A serologic survey of viral infections in captive ungulates in Turkish zoos

Zoos and zoologic gardens make optimal environments for interspecies transmission of viral infections. There are seven zoos and several small zoologic collections in Turkey. This study aimed to determine the current status of viral infections in captive ungulates living in these environments. Blood samples were taken from 163 captive animals from two zoos. There were 39 Cameroon sheep (Ovis ammon f aries), 11 Barbary sheep (Ammotragus lervia), 57 pygmy goats (Capra hircus), 9 Angora goats (Capra hircus), 21 mountain goats (Capra aegagrus-aegagrus), 7 llamas (Lama glama), 8 Persian goitred gazelle (Gazella subgutturosa subgutturosa), 7 Caspian red deer (Cervus elaphus maral), 2 fallow deer (Dama dama), and 2 camels (Camelus dromedarius). Antibodies against bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV), bovine herpesvirus-1 (BHV-1), bovine adenoviruses (BAV-1 and -3), parainfluenzavirus 3 (PI-3), and bluetongue viruses (BTV-4 and -9) were investigated using the virus neutralization test, and malignant catarrhal fever (MCF) antibodies were screened by ELISA. All animals were negative for BVDV and BHV-1 antibodies. Seroprevalence of BAV-1, BAV-3, PI-3, BRSV, BT-4, BT-9, and MCF were detected as follows: 46.6%, 60.1%, 0.6%, 7.3%, 1.8%, 1.2%, and 51.6%, respectively. Seroprevalence of BAVs and MCF were more common than all other viruses (P < 0.0001). Ten sheep (37.0%), 48 goats (84.2), and 1 Ilama (14.2%) were the only species positive for MCF antibodies. Prevalence of BRSV and MCF antibodies were found to be significantly higher in goats than in sheep. BTV antibodies were detected both in Cameroon sheep and mountain goats and suggest that zoo animals are at risk for BTV in endemic regions.     

Physical and chemical characterization of Ceratonia siliqua L. germplasm in Turkey

Carob (Ceratonia siliqua L.) is natively grown in the coastal areas of the Aegean and Mediterranean region in Turkey. The main carob growing areas (Mediterranean and Aegean) were surveyed and a total 70 promising wild and grafted carob genotypes were selected based on physical and chemical pod properties. Preliminary results showed that Turkey has very rich carob genetic resources containing considerable variations for most of the pod traits. In general, wild carob had smaller pods than the grafted ones. Pod mass ranged from 29.16 g to 120.28 g in the wild genotypes and 71.71 g to 147.91 g in the grafted genotypes with an average 107.61 g for the grafted and 63.72 g for the wild genotypes. The average pod dimensions (width, length and thickness) were 18.16 mm, 16.18 cm and 6.42 mm for the wild genotypes and 21.79 mm, 16.91 cm and 8.79 mm for the grafted genotypes. The average soluble solid content ranged from 59.42% in the wild and 64.06% in the grafted genotypes. The average total acidity of the wild and grafted genotypes was similar (0.78%). The pod traits of the wild genotypes differ significantly from those of the grafted genotypes, and the wild genotypes showed higher variations in these traits compared to the grafted genotypes.     

Masculinization of Convict Cichlid (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Cichlasoma nigrofasciatum</Emphasis>) by immersion in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Tribulus terrestris</Emphasis> extract

We have examined the effects of Tribulus terrestris (TT), a non-toxic herb, on sex reversal in the Convict Cichlid Cichlasoma nigrofasciatum with the aim of introducing a new environmentally friendly method for masculinization in C. nigrofasciatum. TT is a natural plant product that elevates the testosterone levels in humans and animals. Different concentrations (0.0, 0.10, 0.20 and 0.30 g/l) of TT extract were tested for their effect on sex reversal in C. nigrofasciatum by immersing newly hatched offspring once weekly for 2 months in TT extract. Of the dosages used in the present study, 0.30 g/l TT was the most effective in terms of masculinization, resulting in a maximum male ratio of 87.23% (P < 0.001). Sex ratios of 79 and 85% at 0.10 and 0.20 g/l TT, respectively, were also significantly different from the expected 1:1 ratio (P < 0.001). Histological examinations revealed that the testes of fish treated with TT extract contained all stages of spermatogenesis, clearly demonstrating that the administration of TT extract to C. nigrofasciatum stimulated spermatogenesis. Total survival rates in all treatments and the control were uniformly high, ranging from 88.57 to 90% (P > 0.05). We concluded that TT had no negative effect on the survival rate of C. nigrofasciatum. In addition, all groups of TT-treated fish exhibited successful growth acceleration compared to the control group, but only the 0.30 g/l TT treatment significantly improved the growth rate of C. nigrofasciatum. (P < 0.01). Sex reversal in C. nigrofasciatum demonstrated that TT-treated 0-day-old larvae showed successful sex reversal, spermatogenesis and a better growth rate than untreated progenies.     

