Dental incremental lines in Sika deer (Cervus nippon); polarized light and fluorescence microscopy of ground sections

Periodic growth incremental lines are found universally in dental hard tissues. This periodicity theoretically allows for estimation of age, even in days, which would be useful in studies of wild animals. In the present study, enamel and dentin increments of the sika deer (Cervus nippon) were observed in ground sections with a polarized light microscope, and their periodicity was examined by the use of a chronological labeling method with fluorochromes. Enamel increments occurred at a mean interval of 10.6 (SD=1.5) microm, and mean spacing of dentin increments was 17.3 (SD=1.8) microm. Fluorochromic marking revealed that incremental lines form each day in enamel and almost every second day in dentin. The fluorescence-labeled lines suggest that enamel formation of the first molar is complete by the age of 5 months. Due to its longer interval of incremental lines and longer term of formation, we conclude that dentin is more suitable than enamel for day-age estimation in sika deer. Experimental confirmation of incremental growth periodicity in various species can improve the reliability of use of tooth increments for age estimation and life history reconstruction.     

Effects of low and high levels of maternal nutrition consumed for the entirety of gestation on the development of muscle,adipose tissue,bone, and the organs of Wagyu cattle fetuses

This study aimed to investigate the effects of high and low levels of energy intake during the entire gestation period on the skeletal muscle development, organ development, and adipose tissue accumulation in fetuses of Wagyu (Japanese Black) cows, a breed with highly marbled beef. Cows were allocated to a high-nutrition (n = 6) group (fed 120% of the nutritional requirement) or low-nutrition (n = 6) group (fed 60% of the nutritional requirement). The cows were artificially inseminated with semen from the same sire, and the fetuses were removed by cesarean section at 260 ± 8.3 days of fetal age and slaughtered. The whole-body, total muscle, adipose, and bone masses of the fetal half-carcasses were significantly higher in the high-nutrition group than the low-nutrition group (p = 0.0018, 0.009, 0.0004, and 0.0362, respectively). Fifteen of 20 individual muscles, five of six fat depots, nine of 17 organs, and seven of 12 bones that were investigated had significantly higher masses in the high-nutrition group than the low-nutrition group. The crude components and amino acid composition of the longissimus muscle significantly differed between the low- and high-nutrition groups. These data indicate that maternal nutrition during gestation has a marked effect on the muscle, bone, and adipose tissue development of Wagyu cattle fetuses.     

Degradation of malathion, in aqueous extracts of asparagus (Asparagus officinalis)

Malathion was incubated in water extracts of vegetables at various temperatures and pH, and the amount of malathion present over time was analyzed by a gas chromatograph with a flame photometric detector. Malathion was degraded to a nondetectable level in a 1% asparagus extract incubated at pH 7.4 and 37 degrees C for 4 h. Carrot extract showed the second highest rate of malathion degradation (76%), followed by kale extract (23.7%), spinach extract (9.7%), and broccoli extract (1.5%) under the same conditions. The highest degradation rates of malathion were observed at 37 degrees C, when three different temperatures were tested (5, 25, and 37 degrees C) at pH 7.4. Rate constants were 0.134 min(-)(1) from a 1% asparagus solution and 0.095 min(-)(1) from a 0.5% asparagus solution. The highest degradation rate of malathion was achieved at pH 9 among the pHs tested (pH 4, 7.4, and 9) in a 0.5% asparagus solution. The 0.5% asparagus solution degraded dicarboxylic acid esters by almost 100% for dimethyl succinate and diethyl adipate, by 64% for diethyl acetyl succinate, and 30% for diethyl benzyl malonate when incubated at pH 9 for 20 min. The results support the hypothesis that the enzyme that degrades malathion in the asparagus solutions is a carboxylesterase.     

Effects of ear corn silage supplementation on milk production and milk fatty acid profiles in grazing dairy farms

This study investigated the effects of substituting ear corn silage (ECS) for commercial formula feed on milk production and milk fatty acid profiles in grazing dairy farms during the summer season. A field survey was conducted on five grazing dairy farms in every summer month of 2017, 2018, and 2019. Three of the five farms substituted fresh ECS for the commercial formula feed at a ratio of 2:1 from July of each year (ECS farms). Other farms maintained the same feeding management as before (non‐ECS farms). An interview survey was conducted on each farm to calculate feed intake and milk yield per cow. Feed and milk samples were collected in each survey. Milk compositions and milk fatty acid profiles were determined. The substitution of ECS for the commercial formula feed did not affect milk yield or milk composition, but ECS farms maintained low levels of milk urea compared with non‐ECS farms (p < .01). The ECS substitution also influenced some of the milk fatty acid proportions; C16:0 and C16:1 increased, and trans‐11 C18:1, cis‐9,trans‐11 C18:2, and the sum of polyunsaturated fatty acids decreased, while these fatty acid proportions were maintained in non‐ECS farms throughout the summer season (p < .05).     

