body Condition, Pregnancy And Lactation On Circulating Leptin Concentrations In Beef Cattle, Glen Talmage Gentry, Jr. Jan 2007

Effect Of Age, Body Condition, Pregnancy And Lactation On Circulating Leptin Concentrations In Beef Cattle, Glen Talmage Gentry, Jr.

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

A series of experiments were conducted to evaluate the potential role of leptin in bovine reproduction. In Experiment 1, mean circulating leptin concentrations of postpartum cows were not affected by exogenous dexamethasone treatments. In Experiment 2, mean leptin concentrations were not correlated with female age or body weight but were positively correlated with body condition scores of beef cattle. Leptin concentrations were higher in 1 year old heifers (8.9 ng/ml) compared with 2 year old cows (6.0 ng/ml), but heifer leptin concentrations were not different than 4 to 6 year old cows (8.0 ng/ml) and cows ≥7 years of age …

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Effect Of Culture Conditions On Gene Expression In Manipulated Bovine Embryos, Megan Nicole Purpera Jan 2007

Effect Of Culture Conditions On Gene Expression In Manipulated Bovine Embryos, Megan Nicole Purpera

LSU Master's Theses

Numerous studies have reported aberrant gene expression levels attributed to suboptimal in vitro culture conditions presented to embryos. Since the culture environment is a common aspect of both in vitro production (IVP) and nuclear transfer (NT), research focusing on the in vitro culture system will have the potential to improve both techniques. This study investigated the effects of different culture systems and protein sources on the developmental competence of IVP embryos measured by cleavage and blastocyst rates, cell number, and relative abundance of oct-4, nanog, connexin 43, and GLUT-1 transcripts when compared to in vivo embryos. Experiment 1 compared IVP …

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Cryopreservation Of White-Tail Deer Epididymal Sperm For Artificial Insemination, Jesse Ray Saenz Jan 2007

Cryopreservation Of White-Tail Deer Epididymal Sperm For Artificial Insemination, Jesse Ray Saenz

LSU Master's Theses

The ability to cryopreserve epididymal sperm from mature postmortem bucks has long been of interest to both wildlife conservationists and deer ranchers. Increased understanding of the cryobiology of epididymal sperm from a non domestic species, such as White-tail deer, could aid in development of future protocols to assist in the preservation of endangered species. In Experiment I, results showed that after cooling postmortem bull testes for 22 hours, no significant difference was noted between sperm parameters of epididymal sperm collected at room temperature or at a cool enviorment. In Experiment II, it was shown that White-tail deer sperm could be …

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Low Crude Protein, Amino Acid-Supplemented Diets, And The Glycine Requirement In Low Crude Protein Diets For Broilers, April Marie Waguespack Jan 2007

Low Crude Protein, Amino Acid-Supplemented Diets, And The Glycine Requirement In Low Crude Protein Diets For Broilers, April Marie Waguespack

LSU Master's Theses

The purpose of this research was to determine the optimal level of crystalline amino acid (AA) supplementation that supports maximum growth performance in broilers, and to determine the Gly requirement in broilers. Treatments were replicated with a minimum of 7 pens with 6 broilers per pen. Experiments (Exp.) were conducted from 0- to 18- days (d) post-hatching in brooder batteries. Three Exp. were conducted to determine the maximum level of L-Lys•HCl that could be supplemented to corn-soybean meal (C-SBM) diets without negatively affecting growth performance of broilers. The results of these Exp. indicate that broilers can achieve maximum growth performance …

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In Utero And In Vitro Sex Ratio Of Bovine Embryos And Calves Originating From The Left And Right Ovaries, Darin Alan Hylan Jan 2007

In Utero And In Vitro Sex Ratio Of Bovine Embryos And Calves Originating From The Left And Right Ovaries, Darin Alan Hylan

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

An asymmetric distribution of the sexes within the left and right uterine horns has been described in multiple polytocous, laboratory species. A series of experiments were conducted to evaluate the sex ratio (% male) of calves gestated in the left and right uterine horns, as well as the sex ratio of embryos originating from the left and right ovaries of cattle. In Experiment 1, the sex ratio of calves and fetuses gestated in the left and right uterine horns was investigated. The sex ratio of calves and fetuses gestated in the right uterine horn was significantly higher compared with the …

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Monograph Of The North American Freshwater Fish Leeches (Oligochaeta: Hirudinida ; Piscicolidae) And Molecular Phylogeny Of The Family Piscicolidae, Julianne I. Williams Jan 2007

Monograph Of The North American Freshwater Fish Leeches (Oligochaeta: Hirudinida ; Piscicolidae) And Molecular Phylogeny Of The Family Piscicolidae, Julianne I. Williams

Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects

The phylogeny of the Piscicolidae was analyzed from combined sequence data of 18S rDNA, cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (CO-I), nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide dehydrogenase subunit I (ND-I), and morphological data using parsimony. A worldwide distribution of Pisciolidae was represented for the first time in a phylogenetic analysis. While the family Piscicolidae was supported as a monophyletic group, the traditional subfamilies based on morphology were not supported. The Platybdellinae was polyphyletic and formed four distinct clades, and Bathybdella sawyeri did not group with any other platybdellids. The Piscicolinae was also polyphyletic, also forming four distinct clades. The pontobdellid genus Stibarobdella was …

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Reproductive And Metabolic Effects Of Recombinant Equine Leptin On Seasonally Anovulatory Mares, Pamela Boliew Mitcham Jan 2007

Reproductive And Metabolic Effects Of Recombinant Equine Leptin On Seasonally Anovulatory Mares, Pamela Boliew Mitcham

LSU Master's Theses

Mares of poor body condition have low plasma leptin concentrations, while obese mares have the highest concentrations. Leptin is a primary signal of body condition to the brain in other species; therefore, low leptin concentrations in thin mares could contribute to their extended anovulatory period in winter compared to obese mares. The current experiment was designed to determine whether recombinant equine leptin, administered to seasonally anovulatory mares, would induce ovarian activity and ovulation in the winter. Leptin effects on metabolism were also studied. Beginning January 7, leptin-treated mares (n = 9) received daily i.m. injections of 10 mg recombinant equine …

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The Effects Of Various Feed Additives On Growth Performance Of Nursery Pigs, Jennifer Tucker Jan 2007

The Effects Of Various Feed Additives On Growth Performance Of Nursery Pigs, Jennifer Tucker

LSU Master's Theses

The objective of this research was to evaluate the effects of various feed additives on growth performance of nursery pigs. An experiment was conducted in which pigs were fed a conventional Phase 1 diet containing: 1) no salmon protein hydrolysate (SPH) or spray-dried porcine plasma (SDPP); 2-3) 1.5% SPH or SDPP; 4-5) 3.0% SPH or SDPP; or 6) 1.5% SPH and 1.5% SDPP. The results of this experiment showed growth performance was unaffected by source or level of protein during any growth phase. Overall gain:feed was greater (P = 0.08) for pigs fed the 1.5% level of protein than for …

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Repeatability Of Mate Preferences And Mate-Choice Copying In Female Zebra Finches, Amanda Karen Houck Jan 2007

Repeatability Of Mate Preferences And Mate-Choice Copying In Female Zebra Finches, Amanda Karen Houck

Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects

No abstract provided.

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