Lactate dehydrogenase isoenzymes during seasonal adaptations of carnivore fur animals

The seasonal and species-specific peculiarities in the ratio of enzyme electrophoretic fractions are revealed at separation on agar gel plates of lactate dehydrogenase (EC 1.1.1.27) isoenzymes from extracts of the heart, liver, skeletal muscle, and blood serum of minks and polar foxes. The essential role of LDH isoenzymes is revealed in the system of ecological-biochemical adaptations in carnivore fur animals of different ecogenesis. Thus, in amphibionts of the martens family, the minks, in comparison with terrestrial carnivores, the polar foxes, the A-type subunits were characterized by their higher relative contents, while preserving the general organ specificity of the isoenzyme distribution. At the same time, the transition to winter conditions was expressed in the both animal species as an increase of the contents of B-type isoenzymes and a decrease of the anaerobiosis factor. All this confirms the ecological dependence of regulation of metabolism already at the molecular level.     

Isoenzyme Spectra of Lactate Dehydrogenase in Organs of Fur-Bearing Animals of Different Ecogenesis

On electrophoretic separation of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH, EC 1.1.1.27) isoenzymes in tissue extracts of heart, kidney, skeletal muscle, and liver in minks, ferrets, polar foxes, foxes, raccoon dogs, nutria, and chinchillas, species peculiarities were revealed in ratios of the agar gel electrophoretic fractions. Thus, a higher relative content of the enzyme A-subunits in the LDH spectra of liver and skeletal muscles was found in semiaquatic animals, minks and nutrias, in comparison with terrestrial animals, polar foxes, ferrets, and chinchillas. In raccoon dogs and chinchillas, a high relative content of the enzyme B-subunits was revealed in these organs. All these data are an example of biochemical specialization of functions at the molecular level to ecological environmental conditions.__________Translated from Zhurnal Evolyutsionnoi Biokhimii i Fiziologii, Vol. 41, No. 3, 2005, pp. 240–246.Original Russian Text Copyright © 2005 by Tyutyunnik, Kozhevnikova, Unzhakov, Meldo.     

Inhibitory role of serotonin in manifestations of predatory aggression in the mink and silver fox

The predatory aggression of minks and silver-black foxes were estimated by their attacks on the rats placed in their cage. Intraperitoneal injection of 5-hydroxytryptophan (serotonin precursor) in a dose of 100 mg/kg to foxes and 50 mg/kg to minks, caused a significant blocking of predatory aggression. Estimation of serotonin level in the brain following administration of corresponding doses of 5-HTP inhibiting the predatory aggression, revealed a considerable increase of serotonin content. It may be assumed that serotonin inhibitory mechanisms of predatory aggression are homologous in different species of animals.     

Genetic polymorphism of Commander Islands polar foxes Alopex lagopus semenovi Ognev, 1931 and Alopex lagopus beringiensis Merriam, 1902

The polymorphism of the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) control region sequence was examined in 30 polar foxes from Bering Island and 30 polar foxes from Mednyi Island. Seven haplotypes were revealed in polar foxes from Bering Island, and one, in polar foxes from Mednyi Island. The age of divergence of these populations (12 000 +/- 600 years) was calculated based on a fragment of the D-loop. In Bering polar foxes, the sequence nucleotide diversity (pi) was 0.003 (S.D. = 0.002), the haplotype diversity h in Bering polar foxes was 0.835 (S.D. = 0.037). The effective number of females n the Bering Island population was estimated as 105 animals.     

Genetic polymorphism of commander islands polar foxes <Emphasis Type="Italic">Alopex lagopus semenovi</Emphasis> Ognev, 1931 and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Alopex lagopus beringiensis</Emphasis> Merriam, 1902

The polymorphism of the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) control region sequence was examined in 30 polar foxes from Bering Island and 30 polar foxes from Mednyi Island. Seven haplotypes were revealed in polar foxes from Bering Island, and one, in polar foxes from Mednyi Island. The age of divergence of these populations (12 000 ± 6 000 years) was calculated based on a fragment of the D-loop. In Bering polar foxes, the sequence nucleotide diversity (π) was 0.003 (S.D. = 0.002), the haplotype diversity h in Bering polar foxes was 0.835 (S.D. = 0.037). The effective number of females n the Bering Island population was estimated as 105 animals.     

Homogenate factor of minks with Aleutian disease]

Antibodies to the factor present in the homogenate of the organs of minks experimentally infected with aleutian disease (AD) were revealed in the sera of minks with AD and also in the sera of humans suffering from systemic lupus erythematosus, hepatitis and cirrhosis, scleroderma and dermatomyositis. Sera of sick minks and humans failed to interact with control homogenates of the organs of healthy minks. In turn, sera of practically healthy minks and humans did not react with the AD-homogenate.     

