Comparisons between doubled haploid lines produced by anther culture,the Hordeum bulbosum-method and lines produced by single seed descent in barley crosses

Summary Possible negative effects of tissue culture on qualitative and quantitative characters have been investigated in three crosses of spring barley, using doubled haploid lines produced by anther culture (AC, with maltose as a carbon source) or the Hordeum bulbosum-method (HB). In one cross inbred lines produced by single seed descent (SSD) have also been included. Quantitative characters were investigated in a 2-year field experiment at one location. The results show that although the methods in the majority of cases gave similar results, the genotypic arrays produced were not identical. Different markers deviated in the various cross/method combinations. The ranking of methods as well as the frequencies of lines transgressive for grain yield differed between crosses. Thus no consistently negative impact of anther culture in barley has been found, and, although not identical, the various methods may be considered equivalent.Abbreviations AC Anther Culture method - SSD Single Seed Descent method - HB Hordeum bulbosum method     

Evaluation of an enzymatic immunoassay for free thyroxine determination in canine serum

Free thyroxine (FT4) and cholesterol were measured in 400 dogs with either suspected hypothyroidism or dermatological signs such that hypothyroidism needed to be ruled out. Hypothyroidism was diagnosed in 68 dogs from the history, physical examination and stated lower reference limit (<7 pmol/L) for FT4 in euthryoid dogs. Dogs with FT4 concentrations in the range 6–9 pmol/L were finally categorized as hypo- or euthyroid either on the basis of retesting after 2 months or on their clinical response to thyroid replacement therapy over at least 2 months.The enzyme immunoassay evaluated in this paper is considered to be of clinical value and offers many advantages compared with radioimmunoassays.Abbreviations FT4 free thyroxine fraction - MEIA microparticle enzyme immunoassay - RIA radioimmunoassays - T4 thyroxine - TBG thyroxine-binding globulin     

Diagnosis and clinical course of canine oral papillomavirus infection

A six-month-old intact male rottweiler presented with papillomatous growths protruding from the oral mucous membranes. A tentative diagnosis of canine oral papillomavirus (COPV) infection was made based on the gross appearance of the numerous lesions and the young age of the patient. Two warts from the oral mucosa were removed surgically for further diagnostic investigations. The viral aetiology of the disease was confirmed by histopathological and electron microscopic findings, and by the identification of specific COPV DNA in removed oral papillomatous tissue. The patient was followed clinically and complete regression of the oral lesions occurred after four weeks. Neither the route of transmission nor the source of infection was found. Immunodeficiency as a contributing aetiological factor to the development of COPV-induced lesions is discussed.     

Male pseudohermaphroditism in a cat

A seven-month-old male pedigree cat was brought to the Norwegian College of Veterinary Medicine for routine castration. Visual examination of the external genitalia revealed a wide genital cleft with non-fused bilaterally located testicular pouches. A large clitoris, which was penis-like with small penile spines, was seen protruding dorsally from the ventral commissure of the genital cleft. During an exploratory coeliotomy, no intra-abdominal genital structures of müllerian origin were found. The skin pouches on either side of the vulvar cleft were incised and grossly normal testicles were removed. Histology of the removed gonads showed no or very sparse spermatogenesis. The chromosomal sex was determined by karyotyping to be a normal male 38XY. Based on these findings, the diagnosis of male pseudohermaphroditism was made. The aetlology of the condition in this cat was not determined.     

