A Tremor Syndrome With a Central Axonopathy in Scottish Terriers

A central axonopathy in 2 male and 1 female Scottish Terrier puppies from 3 different but related litters is reported. Clinical signs consisting of severe whole-body tremors and ataxia were first detected at the age of 10 to 12 weeks. They worsened with activity and excitement and diminished during rest or sleep. Two dogs also had paraparesis. In 1 dog the neurological deficits progressed over several months. Neuropathological examination revealed widespread axonal changes, vacuolation, and gliosis in the white matter of the central nervous system.     

Serum Progesterone Concentrations and Blood Neutrophil Alkaline Phosphatase Activity in Cows Following Normal and Abnormal Parturition

Serum progesterone concentrations and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity of blood neutrophils were determined in 3 groups of cows (n = 5 each) on days 1 and 2 and then at 3-day intervals up to 32 days post-partum. Group I cows had a normal delivery, Group II cows had dexamethasone-induced parturition and Group III cows were subjected to a caesarian section. All cows in Group III and 2 cows in Group II retained their fetal membranes. Mean serum progesterone concentrations declined the second day after calving (to < 0.67 ng/ml) and remained at low levels (< 0.54 ng/ml) throughout the observation period, except for the values in Group III, which were elevated on day 16 (0.94 ng/ml), declined again on day 26 (0.46 ng/ml) and peaked (1.05 ng/ml) on day 32 portpartum. Significant (P < 0.01) differences were found between serum progesterone concentrations on day 1 and on each of the other sampling days in Groups I and III. Day X parturition group interaction was significant (P < 0.05) for the progesterone concentrations. No significant differences were found between the overall means of ALP activity of blood neutrophils in the 3 parturition groups nor between days of the experiment. No significant correlation was found between serum progesterone concentrations and ALP activity values of blood PMN during the first 32 days post-partum. Inhalt: Serum Progesteron Konzentrat und Aktivität der alkalischen Phosphatase in neutrophilen Blutzellen bei Küken mit normalem und abnormalen Geburtsverlauf Serum-Progesteronkonzentrationen und alkalische Phosphatase- (ALP) Aktivität von neutrophilen Granulozysten, nach der Abkalbung am Tag 1 und 2 und dann im Abstand von 3 Tagen bis zum 32. Tag p.p. bei Kühen untersucht, die in drei Untersuchungsgruppen (n = 5) eingeteilt waren. Gruppe I kalbte normal ab, in Gruppe II wurde die Geburt durch Dexamethason eingeleitet, und Kälber der Gruppe III wurden via Kaiserschnitt gewonnen. Alle Tiere der Gruppe III und 2 Kühe der Gruppe II wiesen Nachgeburtsverhaltungen auf Der mittlere Serum-Progesterongehalt sank am 2. Tag p.p. auf < 0,67 ng/ml ab und blieb auf niederigem Niveau (< 0,54 ng/ml) während der gesamten Untersuchungs-periode. Lediglich in Gruppe III, mit erhöhten Werten (0,94 ng/ml) an Tag 16 p.p., sanken die Werte wieder an Tag 26 p.p. (0,46 ng/ml) und erreichten einen Maximalwert an Tag 32 p.p. mit 1,05 ng/ml. Signifikante (P 0,01) Unterschiede in der Serum-Progesteronkonrentration wurden zwischen Tag 1 p.p. und allen anderen Untersuchungstagen in den Gruppen I und III gefunden. Interaktionen zwischen den Gruppen für Tag X waren signifikant (P 0,05). Keine signifikanten Unterschiede wurden für den Gesamtmittelwert der ALP-Aktivität in den neutrophilen Granulorysten zwischen den Gruppen und im Vergleich der Untersuchungstage gefunden. Es wurden auch keine signifikanten Korrelationen zwischen den Serum-Progesteronkonzentrationen und der ALP-Aktivität der PMN während der ersten 32 Tage p.p. nachgewiesen.     

In vivo kinetic study on uptake and distribution of intramuscular tritium-labeled polysulfated glycosaminoglycan in equine body fluid compartments and articular cartilage in an osteochondrial defect model

The uptake and distribution of intramuscularly (IM) administered tritium-labeled polysulfated glycosaminoglycan (³H-PSGAG) in serum, synovial fluid, and articular cartilage of eight horses was quantitated, and hyaluronic acid (HA) concentration of the middle carpal joint was evaluated in a pharmacokinetic study. A full-thickness articular cartilage defect, created on the distal articular surface of the left radial carpal bone of each horse served as an osteochondral defect model. ³H-PSGAG (500 mg) was injected IM, between 14 and 35 days after creation of the defects. Scintillation analysis of serum and synovial fluid, collected from both middle carpal joints at specific predetermined times up to 96 hours post-injection, revealed mean ³H-PSGAG concentrations peaked at 2 hours post-injection. ³H-PSGAG was detected in cartilage and subchondral bone 96 hours post-injection in samples from all eight horses. There were no statistically significant differences in ³H-PSGAG concentration of synovial fluid or cartilage between cartilage defect and control (right middle carpal) joints.

