A Survey for the Microfilariae of the Canine Heartworm, Dirofilaria immitis, in the Calgary Region of Southern Alberta

A blood survey for the prevalence of the microfilariae of the canine heartworm, Dirofilaria immitis was conducted in the Calgary area of southern Alberta between November 1977 and August 1979. A total of 514 blood samples was examined by the modified Knott's test. All of the samples were negative for D. immitis microfilariae. Wright's stained blood smears taken from 19 animals at the Calgary Zoo also proved negative. One smear from a male two-toed sloth (Choloepus didactylus) contained sheathless microfilariae which were distinguishable from those of D. immitis. These results, as well as mail survey data indicate that D. immitis is not endemic in the Calgary area.

It is recommended that the modified Knott's test be used for similar large scale sampling studies. In addition, it is suggested that the testing of both native and exotic zoo animals which could serve as definitive hosts of D. immitis be continued. These animals may become local sources of infection or introduce other species of microfilariae which will have to be differentiated from those of D. immitis.

     

Intravaginal administration of estradiol benzoate capsule for estrus synchronization in goats

Estrus synchronization requires multiple treatments of hormonal drugs, requiring considerable time and cost. The aim of the present study was to develop an estrus synchronization protocol using intravaginal administration of estradiol benzoate (EB) capsules in goats. Two types of capsules were prepared: an EB capsule that melted immediately after administration and a sustained-release (SR) EB capsule that dissolved slowly and reached a peak after 24 h. Goats with functional corpus lutea were intramuscularly treated with prostaglandin F_2α (PG). At 24 h after PG administration, goats were administered 1 mg of EB solution intramuscularly (PG + 24IM; n = 6) or 1 mg of EB capsule intravaginally (PG + 24EB; n = 6). The SR EB capsule was administered intravaginally at the time of PG administration (PG + SR; n = 6). The control group (n = 6) received only PG. All groups showed estrus within 72 h after PG administration. The onset of estrus did not differ significantly between the PG + 24IM and PG + SR groups but was earlier than in the control group. Estradiol concentration in the PG + SR group peaked at 11.5 ± 6.1 h after EB and PG administration. Peak estradiol concentrations were not significantly different between the PG + 24IM and PG + SR groups (78.0 ± 25.8 and 64.0 ± 38.1 pg/ml, respectively), and were higher than the PG + 24EB and control groups (27.3 ± 8.8 and 14.6 ± 6.1 pg/ml, respectively). These results suggest that intravaginal administration of an EB capsule with a sustained-drug release base is applicable for estrus synchronization, as an alternative to intramuscular administration.     

Cucurbita-5,23-diene-3beta,25-diol from Sicana odorifera

The spectral data of a new triterpene, cucurbita-5,23-diene-3beta,25-diol, isolated from the seeds of Sicana odorifera, are reported.     

Physical and mechanical properties of wood after moisture conditioning

Some properties of wood (hinoki:Chamaecyparis obtusa) moisture-conditioned by an adsorption process from a dry state and by two desorption processes (from a water-saturated state and from a state with a moisture content slightly below the fiber saturation point) were investigated. The moisture contents of wood conditioned by the adsorption process and by the desorption process continued to approach to one another for the moisture-conditioning period of over 50 weeks. Accordingly, sorption hysteresis should be regarded as a transitional phenomenon that occurs during the process of approaching the true equilibrium, which requires a long time. The wood conditioned by the desorption process beginning from a water-saturated state showed slightly smaller dimensions than those conditioned by the adsorption process with the same moisture content; however, the wood conditioned by the desorption process from a moisture content below the fiber saturation point showed slightly larger dimensions than those conditioned by the adsorption process. The wood conditioned by the adsorption process from a dry state showed a higher modulus of elasticity and modulus of rupture than did the wood conditioned from a water-saturated state with the same moisture content. The mechanical properties of the wood also varied based on the states at which the desorption process was started. This is a notable characteristic of the relation between the drying condition and the mechanical properties of wood.     

New method to evaluate water-soluble antioxidant activity based on protein structural change

A simple method to evaluate antioxidant activities of water-soluble ingredients of foods has been developed. Protective effects of antioxidants against hypochlorite radical or hydroxyl radical have been studied by comparing changes in absorbance of myoglobin (a standard reference) at 409 nm. Protective ratio, defined by absorbance changes of myoglobin with or without the antioxidant, was a good indicator to quantitatively evaluate the antioxidant activity against the hypochlorite radical or the hydroxyl radical, respectively. Radar charts indicating the antioxidant activities against DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl), hypochlorite radical, and hydroxyl radical clearly differentiated the characteristics of five antioxidants including carnosine, glutathione, and vitamin C. By comparison of the radar charts, antioxidant activity of bonito meat hydrolysate was found to have similar characteristics to that of carnosine. The simple method proposed in this study would be useful for evaluating and characterizing the activities of water-soluble antioxidants contained in various food materials.     

