Cow Fertility Research Has Far-Reaching Implications UNIVERSITY PARK, (Centre Co.) Penn State researchers studying the fertility of cattle have isolated a protein secreted by the oviduct that could help correct problems of infertility in humans, as well as in cows. Dr. Gary Killian, professor of reproductive physiology in the Department of Dairy and Animal Science, says the fluid found in the oviduct the tube that serves as the passageway for eggs and the site of fertilization contains a protein that binds to sperm, pre paring them for the fertilization process. Durin in-vitro experi ments, sperm swam straighter, seemed more directed and remain ed alive longer when placed in a culture with this protein. Selenium (Continued trom Page A3O) for dairy farmers, one that will affect their pocketbooks one way or the other. What is the evidence for envir onmental objections? Are we served well with the current allow ed supplementation levels, or are we going to suffer new losses in reproductive efficiency, udder health and in milk quality by the reduced levels of supplementation? The prospect of this possible change has many dairy farmers upset and even scared. It will pay dairy fanners to renew their atten tion to this issue. Public Auction Register Closing Date Monday 5:00 P.M. of each week’s publication DECEMBER Toys, Household, Anti- ques, Collectibles. Owner !AT. JAN. 4 - 9AM, Quilts, Pauline Shade. Kenneth P. 37 Buick, Winross Trucks, Leiby Auct Public Auction 1987 Buick LaSabte (29,000 ml). V-6 (Like New), 6 Quito, Early Red Paint Schoolmaster’s Desk, 40 Winross Trucks, Toys, Household, Antiques 8c Collectibles Saturday, Jan. 4, 1992 At 9:00 A.M. Located At The Leesport Farmer’s Market Hall Just Off Rt. 61 Leesport, Berks Co., Pa. Frigidaire 40” Elec. Stove & Refrig. (Like New); Flax Winder, Dec. Balloon Back Chair, & Other Chairs, 3 Pc. B.R.S. Lane Cedar & Blanket Chests, 6 Pc. Pine O.R.S. Lamps, Library Tables, Washstand, L.R.S. (Like New) Chicken Oh Nests, Milk Glass, Adv. Boxes, Old Books (Shirley Temple) (Story Of Berks Co.) (Indians of Pa.) & Others, Old Baskets, Dolls & Clothing, Sponge Bowls, Old Cigar Mold, Old Adver tisements, Hanging Lights, Assorted Glassware (Some Old) Sewing Boxes, Quilt Tops, Indian Blankets, Dovetailed Cradle, & Many Old & New Items. Selling 40 Winross (Many Old & Over The Road), 60 Lots Of Tonka, Nylint, Matchbox, Farm Toys, Tin, Etc. (Many Still New), Air Products Tanker, New Penn 50th, Fire Company Trucks, Consolidated Freight, Roadway, Macungier, Interstate, Rajah String Band Truck (Temple), Her shey’s “Old" Truck. 9:00 A.M. Small Items —11:30 Toys 12:00 Winross 1:00 Auto, Fol lowed By Furniture & Appliances. Note: Only Partial Listing. Approx. 6 Hr. Sale. Auctioneer: Kenneth P. Lelby AU00541-L 215-562-3929 “This unique protein is secreted during the estrus cycle when the female is sexually receptive, usually near the time of ovulation. If we confirm preliminary find ings that this protein actually re gulates the motility and capacita tion of spam, it could hold posi tive results for the dairy industry and human health,” Killian said. “The oviduct environment is extremely important and we need to know more about it Something is happening in the oviduct en vironment that is crucial to suc cessful fertilization and embryo development” The estrus-associated protein was isolated by doctoral student Robin King and is only one of se veral proteins, ions and lipids that comprise oviduct fluid. This parti cular protein also binds to the sur Roadside Markets Under Study At NEWARK, Del. The 1992 10th annual Mid-Atlantic Direct Marketing Conference (MADMC) and Trade Show will be held at the Radisson Hotel in Wilmington. Del. on February 20-22, 1992. This year’s program, “Direct Markets in Transition,” will use nearly 30 regional and nationally known speakers and session participants. An added program feature this year is the mini-workshop ses sions being-offered concurrently with the roundtable discussions. Sale For: Pauline Shade face of eggs, but Penn State re searchers are not yet sure of its full role in the fertilization process. The animal scientist says the possibility exists for including this estrus-associated protein in semen used in artificial insemination for both animals and humans. The in clusion of this protein means the sperm would not have to depend on the fluid from the oviduct and its presence could boost Jhc chances of sperm fertilizing an egg. In addition, the identification of this protein could lead to the creation of an antibody that would act as a contraceptive, preventing the protein from aiding sperm. “The discovery of this estrus associated protein could be parti cularly useful for the dairy indus try because in order to produce The program consists of three general sessions (direct markets in transition, growing with the nine ties. and feature stories), nine con current sessions, five roundtable LEBANON (Lancaster Co.) The 1992 Pennsylvania Frame Builders Conference will be held here on Tuesday and Wednesday, February 11-12, 1992. The conference will provide up to-date information on efficient, economical, and safe building methods for farm and small and medium size frame buildings. Information presented will be of interest to builders, designers, suppliers, regulators, and 4-H Tractor Safety LEBANON (Lebanon Co.) — The Lebanon County 4-H Tractor . Safety Club is once again gearing up for this years program. Ken Winebark, Lebanon Coun ty Agent states that this year's program will start Tuesday, Janu ary 7 at 7:30 p.m. at the Lebanon Valley Agricultural Center on the comer of Cornwall and Evergreen Rd., Lebanon. Anyone interested is invited to attend. The 4-H Trac tor program gives youth an oppor