HA assay of synovial fluid revealed concentrations significantly increased at 24, 48, and 96 hours post-injection in both joints. The concentration nearly doubled 48 hours post-injection. However, no statistically significant differences were found between synovial concentrations of HA in cartilage defect and control joints.

³H-PSGAG administered IM to horses, was distributed in the blood, synovial fluid, and articular cartilage. HA concentrations in synovial fluid increased after IM administration of polysulfated glycosaminoglycan.     

Temperature conditions in the Argentine chub mackerel (Scomber japonicus) fishing ground: implications for fishery management

We describe the seasonal migrations of Argentine chub mackerel ( Scomber japonicus ) into the fishing ground in relation to sea surface temperature conditions and analyse the temperature evolution during the fishing season on the basis of 1955–97 time-series. The upper temperature limit for the presence of schools was around 19°C. At higher values, most schools leave coastal waters (< 50 m) for the shelf. An inverse relationship was observed between catches per unit of effort (CPUE) of the inshore fishery and sea surface temperature. The highest standardized CPUE values corresponded to temperatures lower than 19°C. Above this temperature, the probability of obtaining a standardized CPUE higher than 1 was extremely low, and the standard deviations were minimal. The economic benefit from catches was also analysed through the different months of the fishing season. It was found that the mean benefit corresponding to temperatures lower than 19°C exceeded approximately 15 times that obtained at higher temperatures. A simple fishing strategy was proposed to the commercial fleet in order to improve the economic benefit of the catches. The migratory pattern followed by mackerel during the spawning period was also analysed in relationship to other environmental factors like food availability. Zooplankton composition, size structure and abundance in coastal and shelf waters are described, and their implications for feeding ecology of larvae and adults of the species are discussed.     

Oyster greening by outdoor mass culture of the diatom Haslea ostrearia Simonsen in enriched seawater

Oyster greening was first described in the seventeenth century as a natural phenomenon. However, it has recently been discovered that the diatom Haslea ostrearia Simonsen causes greening by synthesis of a blue pigment designated as ‘marennine’. This phenomenon, which involves massive proliferation of H. ostrearia in oyster ponds, was not understood or controlled by oyster farmers in the Marennes‐Oléron region (Atlantic coast of France). As greening oysters improved their market value, they tried to develop empirical methods to guarantee oyster fattening and improve profits. In this context, the present study investigated the feasibility of mass culture of diatoms outdoors in 10‐m³ ponds, using enriched seawater. Different biotic and abiotic parameters were monitored daily to determine the influence of the day–night temperature range. After 8 days, H. ostrearia was the dominant diatom species (66%), reaching a mean cell concentration of 2 × 10⁵ cell mL^?1 and a marennine concentration of 3.4 mg L^?1. Although intensive greening was obtained, further studies are required to optimize the production stages before this technology can be transferred to oyster farmers.     

Effect of different methods for the induction of spermiation on semen quality in European eel

Five hormonal treatments with human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) were tested for the induction of maturation and spermiation in male farmed eels. The main aim was to optimize previously used hormonal treatments to achieve shorter induction treatments, longer spermiation periods and/or higher sperm quality. Fish treated for just 3 weeks (treatment E) or until the onset of spermiation (treatment C) showed the worst results, while the treatment consisting of weekly administration of 1.5 IU hCG g^?1 fish (treatment A) induced the highest percentage of spermiating males, the highest number of sperm samples and sperm volumes and densities similar to the rest of the treatments (B: half hormone dosage, or D: biweekly administration). Evaluation of the sperm quality was performed by computer‐assisted sperm analysis (CASA), considering the percentage of total motile spermatozoa, the percentage of fast and medium‐velocity spermatozoa, as well as different motility parameters. Sperm samples from A‐D groups showed between 44% and 54% motile spermatozoa, and between 10% and 15% fast spermatozoa, while samples from E‐treated males showed 0% motile cells. No significant differences were found in the spermatozoa straight line velocity (VSL), curvilinear velocity (VCL) or the angular velocity (VAP), neither spermatozoa beating cross frequency (BCF) between A–D groups.     

Preparation and comparison of biological properties of recombinant carp (Cyprinus carpio) growth hormone and its Cys-123 to Ala mutant

Carp growth hormone (cGH) cDNA, in which Cys-123 was mutated to Ala, was prepared, transferred to the expression vector, expressed in Escherichia coli and the mutant was purified to homogeneity. The mutation only slightly improved yield of the monomeric fraction, indicating that Cys-123 is not involved in improper refolding. As compared to cGH, the mutant (cGH-C123A) exhibited lower binding affinity toward homologous liver receptors and lower bioactivity in a 3T3-F442A preadipocyte bioassay despite the fact that both hormones exhibited almost identical cross-reactivity with anti-cGH antibodies. These results, along with those of a structural comparison to hGH, suggest that Cys-123 is located in the hydrophobic core of the hormone, and is most likely affecting the conformation of the binding site. Dimeric forms of the hormone and its mutant were less active than their respective monomers. Homologous binding experiments using a carp liver microsomal fraction revealed a single receptor population with Kd = 0.77 nM and B_max = 241 fmol/mg microsomal protein.

