Immunologic Profiles of Peripheral Blood Leukocytes and Serum Immunoglobulin G Concentrations in Perinatal Mares and Neonatal Foals (Heavy Draft Horse)

The purpose of this study was to examine sequential changes in the immunologic parameters of perinatal mares and neonatal foals of the heavy draft horse. Blood samples were collected from clinically healthy pregnant mares and their newborn foals every week from 1 month before the expected foaling date, and 1 hour, 1 day (24-48 hours), and 1, 2, 3, and 4 weeks after foaling. Peripheral blood samples were used to examine total leukocyte counts (n = 20), differential leukocyte counts (n = 20), lymphocyte subpopulations (n = 13), lymphocyte responses to mitogens (n = 10), neutrophil phagocytic function (n = 12), and serum immunoglobulin G (IgG) concentrations (n = 10). In perinatal mares, remarkable changes observed included increased neutrophils, decreased lymphocytes, decreased CD4⁺ T lymphocytes, and decreased lymphocyte responses to mitogens at delivery. These changes were speculated to be the result of physical stress associated with delivery. In neonatal foals, increase in the phagocytic function of neutrophils, and increase in serum IgG concentration after suckling colostrum and increase of lymphocytes accompanied by physiologic growth were observed. Compared to dams, foals showed lower phagocytic function of neutrophils before suckling and fewer lymphocytes and lower lymphocyte responses to mitogens within 1 day after birth. This study revealed immunologic dynamics in perinatal mares and neonatal foals. Immunologic functions are suppressed in foaling mares and are immature in neonatal foals, especially before colostral intake. We expect these data will be useful for further studies in the field of clinical immunology, and preventive medicine.     

Factors Affecting Gestation Length in Heavy Draft Mares

The purpose of this study was to examine the factors affecting gestation length in 209 foalings from 65 heavy draft horses by multiple linear regression analysis. The objective variable was gestation length, and the explanatory variables were stud farm, year foaled, month foaled, age of mare, parity of mare, last gestation length, foal gender, and some meteorological parameters (the mean values of prepartum 10 days: maximum temperature, minimum temperature, average barometric pressure, and hours of sunshine in a day). The mean gestation length for 209 foalings was 334.9 (standard deviation = 8.3) days, with a range of 313-352 days. Stepwise regression analysis showed that last gestation length and foal gender had significant (P < .01) effects on gestation length. Multiple regression analysis showed that last gestation length (standard partial regression coefficient = 0.54) was more influential on the present gestation length than foal gender (standard partial regression coefficient = 0.22). The present gestation length and the last gestation length were moderately positively correlated (r = 0.56, P < .01). Colt foal (n = 106) pregnancies were significantly (P < .01) longer than fillies (n = 103) (mean ± SEM: colt 337.1 ± 0.7 vs. filly 332.7 ± 0.9). According to our results, last gestation length (mare itself) and foal gender were the main factors affecting gestation length in heavy draft horses. Once several gestation lengths are known, predictions with acceptable accuracy can be made about the gestation length of that mare's following foaling.     

Hepatocellular carcinoma in a young dog

A 25-month-old Chihuahua dog with no clinical signs was evaluated for high serum liver enzymes. Ultrasonography and computed tomography revealed a mass in the left hepatic medial lobe. The histological diagnosis reached using resected tissues was hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). To the authors’ knowledge, this is the youngest dog diagnosed with HCC.     

Response of cholecystokinin and digestive enzyme mRNA levels to various feed ingredients in yellowtail Seriola quinqueradiata

Cholecystokinin (CCK) is the key regulator hormone that stimulates the secretion of digestive pancreatic enzymes in vertebrates. In fish, little is known about the mechanism of induction of CCK in the digestive tract by feed ingredients. To investigate the response of CCK and digestive enzymes to fish feed ingredients in yellowtail Seriola quinqueradiata, we performed a number of experiments in which we measured the mRNA levels of CCK, trypsin, and lipase after oral administration of a single bolus of the ingredients. We administered fish meal and fish oil in experiment 1; high and low concentrations of fish meal in experiment 2; and five different dietary protein sources (fish meal, soybean meal, soy protein concentrate, corn gluten meal, and glutamic acid fermentation by-products) in experiment 3. In experiments 1 and 3, only fish meal significantly increased the mRNA levels of CCK and digestive enzyme. In experiment 2, a high concentration of fish meal [20?% (w/v)] significantly increased CCK and trypsin mRNA levels, but a low concentration of fish meal [1?% (w/v)] did not. These results suggest that high concentrations of fish meal (the protein source in fish feed) has the most potent effect on stimulation of CCK synthesis and secretion of digestive enzymes in yellowtail.     

Utilization patterns of estuarine and marine habitats by the halfbeak Zenarchopterus dunckeri at Iriomote Island,southern Japan,evaluated from otolith microchemistry

Estuarine and marine habitat use patterns in the halfbeak Zenarchopterus dunckeri were examined at Iriomote Island, southern Japan, by analyzing otolith Li/Ca and Sr/Ca ratios. The ranges of both Li/Ca and Sr/Ca ratios in juvenile Z. dunckeri from the maximum (30 psu) to minimum (0.5 psu) salinity levels of brackish water estimated from rearing experiments, were compared with those of wild individuals collected from upstream and downstream stations in the Urauchi River estuary. The majority of wild-caught individuals had invariable Li/Ca and Sr/Ca ratios along an otolith transect from the core to the posterior edge, which fell within the otolith Li/Ca and Sr/Ca ranges estimated for estuarine individuals in the rearing experiments, suggesting that such individuals developed within the estuary without migrating to a marine environment at any time, although some downstream-dwelling fish had higher otolith elemental ratios than the predetermined estuarine ranges in the mid transect section. The latter fish may have been accidentally flushed from the estuary into the sea by heavy flood events, subsequently returning to the estuary. The overall results suggested that Z. dunckeri is essentially an estuarine resident, completing its life cycle within an estuarine system.     