Serum chemistry of free-ranging white whales (Delphinapterus leucas) in Svalbard

BACKGROUND: Abnormal physiological conditions and diseases can change the concentrations of enzymes, metabolites, and minerals in the body. Serum chemistry information may thus be indicative of a specific disease; interpretation of such information requires knowledge of serum chemistry reference intervals from a seemingly healthy population of the species. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to obtain serum chemistry reference intervals for a population of white whales. METHODS: Blood samples were collected from 21 free-ranging white whales (beluga; Delphinapterus leucas). The whales were live-captured in nets during 1996-2001 in Storfjorden, Van Mijenfjorden, and Van Keulenfjorden (Svalbard, Norway). While the whales were briefly physically restrained, blood was collected from the caudal vein into vacuum tubes without anticoagulant. The blood was left to clot for 4-6 hours before serum was obtained by centrifugation. The serum samples were then kept at -20 degrees C until analysis. Enzymes (aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase [ALP], creatine kinase, lactate dehydrogenase [LDH], amylase, lipase), metabolites (urea, creatinine, bilirubin, cholesterol, triglycerides, nonesterified fatty acids, glucose), and minerals (calcium, phosphate, magnesium, sodium, potassium, chloride) were analyzed in an Advia 1650 System (Bayer, Tarrytown, NY, USA). Cortisol was analyzed in an Immulite One system (Diagnostic Products Corporation, Los Angeles, CA, USA). The major blood proteins (albumin and globulins) were separated by gel electrophoresis in a Beckman Paragon electrophoresis system (Beckman Coulter, Inc., Fullerton, CA, USA). RESULTS: Serum values for all analytes were reported as median and range, and reference intervals were calculated as 10-90th percentiles. Activities of ALP and LDH and cortisol concentration were higher, and protein and bilirubin concentrations were lower compared with those previously reported for white whales from Canada; remaining results were strikingly similar in these 2 white whale populations. CONCLUSIONS: These data provide valuable serum chemistry reference intervals for future health assessments of white whales in Svalbard and other white whale populations, as well as captive individuals.     

Serum chemistry reference values in free‐ranging North Atlantic male walruses (Odobenus rosmarus rosmarus) from the Svalbard archipelago

Background: Information regarding health and disease is limited for walruses, a keystone species in arctic marine ecosystems. Serum chemistry analysis is a useful clinical tool for the health assessment of walruses, but only a few captive Pacific walruses have been evaluated. Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine serum chemistry reference values for free‐ranging male Atlantic walruses (Odobenus rosmarus rosmarus) on Svalbard and to assess potential differences in animals with low and high tissue levels of organic pollutants. Methods: Blood samples were collected from 17 wild, adult, male Atlantic walruses chemically immobilized with etorphine at eastern Svalbard (Norway). Serum was obtained for routine biochemical analysis as well as nonesterified free fatty acids (NEFA) and cortisol tests. Serum protein concentration was also measured by agarose gel electrophoresis. Results: Reference values (ranges) included alanine aminotransferase (12–51 U/L), aspartate aminotransferase (54–137 U/L), alkaline phosphatase (42–243 U/L), creatine kinase (32–506 U/L), lactate dehydrogenase (480–1322 U/L), amylase (0–23 U/L), lipase (68–298 U/L), total protein (68–91 g/L), albumin (25.3–34.8 g/L), creatinine (84–137 μmol/L), urea (8.2–19.9 mmol/L), bilirubin (0–4 μmol/L), cholesterol (4.4–7.3 mmol/L), NEFA (0.1–0.4 mmol/L), triglycerides (0.6–2.2 mmol/L), calcium (2.0–2.7 mmol/L), phosphorus (1.7–2.8 mmol/L), sodium (147–162 mmol/L), potassium (4.7–7.4 mmol/L), chloride (102–115 mmol/L), and cortisol (<28–214 nmol/L). Walruses exposed to high levels of organic pollutants (n=6) had significantly lower (P=.022) phosphorus concentration than those with low levels of pollutants (n=6). Conclusions: The clinical chemistry reference values determined in this study can serve as baseline data for future health‐related studies of walruses in a changing Arctic and may also be helpful for health evaluations of walruses in captivity. Impacts of the exposure of marine mammals to organic pollutants should be further investigated.     