Effect of Dietary Herbal Supplements on Some Physiological Conditions of Sea Bass Dicentrarchus labrax

Abstract

This study was conducted in order to investigate the effects of dietary thyme Thymus vulgaris, rosemary Rosmarinus officinalis, and fenugreek Trigonella foenum graecum as feed additives on total liver fat levels and biometric indices of Sea Bass Dicentrarchus labrax. Four isonitrogenous (48% crude protein) and isocaloric (21 kJ/g) diets were formulated to contain 0% (control), or 1% of thyme, rosemary, or fenugreek. In a 45-d feeding trial, 12 fiberglass tanks (140 L) were each stocked with 17 fish (20.43 ± 0.03 g). Herbal supplemented diets significantly decreased the total liver fat, visceral fat index, viscerosomatic index, hepatosomatic index, and increased the spleen–somatic index and bile–somatic index (P < 0.05). In conclusion, the results indicated that a dietary level of 1.0% for thyme, rosemary, or fenugreek could improve some of the physiological parameters of Sea Bass. Thus, this work provides a new perspective for the use of medicinal herbs that can be added to fish feed to improve the status of fish organs. Thyme, rosemary, and fenugreek contain a number of different active components, which possibly play an important role in improving these conditions, but the mechanism by which this is achieved needs further and more detailed study.

Received July 19, 2012; accepted January 15, 2013     

Identification by culture, PCR, and immunohistochemistry of mycoplasmas and their molecular typing in sheep and lamb lungs with pneumonia in Eastern Turkey

This study used cultures, polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and immunoperoxidase to examine samples from 216 lungs from sheep and lambs with macroscopic pneumonia lesions for the presence of Mycoplasma species. DNA was extracted from lung tissue samples and broth cultures with the help of a DNA extraction kit and replicated using genus-specific and species-specific primers for mycoplasma. The lung samples were examined by the immunoperoxidase method using hyperimmune Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae serum. The randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) test was used for the molecular typing of M. ovipneumoniae isolates. Mycoplasma was isolated in the cultures of 80 (37.03 %) of a total of 216 lung samples. Genus-specific mycoplasma DNA was identified by PCR in 96 (44.44 %) samples in broth cultures and 36 (16.66 %) directly in the lung tissue. Of these 96 cases in which genus-specific identification was made, 57 (59.37 %) were positive for reaction with species-specific primers for M. ovipneumoniae and 31 (32.29 %) for Mycoplasma arginini. The DNA of neither of the latter two species could be identified in the remaining eight samples (8.33 %) where mycoplasma had been identified. As for the immunoperoxidase method, it identified M. ovipneumoniae in 61 of 216 lung samples (28 %). Positive staining was concentrated in the bronchial epithelium cell cytoplasm and cell surface. RAPD analysis resulted in 15 different profiles. Our results suggest that PCR methods could be successfully used in the diagnosis of mycoplasma infections as an alternative to culture method and identifying this agent at the species level.     

Some physiological changes in strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa ‘Camarosa’) plants under heat stress

Summary

The effects of heat injury induced by long exposures were evaluated in strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa ‘plants’) Camarosa in this study. Seedlings were grown in 14 × 12 cm pots using perlite for three weeks at 25/10°C day/night temperature, and watered daily by modified 1/3 Hoagland nutrient solution. Half of the plants were transferred to a growth chamber with a constant 25°C, 16/8 h (light/dark) photoperiod regime and 1200 lux light intensity for a week to acclimate the plants. Temperature was increased stepwise (5 K per 48 h) to 30, 35, 40°C and finally to 45°C. In addition to others, plants were transferred from the outside to the growth chamber, at each temperature step to impose a heat shock. Leaf relative water content (RWC, %), loss of turgidity, chlorophyll content (Spad value) and heat-stress tolerance (HTS; LT₅₀) were measured in control and stressed plants. Total soluble proteins and total DNA were extracted from the leaves following the above treatments using standard procedures and total protein contents were determined using a Bradford assay. In general, effects of gradual heat stress (GHS) and shock heat stress (SHS) on the variables studied were mostly significant, except for chlorophyll content, while the effect of temperatures was significant for all the variables. Interaction between the heat stress type and temperature treatments was not significant for leaf RWC, loss of turgidity and chlorophyll content. Data also indicated that total protein and DNA contents were changed significantly by heat stress types (GHS and SHS) and/or temperature treatments. The plants exposed to GHS exhibited a significant increase in HST compared with the plants exposed to SHS (LT₅₀ of 41.5°C and 39°C, respectively). Consequently, gradual heat stress increased HST in strawberry leaves. Increased HST may be associated with the accumulation of several heat-stable proteins in GHS plants.     

