Measurement of blood flow to osseous tissue in dogs using the radiolabelled microsphere method

• 1.1. The purpose of this study was to examine bone blood flow in various intra- and extra-oral sites.
• 2.2. The radiolabelled microsphere method was utilized to assess osseous blood flow in the following regions of 10 dogs: rib, long bone, and anterior and posterior regions of the maxilla and mandible.
• 3.3. Samples of cancellous and cortical bone were also obtained from each of these regions with the exception of the maxilla and the anterior mandible.
• 4.4. Mean blood flow ranged from 3.71 ±0.81 (SE) ml min.⁻¹ 100 g⁻¹ in the mandibular posterior cortical bone to 22.7±4.66ml min⁻¹ 100 g⁻¹ in the cancellous rib samples.
• 5.5. Blood flow to the cancellous tissue of the rib was significantly greater (P < 0.05 ) than the other tissues with the exception of maxillary posterior bone and cortical rib.
• 6.6. Results from this study indicate that blood flow to the maxillary posterior bone is relatively high, but blood flow in other intraoral osseous sites is significantly less than that of cancellous rib bone.

     

A comparison of serum retinol concentration between human and different species of normo and hypercholesterolemic nonhuman primates fed semi-purified diets with defined amounts of vitamin A

• 1.1. Serum retinol and total cholesterol concentrations were determined in several species of nonhuman primates fed semipurified diets. Two species of Old World and three species of New World nonhuman primates were examined.
• 2.2. Retinol levels were significantly lower (up to four-fold) in the serum of the smaller New World than the larger Old World animals and the difference could not be explained by differences in dietary make-up.
• 3.3. Cholesterol levels were not different between the groups but differed within a species when type of dietary fat was altered.
• 4.4. Differences in circulating levels of retinol may reflect differences in levels of retinol binding protein between the groups.

     

Measurement of blood flow in the skin and oral mucosa of the rhesus monkey (Macaca mulatta) using laser doppler flowmetry

• 1.1. It is generally assumed that oral blood flow is higher than that of skin, and invasive methods to measure blood flow support this view.
• 2.2. However, it was not known whether this finding would be confirmed by laser Doppler flowmetry, which is a noninvasive method to measure blood flow.
• 3.3. The purpose of this study was to compare blood flow in oral and skin regions of the rhesus monkey using laser Doppler flowmetry.
• 4.4. The results demonstrated that blood flow was significantly higher in oral regions as compared to facial skin (P < 0.05).
• 5.5. This finding is most likely related to the more abundant capillary supply in oral mucosa as compared to skin.

     

Skin blood flow in the Wistar-Kyoto rat and the spontaneously hypertensive rat

• 1.1. Using laser Doppler techniques in man, we have previously demonstrated differences in skin blood flow properties at sites with primarily nutritive (NUTR) perfusion, such as the elbow or knee, as compared to sites such as the finger pulp, with predominantly arteriovenous anastomotic (AVA) perfusion.
• 2.2. Basal and heat stimulated flow is greater at AVA sites. In man, blood pressure changes are reflected primarily by changes at AVA rather than NUTR sites.
• 3.3. These blood pressure induced changes affect the red blood cell velocity (VEL) component at AVA sites more than microvascular volume (VOL).
• 4.4. Given these findings in man, we decided to compare skin blood flow properties in a suitable animal model.
• 5.5. We chose the Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) and Spontaneously Hypertensive Rat (SHR) strains, in view of the marked difference in systemic blood pressure in these two related strains.
• 6.6. Skin blood flow varied considerably at different skin sites in the rats. Skin sites with hair covering, on the back and at the base of the tail, showed low basal and heat stimulated blood flow.
• 7.7. In contrast, the plantar surface of the paw behaved similarly to the finger or toe pulps in man, with 3–4-fold higher basal flow than the hair covered areas and a 7–8-fold rise with local heating to 44°C.
• 8.8. Furthermore, there was a 25% greater blood flow at the plantar paw surface in the SHR rats as compared to the WKY rats, corresponding to the 25% higher systemic blood pressure in these animals.
• 9.9. The heat induced increase in flow at the plantar surface of the paw was primarily a result of a marked increase in VEL rather than VOL.
• 10.10. The higher flow at this site in SHR as compared to WKY rats was likewise ascribable to an increase in VEL, VOL being equivalent in the two strains.

