Fibroleiomyoma in elephant uterus

The result of the histological diagnosis from postmortal investigation of the Indian elephant (Elephas maximus) uterus structure is presented in the current study. The rare anatomical finding showed altered nodular part from the uterus wall. Through conventional and histochemical staining neoplasmatic formations were determined and diagnosis Fibroleiomyoma was established, which should not be accepted as the prime cause for the animal's death.     

Seasonal Changes in Quality and Fatty Acid Composition of Black Mussel (Mytilus galloprovincialis)

The study was designed to assess the seasonal variations in the quality and lipid profile of mussel meat (Mytilus galloprovincialis) harvested along the Bulgarian coast of the Black Sea. The trial period lasted from June to October, and the sampling was carried out in the area of Varna Bay. Technological quality of the mussels was determined by measuring the water holding capacity (WHC) and cooking and roasting losses. Proximate composition, total aerobic plate count, and fatty acid analysis were carried out. Technological parameters and nutritional quality of the mussel meat were strongly affected by the season. During the summer, the mussels had higher mass, meat content, and meat yield (p < 0.001) compared to the early autumn, which corresponds to the lowest protein content during this season. Lipid profile showed seasonal variations in both individual and total fatty acid amounts (p < 0.001). Saturated fatty acids (SFA) had the highest content in summer, while monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) decreased gradually until the autumn. The content of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) reached its peak in October, contributing to the most favorable values of the nutritional indices of lipids in the early autumn.     

Parasitoids of Saperda populnea (L.) (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) on aspen (Populus tremula L.) in Bulgaria

The parasitoids of Saperda populnea (L.) (Col.: Cerambycidae) were studied in Bulgaria during the period 1997–2001. Galls with pest larvae were collected from young aspen trees at eight locations (Sofia, Kokaliane, Plana, Churek, Gorni Lom, Gintzi, Dolno Kamartzi and Klisura) and examined under laboratory conditions. Four species were reared from 1118 galls containing overwintering pest larvae: Iphiaulax impostor (Scop.) (Hym.: Braconidae), Dolichomitus populneus (Ratz.), Schreineria populnea (Gir.) (Hym.: Ichneumonidae) and Billaea irrorata (Meig.) (Dipt.: Tachinidae). All of the parasitoids were solitary. Schreineria populnea was found as a new parasitoid of the host in Bulgaria. B. irrorata emerged mainly from late-stage S. populnea larvae; the remaining species from both early- and mid-stage larvae. In the parasitoid complex of S. populnea, the most numerous were B. irrorata (59.8%) and D. populneus (29.4%). The percentage of host larval parasitism varied from 2.4 to 33.3, with an average of 9.7%. B. irrorata was the most important in reducing the pest number. The average mortality of S. populnea caused by the tachinid was 5.8%, and the highest mortality observed in individual study was 20.2%.     

Abundance of message for insulin-like growth factors-I and -II and for receptors for growth hormone,insulin-like growth factors-I and -II,and insulin in the intestine and liver of pre- and full-term calves