Reference values for serum biochemical parameters in free-ranging harp seals

Background — The harp seal (Phoca groenlandica) is one of the most important predators in the Northeastern Atlantic ecosystem. Establishing biochemical reference intervals is important for evaluating the health status of harp seals kept in captivity and for evaluating the effects of environmental changes on the health of populations in the wild. Objective — The purpose of this study was to determine reference values for serum biochemical parameters in wild adult harp seals using readily available current methods. Methods — Blood samples were obtained from 14 adult female harp seals and 9 suckling pups on the pack ice of the Greenland Sea in early March 1998. Seven seals were humanely killed on the ice by permission of the Norwegian Directory for Fisheries and in conjunction with several other research projects. The seals were sampled within 15 minutes postmortem. Remaining seals were captured alive and sampled via the extradural intravertebral vein. Serum biochemical parameters were measured using a Technicon Axon analyzer and included electrolytes (sodium, chloride, potassium, magnesium, and calcium), substrates (free fatty acids, triglycerides, fructosamine, and glucose), end products (urea and uric acid), and proteins (total protein, globulins, and albumin). Serum protein electrophoresis also was done. Data were tested for normality and reference limits were calculated as mean ±1.96 × SD. Results between groups were compared using 2‐tailed t‐tests. Results — Serum levels of glucose and triglycerides were lower, but serum levels of urea were higher in dead animals than in animals that were captured alive. Serum levels for 7 of 17 parameters were significantly different in pups compared with adults. Separate reference intervals were calculated for adult seals and seal pups. Conclusion — Both sampling method and age should be considered when evaluating the results of analysis of serum parameters in wild and captive harp seals.     

Serum fructosamine measurement: a new diagnostic approach to renal glucosuria in dogs

Measurement of serum fructosamine, 1-amino-1-deoxyfructose, is commonly used in diagnosing and monitoring hyperglycaemic disorders, such as diabetes mellitus in dogs. Serum fructosamine indicates long-term serum glucose concentrations and replaces serial serum glucose measurements. This study investigates the clinical usefulness of serum fructosamine in differentiating conditions other than diabetes mellitus characterised by glucosuria. Four dogs presented with glucosuria all had serum fructosamine concentrations within or close to the reference range (313 micromol 1(-1), 291 micromol 1(-1), 348 micromol 1(-1), 262 micromol 1(-1) reference range: 250 to 320 micromol 1(-1) indicating that a single serum fructosamine measurement is a simple and efficient way of verifying concurrent persistent normoglycaemia. Therefore, serum fructosamine is a useful parameter not only in diabetic patients, bu also in differentiating conditions in dogs characterised by glucosuria without hyperglycaemia, such as primary renal glucosuria and the Fanconi syndrome. To distinguish between primary renal glucosuria and the Fanconi syndrome, measurement of the amino acid concentration in urine was performed.     

An evaluation of serum fructosamine as a marker of the duration of hypoproteinaemic conditions in dogs

Serum samples were collected from 153 normoglycaemic, hypoproteinaemic dogs of known case histories, and assayed for fructosamine, glucose, total protein and albumin concentrations. This study was conducted to evaluate the relationship between serum fructosamine and total serum proteins, or more specifically serum albumin. Serum fructosamine was positively correlated with both total serum protein (r=0.47, p>0.00001) and serum albumin (r=0.77, p>0.00001). Mean serum albumin concentrations were significantly different when the data were grouped as dogs with normal versus subnormal serum fructosamine concentrations. The data indicate the value of the serum fructosamine assay in estimating the duration of hypoalbuminaemia. Concurrent hypoalbuminaemia and normal serum fructosamine indicate hypoalbuminaemia of less than one week. Concurrent hypoalbuminaemia and hypofructosaminaemia indicate persistent hypoalbuminaemia of more than one week, and concurrent normal albumin and hypofructosaminaemia indicate recovery from a condition including hypoalbuminaemia or hypoglycaemia.     

The Potential of High-Oil Oats under Cool Temperate Conditions

Abstract

Genetic and growth temperature effects on the oil content of oats have been studied. A line with high oil content was crossed to a line with low oil content, and the progenies from parental and F₂ plants were studied in two replicated experiments, one in the field, the other combined field/greenhouse. Interactions between greenhouse and field were found for oil content as well as for other characters. High heritability estimates and additive gene action were found for oil content. Insignificant genetic correlations were found between oil content and grain yield. F₃ families which on average had the same oil content as the highest parent were recovered. The results from two independent phytotron experiments indicate that genes conferring high oil content and low temperatures during grain filling seem to work additively towards higher oil content.