A multi-parent advanced generation inter-cross (MAGIC) derived from 11 founder lines in faba bean was used in this study to identify quantitative trait loci (QTL) for frost tolerance traits using the association mapping method with 156 SNP markers. This MAGIC population consists of a set of 189 genotypes from the Göttingen Winter Bean Population. The association panel was tested in two different experiments, i.e. a frost and a hardening experiment. Six morphological traits, leaf fatty acid composition, relative water content in shoots were scored in this study. The genotypes presented a large genetic variation for all traits that were highly heritable after frost and after hardening. High phenotypic significant correlations were established between traits. The principal coordinates analysis resulted in no clear structure in the current population. Association mapping was performed using a general linear model and mixed linear model with kinship. A False discovery rate of 0.20 (and 0.05) was used to test the significance of marker-trait association. As a result, many putative QTLs for 13 morphological and physiological traits were detected using both models. The results reveal that QTL mapping by association analysis is a powerful method of detecting the alleles associated with frost tolerance in the winter faba bean which can be used in accelerating breeding programs.

The frequency, duration, and severity of heat and drought stresses singly or in combination can be aggravated by climate change. Under these stresses, the stored carbohydrates in stems play an important role in grain filling in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) post-anthesis. This study examines the genetic variation of stem characters in wheat and their role in supporting grain weight under favorable and drought, combined drought, and heat conditions. Field experiments were conducted with seven spring wheat genotypes along with their F1 and F2 progenies. Stem diameter (SD), stem density (SDN), and stem weight (SW) were measured in 21 F1 (half-diallel analysis) and 12 F2 (3 x 4 North Carolina Design II) crosses. Among stem characters, SD was significantly correlated with thousand kernel weight (TKW) and grain yield per spike (GYPS) in all environments in F1 and F2. All characters showed high heritability estimates. For stem characters, the highest heritability was found for SD in both generations. High positive phenotypic and genotypic correlations were found between stem characters and both TKW and GYPS. The correlation between reductions due to stress (%) in stem characters and reduction due to stress in TKW and GYPS confirmed the strong relationships between stem characters and yield attributes in the stressed environments. We conclude that stem characters, especially SD, may play an important role in sustaining grain filling under such conditions. This is possibly due to a greater stem capacity for assimilates storage post-anthesis and subsequent remobilization to the grains

The frequency, duration, and severity of heat and drought stresses singly or in combination can be aggravated by climate change. Under these stresses, the stored carbohydrates in stems play an important role in grain filling in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) post-anthesis. This study examines the genetic variation of stem characters in wheat and their role in supporting grain weight under favorable and drought, combined drought, and heat conditions. Field experiments were conducted with seven spring wheat genotypes along with their F1 and F2 progenies. Stem diameter (SD), stem density (SDN), and stem weight (SW) were measured in 21 F1 (half-diallel analysis) and 12 F2 (3 x 4 North Carolina Design II) crosses. Among stem characters, SD was significantly correlated with thousand kernel weight (TKW) and grain yield per spike (GYPS) in all environments in F1 and F2. All characters showed high heritability estimates. For stem characters, the highest heritability was found for SD in both generations. High positive phenotypic and genotypic correlations were found between stem characters and both TKW and GYPS. The correlation between reductions due to stress (%) in stem characters and reduction due to stress in TKW and GYPS confirmed the strong relationships between stem characters and yield attributes in the stressed environments. We conclude that stem characters, especially SD, may play an important role in sustaining grain filling under such conditions. This is possibly due to a greater stem capacity for assimilates storage post-anthesis and subsequent remobilization to the grains

The frequency, duration, and severity of heat and drought stresses singly or in combination can be aggravated by climate change. Under these stresses, the stored carbohydrates in stems play an important role in grain filling in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) post-anthesis. This study examines the genetic variation of stem characters in wheat and their role in supporting grain weight under favorable and drought, combined drought, and heat conditions. Field experiments were conducted with seven spring wheat genotypes along with their F1 and F2 progenies. Stem diameter (SD), stem density (SDN), and stem weight (SW) were measured in 21 F1 (half-diallel analysis) and 12 F2 (3 x 4 North Carolina Design II) crosses. Among stem characters, SD was significantly correlated with thousand kernel weight (TKW) and grain yield per spike (GYPS) in all environments in F1 and F2. All characters showed high heritability estimates. For stem characters, the highest heritability was found for SD in both generations. High positive phenotypic and genotypic correlations were found between stem characters and both TKW and GYPS. The correlation between reductions due to stress (%) in stem characters and reduction due to stress in TKW and GYPS confirmed the strong relationships between stem characters and yield attributes in the stressed environments. We conclude that stem characters, especially SD, may play an important role in sustaining grain filling under such conditions. This is possibly due to a greater stem capacity for assimilates storage post-anthesis and subsequent remobilization to the grains

