Discovery of a new avian bornavirus genotype in estrildid finches (Estrildidae) in Germany

Avian bornaviruses (ABV) are known to be the causative agent of proventricular dilatation disease (PDD) in parrots and their relatives (Psittaciformes). A broad range of ABV genotypes has been detected not only in psittacine birds, but also in other avian species including canary birds (Serinus canaria forma domestica) and Bengalese finches (Lonchura striata f. dom.), which are both members of the order songbirds (Passeriformes).During this study 286 samples collected from captive and wild birds of various passerine species in different parts of Germany were screened for the presence of ABV. Interestingly, only three ABV-positive samples were identified by RT-PCR. They originated from one yellow-winged pytilia (Pytilia hypogrammica) and two black-rumped waxbills (Estrilda troglodytes) from a flock of captive estrildid finches in Saxony. The ABV isolates detected here were only distantly related to ABV isolates found in passerine species in Germany and Japan and form a new genotype tentatively called ABV-EF (for “estrildid finches”).     

Effect of spiramycin and tulathromycin on abomasal emptying rate in milk-fed calves

Impaired abomasal motility is common in cattle with abomasal disorders. The macrolide erythromycin has been demonstrated to be an effective prokinetic agent in healthy calves and in adult cattle with abomasal volvulus or left displaced abomasum. We hypothesized that 2 structurally related macrolides, spiramycin and tulathromycin, would also be effective prokinetic agents in cattle. Six milk-fed, male, Holstein-Friesian calves were administered each of the following 4 treatments: spiramycin, 75 000 IU/kg BW, IM, this dose approximates 25 mg/kg BW, IM; tulathromycin, 2.5 mg/kg BW, SC; 2 mL of 0.9% NaCl (negative control); and erythromycin, 8.8 mg/kg BW, IM (positive control). Calves were fed 2 L of cow’s milk containing acetaminophen (50 mg/kg body weight) 30 min after each treatment was administered and jugular venous blood samples were obtained periodically after the start of sucking. Abomasal emptying rate was assessed by the time to maximal plasma acetaminophen concentration. Spiramycin, tulathromycin, and the positive control erythromycin increased abomasal emptying rate compared to the negative control. We conclude that the labeled antimicrobial dose of spiramycin and tulathromycin increases the abomasal emptying rate in healthy milk-fed calves. Additional studies investigating whether spiramycin and tulathromycin exert a prokinetic effect in adult cattle with abomasal hypomotility appear indicated.     

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.     

Sex differences in circulating steroid hormone levels in the red drum, Sciaenops ocellatus L.

Steroid profiles of cultured and captive red drum (Sciaenops ocellatus L.) were investigated to evaluate the potential use of circulating sex steroid levels as a tool for gender identification in this species. Cultured 18‐month‐old fish were maintained on a 120‐day shortened photothermal cycle to induce precocious maturation. Additionally, wild‐caught fish were maintained in captivity under simulated natural photothermal conditions from late spring to early fall. Circulating 11‐ketotestosterone (11‐KT) levels were significantly higher in males compared with females during the early stages of gonadal growth in both cultured and captive fish. Plasma testosterone (T) levels showed a similar trend; however, the differences were significant only when males were already producing sperm. 17β‐estradiol (E₂) concentrations were low in males and females before gonadal recrudescence but increased significantly with the progression of vitellogenesis in females. These results show that a test using a minimum concentration of circulating 11‐KT could be developed to differentiate between sexes in the early stages of gonadal maturation in red drum. Moreover, plasma E₂ concentrations could be used to identify vitellogenic females. The two steroids considered together could help avoid possible error in gender identification due to unusually high levels of certain steroids encountered in some individuals.     

Activin and its receptors in the goldfish

Activin (_AA, _AB and _BB) is a dimeric protein that belongs to the transforming growth factor- (TGF-) superfamily of growth factors and is involved in the regulation of many physiological and developmental processes. Recently, we have demonstrated that porcine activin stimulated goldfish gonadotropin-II (GTH-II) and growth hormone (GH) secretion from dispersed pituitary cells in static culture and pituitary fragments in perifusion. The action of activin in the goldfish is unique in that it has an acute stimulatory effect on the secretion of GTH-II and GH, whereas in mammals activin usually exhibits long-term stimulatory actions on FSH secretion. The action mechanism of activin is different from that of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH). Using domain-specific antibodies against mammalian activin subunits, we subsequently demonstrated the existence of immunoreactive activin subunits (_A and _B) in the goldfish ovary, testis, pituitary and brain, suggesting endocrine, paracrine and autocrine roles for activin in the regulation of goldfish reproduction. Both activin _A and _B subunits have been cloned from goldfish genome by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Using the PCR fragments as probes, we have cloned a full length cDNA coding for activin _B subunit from the goldfish ovary. Both activin _A and _B subunits show high homology to those of other vertebrates with the _B subunit much more conserved (93 and 98% identity with human and zebrafish _B subunit, respectively). The identity of the cloned _B subunit was further confirmed by expression in the Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells and detection of the specific activity of activin in the culture medium. The messenger RNA of activin _B subunit is expressed in a variety of goldfish tissues including ovary, testis, brain, pituitary, kidney and liver, suggesting a wide range of physiological roles for activin in the goldfish. We have also cloned a full length cDNA coding for the activin Type IIB receptor from the goldfish ovary, suggesting that activin may have paracrine or autocrine actions on the ovarian functions. The identity of the cloned receptor was confirmed by specific binding of¹²⁵ I-activin on COS-1 cells transfected with the cloned Type IIB receptor.     