The somatotropic axis and insulin are involved in pre- and postnatal development. In pre- and full-term calves (GrP0 and GrN0; born after 277 and 290 d of pregnancy, respectively) and in preterm calves on d 8 of life after being fed for 7 d (GrP8), we studied whether there are differences in the abundance of messenger RNA (mRNA) of IGF-I and IGF-II and of receptors for GH, IGF-I, IGF-II, and insulin among different intestinal sites (duodenum, jejunum, ileum, and colon) and whether there are ontogenetic differences during the perinatal period in intestine and liver. Intestinal site differences (P < 0.05) existed in mRNA levels of IGF-I and IGF-II and receptors for GH, IGF-I, IGF-II, and insulin. Abundance of mRNA of IGF-I and -II and of receptors for IGF-I and GH was highest (P < 0.05) in the colon, abundance of the receptor for IGF-II was comparably high in the colon and ileum, and that of the receptor for insulin was similarly high in colon, ileum, and jejunum. Among GrP0, GrN0, and GrP8 groups, there were differences (P < 0.05) in mRNA levels of IGF-I and IGF-II and of receptors for GH, IGF-I, IGF-II and insulin. Abundance of mRNA of IGF-I and IGF-II and of receptors for GH, IGF-I, IGF-II and insulin was highest (P < 0.05) in GrP0 calves immediately after birth and was primarily seen in the ileum. In liver, the mRNA levels differed (P < 0.05) among groups for IGF-II and receptors for IGF-I, IGF-II, and insulin, and were highest (P < 0.05) for IGF-II in GrP0, for receptors of IGF-I in GrN0, and were higher (P < 0.05) in GrP0 than GrP8 for receptors of IGF-II. In conclusion, mRNA levels of IGF-I and IGF-II and of receptors for GH, IGF-I, IGF-II, and insulin were different at different intestinal sites and in intestine and liver and changed during the perinatal period.     

New and little-known lepidopteran (Lepidoptera) phytophages on the poplars (Populus spp.) in Bulgaria

Investigations were carried out during the period 1997-1999 on lepidopteran entomofauna deleterious to poplars (Populus spp.) in Bulgaria. The phytophages were collected in larval and pupal stage and were reared under laboratory con-ditions to the adult stage. In two regions of Bulgaria, Sofia and Montana, 18 new and little-known phytophages in seven families were established on the trees in Populus genus: Limenitis populi (L.) (Nymphalidae); Anacampsis populefia (Cl.), Gelechia turpella (Den. & Schiff.) (Gelechiidae); Synanthedon melliniformis (Lasp.) (Sesiidae); Euproctis similis (Fuessl.) (Lymantriidae); Drymonia velitaris (Hufn.), Notodonta tritophus (Den. & Schiff.) (Notodontidae); Amphipyra pyramidea (L.), Catocala nupta (L.), Cosmia trapezina (L.), Enargia paleacea (Esp.), Eupsilia transversa (Hufn.), Ipomorpha subtusa (Den. & Schiff.), Parastichtis ypsilon (Den. & Schiff.), Scoliopteryx libatrix (L.) (Noctuidae); Gastropacha quercifolia (L.), Phyllodesma tremulifolia (Hb.) and Poecilocampa populi (L.) (Lasiocampidae). G. turpella and S. melliniformis are new records for Bulgaria and D. velitaris was found for the first time in Northern Bulgaria. Thirteen species (L. populi, E. similis, D. velltaris, N. tritophus, A. pyramidea, C. nupta, C. trapezina, E. transversa, I. subtusa, P. ypsilon, G. quercifolia, P. tremulifolia and P. populi) were established for the first time in Bulgaria to have a trophic relationship with poplars. G. turpella and L subtusa were occurred in the highest population densities – up to 1.6 larvae/m and up to 1.1 larvae/m respectively. The remaining species occurred in low population densities in the studied habitats and were not considered to be pests on the poplars.     

Contribution of mineral nutrition to the response of barley seedlings to polyethylene glycol–induced mild water stress

The effect of polyethylene glycol–induced osmotic stress on the activity of nitrate reductase, glutamine synthetase, and glycolate oxidase in leaves of young barley plants grown under two nutrient‐supply regimes was studied. The activity of nitrate reductase gradually decreased after polyethylene glycol (PEG) application, while glutamine synthetase and glycolate oxidase were increased. It is speculated that the enhanced glutamine synthetase and glycolate oxidase activities are due to increased flux of metabolites through the photorespiratory cycle. Prominent increase in concentrations of free proline, reducing sugars, and free amino acids was observed. The possible contribution of these cellular solutes to the process of osmotic adjustment and the role of mineral supply is discussed. It is suggested that low N supply in combination with stress conditions switched the preferred osmolyte type from amino acids (N‐containing) to sugars (C‐containing).