Biochemical Changes in Freshwater Prawn Macrobrachium rosenbergii During Larval Development

Abstract.— Quantitative changes in the protein, lipid and carbohydrate were studied in the early larval stages of developing freshwater prawn Macrobrachium rosenbergii reared under fed and starved conditions to understand the relative importance of these nutrients in energy metabolism of the growing larvae. Larvae obtained from several females were stocked into three 250-L tanks at a density of 30 larvae/L. The feeding regime consisted of newly hatched Artemia nauplii. Protein was always the major organic constituent followed by lipids and then carbohydrates of both fed and starved larvae. Protein levels of both fed and starved larvae increased during development, suggesting an important role in morphogenesis. The decline of lipid during the larval growth that was more rapid for starved larvae, suggests a probable utilization of lipid as the major metabolic source of energy. Carbohydrates formed less than 5 and 2.4% of the larval dry weight of fed and starved larvae, respectively, suggesting their limited role in larval metabolism.     

Preliminary study of plasma vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) during low- and high-dose radiation therapy of dogs with spontaneous tumors

High plasma vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) concentrations are associated with radiation resistance and poor prognosis. After an exposure to ionizing radiation in cell culture an early phase and a late phase of increased VEGF have been documented. The activation was dependent on the radiation dose. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to measure baseline plasma VEGF and changes in VEGF over the course of fractionated radiation therapy in dogs with spontaneous tumors. Dogs with tumors had a significantly higher pretreatment plasma VEGF than did dogs without tumors. Immediately after irradiation no increased plasma VEGF was observed. Over the course of radiation therapy there was an increased plasma VEGF in dogs treated with low doses per fraction/high total dose, whereas plasma VEGF remained stable in dogs irradiated with high doses per fraction/low total dose. The regulatory mechanisms are very complex, and therefore the value of plasma VEGF measurements as an indirect marker of angiogenesis induced by radiotherapy is limited.     

Experimental Neospora Caninum Infection in Pregnant Dairy Heifers Raises Concentrations of Pregnancy‐Associated Glycoproteins 1 and 2 in Foetal Fluids

Plasma concentrations of PAG‐1 are used for pregnancy diagnosis and as a marker of placental/foetal well‐being, while those of PAG‐2 may be an indicator of abortion risk in Neospora caninum‐infected cows. Studies have shown that N. caninum infection modifies PAG‐1 and PAG‐2 patterns in maternal blood plasma. However, no prior work has examined the effects of N. caninum infection on concentrations of PAGs in foetal fluids. In this study, PAG‐1, PAG‐2 and pH levels were determined in the amniotic and allantoic fluids of foetuses collected at 152 days of gestation from control uninfected dams and from dams experimentally infected with N. caninum on Day 110 of gestation. Foetal fluids from infected foetuses had significantly higher PAG‐2 concentrations (p = 0.026) and pH values (p = 0.02) than fluids from non‐infected foetuses. In infected foetuses, significantly higher concentrations of PAG‐1 (p < 0.001) and PAG‐2 (p < 0.001) were detected in fluid samples showing antibodies against N. caninum than those without antibodies. Moreover, pH values were significantly higher (p = 0.011) in foetal fluid samples with antibodies than in samples from non‐infected foetuses. In conclusion, this is the first report on the effect of N. caninum infection on PAG levels in foetal fluids. Our results indicate that following the experimental infection of dams with N. caninum on Day 110 of gestation, foetal fluids collected from the infected foetuses of these dams featured higher PAG‐1 and PAG‐2 levels and pH values than fluids from non‐infected controls, provided that the samples tested showed the presence of antibodies. The clinical implications of these findings are that following infection with N. caninum, most cows will experience some level of placental damage and that this injury correlates with foetal fluid PAG levels and pH.     

Amino Acid Composition of Developing Larval Freshwater Prawn Macrobrachium rosenbergii

Abstract.— Amino acid profiles of freshwater prawn Macrobrachium rosenbergii were determined during early larval stages (I-IX) to provide some baseline biochemical information of the growing larvae. The larvae obtained from several females were stocked into three 250-L tanks at a density of 30 larvae/L. The feeding regime consisted of newly hatched Artemia nauplii and egg custard containing 5% cod liver oil. For each developmental stage, larval samples from each experimental tank were pooled, freeze dried and after acid hydrolysis, the quantification of amino acids was done by a reverse phase high performance liquid chromatography ( N = 2). The highest represented of the total amino acids were for glutamic acid and phenylalanine (with cystine) with ranges from 13.4–16.6 and 9.7–11.5%, respectively, whereas tryptophan (1.4–1.6%). methionine (1.4–2.7%) and histidine (2.9–4.2%) were relatively lower. The levels of the following essential amino acids did not significantly change during larval development: arginine, leucine, phenylalanine (plus cystine), threonine, tryptophan and valine. Despite statistically significant changes that were observed in levels of some amino acids, amino acid composition appeared to be relatively unchanged during the larval growth. The results may suggest that the amino acid requirements of the freshwater prawn is relatively constant during larval life and can be satistied by a suitable protein source that resembles the larval amino acid profile.     