Characterisation and toxicity of Bacillus thuringiensis strains from hazelnut pests and fields

BACKGROUND: In order to find and identify more toxic insecticidal Bacillus thuringiensis Berliner (Bt) strains, a survey was carried out of B. thuringiensis isolate pests belonging to Coleoptera, Lepidoptera and Diptera and from soils in hazelnut fields. Of 16 isolates having Bacillus cereus‐B. thuringiensis morphology, eight were classified as B. thuringiensis because of the production of parasporal δ‐endotoxin crystals. RESULTS: In this study, eight isolates of B. thuringiensis from hazelnut pests (isolates Bn1, Mm2, Mnd and Xd3) and from hazelnut soils (isolates 6, 27, 40 and 46) have been characterised in detail. These isolates were compared with reference strains by electron microscopy, SDS‐PAGE analysis, cry gene content, serological test and insecticidal activity. CONCLUSION: Results indicate that Bn1 and MnD are B. thuringiensis subsp. kurstaki, and Mm2 and Xd3 are B. thuringiensis subsp. tenebrionis. In addition, isolate 6 is B. thuringiensis subsp. israelensis, isolates 27 and 46 are B. thuringiensis subsp. kumamotoensis and isolate 40 is B. thuringiensis subsp. indiana. The four B. thuringiensis isolates from hazelnut pests may be valuable as biological control agents against coleopteran and lepidopteran insects. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry     

Effects of Cholesterol on Progesterone Production by Goat Luteal Cell Subpopulations at Two Different Stages of the Luteal Phase

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of cholesterol on progesterone production during long‐term culturing of luteal cell subpopulations at early and late luteal stages of the goat corpora lutea. Corpora lutea were collected from Angora goats on days 5 and 15 of the oestrous cycle. Luteal cells were isolated by collagenase digestion. The cells were separated into two distinct subpopulations by Percoll density‐gradient centrifugation. Both subpopulations of luteal cells staining positively for 3β‐HSD activities (5 × 10⁴ cell/well) were cultured with or without 22(R)‐hydroxycholesterol (22R‐HC) in serum‐free culture medium for periods of up to 7 days. Cells were incubated with serum (10%) for the first 18 h of incubation followed by serum‐free medium. Cell treatment (10 and 20 μg/ml) was performed on days 1, 3 and 5. Treatment of cells with both concentrations of 22R‐HC resulted in significant (p < 0.01) and dose‐dependent stimulation (p > 0.05) on progesterone production in both fractions of cells throughout 7 days of incubation. Treatment of the cells with cholesterol resulted in 2.5‐ and 9.0‐fold increases in progesterone accumulation on day 3 of incubation. Steroid production was maintained throughout the incubations when cells are incubated in serum‐free media treated with cholesterol and ITS premix. Cells collected from higher density of percoll layers produced 2.82 and 2.32 times more progesterone, in comparison to the lover density percoll layer, on days 5 and 15 of the oestrous cycle in untreated cell groups, respectively. Progesterone accumulation was decreased as incubation time advanced in all groups of untreated cells. These results demonstrated that goat luteal cell subpopulations secrete substantial amounts of progesterone in response to cholesterol treatment at least for 7 days, and cholesterol is required as progesterone precursor for maintaining a high‐level steroidogenesis during long‐life culturing of both cell subpopulations.     

The Chemical and Sensory Quality of Smoked Sturgeon (Huso huso): A Case Study

In this study, the tail flesh of sturgeon acquired from the fish market in Be?ikta?-Istanbul, Turkey was put through hot smoking. The chemical composition of raw and smoked sturgeon was determined. The protein, lipid, ash, and moisture of the muscle tissue in raw and smoked sturgeon were found to be 17.63 to 17.49, 6.07 to 9.59, 0.79 to 2.71, and 75.42 to 68.40%, respectively. Both the raw fish and the smoked fish meat were categorized to possess high quality characteristics with pH, total volatile base nitrogen (TVB-N), and trimethylamine nitrogen (TMA-N) values. After smoking, the skin color lightness (L*) of raw fish was determined to decrease, while the flesh color lightness of raw fish was determined to increase. The redness (a*) and the yellowness (b*) of both the skin and the flesh were determined to increase. Sensory parameters of color, smoke aroma, flavor, texture, chewiness, and overall acceptance for smoked sturgeon was described as excellent and its flesh tasty.