Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) and their receptors are expressed in ovarian theca cells (TC) and granulosa cells (GC) and BMPs have been implicated in the regulation of several aspects of follicle development including thecal androgen production and granulosal oestrogen production. Their potential involvement in luteal function has received less attention. In this study, we first compared relative abundance of mRNA transcripts for BMPs, activin-bA and BMP/activin receptors in bovine corpus luteum (CL) and follicular theca and granulosa layers before undertaking functional in vitro experiments to test the effect of selected ligands (BMP6 and activin A) on luteinizing bovine TC and GC. Relative to b-actin transcript abundance, CL tissue contained more BMP4 and -6 mRNA than granulosa, more BMP2 mRNA than theca but much less activin-bA mRNA than both granulosa and theca. Transcripts for all seven BMP/activin receptors were readily detected in each tissue and two transcripts (BMPRII, ActRIIA) were more abundant in CL than either theca or granulosa, consistent with tissue responsiveness. In vitro luteinization of TC and GC from antral follicles (4-6 mm) was achieved by culturing with 5% serum for 6 days. Treatment with BMP6 (0, 2, 10, and 50 ng/ml) and activin A (0, 2, 10 and 50 ng/ml) under these conditions dose-dependently suppressed forskolin-induced progesterone (P4) secretion from both cell types without affecting cell number. BMP6 reduced forskolin-stimulated upregulation of STAR mRNA and raised 'basal' CYP17A1 mRNA level in theca-lutein cells without affecting expression of CYP11A1 or hydroxy-D-5-steroid dehydrogenase, 3 b-and steroid D-isomerase 1 (HSD3B1). In granulosa-lutein cells, STAR transcript abundance was not affected by BMP6, whereas forskolin-induced expression of CYP11A1, HSD3B1, CYP19A1 and oxytocin transcripts was reduced. In both cell types, follistatin attenuated the suppressive effect of activin A and BMP6 on forskolin-induced P4 secretion but had no effect alone. Granulosa-lutein cells secreted low levels of endogenous activin A (w1 ng/ml); BMP6 reduced this, while raising follistatin secretion thus decreasing activin A:follistatin ratio. Collectively, these findings support inhibitory roles for BMP/activin signalling in luteinization and steroidogenesis in both TC and GC.

A comparative study of the diets of barn owl (Tyto alba) and spotted owlet (Athene brama) inhabiting Ahmadpur East, Southern Punjab, Pakistan AbstractThe diets of the barn owl (Tyto alba) and the spotted owlet (Athene brama) inhabiting the periphery of the Cholistan Desert at Ahmedpur East, southern Punjab were compared. Pellets of the two owl species were analyzed to learn more about their diets. The barn owl mainly consumed Suncus murinus (60.2%), birds (24.1%) and rodents (12.7%), while the spotted owlet depended on Mus species (36.8%), Suncus murinus (20.1%), birds (14.1%), reptiles (8.9%) and insects (6.7%) for its food. There was a low degree of food overlap of the two owls among the seasons.

The present study determined an association between idiopathic sperm disorders in a local Pakistani infertile male population and the MTHFR C677T polymorphism. After ruling out non genetic factors, a total of 437 idiopathic infertile men including 57 azoospermic, 66 oligospermic, 44 asthenozoospermic, 29 teratozoospermic, 20 oligoasthenospermic and 221 infertile normospermic men were recruited. Furthermore, 218 normospermic fertile men, who had two children (or more) were included as controls. The polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) technique was used to determine MTHFR C677T (rs1801133) polymorphism. A significant association of the minor MTHFR 677T allele with male infertility was observed (p <0.05). In addition, men with MTHFR 677 CT and TT genotypes were at a greater risk [odds ratio (OR): 1.81, 95% confidence interval (95% CI): 1.17-2.80, p = 0.008 and OR: 9.24, 95% CI: 1.20-70.92, p = 0.032, respectively] of infertility. All the subgroups of male infertility (azoospermic, oligospermic, asthenospermic, oligoasthenoteratospermic (OAT) and normospermic infertile) had significantly (p <0.05) higher frequencies of CT and TT genotypes when compared to fertile men. The combined genotypes (CT + TT) were also found significantly (OR: 2.01, 95% CI: 1.31-3.08, p <0.001) associated with male infertility. The results suggest that the polymorphism might be a factor of male infertility in the Pakistani population.

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Birds are among the best bio-indicators, which can guide us to recognize some of the main conservation concerns in ecosystems. Anthropogenic impacts such as deforestation, habitat degradation, modification of landscapes, and decreased quality of habitats are major threats to bird diversity. The present study was designed to detect anthropogenic causative agents that act on waterbird diversity in Tarbella Dam, Indus River, Pakistan. Waterbird censuses were carried out from March 2019 to February 2020 in multiple areas around the dam. A total of 2990 waterbirds representing 63 species were recorded. We detected the highest waterbird richness and diversity at Pehure whereas the highest density was recorded at Kabbal. Human activity impacts seemed to be the main factor determining the waterbird communities as waterbirds were negatively correlated with the greatest anthropogenic impacts. Waterbirds seem to respond rapidly to human disturbance.