Simultaneous steroids measurement in dogs with hyperadrenocorticism using a column-switching liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method

We developed an analytical method using an on-line column-switching liquid chromatography with triple quadrupole mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS) for quantifying multiple steroids in serum. Using the developed method, we evaluated the serum concentration of nine steroids (cortisol, corticosterone, cortisone, 11-deoxycortisol, 21-deoxycortisol, deoxycorticosterone, progesterone, 17α-OH-progesterone and aldosterone) in dogs with hyperadrenocorticism (HAC). Serum was mixed with stable isotope internal standards and thereafter purified by the automated column-switching system. The limit of detection ranged 2–16 pg/ml for nine steroids. In the baseline samples, five steroids (cortisol, corticosterone, cortisone, 11-deoxycortisol, and 17α-OH-progesterone) were detected in all dogs. The concentrations of cortisone, 11-deoxycortisol, and 17α-OH-progesterone in dogs with HAC (n=19) were significantly higher those in dogs without HAC (n=15, P<0.02). After the adrenocorticotropic hormone stimulation test, six steroids (cortisol, corticosterone, cortisone, 11-deoxycortisol, 17α-OH-progesterone, and deoxycorticosterone) were above the limit of quantification in all dogs. Cortisol, corticosterone, cortisone, and deoxycorticosterone concentrations of dogs with HAC were significantly higher than those of dogs without HAC (P<0.02). In addition, 11-deoxycortisol and 17α-OH-progesterone concentration was higher in dogs with HAC than in dogs without HAC (P=0.044 and P=0.048, respectively). The on-line column-switching LC/MS/MS would be feasible for measuring multiple steroids in dog serum. The results suggest that cortisone, 11-deoxycortisol, and 17α-OH-progesterone would be related to HAC. Further studies are warranted to assess the clinical feasibility of steroid profile in dogs with HAC.     

The sclerodactylid holothurians of southern Africa,with the erection of one new subfamily and two new genera (Echinodermata: Holothuroidea)

The sclerodactylid subfamily Sclerodactylinae is restricted to include only those forms with a short, compact, tubular calcareous ring and a new subfamily Sclerothyoninae is diagnosed to accommodate two new southern African monotypic genera Sclerothyone and Temparena, with compact but non-tubular calcareous rings. The new genera are erected respectively for Ludwig and Heding's (1935) Cucumaria? velligera and C.l chuni, formerly classified in Pentamera. This brings the total number of sclerodactylid holothurians known from southern Africa to six genera and seven species. All taxa are diagnosed and/or described, a key is provided for all southern African species and their local distributions are mapped.     

Neocucumis kilburni sp. nov. (Echinodermata : Holothuroidea : Cucumariidae) from the east coast of South Africa,with a key to the genus Neocucumis

A new dendrochirotid holothuroid, Neocucumis kilbumi, is described from waters 50 meters deep, off the southern coast of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. It appears quite close to N. watasei (Ohshima) and N. sordidatus (Sluiter), both from the West Pacific and to N. atlanticus (Ludwig & Heding) from the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. It differs from the former in the nature of the calcareous ring and the disc and the spire of the body wall tables, from N. sordidatus in the completeness of its deposits and the number of polian vesicles and from N. atlanticus in the presence of handles to the quadrilocular table discs. The new species increases to ten the number of species now classified in the genus Neocucumis. A key to all the species is included.     

Effect of replacements of fishmeal and fish oil on growth and dioxin contents of rainbow trout

Eight experimental diets were prepared to determine the effect of replacements of fishmeal and fish oil with plant protein and palm oil on the growth and dioxin contents in rainbow trout. The first four diets (FP0, FP5, FP10, and FP15) included fishmeal (55%) with increasing replacement of fish oil by palm oil (0, 5, 10, and 15%). Four other diets (AP0, AP5, AP10, and AP15) were substituted with an alternative protein source and with increasing palm oil content (0, 5, 10, and 15%). Dietary dioxin contents increased as fish oil level increased. Thirty rainbow trout (mean weight 38 g) were fed the experimental diets for 12 weeks. No significant differences in growth performance and feed utilization were observed. Dietary dioxin contents influenced the dioxin contents in the whole body. These results suggest that palm oil could effectively replace fish oil in rainbow trout diets, and reduce the dioxin contents in fish.     