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Résumé Un ADN complémentaire (cDNA) de l'hormone de croissance de carpe (cGH), dans lequel l'acide aminé Cys-123 a été muté en Ala, a été préparé, inséré dans un vecteur d'expression, et exprimé dans Escherichia coli. Le mutant a ensuite été purifié jusqu'à homogénéité. La mutation améliore seulement faiblement la production de la fraction monomérique, indiquant que le Cys-123 n'est pas impliqué dans un repliement erroné. Comparé à la cGH, sa forme mutée (cGH-C123A) montre une plus faible affinité de liaison vis à vis de récepteurs hépatiques homologues, et une plus faible activité biologique dans un test réalisé sur des préadipocytes 3T3-F442A; cela en dépit du fait que les deux hormones présentent des réactions croisées presque identiques avec un anticorps anti-cGH polyclonale. Ces résultats, associés à une comparaison à la structure de l'hGH, suggèrent que le Cys-123 est localisé dans la partie hydrophobique de l'hormone, et affecte, le plus vraisemblablement, la conformation du site de liaison. Les formes dimériques de l'hormone et de sa forme mutée sont moins actives que leurs monomères respectifs. Les études de liaison homologue, réalisées avec des fractions microsomales de foie, révèlent une population unique de récepteurs de Kd = 0,77 nM et de B_max = 241 fmol/mg de proteine microsomale.

     

Differential distribution and response to experimental sexual maturation of two forms of brain gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) in the European eel,Anguilla anguilla

Using specific radioimmunoassays for the two GnRH molecular forms present in the European eel, Anguilla anguilla, (mGnRH and cGnRH II), we compared their distributions in the pituitary and different parts of the brain of female silver eels, as well as the modifications of their levels in experimentally matured female eels (treated with carp pituitary extract). In control eels, mGnRH levels were higher than cGnRH II levels in the pituitary, olfactory lobes and telencephalon, di- and mesencephalon, while the opposite was found in the posterior part of the brain (met- and myelencephalon). Experimental sexual maturation of the gonads significantly increased mGnRH levels in the pituitary and anterior parts of the brain; such a positive effect was not observed on the low cGnRH II levels, which were, in contrast, reduced. These data indicate that the positive feedback of gonadal hormones on GnRH, that we previously demonstrated, would specifically affect the mGnRH form. The differential distribution and control of mGnRH and cGnRH II suggest that these two forms have different physiological roles in the eel. The large increase in mGnRH during sexual maturation suggests the prime implication of this form in the neuroendocrine control of reproduction.     

Effects of Using Live Grass Shrimp (Palaemonetes varians) as the only Source of Food for the Culture of Cuttlefish, Sepia officinalis (Linnaeus, 1758)

The life cycle of cuttlefish fed ad libitum exclusively on live grass shrimp (Palaemonetes varians) was studied during 5 consecutive generations. Different culture temperatures promoted different (P < 0.05) exponential growth for each life cycle, being summer generations shorter than those of winter. Higher temperatures promoted higher IGR’s and mortality, while lower temperatures promoted increased life span, reproduction stages, total fecundity and total egg biomass. Increased generations also seemed to increase fertility. A “hybrid” generation promoted the best results in terms of hatchling weight, individual fecundity and fertility. Mean egg weight was related to female size and embryonic development took longer at lower temperatures. Brood stock sex ratios seemed to be temperature related. All of these culture aspects were also compared between themselves in order to establish future brood stock methodologies. Grass shrimp proved to be a good diet for the culture of cuttlefish throughout the life cycle. The use of only one species reduces costs and labor associated to cuttlefish culture.     

Assessment of the performance of Pacific oyster (Crassostrea gigas) larvae fed with fresh and preserved Pavlova lutheri concentrates

The Prymnesiophycea Pavlova lutheriwas produced using a traditional technique (batch mode in carboys) and by an innovative technique (semi-continuous mode in alveolarphotobioreactor). Two experimental feedingtrials were carried out with Pacific oyster(Crassostrea gigas) larvae with freshand preserved (4 °C and 1 °C)P. lutheri concentrates used inmonospecific and bispecific diets, incombination with fresh Chaetoceroscalcitrans forma pumilum. Nodifferences in terms of gross composition andlarval performance were noticed between thefresh algae biomass produced by the twotechniques. The low temperatures allowedpreservation of the nutritionalcharacteristics of the P. lutheri freshculture for the time period considered (27days). The P. lutheri concentratespreserved at 4 °C or 1 °C didnot differ substantially in terms ofnutritional value. Larvae fed a monospecificdiet of P. lutheri, both fresh andpreserved, exhibited a modest growth rate (<2.1 µm day^–1), in some cases notsignificantly different from that observed inthe unfed larvae (the control), and a lowsurvival rate. In contrast, when Chaetoceros calcitrans forma pumilumwas used as a monospecific diet, good growthperformance (>4.5 µm day^–1) and ahigh survival rate (>86%) were observed inlarvae. A substitution of 50% (trial 1) or80% (trial 2) of fresh C. calcitransforma pumilum with the preserved P. lutheri concentrates did not adverselyaffect growth rate or survival of C.gigas larvae.