Histological observation of the pituitary-thyroid axis of a neotenic fish (the ice fish, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Salangichthys microdon</Emphasis>)

ABSTRACT:   In order to study the physiological characteristics of neoteny in teleosts, the development of the thyroid axis and digestive tract of the ice fish, Salangichthys microdon (Salmonoidei), were examined using wild caught samples in the Yura River and its estuary. In all developmental stages examined in this study, the digestive tract was straight, and no gastric gland was observed, even in adults. Since these features are only observed in larval stages of a related species, ayu, Plecoglossus altivelis (Salmonoidei), it is suggested that the ice fish retains larval features, not only in appearance but also in internal organs. Additionally, the thyroid axis exhibited a unique characteristic. Until the end of the juvenile stage, thyroid glands remained inactive, and no thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) cells were observed. Activation of the thyroid gland and the first appearance of TSH cells occurred in adults. Since activation of the thyroid axis was generally known to occur by the time larval have transformed to juveniles in several teleosts, a delayed functioning of the thyroid axis was suggested as a specific characteristic, and probably a major factor contributing to neotenic development of the ice fish.     

Inhibitory modes of Kunitz and Bowman-Birk soybean trypsin inhibitors to tryptic and chymotryptic proteinases of tiger puffer and yellowtail

SUMMARY: An inhibitory effect of Kunitz and Bowman-Birk soybean trypsin inhibitors (K- and BB-SBTI) was investigated on tryptic and chymotryptic proteinases of a brood of tiger puffer Takifugu rubripes and yellowtail Seriola quinqueradiata . These assist to comprehend the differences in dietary soybean meal (SBM) utility by fish species and to develop low cost SBM diets with low contents of fish meal. The K-SBTI strongly inhibited tryptic proteinase and weakly inhibited chymotryptic proteinase from the hepatopancreas and intestine including pyloric ceca of the fishes. The BB-SBTI strongly inhibited both proteinases of the fishes. The K-SBTI inhibition for tryptic protease and the BB-SBTI inhibition for tryptic and chymotryptic proteases were relatively constant in tiger puffer with growth of 12–199 g bodyweight. In yellowtail with growth of 7–672 g bodyweight, the K-SBTI inhibition for tryptic protease and the BB-SBTI inhibition for chymotryptic protease were also relatively constant. The BB-SBTI inhibition for yellowtail tryptic protease typically fell in the stage from 7 g to 57 g bodyweight, and then decreased slightly or was maintained constantly. These results indicate that there are different inhibitory modes of K- and BB-SBTI and there is inter- and intraspecific diversity of tryptic protease conformation between the two species.     

Common variable immune deficiency in a Pomeranian with Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia

A Pomeranian dog, 1 year- and 8 month-old neutered female, was presented with persistent respiratory distress and recurrent generalized demodicosis. Physical examination revealed cyanosis, rough respiratory sounds, multifocal alopecia and dermal erosions on the dorsal side of the forelimbs, perineal area and skin around the eyes. A severe diffuse interstitial lung pattern was observed on thoracic radiographs. The blood examination revealed neutrophilia and hypoglobulinemia. Serum immunoglobulin concentrations of IgG and IgA were low. Histopathological examination revealed severe diffuse interstitial pneumonia with Pneumocystis carinii infection. Severe lymphoid depletion was observed in the spleen and other organs with lymphoid follicles consisted mainly of CD3-positive T cells and few cells of B-cell lineage. B-cell hypoplasia with subsequent antibody deficiency was suspected.     

Natural acidification of lakes and rivers in Japan: The ecosystem of Lake Usoriko (ph 3.4–3.8)

Most of the acid lakes and rivers in Japan have been influenced by acid waters of volcanic origin. Acidophilic and acidotolerant organisms are observed in these natural acid lakes and rivers, each of which has its own ecosystem and history. Lake Usoriko (pH 3.4–3.8) is a lake which.has been acidified by strongly acid water containing sulfuric acid and hydrochloric acid. The ecosystem of Lake Usoriko consists of aquatic vascular plants, aquatic bryophytes (Drepanocladus fluitans, etc.), algae, fish (Tribolodon hakonensis), insects, Zooplankton, fungi and bacteria. The paleosediment distributed along Lake Usoriko's northern shore is partly silicified and it contains fossils of a moss (Drepanocladus fluitans) and diatoms such as Pinnularia braunii var. amphicephala which are also distributed in the present lake. ¹⁴C dating of the specimens in the paleosediment, shoots of D. fluitans and the wood and cones of Picea glehnii gave values in the range 11500–34000y B.P. This record shows how long Lake Usoriko has been an acid lake.     

QTL analysis of black rot resistance in cabbage using newly developed EST-SNP markers

One hundred sixty-one EST-SNP markers were newly developed for analysis of QTLs for resistance to black rot caused by Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris by determining EST sequences of a resistant line obtained from cabbage ‘Early Fuji’ and a susceptible broccoli line. A linkage map consisting of nine linkage groups was constructed with a total of 209 markers, including these new SNP markers and previously reported DNA markers. F₂ plants grown in a field for 1 month were inoculated by spraying bacteria of race 1, and disease severity of each plant was recorded. Three QTLs, i.e., QTL-1, QTL-2, and QTL-3, were detected on linkage group C2, C4 and C5, respectively. QTL-1, which showed the highest LOD score and additive effect, was again detected in another F₂ population used the next year, suggesting QTL-1 to be a major QTL. QTL-2 and QTL-3 could be minor QTLs influenced by environmental factors. The genomic region harboring QTL-1 showed synteny with a region from 5.3 to 7.4 Mb from the short arm end of chromosome 5 of Arabidopsis thaliana, which is rich in TIR-NBS-LRR family genes. The identified SNP markers in QTL-1 are considered to be useful in marker-assisted selection for black rot resistance in Brassica oleracea lines.