The frequency, duration, and severity of heat and drought stresses singly or in combination can be aggravated by climate change. Under these stresses, the stored carbohydrates in stems play an important role in grain filling in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) post-anthesis. This study examines the genetic variation of stem characters in wheat and their role in supporting grain weight under favorable and drought, combined drought, and heat conditions. Field experiments were conducted with seven spring wheat genotypes along with their F1 and F2 progenies. Stem diameter (SD), stem density (SDN), and stem weight (SW) were measured in 21 F1 (half-diallel analysis) and 12 F2 (3 x 4 North Carolina Design II) crosses. Among stem characters, SD was significantly correlated with thousand kernel weight (TKW) and grain yield per spike (GYPS) in all environments in F1 and F2. All characters showed high heritability estimates. For stem characters, the highest heritability was found for SD in both generations. High positive phenotypic and genotypic correlations were found between stem characters and both TKW and GYPS. The correlation between reductions due to stress (%) in stem characters and reduction due to stress in TKW and GYPS confirmed the strong relationships between stem characters and yield attributes in the stressed environments. We conclude that stem characters, especially SD, may play an important role in sustaining grain filling under such conditions. This is possibly due to a greater stem capacity for assimilates storage post-anthesis and subsequent remobilization to the grains

Frost stress is one of the most significant abiotic stresses affecting crops in Europe and limits e.g. winter faba bean growth. Faba bean is therefore mainly sown as a spring crop in cool-temperate regions. The objective of this study is to study the genetic variation in frost tolerance between elite winter faba beans. To address this challenge, 200 highly homozygous lines were tested in a frost growth chamber. Two different experiments, with frost stress and with hardening conditions were conducted. A number of morphological traits of shoots (loss of leaf turgidity, loss of leaf color, regrowth after frost and disposition to survive) and of roots (root frost susceptibility and root length) were visually scored in the frost experiments. Moreover, total leaf fatty acid (after hardening) and water content (after hardening and after frost stress) in shoots as physiological parameters were analyzed. The frost tolerance index was calculated to improve two traits: disposition to survive and regrowth after frost. High significant genetic variation was found between genotypes in all traits scored and analyzed. Disposition to survive showed high significant phenotypic (r = 0.77**) and genotypic (r = 0.85) correlations with regrowth after frost test. Moreover, roots traits showed higher significant phenotypic and genotypic correlations with frost tolerance than traits scored on shoots (loss of leaf turgidity and loss of leaf color). For physiological traits, water content before and after frost showed stronger significant correlation with frost tolerance than leaf fatty acid composition. Repeatability estimates (h2) ranged from 0.58 to 0.95 for morphological traits and from 0.63 to 0.89 for physiological traits. The best 20 genotypes for each morphological trait were determined. As a result, 12 genotypes were identified with superior frost tolerance. The results indicate the possibility of genetically improving the frost tolerance in winter faba bean through selection programs.

Abstract BACKGROUND: Benzo(a)pyrene (BaP) is an endocrine toxicant that is widely distributed in the environment. The adverse effects of BaP on fertility are well documented, however its effects on fertility in the subsequent generations are not known. We aimed to investigate the transgenerational effects of BaP on male fertility in mice. METHODS: Six-week-old male mice (F0) were orally administered BaP (1 or 10 mg/kg body weight) or corn oil, daily for 6 weeks. The male mice were mated with untreated female mice to produce F1 offspring. The F2 and F3 progeny were produced in a similar manner. Testes and spermatozoa were collected from 14-week-old F0, F1, F2 and F3 males in order to assess male fertility parameters, namely testis histology, sperm count, sperm motility and sperm penetration (sperm penetration assay). RESULTS: Oral administration of a high dose of BaP induced testicular malformation and decreased numbers of seminiferous tubules with elongated spermatids for three generations studied (i.e. F0 to F2) with significant decreases in F0 and F2. It also significantly decreased sperm motility in F0. BaP significantly decreased sperm count in the group treated with a high dose of BaP in all generations except the F3 generation. The sperm fertility index (SFI) also decreased significantly for two generations. Of the fertility parameters measured, sperm count and SFI were the more sensitive parameters in our study. CONCLUSIONS: Exposure to BaP decreases the fertilization potential of exposed males and has an adverse impact on sperm function and fertility in subsequent generations. The BaP effect on fertility can be described as a transgenerational effect for F2 generation.