The effects of growth and disease in serum keratan sulfate concentration in dogs

The purpose of this study is to investigate keratan sulfate (KS) concentration in the serum of puppies and the effects of age, body weight, breed and diseases. Serum samples from six neonatal dogs (4 Beagles, 2 Labrador Retrievers), and from 127 adult dogs with various diseases were collected at a Teaching Animal Hospital. Canine serum KS concentration was measured by inhibition enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Samples from puppies were evaluated for growth-related changes, and samples from patients were evaluated for age, body weight, breed and disease-related changes. Serum KS concentration was high in puppies from birth to 4 months of age. KS values started to decrease from 4 months to 9 months of age, and then gradually reached to the plateau. Though in the small sample, mean KS concentration in a Labrador Retriever was higher than in Beagles during the first 10 months. The values of serum KS showed body weight-related increase within retrievers among teaching hospital population and there was significant increase in body weight-related change. Cartilage metabolism is high in canine immature joint and that activity continues for 5 months, and that higher in Labrador Retrievers rather than in Beagles. There was no effect from other factors, including age, body weight, breed and disease in all patients. Serum KS concentration of Retrievers is higher than Beagles, and that value increased with gain of body weight. We suggest that Retriever have higher cartilage metabolism with growth or ageing.     

Seroepidemiologic survey of Coxiella burnetii and attempt to detect Coxiella DNA in aged non-laying chickens in a prefecture of Japan where poultry farming prospers

The indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT) revealed seropositivity to Coxiella burnetii in aged non-laying chickens in poultry farms in a prefecture in the central part of Japan. Seropositivity was 7%, and antibody titers ranged from 16 to 64. No DNA fragment specific for C. burnetii was detected in the chickens by nested-PCR. The prevalence of C. burnetii infection in a prefecture of Japan in which poultry farming prospers was 7%.     

Variation in floral scent compounds recognized by honeybees in Brassicaceae crop species

Floral scent attracts pollinators. We investigated the floral scent compounds recognized by pollinators in six Brassica crop species, including allogamous species with different genomes and autogamous species with two parental genomes and radish (Raphanus sativus). Biologically active compounds recognized by honeybees were screened from all floral compounds by combined gas chromatography–electroantennogram analysis and their profiles were determined by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. Fourteen of the 52 compounds were active. All accessions had more than two active compounds, but the compounds greatly differed between the two genera. On the basis of similarities in whether active compounds were presence or absence, their amount and their composition ratio, we divided the Brassica accessions into three to five groups by cluster analyses. Most groups were composed of a mixture of allogamous and autogamous species sharing same genome, indicating that the variation depended on genome, not species. These results suggest that all species require pollinator visits for reproduction, despite their different reproductive systems. However, the inter-genus and intra-specific variations shown by the multiple groups within a species might cause different visitation frequencies by pollinators between genera and among accessions within a species, resulting in insufficient seed production in some accessions or species.     

Protective Effect of Stachybotrys microspora Triprenyl Phenol-7on the Deposition of IgA to the Glomerular Mesangium in Nivalenol-induced IgA Nephropathy Using BALB/c Mice

Activators of tissue proteolysis including Stachybotrys microspora triprenyl phenol (SMTP)-7 are a new class of agents that are expected to be effective for amelioration of chronic tissue destructive diseases. The present study was performed to examine whether SMTP-7 is effective for the amelioration or protection of early-stage IgA nephropathy (IgAN) induced by nivalenol (NIV) in female BALB/c mice. In Experiment 1, mice were administered NIV at 24 ppm in diet for 8 weeks, and during the NIV treatment, they were intraperitoneally injected with SMTP-7 (10 mg/kg) three times a week. In Experiment 2, mice were injected similarly with SMTP-7 during the last 4 weeks of a 16-week NIV treatment. Immunofluorescence analysis revealed an inhibitory effect of SMTP-7 on the glomerular deposition of IgA in Experiment 1; however, it was ineffective in Experiment 2. On the other hand, SMTP-7 did not affect the serum concentration of IgA in both experiments. These results suggest that SMTP-7 has a potential to decrease the progression of IgAN induced by NIV through inhibition of local accumulation of IgA in the glomerular mesangium, while it was ineffective for suppression of IgA production. On the other hand, SMTP-7 was found to be ineffective for already deposited IgA, suggesting that SMTP-7 may not be effective for ameliorating advanced IgAN.     

Circulating testosterone and inhibin levels at different ages in the male beluga (Delphinapterus leucas)

This study is the first report on circulating testosterone and inhibin levels in a species of whales, the beluga. Circulating testosterone and immunoreactive (ir-) inhibin levels in two captive male belugas ("Nack", originally from Canada and "Duke", from the Okhotsk Sea) were measured every month for 9 years between 1995 and 2003. Assuming that clearly increased testosterone levels in the circulation indicates that the belugas had reached sexual maturity, at the ages of 10 ("Nack") and 11 years old ("Duke"). Their testosterone levels before the significant increase (pre-pubertal) were 0.42 ± 0.07 ng/ml (n=18) and 0.35 ± 0.10 ng/ml (n=18) and, those of after the increase (maturity) were 1.65 ± 0.14 ng/m l (n=74) and 2.06 ± 0.14 ng/ml (n=74). Circulating ir-inhibin levels before sexual maturity were 0.78 ± 0.04 ng/ml (n=18) and 0.64 ± 0.04 ng/ml (n=15) and, after sexual maturity were 0.52 ± 0.02 ng/ml (n=56) and 0.43 ± 0.02 ng/ml (n=67). Seasonal changes were observed in the testosterone levels after sexual maturity and the levels increased during March and April in Canadian origin "Nack", and peaked in February in Okhotsk origin "Duke". Circulating ir-inhibin level gradually decreased as they aged. A negative correlation between the circulating testosterone and ir-inhibin was observed. No seasonal changes were observed in the ir-inhibin levels after sexual maturity. These data will surely correspond to clarification of endocrinology and the successful reproduction of the beluga.