     

Blood values in South American lizards from high and low altitudes

• 1.1. Blood indices were measured in 27 species of lizard from Chile and Argentina occurring at different altitudes ranging from sea-level up to 4600 m.
• 2.2. Contrary to amphibians, none of the hematological values of these lizards, such as hematocrit, hemoglobin concentration, red cell count, mean cell volume, mean cell hemoglobin and mean cell hemoglobin concentration, were found to be correlated with their altitudinal distribution.
• 3.3. Intrageneric comparison of blood values in Liolaemus lizards (seven highland species living above 3000m and 12 lowland species) showed a similar degree of independence from their altitudinal site of capture or from their upper limit of distribution.
• 4.4. As reported for other vertebrate taxa, an inverse correlation between size and number of red blood cells was also found in the studied reptiles.

     

Cholesterol metabolism in new world primates: Comparative studies in two tamarin species (Saguinus oedipus and Saguinus fuscicollis) and the squirrel monkey (Saimiri sciureus)

• 1.1. Cholesterol metabolism has been characterized in three species of New World primates, the cotton-top tamarin, the saddle-back tamarin, and the squirrel monkey.
• 2.2. When fed a diet containing cholesterol, the three species exhibited differing responses of plasma cholesterol levels.
• 3.3. Dietary cholesterol absorption was determined and plasma cholesterol die-away kinetics were analyzed in terms of a two-pool model.
• 4.4. The results of the analyses of cholesterol turnover are consistent with the observed species-specific differences in plasma cholesterol values and cholesterol absorption.
• 5.5. Cholesterol metabolism differs between the two tamarin species, as well as between the tamarins and the squirrel monkey.
• 6.6. Implications of species-specific differences between tamarin species are discussed in terms of the use of tamarin species as animal models for comparative studies of cholesterol metabolism and the etiology of cancer and cardiovascular disease.

     

The energetics of shedding: Energy content of snake skin

• 1.1. The weight and energy content of sloughed skins of 92 individual snakes of 22 different species in three families were measured.
• 2.2. Weight and total energy content of shed skins were highly correlated with body weight.
• 3.3. The heat of combustion (kJ/g) of sloughed skins varied significantly among families and was higher in species having unkeeled scales than in those with keeled scales.
• 4.4. The presence of keels significantly affected weight of skins, even when skin weight is adjusted for covariance with body weight.
• 5.5. Neither body weight nor ambient temperature significantly affected the heat of combustion of sloughed skins.
• 6.6. The energy content of shed skin, expressed as a proportion of daily metabolism, decreased with ambient temperature, but the effect is minimized in large snakes.
• 7.7. Small snakes expended relatively less energy in sloughed skins than large snakes when the expenditure is expressed in terms of total daily metabolized energy.

     

Biochemical and calorific content of deep-sea aspidochirotid holothurians from the northeast atlantic ocean

• 1.1. The organic composition of the body tissues of eight species of deep-sea aspidochirotid holothurian, collected between 500 and 4100m depth in the NE Atlantic Ocean, was obtained by the biochemical analysis of protein, lipid, carbohydrate and % ash.
• 2.2. The major organic class was protein with soluble lipid the major soluble fraction in the ovary. Carbohydrate values were consistently low.
• 3.3. The calorific value was significantly higher in the ovary than in the other tissues.
• 4.4. The total body calorific content for two selected species, Benthothuria funebris and Mesothuria lactea, was 25.62 and 26.24J/mg ash-free dry weight (AFDW).