Discovery and genetic analysis of non-bitter Tartary buckwheat (Fagopyrum tataricum Gaertn.) with trace-rutinosidase activity

In a screening of about 500 lines of Tartary buckwheat, we identified lines that contained no detectable rutinosidase isozymes using an in-gel detection assay. We confirmed that seeds of these individuals had only a trace level of in-vitro rutinosidase activity. To investigate the heritability of the trace-rutinosidase characteristic, we analyzed the progeny of crosses between rutinosidase trace-lines, ‘f3g-162’, and the ‘Hokkai T8’. The F₂ progeny clearly divided into two groups: those with rutinosidase activity under 1.5 nkat/g seed (trace-rutinosidase) and those with activity over 400 nkat/g seed (normal rutinosidase). The segregation pattern of this trait in F₂ progeny exhibited 1 : 3 ratio (trace-rutinosidase : normal rutinosidase), suggesting that the trace-rutinosidase trait is conferred by a single recessive gene; rutinosidase-trace A (rutA). In addition, sensory panelists evaluated the bitterness of flour from trace-rutinosidase individuals and did not detect bitterness, whereas flour from normal rutinosidase individuals was found to have strong bitterness. Although at least three bitter compounds have been reported in Tartary buckwheat seeds, our present findings indicate that rutin hydrolysis is the major contributing factor to bitterness. In addition, the trace-rutinosidase line identified here, ‘f3g-162’, is a promising material for generating a non-bitter Tartary buckwheat variety.     

Post-mortem evaluation of expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) used in mitral valve repair in dogs

Mitral valve repair is one of the treatment options for mitral regurgitation. Expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) is a polymer that has been widely used in cardiovascular surgery. In this case series, we report the autopsy and histological findings in 6 dogs that underwent cardiopulmonary bypass for mitral annuloplasty using ePTFE sheets and chordoplasty using ePTFE sutures.From May 2005 to October 2009, 3 female and 3 male dogs with severe mitral regurgitation underwent mitral valve repair. This case series included 3 Cavalier King Charles spaniels, 2 Maltese, and 1 Shih Tzu. The survival period after surgery was 19–72 (35 ± 19) months.In all the cases, autopsy revealed that the ePTFE sheets and sutures were not damaged and well integrated into the surrounding highly differentiated, connective tissues. Low-power microscopy revealed that in all cases, the tissues surrounding the ePTFE sheet in the mitral valve annulus had almost completely been covered by granulation tissue. No inflammatory infiltrate or thrombogenesis was observed around the ePTFE in any of the cases.There was no evidence of reactive changes in the region surrounding the ePTFE. These results suggest that ePTFE has excellent tissue compatibility and durability and can be effectively used for canine mitral valve repair.     

Construction of a linkage map and identification of DNA markers linked to Fom-1, a gene conferring resistance to Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. melonis race 2 in melon

Resistance to Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. melonis race 2 is conferred by a single dominant gene, Fom-1 in melon. Here, we identified DNA markers tightly linked to Fom-1 that could be used for marker assisted selection in breeding programs. First, we developed 125 F₂ plants derived from the cross between melon lines P11 (fom-1fom-1) and MR-1 (Fom-1Fom-1). Using the F₂ population, we constructed a linkage map including 14 SSR markers which had not been mapped previously. Fom-1 was confirmed to be allocated to linkage group 7. Then, we identified four AFLP markers using bulked segregant analysis. The AFLP marker TAG/GCC-470 was completely linked to Fom-1 and other three markers were mapped near Fom-1. TAG/GCC-470 and TCG/GGT-400 were respectively converted to STS and CAPS markers. Usefulness of DNA markers was confirmed in the analysis with several melon cultivars and lines.     

Correlation between the proportion of stained eggs and the number of mites (Dermanyssus gallinae) monitored using a ‘non‐parallel board trap’

The poultry red mite (Dermanyssus gallinae) is a serious problem for the poultry industry worldwide. However, the relationship between the mite population and the damage that they cause is still unclear. In this study, the mite population in poultry houses was examined using an established trap method, and the risk of blood‐stained eggs caused by the mites was assessed. Traps were placed once a week outside the egg channels and/or on the floor in two poultry farms in Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan, from April 2012 to July 2014. The numbers of blood‐stained eggs and total eggs were counted at weekly intervals. The results showed that the number of mites increased from April to May, and reached a peak around the beginning of June when the average temperature and humidity were >24°C and 70–90%, respectively. In the segmented model, the correlation between the proportion of blood‐stained eggs and the number of mites or temperature was positive over a threshold. In conclusion, our established trap method is useful for monitoring mites and can be used to predict when poultry farms should be treated to prevent appearance of blood‐stained eggs.