KIT-positive gastrointestinal stromal tumours in two Spanish ibex (Capra pyrenaica hispanica)

Gastrointestinal mesenchymal tumours from two Spanish ibex (Capra pyrenaica hispanica) were examined grossly, histologically and immunohistochemically. One neoplasm was a 1.5 kg tan multinodular cavitated mass in the forestomach. The other tumour was a firm mural mass 1.2 cm in diameter in the colon. Microscopically, both tumours were formed mainly by spindle shaped cells arranged in closely packed interlacing fascicles. Neoplastic cells in both tumours labelled positively for KIT (CD117), vimentin and alpha-smooth muscle actin. These findings suggest that both neoplasms were gastrointestinal stromal tumours and most likely to be derived from the interstitial cells of Cajal or their progenitor cells.     

Characterization of a monoclonal antibody which detects luteinizing hormone from diverse mammalian species

The present study describes the development and characterization of a monoclonal antibody (518B7) generated against bovine LH (bLH). Although 518B7 was extremely specific for LH, very low species specificity was observed. A RIA using this antibody and radioiodinated equine LH (eLH) showed good sensitivity for all mammalian LH preparations tested, with the exception of human LH (15%, relative to the eLH reference standard). Activities of most mammalian LH's ranged between approximately 50-200%. Much less activity was detected with reptilian LH (less than 1.5%). Amphibian and avian LH fractions were essentially inactive. The reactivities of LH alpha and beta subunits from a variety of mammals clearly showed that the antibody reacts with the beta subunit. Sensitive RIAs were also developed utilizing 125I-bovine and 125I-rat LH. Interestingly, all hormone preparations which showed sufficient reactivity for statistical analysis within the dose ranges used in the present study (0.01-1000 ng/tube) produced a displacement curve parallel to the reference standard. We have also validated the use of 518B7 in detecting LH in serum. Parallel dilution curves relative to purified LH reference standards were observed with equine and bovine serum samples and equine pituitary extract. High (average 94%) recoveries were also seen with bovine serum with known amounts of exogenously added bLH. Similar patterns of LH secretion were detected with a RIA based upon 125I-bLH and 518B7 and a previously described polyclonal antibody-based RIA in bovine serum samples during estrus. Thus, a monoclonal antibody for LH has been produced which can be used to develop sensitive and specific RIAs in many different mammalian species.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Variability in sensory attributes in common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.): a first survey in the Iberian secondary diversity center

Few studies have explored sensory variability in beans. We used geographic, agronomic, morphological, and genetic criteria to select numerous groups of landraces from among the many collected in Catalonia (northeast Spain). Beans cultivated in a single location to avoid environmental effects were submitted to a trained panel for sensory analysis. We used multiple linear regression to explore whether the flavor and texture of the seed (evaluable only by tasting after cooking) can be estimated from easily measurable traits like the appearance of the beans. The degree of variability found for all sensory traits (coefficients of variation: 20–70 %) was similar to that of agronomic traits; however, entries were grouped differently for sensory and agronomic traits, suggesting independent evolution. Negative genotypic correlations between some sensory traits will probably hinder attempts to achieve ideotypes combining low seed-coat perceptibility, low mealiness, and high flavor. Regressions between easily measurable traits (agronomic and culinary traits and appearance of the seeds) and flavor and texture yielded R² values ranging from 0.47 to 0.64. We consider these values good enough for rough screening of sensory attributes in genetic resources studies or breeding.     

Use of a gonadotrophin-releasing hormone vaccine in headshaking horses

The aim of this study was to investigate the use of a gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) vaccine in the treatment of headshaking in horses. Fifteen geldings received two doses of the GnRH vaccine four weeks apart. Serum was collected before and after vaccination to measure concentrations of luteinising hormone (LH) (10 horses) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) (six horses). Owners recorded the frequency of seven common headshaking behaviours using a visual analogue scale (VAS) before vaccination and at two, four, eight, 12, 16 and 20 weeks after vaccination. Serum LH (P=0.008) and FSH (P=0.03) concentrations decreased significantly following vaccination. Although approximately one-third of the owners reported a subjective improvement in headshaking, serial scoring did not indicate a reduction in headshaking behaviours following vaccination with a commercial GnRH vaccine. Vaccination reactions were observed in four of 15 horses (27 per cent), including one case of severe, presumed immune-mediated, myositis.     

The efficacy of a single chain recombinant equine luteinizing hormone (reLH) in mares: induction of ovulation, hormone profiles, and inter-ovulatory intervals

The objectives of this study were to determine the efficacy of recombinant equine luteinizing hormone (reLH) in shortening the time to ovulation in cycling mares and to determine the effects of treatment on endogenous hormones and inter-ovulatory intervals. In study 1, mares of light horse breeds (3–20 years) were treated with either a vehicle, various doses of reLH, or human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). Cycling mares were examined by palpation and ultrasound per rectum daily or every 12 h from the time of treatment to ovulation. In studies 2 and 3, jugular blood samples were collected daily or every 12 h from the time of treatment to ovulation for analysis of LH, follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), estradiol-17β (E₂), and progesterone (P₄) by radioimmunoassays (RIA). Increasing doses of reLH (0.3, 0.6, 0.75, and 0.9 mg) showed increasing effectiveness at inducing ovulation within 48 h of treatment. Treatments with the 0.75 and 0.9 mg doses of reLH resulted in 90% and 80% ovulation rates, which were similar to hCG treatment (85.7%). Except for the early rise in LH after treatment with 0.5, 0.65, and 1.0 mg of reLH, hormone profiles appeared to be similar between control and treated cycles. Inter-ovulatory intervals were similar between control and treatment cycles. In conclusion, reLH is a reliable and effective ovulatory agent that does not significantly alter endogenous hormone profiles or affect inter-ovulatory intervals.     

Localization of Insulin‐Like Growth Factor‐I (IGF‐I) and IGF‐I Receptor (IGF‐IR) in Equine Testes

The insulin‐like growth factor‐I (IGF‐I) is a key regulator of reproductive functions. IGF‐I actions are primarily mediated by IGF‐IR. The main objective of this research was to evaluate the presence of IGF‐I and IGF‐I Receptor (IGF‐IR) in stallion testicular tissue. The hypotheses of this study were (i) IGF‐I and IGF‐IR are present in stallion testicular cells including Leydig, Sertoli, and developing germ cells, and (ii) the immunolabelling of IGF‐I and IGF‐IR varies with age. Testicular tissues from groups of 4 stallions in different developmental ages were used. Rabbit anti‐human polyclonal antibodies against IGF‐I and IGF‐IR were used as primary antibodies for immunohistochemistry and Western blot. At the pre‐pubertal and pubertal stages, IGF‐I immunolabelling was present in spermatogonia and Leydig cells. At post‐pubertal, adult and aged stages, immunolabelling of IGF‐I was observed in spermatogenic cells (spermatogonia, spermatocyte, spermatid, and spermatozoa) and Leydig cells. Immunolabelling of IGF‐IR was observed in spermatogonia and Leydig cells at the pre‐pubertal stage. The immunolabelling becomes stronger as the age of animals advance through the post‐pubertal stage. Strong immunolabelling of IGF‐IR was observed in spermatogonia and Leydig cells at post‐puberty, adult and aged stallions; and faint labelling was seen in spermatocytes at these ages. Immunolabelling of IGF‐I and IGF‐IR was not observed in Sertoli cells. In conclusion, IGF‐I is localized in equine spermatogenic and Leydig cells, and IGF‐IR is present in spermatogonia, spermatocytes and Leydig cells, suggesting that the IGF‐I may be involved in equine spermatogenesis and Leydig cell function as a paracrine/autocrine factor.     

Epidemiology of canine leishmaniosis in Catalonia (Spain) the example of the Priorat focus.

An epidemiological survey of canine leishmaniosis was conducted in the Priorat, a rural region in the Northeast of Spain, for 10 years (1985-1994). Seroprevalence throughout the region, determined by dot-ELISA and IFI, was 10.2% (8-12%). Forty percent of the dogs studied had a low level of anti-Leishmania antibodies, whereas only 50% were seronegative. Only one-third of the seropositive dogs had evident symptoms of the disease. Annual incidence of the disease was 5.7% and the level of endemicity was stable during the study. Four Leishmania zymodemes (MON-1, MON-29, MON-77, MON-105) were present in the focus, and their distribution in the different hosts is discussed. Apart from dogs and foxes, no other reservoir host has been found in the region.     

Reproductive development, GnRHa-induced spawning and egg quality of wild meagre (Argyrosomus regius) acclimatised to captivity

The objective of the study was to acclimatise wild-caught meagre (Argyrosomus regius) to captivity to produce viable eggs for aquaculture production. Twelve meagre (3 males and 9 females, mean weight?=?20?±?7?kg) were caught and transported to a land-based facility on 26 October 2006. During, March to June 2007, all three males were spermiating and five of the nine females were in vitellogenesis with mean maximum oocyte diameter ≥550?μm. No spontaneous spawning was observed. Two hormone treatments, either a single injection of gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRHa, 20?μg?kg(-1) for females and 10?μg?kg(-1) for males) or a slow-release implant loaded with the same GnRHa (50?μg?kg(-1) for females and 25?μg?kg(-1) for males), were used to induce spawning on three different dates on 26 March 2007, 4 May 2007 and 18 April 2008. From each spawning event, the following parameters were determined: fecundity, number of floating eggs, egg size, fertilisation and hatching success, unfed larval survival, and proximal composition and fatty acid profile of the eggs. In 2007, two females that were injected on 26 March and 4 May spawned a total of 5 times producing 9,019,300 floating eggs and a relative fecundity of 198,200 eggs?kg(-1) and two different females that were implanted on the same dates spawned 14 times producing 12,430,000 floating eggs and a relative fecundity of 276,200 eggs?kg(-1). In 2008, a pair that was implanted spawned five times producing a total of 10,211,900 floating eggs and a relative fecundity of 527,380 eggs?kg(-1). The latency period was 48-72?h. Parameters were compared between hormone treatments, date of hormone induction and parents determined by microsatellites. Percentage hatch and egg size were 70?±?0.3% and 0.99?±?0.02?mm, respectively, for GnRHa-implanted fish and were significantly higher (P?相似文献