     

Serum lipids,thyroxine and catecholamine levels in the reindeer with reference to the annual climatic cycle

• 1.1. Blood glucose and lactate, serum total lipid and triglyceride, thyroxine (T₄), epinephrine and norepinephrine concentrations and serum dopamine-β-hydroxylase activity were studied in 76 reindeer hinds and 127 calves with reference to the seasons.
• 2.2. Blood glucose level tended to be lowest in Autumn, and blood lactate highest in Summer.
• 3.3. Serum total lipids were smallest in Spring (2.8 g/l) and greatest in Autumn (5.3 g/l). Triglycerides were smallest in Winter (0.18 mmol/l) and highest in Autumn (0.32 mmol/l). In calves the total lipids increased during the neonatal period.
• 4.4. Serum epinephrine correlated with the weight, age, blood glucose and total lipids of the animals. In adult animals the lowest serum epinephrine level was found in Spring and the highest in Autumn (55 vs 190 ng/ml).
• 5.5. Serum norepinephrine concentration and dopamine-β-hydroxylase activity were highest in Spring and decreased towards Autumn. Parturition affected these parameters significantly.
• 6.6. The preponderance of high levels of some blood constituents in Autumn may be attributable to the replenishment of energy supplies for Winter time and also to the rutting season.
• 7.7. T₄ was smallest in Spring and highest in Summer. It was slightly greater in Winter than in Autumn. This suggests that the metabolic rate is tower in Winter than in Summer. Thus, the adaptation of the reindeer to a cold climate mainly utilizes insulation.

     

Running performance of the thirteen-lined ground squirrel,the eastern chipmunk and the albino Norway rat

• 1.1. The procedure used to compare the forced running performance of three rodent species was the number of electrical stimuli required each minute to keep the animals running.
• 2.2. During running trials, ground squirrels, Spermophilus tridecemlineatus, required fewer stimuli than white rats. Squirrels ran 12.4 ± 6.9 (2 SE) min before requiring stimulation vs 3.1 ± 1.4 min for rats.
• 3.3. Total oxygen consumption during the running period was significantly higher for ground squirrels than white rats, 4.70 ± 0.36 and 4.18 ± 0.38ml O₂/g/hr, respectively.
• 4.4. Heart weight/body weight ratios were significantly higher for the ground squirrels than the white rats.
• 5.5. No differences were noted between ground squirrels and chipmunks other than those which could be accounted for by body weight differences.

     

Comparative biochemical studies of milks—III. Immunoelectrophoretic comparisons of milk proteins of the artiodactyla

• 1.1. Milk proteins from nineteen species of artiodactyls and from five other species have been examined immunoelectrophoretically versus rabbit antisera for milk proteins from Bos taurus.
• 2.2. Milks of ruminants gave positive reactions to anti-cow β-lactoglobulin and anti-cow α-lactalbumin sera. Milks from non-ruminant artiodactyls and from perissodactyls, rodents, lagomorphs and primates did not react with these antisera.
• 3.3. Milk proteins from both ruminant and non-ruminant species reacted with anti-cow serum albumin and anti-cow casein sera.

     

Circadian rhythms of determined blood chemistry values in buzzards and eagle owls

• 1.1. Fifteen values were determined in blood samples from six buzzards (Buteo buteo) and six eagle owls (Bubo bubo) over the 24 hr of the day.
• 2.2. Glucose, urea, uric acid, triglyceride and calcium values showed diurnal rhythms in both species. Their respective patterns of diurnal variation were compared.
• 3.3. Phosphorus, cholesterol and cholinesterase levels underwent circadian rhythms only in the buzzards. Albumin/globulin and amylase exhibited diurnal variations exclusively in the eagle owls.
• 4.4. Glutamatic oxaloacetic transaminase, albumin, globulin, total protein and creatinine concentrations did not show diurnal rhythms in either of the species.
• 5.5. Blood values of the different parameters were studied on the basis of the ranges described in birds.

     

Hematology and blood chemistry of the marsh harrier (Circus aeruginosus)

• 1.1. This study deals with the hematological and blood chemistry of 13 adult marsh harriers (Circus aeruginosus).
• 2.2. No significant differences were observed between male and female groups in any of the parameters.
• 3.3. The value of white blood cells was 14,677/mm³ heterophils and lymphocytes, these being the most abundant cellular type (81.42 and 12%, respectively).
• 4.4. Urea and uric acid are present in approximately similar proportions, though birds are said to be uricotelic.
• 5.5. The cholesterol concentration values determined in our study, are higher than those reported in most other birds.

     

Sonication of reconstituted freeze-dried bovine and porcine blood: Effect on fecundity and pupal weights of the tsetse fly

• 1.1. The effect of sonication on reconstituted freeze-dried bovine and porcine blood was examined by analysis of particle size and by feeding to Glossina palpalis palpalis.
• 2.2. Sonication reduced the particle size of both reconstituted blood products.
• 3.3. Tsetse flies feeding on both sonicated blood products performed significantly better than flies feeding on non-sonicated blood products with respect to total pupae produced and fecundity, and for porcine blood, pupal weights were higher.