Reproductive biology of pond reared Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus L.

The reproductive performance of female Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus L., reared in ponds under tropical conditions was studied. The experiments used stock matured to the age of 2–4 months and a size of 30–50 g. Oocyte development proved a better indicator for the determination of the size at first maturation than the development of the gonado-somatic index. The Nile tilapia became ‘stunted' in the sense that early breeding took place, but the somatic growth of the stock still continued. This result indicates that the earlier breeding of Nile tilapia is not a real bottleneck for the expansion of this production sector. No relationship was found between the condition factor and the size at first maturation or the relative fecundity. This led to the conclusion that aggravation of the living conditions is not a major cause of earlier breeding of pond-reared O. niloticus.     

Principals of construction in the forepaw and hindpaw of the domestic cat (Felis catus). III: Musculature

With regard to muscular mass and inner structure, the muscles of the forepaw and hindpaw of the domestic cat are grouped functionally, compared and evaluated. A high degree of functional adaptation is present in these muscles, for example in the passive locomotion apparatus of the paws. The domestic cat is not a 'running animal' like other domestic mammals. Also, in domestication it has preserved a strongly individual way of life and has remained a quick, ambushing hunter and climber on the run. Hence its forepaw is a flexible guiding and gripping apparatus, while its hindpaw provides stability for sprinting and non-skid pushing. The partly re-interpreted functions of the muscles are described and listed in four tables.     

Effect of the Type and Number of Prostaglandin Treatments on Corpus Luteum, the Largest Follicle and Progesterone Concentration in Dairy Cows

Lactating dairy cows (n = 72) with a mature corpus luteum (CL) (diameter of > or = 17 mm) determined by ultrasonography and having a follicle with a diameter of > or = 10 mm were randomly assigned to four groups. Cows were treated with cloprostenol i.m. once or twice, or with dinoprost i.m. once or twice with an 8-h interval. The ovaries of each cow were scanned daily by transrectal ultrasonography to measure the changes in the areas of CL and the largest follicle and to determine the occurrence of ovulation. Oestrus was verified twice daily. In addition, blood sample was withdrawn from each cow daily for measuring progesterone (P4) concentrations. Significant decreases in the percentage changes relative to areas of CL and P4 concentrations or increases in the percentage changes in the area of the largest follicle on day 0 were detected in each group during the experiment. However, the type of the drug and the number of the treatments had no significant effect on those parameters. Cows ovulated with or without showing oestrus (group A) and cows exhibiting no oestrus and ovulation (group B) were also evaluated. In contrast to the mean area of the CL and the mean concentration of P4 on day 0, the mean area of the largest follicles between the two groups on day 0 differed significantly. Significant decreases in the percentage changes relative to the area of the CL and P4 concentration or increases in the percentage changes relative to the area of the largest follicle during the experiment were detected in both groups; however, there were no group differences. Treatment of dairy cows with two injections of prostaglandins (cloprostenol or dinoprost) at an 8-h interval resulted in more cows being observed in oestrus within 5 days after treatment and having significantly higher pregnancy rate than those treated with a single prostaglandin injection.     

Phylogeny,form and function of canine teeth in the horse

The canine teeth of the horse developed phylogenically from the simple, pointed, short-rooted tooth form of the leaf eating, in pairs living, Eocene horse Hyracotherium and served up to the Oligocene as a means of defense (self preservation). In the Miocene the living conditions of the Merychippus changed and they took to eating grass and adopted as a new behavior the life in a herd. The canine teeth possibly played an important role in fights for social ranking; they changed from a crown form to knife-like shape. In the Pliohippus the canine tooth usually remained in male horses and since the Pliocene, it contributed to the fights between stallions, to ensure that the offspring only came from the strongest animals (preservation of the species). Form and construction of the canine tooth are described and discussed in detail under the above mentioned phylogenic and ethologic aspects.