A new southern African genus in the holothurian family Cucumariidae (Echinodermata: Holothuroidea) with the recognition of two subspecies in Cucumaria frauenfeldi Ludwig

A new genus Roweia in the holothurian family Cucumariidae is erected to accommodate two southern African dendrochi-rotids, Cucumaria frauenfeldi Ludwig and C. stephensoni John which have previously always been classified in Cucumaria (si). Some intraspecific variations in R. frauenfeldi are discussed and, on this basis, the species is rediagnosed and two subspecies recognized. The species and subspecies of the new genus are keyed, their synonymy is considered and distributions mapped. New information in regard to R. stephensoni is also included.     

The southern African stichopodid holothurians,with notes on the changes in spicule composition with age in the endemic Neostichopus grammatus (H.L. Clark)

Four species of stichopodid holothurians, namely the Indo-West Pacific Stichopus chtoronotus Brandt, S. variegatus Semper, Thefenota anax H.L. Clark and the endemic Neostichopus grammatus (H.L. Clark) occur in the southern African shallow waters (south of 20°S latitude). Besides T. anax, which is not present in the material studied, notes are provided on the remaining three species, of which S. variegatus is here recorded from this region for the first time. The changes with age in the composition of the body wall spicules of N. grammatus are described and it is indicated that the characteristic dumb-bell-shaped deposits of the dorsal papillae, consistent in both juveniles and adults, offer a reliable and easily accessible morphological character in preserved specimens. A key to all four species is provided and their geographic distributions are mapped.     

The phyllophorid holothurians of southern Africa with the erection of a new genus

The southern African dendrochirotid holothurians of the family Phyllophoridae (sensu Pawson & Fell, 1965) are revised and a new genus Thyonina is erected to accommodate Thyone articulata Vaney, 1908, which possesses only slender spectacle-shaped rods as body wall deposits. In addition, Thyone proceracorona Cherbonnier, 1952 and T. turrisolida Cherbonnier, 1954, are declared junior subjective synonyms of T. aurea (Quoy & Gaimard, 1833); Havelockia imperfecta Cherbonnier, 1970 is transferred to the genus Thyone, and T. venusta Selenka, 1868 (synonym T. okeni Bell, 1884) is recorded for the first time from southern Africa. These changes bring the total number of phyllophorid holothurians now known from southern Africa to five genera and 11 species. All species are keyed, briefly described and/or discussed, and their local distributions mapped.     

The status of some southern African nominal species of Cucumaria (s.e.) referable to a new genus and their ecological isolation

A full history of four nominal species of southern African dendrochirotid holothurians, namely Cucumaria jägeri Lampert, Semperia (= Cucumaria) sykion Lamped, C. insolens Theél and C. sinorbis Cherbonnier, is given and the confusion in their taxonomic status discussed. Morphological differences and habitat selection indicate that the latter three are valid sister species. C. jägeri is relegated to the synonymy of C. sykion, a well-established name which it threatens. Since none of the three species is referable to the genus in which it is currently classified, a new genus Pseudocnella is erected to accommodate them. It is suggested that the Mediterranean Ocnus syracusanus (Grube) be also classified in the new genus. A key to the three southern African species is given, their synonymy detailed, additional notes provided, and the geographic distributions mapped. Although P. sykion and P. sinorbis have an identical geographical range it is demonstrated that the two species are ecologically isolated and thus prevented from any interspecific competition. P. insolens is sympatric with P. sinorbis over a wide area, often occupying the same habitat in a single locality. However, morphological and other evidence points to subtle niche differences between them. A provisional cladogram is proposed to show the possible relationships of the four species included in the new genus.