Molecular cloning of two types of spiggin cDNA in the three-spined stickleback, Gasterosteus aculeatus

Two types of spiggin cDNAs were isolated from the three-spined stickleback. Northern blot analysis revealed that glue protein is composed of multiple spiggin molecules, and that their synthesis in kidney is strongly up-regulated by androgens.     

Changes in the level of plasma cortisol, progesterone and total testosterone in developing hairless dogs.

Changes in the levels of plasma cortisol, progesterone and total testosterone were examined in developing hairless and haired dogs. Cortisol levels in the hairless dogs seemed to be higher than those in haired dogs within the age of 4-5 weeks. No apparent changes were seen in the level of plasma progesterone between the groups of hairless females and haired females. Total testosterone levels in hairless males showed to be significantly lower than those in haired males at the age of 13-21 weeks.     

Effect of SCD and SREBP genotypes on fatty acid composition in adipose tissue of Japanese Black cattle herds

Fatty acid composition of beef adipose tissue is one of important traits because high proportions of monounsaturated fatty acid are related to favorable beef flavor and tenderness. In this study, we investigated effects of genetic factors such as stearoyl-CoA desaturase (SCD) and sterol regulatory element binding protein (SREBP) on beef carcass traits including fatty acid composition using two cattle populations. Sire effect was significantly related to almost all traits except BMS, suggesting that the trait examined in this study is highly controlled by genetic factors. The effect of SCD genotype on fatty acid composition was detected remarkably in both cattle groups, especially on stearic and oleic acids. This result was consistent with our previous studies and suggests that SCD is associated with fatty acid composition. Unlike SCD genotyping, the effect of SREBP genotype was not identified in this study. Our results suggested that SCD genotype would contribute to improving beef quality in field populations. Further studies about the relationship among these factors will bring an insight into the molecular mechanism of fatty acid metabolism in cattle.     

Acetaldehyde emission from wood induced by the addition of ethanol

A mechanism of acetaldehyde emission from wood induced by the addition of ethanol was proposed. It is known that acetaldehyde generation is due to the oxidation of ethanol via a metabolic process involving alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) in living bodies. However, it remains unclear whether the enzymatic alcohol oxidation is applicable to wood. We investigated possible factors of wood parts, conditioning, storage sites, and heating and sterilization treatments on acetaldehyde emission using the syringe method and HPLC analysis. We reconfirmed that acetaldehyde emission was observed only when ethanol was added to wood. Greater acetaldehyde emissions were obtained in heartwood compared to sapwood in both Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica D. Don) and Japanese cypress (Chamaecyparis obtusa Endl.) specimens. In addition, an acetaldehyde conversion rate of 1–2 mol% was determined in green cedar heartwood samples, while, conversely, air-dried cedar heartwood samples showed 4–5 mol%. Ethylene oxide gas sterilization had the effect of decreasing acetaldehyde emission on air-dried wood, but not on green wood. Autoclave sterilization could completely prevent acetaldehyde emissions from both green and air-dried wood. These results suggested that an original ADH in wood and an attached ADH from the outside via microorganisms onto wood were assumed to be the primary causes of acetaldehyde emissions from wood induced by the addition of ethanol.     

Evaluation of the low dose level of a heat-killed and dried cell preparation of Enterococcus faecalis to prevent porcine edema disease using experimental infection model with enterotoxcemic Escherichia coli in weaning pigs

Porcine edema disease (ED) is caused by Shiga toxin 2e-producing Escherichia coli (STEC). ED has become frequent in pig farms, and the use of antimicrobials has resulted in the development of antimicrobial-resistant STEC. Accordingly, the use of materials other than antimicrobials is requested for the prevention of ED. Oral administration of a heat-killed and dried cell preparation of Enterococcus faecalis strain EC-12 (EC-12) to weaning pigs was previously demonstrated to decrease animal mortality in a STEC-contaminated farm at 0.05% (w/w) dose level. In this study, pigs experimentally infected with STEC were used as a model for ED to evaluate the low dose level of EC-12 to prevent ED. Fifteen 21-day-old pigs were divided into 5 groups: STEC challenge with the basal diet, STEC challenge with EC-12 supplemented at 0.005, 0.01, or 0.05% (w/w) to the basal diet, and no STEC challenge with the basal diet. The challenge was carried out when the animals were 25, 26, and 27 days old using STEC contained in capsules resistant against gastric digestion. All pigs were euthanized at 32 days of age. The daily weight gain, feed conversion ratio, and palpebral edema were improved by supplementation with 0.05% EC-12, but not by the low dose levels. Accordingly, 0.05% level of supplementation was needed for EC-12 to improve clinical symptoms in weaning piglets infected by STEC.     

Molecular cloning of sex hormone-binding globulin cDNA in carp, Cyprinus carpio

Two types of cDNAs encoding carp SHBGs were isolated and characterized. Northern blot analysis showed their mRNAs distributed mainly in liver, and mRNA levels were almost constant during annual reproductive cycle. This result suggests SHBG synthesis is independent of serum steroid concentration.     

Influence of Water Temperature on Morphological Deformities in Cultured Larvae of Japanese Eel,Anguilla japonica,at Completion of Yolk Resorption

The occurrence of morphological deformities under different rearing water temperatures (18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, and 30 C) was examined in Japanese eel larvae. The rates of hatching and survival until yolk resorption at 22–26 C were higher than those at other water temperatures. Fertilized eggs never hatched at 18 and 30 C. The rates of occurrence of abnormal larvae reared at the water temperatures 24–28 C were lower than those at 20 or 22 C. Pericardial edema and lower jaw deformities occurred most frequently at lower temperatures (20 and 22 C). In contrast, the incubation temperature did not significantly affect the relative frequency of some neurocranial deformities and of spinal curvature. These results imply that the optimal temperatures for rearing Japanese eel eggs and embryos are 24–26 C from the viewpoints of survival and deformity.     

Effect of lidocaine on the minimum alveolar concentration of sevoflurane in dogs

Objective  To investigate the effects of a low-dose constant rate infusion (LCRI; 50 μg kg⁻¹ minute⁻¹) and high-dose CRI (HCRI; 200 μg kg⁻¹ minute⁻¹) lidocaine on arterial blood pressure and on the minimum alveolar concentration (MAC) of sevoflurane (Sevo), in dogs.
Study design  Prospective, randomized experimental design.
Animals  Eight healthy adult spayed female dogs, weighing 16.0 ± 2.1 kg.
Methods  Each dog was anesthetized with sevoflurane in oxygen and mechanically ventilated, on three separate occasions 7 days apart. Following a 40-minute equilibration period, a 0.1-mL kg⁻¹ saline loading dose or lidocaine (2 mg kg⁻¹ intravenously) was administered over 3 minutes, followed by saline CRI or lidocaine LCRI or HCRI. The sevoflurane MAC was determined using a tail clamp. Heart rate (HR), blood pressure and plasma concentration of lidocaine were measured. All values are expressed as mean ± SD.
Results  The MAC of Sevo was 2.30 ± 0.19%. The LCRI reduced MAC by 15% to 1.95 ± 0.23% and HCRI by 37% to 1.45 ± 0.21%. Diastolic and mean pressure increased with HCRI. Lidocaine plasma concentration was 0.84 ± 0.18 for LCRI and 1.89 ± 0.37 μg mL⁻¹ for HCRI. Seventy-five percent of HCRI dogs vomited during recovery.
Conclusion and clinical relevance  Lidocaine infusions dose dependently decreased the MAC of Sevo, did not induce clinically significant changes in HR or arterial blood pressure, but vomiting was common during recovery in HCRI.     

Surgical intrauterine insemination with cat semen cryopreserved with Orvus ES paste or sodium lauryl sulfate

The mean post-thaw sperm motilities of feline frozen semen prepared with 1% OEP or 3 g/ml SLS as a cryoprotective agent, in addition to 7% glycerin, were 35.0 ± 2.4 and 37.0 ± 2.5%, respectively, showing no significant difference. On unilateral intrauterine insemination (UIUI) using these semen samples at a sperm number of 40 × 10(6), the conception rate was 70.0% (7/10) in the OEP group and 30% (3/10) in the SLS group, showing that the rate was higher in the OEP group, but the difference was not significant. It was suggested that sperm in frozen semen showing the above qualities were transferred to the contralateral uterine horn on UIUI.