Ammonia distribution and excretion in fish

This paper reviews the literature concerning ammonia production, storage and excretion in fish. Ammonia is the end product of protein catabolism and is stored in the body of fish in high concentrations relative to basal excretion rates. Ammonia, if allowed to accumulate, is toxic and is converted to less toxic compounds or excreted. Like other weak acids and bases, ammonia is distributed between tissue compartments in relation to transmembrane pH gradients. NH₃ is generally equilibrated between compartments but NH₄ ⁺ is distributed according to pH. Ammonia is eliminated from the blood upon passage through the gills. The mechanisms of branchial ammonia excretion vary between different species of fish and different environments, and primarily involves NH₃ passive diffusion and NH₄ ⁺/Na⁺ exchange. Water chemistry near the gill surface may also be important to ammonia excretion, but a more accurate measurement of the NH₃ gradient across the gill epithelium is required before a more detailed analysis of NH₃ and NH₄ ⁺ excretion can be made.     

SEMEN WASTAGE AT A BOVINE ARTIFICIAL BREEDING CENTRE

The consequences of the use of swirl assessment at a bovine artificial breeding centre were studied. Data relating to the amount of semen discarded, fertility of accepted semen, the relationship between discard rates and age of bull and ejaculate number have been presented. The overall differences in fertility between semen with swirl ratings, 5, 6 and 7 were very small. About 50% of all ejaculates collected in the period considered were discarded at the first inspection. The discard rate tended to be greater in young and in older bulls. The discard rate was significantly greater (P less than or greater to 0.001) for second ejaculates. It was considered that a proportion of rejected semen may have been of good fertility. Semen wastage after freezing was low.     

促性腺激素诱发大西洋鲑卵黄发生期卵巢滤泡释放性类固醇激素的离体研究

提要应用大麻哈鱼(Oncovhynchus keta)促性腺激素(GTH)诱发大西洋鲑(Salmosalar)卵黄发生期的离体卵巢滤泡(直径为3．4毫米)产生性类固醇激素的研究表明，不论用0．1或1微克／毫升GTH刺激，经培育10天后，未出现卵母细胞卵核消失的现象，卵核偏位也不明显。对培养液中17α，20β-双羟孕酮(17α20βP)的积累浓度测定结果，仅1微克／毫升GTH组含少量的17α20βP；0．1微克／毫升GTH组，培养液中雌二醇的积累浓度明显高于对照组和1微克／毫升GTH组，并为后者的两倍。除雌二醇外，孕酮，17α-羟孕酮，17α20βP，雄烯二酮和睾酮的产生，都呈现对GTH剂量的依赖关系，1微克／毫升GTH组的产生量明显高于0．1微克／毫升GTH组和对照组。离体研究的结果表明，处于卵黄发生期的卵巢滤泡对低剂量(0．1微克／毫升)和高剂量(1微克／毫升)GTH的反应不同。低浓度的GTH，引起性类固醇激素生物合成的途径沿着形成雌二醇的方向进行，雄激素被芳香化成雌激素，雌二醇再而刺激肝脏合成卵黄物质的前体，从而促进卵黄发生。高浓度的GTH，有抑制雌二醇合成的作用，而是促使卵母细胞向着最终成熟的方向发展，使性类固醇生物合成的途径转向形成大量雄激素和孕激素，特别是17α20βP。这与已充分生长和卵黄积累完成的卵巢滤泡离体试验的结果一致，与活体观察以上各种性类固醇激素的变化一致。     

Clinical features of dilated cardiomyopathy in Great Danes and results of a pedigree analysis: 17 cases (1990-2000)

OBJECTIVE: To determine clinical features of dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) in Great Danes and to determine whether DCM is familial in this breed. DESIGN: Retrospective study. ANIMALS: 17 Great Danes with DCM. PROCEDURE: Medical records of Great Danes in which DCM was diagnosed on the basis of results of echocardiography (fractional shortening < 25%, end-systolic volume index > 30 ml/m2 of body surface area) were reviewed. Pedigrees were obtained for affected animals, as well as for other Great Danes in which DCM had been diagnosed. RESULTS: Dilated cardiomyopathy appeared to be familial and was characterized by ventricular dilatation, congestive heart failure (left-sided or biventricular), and atrial fibrillation. Pedigree analysis suggested that DCM was inherited as an X-linked recessive trait, but the mode of inheritance could not be definitively identified. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results suggest that DCM may be an X-linked recessive trait in Great Danes. Thus, dogs with DCM probably should not be used for breeding, and female offspring of affected dogs should be used cautiously. Male offspring of affected females are at an increased risk of developing DCM and should be evaluated periodically for early signs of disease. Results of pedigree analysis were preliminary and should be used only as a guide for counseling breeders, rather than as a basis for making breeding decisions.     

Macroinvertebrate frequency data for the RIVPACS III sites in Northern Ireland and some comparisons with equivalent data for Great Britain

1. A total of 313 macroinvertebrate taxa were recorded from the 70 running‐water sites in the R iver I nV ertebrate P rediction A nd C lassification S ystem (RIVPACS III) dataset for Northern Ireland, after the application of a standardization procedure to ensure that all samples were identified to the same taxonomic level. The listing includes a small number of oligochaetes not previously reported from Ireland. The frequency of occurrence of the 313 taxa within the Northern Ireland dataset is also presented. 2. The taxonomic composition and frequency of occurrence of taxa in the Northern Ireland dataset were then compared with the 614 site dataset for Great Britain, which included 637 taxa, and a 75 site subset within Britain at a similar latitude to Northern Ireland with 333 taxa. 3. The macroinvertebrate fauna of Northern Ireland is dominated by taxa recorded at the highest frequencies of occurrence in Britain. Some notable absences are highlighted and, in particular, a small number of lotic mayflies and stoneflies which are common in Great Britain. There is documentary evidence of the introduction by man of a number of non‐insect taxa, either deliberately or by accident. 4. A detailed knowledge of the present composition of the macroinvertebrate fauna of running‐water sites in Northern Ireland, and an active research programme on the potential for new colonists to pose a threat to native species, are important factors in the future conservation of the freshwater fauna. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.