Evidence that 17α,20β,21-trihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one is a maturation-inducing steroid in spotted seatrout

Ovarian steroidogenesis during final oocyte maturation (FOM) in the spotted seatrout (Cynoscion nebulosus) was investigated by incubating ovarian fragments with tritiated pregnenolone, followed by chromatographic separation of the radioactive products. The major tritiated steroid produced during FOM comigrated with 17α,20β,21-trihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one (20β-dihydro-11-deoxycortisol, 20β-S) on HPLC and TLC. Only minor amounts of radioactive material coeluted with 17α,20β-dihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one (17α,20β-P), 11-deoxycorticosterone (DOC), estradiol-17β and testosterone standards in the HPLC system. Additional chromatography by TLC confirmed the presence of radioactive estradiol-17β and testosterone but not 17α,20β-P and DOC. All the ovarian steroids producedin vitro during FOM were assayed for their ability to induce germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD) of spotted seatrout oocytes. Twenty grams of ovarian tissue were incubated with human chorionic gonadotropin and exogenous pregnenolone. The steroidal products were purified by HPLC and TLC. Most of the maturation-inducing activity was confined to steroidal material which comigrated in these systems with 20β-S. This material was active at a concentration of 1 ng steroid/ml medium in the GVBD assay. Smaller amounts of material which coeluted with 11-deoxycortisol, DOC, 17α,20β-P and several minor unidentified fractions induced GVBD at concentrations of 10 ng steroid(s)/ml. The structure-activity relationships of authentic steroids in inducing GVBD of spotted seatrout oocytes was investigated. Hydroxylation at the 17α, 20β or 21 positions increased potency to induce GVBD. Steroids with multiple hydroxyl groups at the 17α and 20β positions (17α, 20β-P) and at the 17α, 20β, and 21 positions (20β-S) had maximum biological activity in the GVBD bioassay. The results suggest that 20β-S is a major maturation-inducing steroid in spotted seatrout.     

Fishing gear effects and ecology of the sea whip (Halipteris willemoesi (Cnidaria: Octocorallia: Pennatulacea)) in British Columbia,Canada: preliminary observations

• 1. We conducted a preliminary study of the effects of a shrimp beam trawl and prawn traps on sea whips (Halipteris willemoesi (Cnidaria: Octocorallia: Pennatulacea)) at two bays on Clio Channel, south central coast of British Columbia, Canada. Video and grabs surveys were conducted to estimate abundance and make observations on sea whips and their habitat.
• 2. No adult sea whips were caught in six beam trawls. In 600 prawn (Pandalus platyceros) trap sets at Turnour Bay, 30 sea whips were found entangled in the gear and of these 50% of the colonies were damaged. The length of broken sea whips ranged from 0.09 to 1.03 m. At Turnour Bay, the density of adults observed in video surveys ranged from 7.1 to 14.3 m^?2. Juvenile density in grab samples ranged from 53 to 123 m^?2 and a few adults were also caught. The lengths of intact adult sea whips caught in traps and grabs ranged from 0.20 to 1.98 m and juveniles from 0.3 to 0.7 cm.
• 3. Fewer adult sea whips (<0.1 m^?2) were seen in Bones Bay, where sediments were muddier (grain size <0.25 mm: 84.6 to 97.2%) relative to Turnour Bay (grain size <0.25 mm: 71.4 to 85.9%). Bottom water characteristics at the two bays were similar. Seasonal temperature range was 7.5–8.4°C, salinity 30.63–31.49 psu, and dissolved oxygen 2.76–5.97 mg L^?1. Differences in sediment characteristics and food availability may have been a factor influencing differences in abundance of sea whips between the two bays.
• 4. Further data are needed to investigate the effects of trawling and trapping on sea whips, as sample sizes were small in the present study and only two gear types were evaluated. Studies of effects of otter trawling and heavier traps, such as those used for Dungeness crab (Cancer magister), are warranted.

Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.