Somatic embryogenesis is widely preferred as the regeneration route for in vitro studies in cotton. However, the regeneration efficiency through this approach is low; a problem that is believed to be as a result of the biochemical properties of the plant. The objective of this study was to investigate possible relationships between three biochemical factors (reducing sugars, phenols, and free amino acids) and somatic embryogenesis. In vitro cultures of the different embryogenic and non-embryogenic cultivals were established. The levels of reducing sugars, phenols and free amino acids were determined at different developmental stages of the cultures. Higher levels of reducing sugars and lower level of phenol were observed in embryogenic cultivars compared to their non-embryogenic counterparts. There was a general increase in the levels of free amino acids, which decreased with time in the highly embryogenic cultivars, whereas the levels remained high in the poorly embryogenic and non-embryogenic cultivars. The higher content of phenols and free amino acids may be implicated in the poor somatic embryogenic response. The data show that there are factors that may serve as markers of somatic embryogenesis in cotton, which need to be empirically determined for any particular cultivar chosen for genetic improvement through embryogenesis.

Objective: Quassia amara is a medicinal plant with various pharmacological properties. The bioactive compound quassin is used as flavoring in food and beverages. Reproductive toxicological action of Q. amara is well documented but no information exists on its effect on prenatal programming. Methods:Adult male rats (180-200g, n=5) were treated daily (p.o) with Q. amara extract (100 mg/kg) for 6 weeks. A control group received distilled water. After 5 weeks of treatment, female rats were cohabited with the males for 7 days, at the ratio of 2:1. Mating was confirmed by presence of spermatozoa in all vaginal smear. Morphometric indices of all offspring were recorded on postnatal day one. They were also examined for any sign of abnormality or physical defect.Results: Fertility was zero in four out of the five treated rats. The females that cohabited with the fertile treated male gave birth to pups of varying sizes (6 and 9). However, four of the five control male rats were fertile and the female rats they mated had 9 pups each. No visible physical defect was observed on all offspring. Anogenital distance of the male offspring of the treated rats was significantly shorter than male offspring of the control, while anogenital distance of female offspring showed no statistical difference. Head diameter and body length were also significantly lower in offspring of the treated rats. However, weight, abdominal diameter and sex ratio of offspring were not statistically different. Conclusion:Quassia amara extract caused a reduction in the male anogenital distance, litter size, head diameter and body length of the offspring of treated male rats. Its reproductive toxicity actions may alter the developmental programming and probably transferred from one generation to another. Méthodes: Des rats mâles adultes (180-200g, n = 5) ont été traités quotidiennement (p.o) avec de l'extrait de Q. amara (100 mg / kg) pendant 6 semaines. Un groupe témoin a reçu de l'eau distillée. Après 5 semaines de traitement, les rats ont été cohabités avec les mâles pendant 7 jours, au ratio de 2: 1. L'accouplement a été confirmé par la présence de spermatozoïdes dans tous les frottis vaginaux. Les indices morphométriques de tous les descendants ont été enregistrés le premier jour post-natal. Ils ont également été examinés pour détecter tout signe d'anomalie ou de défaut physique. KeywordsRésultats: La fécondité était nulle sur quatre des cinq rats traités. Les femelles qui cohabitaient avec le mâle traité fertile ont donné naissance à des chiots de différentes tailles (6 et 9). Cependant, quatre des cinq rats mâles témoins étaient fertiles et les rats femelles qu'ils accouplaient avaient 9 chiots chacun. Aucun défaut physique visible n'a été observé chez tous les descendants. La distance anogenitale de la progéniture masculine des rats traités était significativement plus courte que la progéniture masculine du témoin, alors que la distance anogenitale de la progéniture féminine ne présentait aucune différence statistique. Le diamètre de la têt...

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