Abstract OBJECTIVE: To examine how voltage-dependent anion channels (VDACs) regulate sperm function in capacitation conditions. DESIGN: Experimental prospective study. SETTING: Academic research laboratory. ANIMAL(S): Male ICR and female B6D2F1/CrljOri mice (8-12 weeks old). INTERVENTION(S): Female mice were superovulated with 5 IU of pregnant mare serum gonadotropin given IP and 5 IU of hCG given IP 48 hours later. Oocytes were applied to assess fertilization and embryo development. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Immunofluorescence assay, computer-assisted sperm analysis, hypo-osmotic swelling test, combined Hoechst 33258/chlortetracycline fluorescence assessment of capacitation status, measurement of [Ca(2+)](i) and [pH](i), Western blotting, and IVF. RESULT(S): VDAC2 was localized on the acrosomal region and principal piece, while VDAC3 was localized on the acrosomal region and midpiece. Blocking VDAC with DIDS (500 μM) significantly decreased motility, viability, acrosome reaction, capacitation, tyrosine phosphorylation, fertilization, and embryo development regardless of Ca(2+). However, the most severe decreases were observed in the presence (+) of DIDS and absence (-) of Ca(2+), respectively. A significant decrease in [Ca(2+)](i) concentration was observed in (-) DIDS, while [pH](i) was significantly increased in (-) DIDS regardless of Ca(2+). However, a significantly elevated [pH](i) was observed in (+) Ca(2+). CONCLUSION(S): Abnormal regulation of VDACs negatively affected sperm function. Thus, VDACs may be key regulators of the fertilization ability of spermatozoa.

This experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of duration of feed withdrawal and full-feeding during high environmental temperature condition on broiler chicken performance and mortality rate. One hundred and twenty one-day old brown Shaver broilers were used in this study. The experiment consisted of four groups, each group included three replicates of 10 chicks each. The broilers were full-fed ad libitum in the control group 1 (FFC) while feeders were removed for three (at 9.00 a.m. and return it at 12.00 p.m.), six (at 9.00 a.m. and return it at 3.00 p.m.) or nine (at 9.00 a.m. and return it at 6.00 p.m.) hours per day in groups 2, 3 and 4, (FW3, FW6, and FW9) respectively from 2 to 7 weeks of age. The average indoor temperature was 26-38 °C. The obtained results could be summarized as follows: No significant differences in the final body weight, feed consumption and cumulative feed conversion ratio were observed between full-fed and all restricted broilers. The broilers of all restricted-fed groups had fewer deaths than that of the control group. The mortality rate was 13.3, 10.0, 0.0 and 10.0% for groups 1, 2, 3, and 4, respectively. No significant differences in carcass weight, its percentage, as well as the percentage of femurs, breast, wings, blood, feet & shank, heart, liver, gizzard, giblets, intestine, drumsticks & femurs fat, and total fat weight were found among all groups. However, significant (P≤0.05) differences were detected in the percentage of head, back, skin, proventriculus, spleen, gallbladder, abdominal fat, subcutaneous fat and breast fat of the groups. The broilers of all restricted-fed groups had significantly lower (P≤0.05) percentage of drumsticks & femurs as compared with that of FFC. It could be observed that, the FFC group had significantly higher (P≤0.05) neck fat as compared with all restricted groups, while it had significantly lower (P≤0.05) heart fat. The FW6 birds had insignificantly lower total fat than that of FFC birds. All restricted fed broilers (groups 2, 3 and 4) increased economical efficiency by 13, 99 and 2%, respectively as compared with FFC broilers. The FW6 group had the best economic efficiency (EE) value. It could be concluded that, the most suitable feeding regime during high environmental temperature is the withdrawal of feed for 6 hours per day at 9.00 a.m. and return it at 3.00 p.m. from 2 to 7 weeks of age because it was best economically efficient than other feed restriction regimes. Also, using this regime was associated with a reduction in fat deposition and with no mortalities.