Hyperlipemia of captive bottlenose dolphins during pregnancy

In this study values for total cholesterol and triglycerides were measured in 110 blood samples taken from 360 days pre-partum to 90 days post-partum in ten parturitions of six bottlenose dolphins, and in 75 blood samples when the dolphins were not pregnant as a control group. The average total cholesterol values in the second, third and fourth stages and in the puerperium were significantly higher than the average value of the control group by 11.0%, 30.2%, 19.3% and 13.4% respectively. The average triglycerides values for the third and fourth stages and in the puerperium were also significantly higher than those in the control group by 59.7%, 84.3%, and 42.1% respectively.     

Immune responses against measles virus in cynomolgus monkeys

Measles virus (MV) induces profound suppression of the immune response during and for weeks after acute infection. On the other hand, virus-specific immune responses that mediate viral clearance and confer long-lasting immunity are efficiently generated. To investigate this paradox, we studied the immune responses to MV using a monkey model of acute measles. Cynomolgus monkeys were experimentally infected with wild-type MV (MV-HL) and showed marked leukopenia associated with a steady reduction in CD4+ T cell numbers for 18 days post-inoculation. Transient expression of interferon and IL-6 were observed in the serum between 4 and 6 days post-inoculation, and IL-10 levels increased after 11 days post-inoculation. Interestingly, IL-8 showed a three-peak increase that correlated with an increase in neutrophils. A non-human primate model of measles allows the early immune response against MV to be studied in more detail.     

Relationships between velocities of pulmonary venous flow and plasma concentrations of atrial natriuretic peptide in healthy dogs

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between velocities of pulmonary venous flow (PVF) and plasma concentrations of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) in healthy dogs. ANIMALS: 7 healthy Beagles. PROCEDURES: Dogs were anesthetized, intubated, and positioned in left lateral recumbency. Lactated Ringer's solution was infused (200 mL/kg/h) for 60 minutes via a cephalic vein. Transmitral flow and PVF velocities were measured echocardiographically by use of the apical 4-chamber view. Pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCWP) and ANP concentrations were determined. RESULTS: IV infusion significantly increased heart rate and PCWP. Similarly, the ANP concentration significantly increased from baseline (before infusion of lactated Ringer's solution) values. Transmitral flow velocities were significantly increased, although the ratio of velocity of the flow during early ventricular diastole (E wave) to velocity of the atrial flow (A wave; E:A ratio) was unchanged. Regarding the PVF velocities, forward flow during ventricular systole (S wave) and retrograde flow during atrial contraction were significantly increased, whereas velocity of the forward flow during ventricular diastole (D wave) was unchanged. Ratio of the velocity of the S wave to velocity of the D wave was increased significantly, and this ratio was significantly correlated with PCWP or ANP concentration. However, the E:A ratio was not correlated with PCWP or ANP concentration. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: PVF velocities were strongly correlated with PCWP and plasma ANP concentration in clinically normal dogs. Therefore, PVF velocities may serve as a sensitive indicator and provide additional information for monitoring acute preloading conditions and estimating atrial filling abnormalities in dogs.     

Volume loading-related changes in tissue Doppler images derived from the tricuspid valve annulus in dogs

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between preload and tricuspid valve annulus-derived tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) as an index of right ventricular (RV) filling in dogs. ANIMALS: 7 Beagles. PROCEDURES: Peak systolic RV pressure and RV end-diastolic pressure (RVEDP) were measured in anesthetized dogs. Pulsed Doppler was used to measure tricuspid valve inflow and pulmonary valve outflow velocities. The TDI velocities were measured at the lateral corner of the tricuspid valve annulus. Lactated Ringer's solution was infused at 200 mL/kg/h for 60 minutes via the cephalic vein. RESULTS: IV infusion significantly increased heart rate, RV pressure, and RVEDP. Early diastolic flow (E-wave) and ejection time significantly increased. The myocardial performance index (MPI) significantly decreased. Intravenous infusion significantly increased the ratio of the E'-wave (peak myocardial velocity during early diastole) to the A'-wave (peak myocardial velocity during late diastole; E':A' ratio) and myocardial velocity during systole (S'), early diastole (E'), and late diastole (A'). The TDI-isovolumic relaxation time and TDI-MPI decreased significantly. The RVEDP was correlated with late diastolic flow (A-wave), ratio of the E-wave to the A-wave (E:A ratio), E'-wave, A'-wave, S'-wave (peak myocardial velocity during systole), TDI-isovolumic relaxation time, TDI-MPI, and ratio of the E-wave to the E'-wave (E: E' ratio). The A-wave and E:A ratio and TDI-derived isovolumic relaxation time, S' duration, and E'-wave could predict the RVEDP. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The TDI velocities were affected by RV filling pressure in healthy dogs, whereas other TDI profiles, such as MPI and E':A' ratio, were independent of acute filling abnormalities.     