tunity to ’Team by doing.” The course which would be par ticularly beneficial to youth oper ating lawn and garden tractors as well as farm implements, will meet on consecutive Monday or Tuesday nights from 7:30 - 8:30 p.m. starting January 20,1992. At the meeting you will learn that better, and safe, tractor care results in longer tractor life, more power, and lower operating costs. Because you learn how to do many small but important tractor maintenance jobs, you will get better production from farm units and you will cut down on costly breakdowns. Older members will learn machinery maintenance and repair. While you are learning how to care for your* tractor, you should also leam how to be a safe opera tor. Another important goal of this program is to help you form good safety habits so you can think and act safely - at all times. Equally important with learning tractor care and safety ip the 4-H goal of helping you tooecome a sound-thinking citizen. The train ing you receive in your 4-H prog ram will be very beneficial to you discussions, and four mini- MADMC *92 will also include an workshops. The concurrent ses- elaborate trade show with 50 to 60 sions are labeled Atol in the exhibitors, a banquet, entertain program. The roundtables are - ment, and meeting of old and scheduled on Wednesday, making of new friends. Extension Offers Builders Conference Frame throughout your lifetime, Maybe you or someone you know is interested in working on a farm this summer. If so, it's impor tant that you become a certified tractor operator. One segment of the ,4-H Tractor Program, the Occupational Hazard Course, offers 13 - IS year olds the required training to be certified farm machinery operators. This is the only time this course and examination will be offered, so tell your friends and neighbors. Club Leaders for 1991 are State Dairymen’s Association The annual meeting and ban quet of the Pennsylvania Dairy men’s Association will be held on Tuesday evening, January 14, 1992 at the Harrisburg Sheraton - East. A milk punch reception will begin at 6:00 P.M. with dinner to follow at 6:30 P.M. Dr. Stan Curtis, Department Head Dairy and Animal Science, Penn State University will address the annual meeting. He will speak on the very important issue of the 90’s, Animal Welfare. Several traditional highlights of the evening will be the presenta tion of the Charles E. Cowan Lancaster Fanning, Saturday, December 28, 1991-A3l milk, cows need to reproduce. Poor reproduction in a herd of dairy cows causes a decline in milk production and the result is a loss of money in an industry that is already hard hit,” said Killian. “Anything that will increase the success of reproduction is worth investigating. This particular pro tein could be used to bind to em bryo grown in vitro that will be implanted in surrogate cows, pro ducing a herd with a greater capa city to give milk,” he said. Killian’s work is part of a three year grant from the U.S. Depart ment of Agriculture. In the past, fertility research in the cattle in dustry has had a significant impact on human health, particularly in the area of artificial insemination, sperm and embryo cryopreserva tion, and infertility. educators. Builders will explore and gain expertise in areas such as utiliza tion of native hardwoods, methods for retrofitting modem systems and materials into existing build ings, and current rules and regula tions, Wednesday, Feb. 12, is Crew Day. During Crew Day, par ticipants will team proper and safe methods for handling building components such as trusses and metal panels. Safe and efficient Club Gears To Hold Banquet Although the protein has been isolated, he and his colleagues arc now in the process of studying how the protein may modify the motility or other functions of the sperm. He is also investigating the composition of oviduct fluid flom various sites in the oviduct “We are collecting oviduct fluid from cows through two catheters inserted in the oviduct that exit at the flank of the animal,” Killian said. “One catheter is placed near the ovaries where fertilization oc curs and the other is in the area closest to the uterus, which is a storage area for sperm.” The Penn State researcher says the fluids from both sites will be compared and analyzed to deter mine differences in composition and function. Conference use of scaffolds and methods for installing roofing will also be covered. Many builders and suppliers have been sent information on this conference by The Agricultural and Biological Engineering Department at Penn State. If you haven’t received information on this conference, you can obtain information and registration materials from your local coopera tive extension office. Up For 1992 Introductory Unit - Dean Nolt, Advanced Unit - Dave Wenger, and Occupational Hazard (Certi fied Tractor Operator Course) - Ivan Hanson. All of these leaders are well qualified mechanics. If you have any questions con tact Ken Winebark at 270-4391. The 4-H educational youth prog ram is a Penn State Cooperative Extension program and is open to all youth ages 8-19 regardless of race, religion, sex, national origin, handicap or place of residence. Award and the Extension Service Award. These two awards are pre sented annually to two individuals who have made worthy contribu tions to the dairy industry. Tickets are available foe the banquet at the cost of $14.00. Reservations may be made by contacting Sue Beshore, Pennsyl vania Dairymen’s Association - 396 Did York Road, New Cum berland, Pa. 17070. Tickets may also be ordered by phone by con tacting the Dairymen’s office at (717) 938-4876. Deadline for ordering tickets is Monday, Janu ary 6, 1992.
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers