Artificial Spawning of Tilapia Eggs1

A stripspawning methodology was evaluated for tilapia (oreochromid) species. This technique achieved an average hatching success of 68.6 ± 3.6% (N= 31). Female fecundity and spawning frequency were dependant on both genetical and husbandry factors. Egg yields for Oreochromis niloticus, O. mossambicus, and O. niloticus±O. mossambicus hybrids averaged 4.54, 10.86 and 10.36 eggs/g female/spawn, respectively. Female broodstock that were adapted to an intensive spawning regime exhibited a significant increase in fecundity. Additionally, egg survival was not affected by hydration for up to 15 minutes prior to fertilization. Results suggest that the strip spawning of tilapia species may be an efficient method of providing viable gametes for hatchery purposes.     

Environmental unknowns

Among the environmental problems ahead, the most important ones could be those that are still unknown to us. This conceptual article explores this prospect on the grounds that it is important not only to supply answers to recognized questions but to raise appropriate new questions.     

Episodic blindness and ataxia in a horse with cholesterinic granulomas

An 11‐year‐old Oldenburg mare presented following three episodes of acute, transient blindness, ataxia, and disorientation within the preceding 7 months. Clinical improvement, including return of vision, occurred within 1 week of initiating corticosteroid therapy for each of the three episodes. However, mild right‐sided miosis was a consistent finding on ophthalmic examinations. Routine clinicopathologic testing revealed no significant abnormalities, and testing of cerebral spinal fluid for selected infectious diseases was unrewarding. Computed tomography of the brain demonstrated a hyperattenuating mass with peripheral mineralization in the rostroventral aspect of each lateral ventricle. The mare was euthanized due to a guarded to poor prognosis. On histopathology, the masses consisted of clusters of cholesterol clefts admixed with leukocytes, mineral deposits, and connective tissue. Cholesterinic granulomas of the lateral ventricles and hydrocephaly were diagnosed. Cholesterinic granulomas should be considered a differential diagnosis in horses presenting for intermittent blindness.     

A high-resolution radiation hybrid map of the human genome draft sequence

We have constructed a physical map of the human genome by using a panel of 90 whole-genome radiation hybrids (the TNG panel) in conjunction with 40,322 sequence-tagged sites (STSs) derived from random genomic sequences as well as expressed sequences. Of 36,678 STSs on the TNG radiation hybrid map, only 3604 (9.8%) were absent from the unassembled draft sequence of the human genome. Of 20,030 STSs ordered on the TNG map as well as the assembled human genome draft sequence and the Celera assembled human genome sequence, 36% of the STSs had a discrepant order between the working draft sequence and the Celera sequence. The TNG map order was identical to one of the two sequence orders in 60% of these discrepant cases.     

Fish assemblage production estimates in Appalachian streams across a latitudinal and temperature gradient

Production of biomass is central to the ecology and sustainability of fish assemblages. The goal of this study was to empirically estimate and compare fish assemblage production, production‐to‐biomass (P/B) ratios and species composition for 25 second‐ to third‐order streams spanning the Appalachian Mountains (from Vermont to North Carolina) that vary in their temperature regimes. Fish assemblage production estimates ranged from 0.15 to 6.79 g m^?2 year^?1, and P/B ratios ranged from 0.20 to 1.07. There were no significant differences in mean assemblage production across northern cold‐water, southern cold‐water and southern cool‐water streams (p = .35). Two warm‐water streams, not included in these comparisons, had the highest mean production and biomass values. Mean assemblage P/B was significantly higher in northern cold‐water streams relative to southern cold‐water and cool‐water streams (p = .01). Species evenness in production declined with stream temperature and differed significantly across the lower latitude cold‐water, cool‐water and warm‐water streams and the higher latitude (i.e. more northern) cold‐water streams. Our fish assemblage production estimates and P/B ratios were both lower and higher compared to previously published estimates for similar stream habitats. This study provides empirical fish assemblage production estimates to inform future research on southern Appalachian streams and on the potential impacts of varying temperature regimes on cold‐water, cool‐water and warm‐water fish production in the coming decades as climate change continues to threaten fish assemblages.     

Essential oil composition of diploid and tetraploid clones of ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe) grown in Australia

Ginger oil, obtained by steam distillation of the rhizome of Zingiber officinale Roscoe, is used in the beverage and fragrance industries. Ginger oil displays considerable compositional diversity, but is typically characterized by a high content of sesquiterpene hydrocarbons, including zingiberene, ar-curcumene, beta-bisabolene, and beta-sesquiphellandrene. Australian ginger oil has a reputation for possessing a particular "lemony" aroma, due to its high content of the isomers neral and geranial, often collectively referred to as citral. Fresh rhizomes of 17 clones of Australian ginger, including commercial cultivars and experimental tetraploid clones, were steam distilled 7 weeks post-harvest, and the resulting oils were analyzed by GC-MS. The essential oils of 16 of the 17 clones, including the tetraploid clones and their parent cultivar, were found to be of substantially similar composition. These oils were characterized by very high citral levels (51-71%) and relatively low levels of the sesquiterpene hydrocarbons typical of ginger oil. The citral levels of most of these oils exceeded those previously reported for ginger oils. The neral-to-geranial ratio was shown to be remarkably constant (0.61 +/- 0.01) across all 17 clones. One clone, the cultivar "Jamaican", yielded oil with a substantially different composition, lower citral content and higher levels of sesquiterpene hydrocarbons. Because this cultivar also contains significantly higher concentrations of pungent gingerols, it possesses unique aroma and flavor characteristics, which should be of commercial interest.     

Effect of oral administration of low doses of pentobarbital on the induction of cytochrome P450 isoforms and cytochrome P450-mediated reactions in immature Beagles

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of oral administration of low doses of pentobarbital on cytochrome P450 (CYP) isoforms and CYP-mediated reactions in immature Beagles. ANIMALS: 42 immature (12-week-old) Beagles. PROCEDURE: Dogs were grouped and treated orally as follows for 8 weeks: low-dose pentobarbital (50 microg/d; 4 males, 4 females), mid-dose pentobarbital (150 microg/d; 4 males, 4 females), high-dose pentobarbital (500 microg/d; 4 males, 4 females), positive-pentobarbital control (10 mg/kg/d; 2 males, 2 females), positive-phenobarbital control (10 mg/kg/d; 2 males, 2 females), and negative control (saline 10.9% NaCl] solution; 5 males, 5 females). Serum biochemical and hematologic values were monitored. On necropsy examination, organ weights were determined, and histologic evaluation of tissue sections of liver, kidney, small intestine, testes, epididymis, and ovaries was performed. Hepatic and intestinal drug-metabolizing enzyme activities were measured, and relative amounts of CYP isoforms were determined by western blot analysis. RESULTS: The amount of a hepatic CYP2A-related isoform in dogs from the high-dose pentobarbital treatment group was twice that of dogs from the negative control group. CYP2C was not detectable in small intestinal mucosa of dogs from the negative control group; measurable amounts of CYP2C were found in dogs from the various (low-, mid-, and high-dose) pentobarbital treatment groups and from positive-pentobarbital and positive phenobarbital control groups. Several CYP-mediated reactions increased in a dose-dependent manner. The lowest calculated effective dose of pentobarbital ranged from 200 to 450 microg/d. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Several CYP isoforms and their associated reactions were induced in dogs by oral administration of low amounts of pentobarbital.     

Intra-specific variation of wheat grain quality in response to elevated [CO2] at two sowing times under rain-fed and irrigation treatments

In order to investigate the intra-specific variation of wheat grain quality response to elevated atmospheric CO₂ concentration (e[CO₂]), eight wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)cultivars were grown at two CO₂ concentrations ([CO₂]) (current atmospheric, 389 CO₂ μmol mol⁻¹vs. e[CO₂], FACE (Free-Air CO₂ Enrichment), 550  ±  10% CO₂ μmol mol⁻¹), at two water levels (rain-fed vs. irrigated) and at two times of sowing (TOS₁, vs. TOS₂). The TOS treatment was mainly imposed to understand whether e[CO₂] could modify the effects of timing of higher grain filling temperatures on grain quality. When plants were grown at TOS₁, TKW (thousand kernel weight), grain test weight, hardness index, P, Ca, Na and phytate were not significantly changed under e[CO₂]. On the other hand, e[CO₂] increased TKW (16%), hardness index (9%), kernel diameter (6%), test weight (2%) but decreased grain protein (10%) and grain phytate (11%) at TOS₂. In regard to grain Zn, Mn and Cu concentrations and some flour rheological properties, cultivar specific responses to e[CO₂] were observed at both sowing times. Observed genetic variability in response to e[CO₂] in terms of grain minerals and flour rheological properties could be easily incorporated into future wheat breeding programs to enable adaptation to climate change.     

Altered response to pneumococcal polysaccharide in offspring of immunologically paralyzed mice

The dose of pneumococcal polysaccharide type III required to induce immunologic paralysis in newborn offspring of immunologically paralyzed mice was one-tenth of the corresponding paralyzing dose for newborn offspring of normal mice. Similarly, immunization of the offsprinig of the paralyzed mice was accomplished with one-tenth the dose of polysaccharide necessary to immunize normal newborn mice. The altered susceptibility of newborn mice from paralyzed mothers to the induction of both paralysis and immunity was predicted from theories of antibody formation which postulate that the induction of tolerance or immunity is controlled by the concentration of natural antibodies specific for the antigen used.     

Hookworm dermatitis due to Uncinaria stenocephala in a dog from Saskatchewan

Uncinaria stenocephala hookworm dermatitis (uncinariosis) was diagnosed on fecal examination and macerated skin biopsy in a 1.5-year-old greyhound dog from Saskatchewan. This is the first reported case in Canada. Treatment with moxidectin cleared gastrointestinal and dermal infections.