Genetic structure and relationships of 16 Asian and European cattle populations using DigiTag2 assay

In this study, we genotyped 117 autosomal single nucleotide polymorphisms using a DigiTag2 assay to assess the genetic diversity, structure and relationships of 16 Eurasian cattle populations, including nine cattle breeds and seven native cattle. Phylogenetic and principal component analyses showed that Bos taurus and Bos indicus populations were clearly distinguished, whereas Japanese Shorthorn and Japanese Polled clustered with European populations. Furthermore, STRUCTURE analysis demonstrated the distinct separation between Bos taurus and Bos indicus (K=2), and between European and Asian populations (K=3). In addition, Japanese Holstein exhibited an admixture pattern with Asian and European cattle (K=3‐5). Mongolian (K=13‐16) and Japanese Black (K=14‐16) populations exhibited admixture patterns with different ancestries. Bos indicus populations exhibited a uniform genetic structure at K=2‐11, thereby suggesting that there are close genetic relationships among Bos indicus populations. However, the Bhutan and Bangladesh populations formed a cluster distinct from the other Bos indicus populations at K=12‐16. In conclusion, our study could sufficiently explain the genetic construction of Asian cattle populations, including: (i) the close genetic relationships among Bos indicus populations; (ii) the genetic influences of European breeds on Japanese breeds; (iii) the genetic admixture in Japanese Holstein, Mongolian and Japanese Black cattle; and (iv) the genetic subpopulations in Southeast Asia.     

Production of asexual and sexual offspring in the triploid sexual planarian Dugesia ryukyuensis

Certain freshwater planarians reproduce asexually as well as sexually, and their chromosomal ploidies include polyploidy, aneuploidy and mixoploidy. Previously, we successfully performed an experiment in which a clonal population produced by asexual reproduction of the Dugesia ryukyuensis (OH strain) switched to the sexual mode of reproduction. Worms of this strain are triploid with a pericentric inversion on Chromosome 4. The worms were switched to sexual reproduction after being fed with sexually mature Bdellocephala brunnea, which is a sexually reproducing species. The resulting sexualized OH strain produced cocoons filled with several eggs. Two putative factors, Mendelian factor(s) and chromosomal control(s), have been proposed as determining the reproductive mode. The present study demonstrated that inbreeding of the resultant sexualized worms produced the following four types of offspring through sexual reproduction: diploid asexual worms, triploid asexual worms, diploid sexual worms and triploid sexual worms. The chromosomal mutation on Chromosome 4 was inherited by these offspring independent of their reproductive mode. These results provide two important pieces of information: (i) the putative genetic factor was not necessarily inherited in a Mendelian fashion; and (ii) the reproductive mode is not regulated by chromosomal changes such as polyploidy or chromosomal mutations. This suggests that asexuality in D. ryukyuensis is regulated by an unknown factor(s) other than a Mendelian factor or a chromosomal control.     

Effects of early high nutrition related to metabolic imprinting events on growth,carcass characteristics,and meat quality of grass-fed Wagyu (Japanese Black cattle)

The study was conducted to clarify how early high plane of nutrition related to metabolic imprinting affected growth, carcass characteristics, and meat quality of grass-fed Wagyu (Japanese Black cattle). Wagyu steers were allocated randomly into 2 dietary groups: (1) steers fed milk replacer (crude protein 26.0%, crude fat 25.5%; maximum intake 0.6 kg/d) until 3 mo of age and then fed roughage (orchard grass hay) ad libitum from 4 to 10 mo of age (roughage group, RG; n = 11); (2) steers fed milk replacer (maximum intake of 1.8 kg/d) until 3 mo of age and then fed a high-concentrate diet from 4 to 10 mo of age (early high nutrition, EHN; n = 12). After 11 mo of age, all steers were fed roughage ad libitum until 31 mo of age and then slaughtered. Growth performance, carcass traits, longissimus muscle (LM) meat quality and intramuscular fat (IMF) content, plasma insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) concentration, and bone mineral density were measured. Body weight was greater in EHN steers (571 kg) than RG steers (520 kg; P < 0.01). Plasma IGF-I levels were higher in EHN steers than in RG steers at 3, 10, and 14 mo of age (P < 0.01, P < 0.005, P < 0.001, respectively); however, plasma IGF-I levels were lower in EHN steers compared with RG steers at 30 mo of age (P < 0.01). The total weight of the muscles and bones of the left half of the carcass was not different between the 2 groups (P = 0.065). Five of the 19 muscles investigated (semimembranosus, P = 0.036; infraspinatus, P = 0.024; supraspinatus, P = 0.0019; serratus ventralis cervicis, P = 0.032; serratus ventralis thoracis, P = 0.027) were heavier in EHN steers. Total fat weight in the left half of the carcass was 30% greater (P = 0.025) in HNE carcasses. Subcutaneous and perirenal fat weights were 53% and 84% greater (P = 0.008, P = 0.002, respectively) in EHN carcasses. The LM IMF content was greater in EHN loins (13.2%) compared with RG loins (9.4%) at 31 mo of age (P = 0.038); however, no differences were found for shear force, tenderness, and cook loss. These results suggested early high-nutrition affected the growth and meat quality of livestock.     

An unidentified gland-like tissue near the androgenic gland of red swamp crayfish, Procambarus clarkii

ABSTRACT:   Among all of the decapods that have been studied, only one kind of gland, the androgenic gland, has been found attached to the subterminal ejaculatory region of the vas deferens. In the present study of the red swamp crayfish, it was found that two kinds of gland-like tissues were attached to the subterminal ejaculatory region of the vas deferens. One of the tissues, which is referred to as TIB, is located inside the body cavity, whereas the other tissue, which is referred to as TIC, is inside the coxa. The characteristics of TIB resemble those of the androgenic gland of other malacostracans. The TIC cells, however, are smaller and more basophilic due to the small size and high density of their cytoplasm and nuclei. Moreover, black fibers, similar to the nerve fibers of the ganglion, were detected among the TIC cells after Bodian's stain. The conclusion is that TIC may be a newly found male sexual characteristic and further research is needed to confirm its functions.