     

Myo-inositol in the reproductive tract of the female rat

• 1.1. myo-Inositol concentrations in oviduct, ovary and uterus were many-fold those of blood serum during all four stages of the estrous cycle of the female rat.
• 2.2. Inositol concentration was higher in oviduct than in ovary or uterus and was lower in uterine fluid than in uterus.
• 3.3. Estrus uteri had higher inositol concentrations than uteri in other phases of the cycle.
• 4.4. In order to measure dynamic aspects of the distribution of inositol. the distribution of radioactivity among organs of the reproductive tract of mature female rats was measured 45 min after i.p, injection of [2-³H]myo-inositol.
• 5.5. These organs concentrated inositol from the blood, and the tissue radioactivity (expressed as dpm/mg wet wt of tissue) increased in the sequence: vagina < cervix < uterus < ovary < oviduct.
• 6.6. The uterus and ovary concentrated myo-inositol more strongly during proestrus than during metestrus. diestrus or estrus.
• 7.7. The contents of proestrus follicles were more highly radioactive than was the ovary itself, whereas proestrus uterine fluid was less radioactive than the uterine tissue.

     

The effect of Cryptocotyle lingua infection on the blood volume of Littorina littorea

• 1.1. Blood volumes of uninfeeted and parasitized individuals of L. littorea have been measured using inulin dilution.
• 2.2. Uninfected specimens have a blood volume of 64% and parasitized specimens a blood volume of 38% of the flesh weight.
• 3.3. Two different methods of inulin analysis give essentially similar results.

     

Effect of angiotensin II on vascular resistance in whole-body perfused dogfish

• 1.1. The effect of angiotensin II (AII), norepinephrine (NE), epinephrine (E) and isoproterenol (ISO) was observed on the branchial and systemic circulations in a whole-body-pump perfused dogfish preparation.
• 2.2. NE and E increased systemic blood flow resistance, but decreased branchial resistance.
• 3.3. ISO decreased both systematic and branchial blood flow resistance.
• 4.4. AII had no significant effect on either branchial or systemic resistance.

     

Hypothermia and blood of crabs

• 1.1. The effect of acclimation to 10° and 30°C on the blood volume, clotting time, total blood protein and numbers of cells was determined in Uca pugilator.
• 2.2. There was no significant difference between blood volume in the 10° and 30° animals but there were significantly more cells and a higher blood protein in the 30° crabs.
• 3.3. The clotting time is significantly longer for the 10° crabs.
• 4.4. These changes associated with the blood parameters can be associated with the ecology of the animal.

     

The response to temperature gradients of scorpions from mesic and xeric habitats

• 1.1. The thermal preference of four scorpion species—two from xeric habitats and two from mesic habitats—was observed in a temperature-gradient.
• 2.2. The two scorpions from mesic habitats responded positively to lower temperatures. The xeric species stayed longer in higher temperatures.
• 3.3. In each pair of scorpion species studied here (the mesic and the xeric species), one of them responded to a more limited temperature range whereas the other to a wider range.
• 4.4. The significance of these findings is discussed in relation to the microclimate in the scorpion's microhabitat and to their dispersal pattern.

     

Catalytic and inhibitory properties of a major molecular form of acetylcholinesterase isolated from Lygus hesperus knight (Hemiptera: Miridae)

• 1.1. The major form of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) from Lygus hesperus demonstrated a greater affinity to selected substrates than unresolved AChE.
• 2.2. The turnover numbers of the native AChE were 7000 min⁻¹ for acetylthiocoline, 4800 for acetyl-(β-methyl) thiocholine, 3000 for propionylthiocholine, and 390 for S-butyrylthiocholine.
• 3.3. Each molecule of the major form had two active sites and each subunit had one active site.
• 4.4. Paraoxon or dichlorvos had a higher affinity to the major AChE form than to the unresolved AChE, resulting in a higher potency for the inhibition.
• 5.5. Some references of comparison are also made with AChE from other animal species.