Exogenous melatonin affects lipids and enzyme activities in mink (Mustela vison) liver

Exogenous melatonin as subcutaneous 2.7-mg implants was given to eight female and male minks in late July with an equal number of animals in the control groups. The liver enzyme activities and major lipids of liver and plasma were measured in October-November. Melatonin had very pronounced effects on the lipid and carbohydrate metabolism of the minks and there was also a clear sexual dimorphism. In the males, melatonin decreased the lipase esterase activity of the liver. In the liver of the females, however, melatonin increased the glucose-6-phosphatase activity. Due to melatonin treatment the liver triacylglycerol contents diminished in both sexes. At the same time, in the females the liver cholesterol levels were decreased. In the plasma lipids, the only change was a fall in the polar lipids of the melatonin-treated females. Melatonin seems to be responsible for the metabolic changes associated with the onset of wintering, especially for the acceleration of the deposition of subcutaneous fat reserves. The smaller females experience the effects of exogenous melatonin more rapidly than the males. Perhaps the smaller body size requires an earlier onset of metabolic preparation for the winter.     

Morphological, histochemical and immunohistochemical studies of polar fox kidney

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the morphology and intermediate filaments cytokeratin, desmin and vimentin expression in the kidneys of the polar fox (Alopex lagopus). Routine morphological, histochemical and immunohistochemical techniques of examinations of the kidneys of adult male and female polar foxes were used. We found different localizations and different levels of immunoexpression of cytokeratin in epithelia of calyxes, distal tubules and Henle's loops, and also in endothelial cells. We also noted immunolocalization and immunoexpression of vimentin in mesangial cells, interstitial tissue and distal tubules. Desmin reactivity was revealed for muscle cells of arteries and mesangial cells. Our study is the first attempt to localize cytoskeletal intermediate filaments performed on polar fox kidneys. It is worth noting that our observations concerning the distribution of vimentin in the polar fox kidney may suggest that protein as being useful as a marker of distal tubules in the polar fox kidney.     

Serotonin receptors in the brain of animals selected for their domesticated type of behavior

Participation was studied of central serotonin receptors of the first and second types in behaviour change of animals selected by the character of defensive reaction to man. Serotonin receptors were determined by radioligand method by binding of the brain preparations 3H-serotonin and 3H-spiperone. An increase of C2 receptors number was found in the frontal brain cortex of the tame brown rats in comparison with the aggressive ones. Differences were not found in specific C1-receptor binding in the frontal brain cortex of tame and aggressive brown rats, silver foxes and American minks in various relatively early selection stages. It is supposed that disappearance of aggressive reaction to man at domestication is connected with an increase of C2 receptors number.     

Ecological characteristics of the structural organization of respiratory segments of the lung

The structure of the bronchial tree in the lung lobules has been studied and the number of lobules and acini in different lobes and in the entire lung has been determined in polar foxes and dogs. Branching pattern and the number of generations of interlobular and intralobular bronchioli have been defined. It has been found that the number of lung lobules in polar foxes was twice as high as in dogs, the lobule volume being smaller almost by half. A smaller number of acini in polar fox lobules enables the central regulation mechanisms to intensify the control of local ventilation. It broadens the possibilities for physiological responses to the influence of climatic factors of the Extreme North.     

Epizootic situation and measures for control of wild animals' rabies in Republic of Bashkortostan

Epizootologic characteristics of rabies incidence in the Republic of Bashkortostan for the period 1998 - 2006 are presented. Districts of Bashkortostan are divided on 3 zones according to severity of epizootic situation. Three years-cyclicity of rabies incidence with peak during winter was determined. Foxes, raccoons, wolves, lynxes, badgers, minks and, during recent years, corsacs are involved into the epizootic chain. Main source of rabies in the Republic is foxes with share of 91.9% among sick wild animals. During 1999-2006 8 cases of hydrophobia were registered. Results of analysis of effectiveness of oral immunization and regulation of wild fauna population are presented.     

Effects of monorecessive and double recessive mutations affecting coat color on the monoamine content of the brain of the American mink (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Mustela vison</Emphasis> Schreber, 1777)

The effects of mutations affecting the coat color on the dopamine, noradrenaline, and serotonin contents of the hypothalamus and brainstem of the American mink have been studied. The sample comprised standard (+/+) and mutant minks, including the monorecessive pastel (b/b), silver-blue (p/p), and white hedlund (h/h) and the combination double recessive sapphire (a/a p/p) and pearl (k/k p/p) ones. The dopamine content of the brainstem of the monorecessive pastel (b/b) and silver-blue (p/p) minks has been found to be higher than in standard (+/+) minks. Conversely, the homozigosity for two coat color loci in double recessive pearl minks (k/k p/p) significantly decreases the noradrenaline and serotonin contents of the hypothalamus. In addition, monorecessive and double recessive minks differ from each other in the serotonin contents of the midbrain and medulla.     

Trichinellosis of animals in Chukotka, USSR: A general review

During an examination, for trichinellosis, of 1489 mammals of 12 different species, in the territory of Chukotka National district (regions of Anadyr', Bering, Iul'tin, Chaun and Chukotka) and in the region of North-Even of Magadan province, Trichinella larvae were detected in 236 (16·4%) of these animals from 6 of the species: in 109 (44·8%) of the blue polar foxes kept in cages, in 12 (15·8%) of the silver-black foxes kept in cages, in 84 (18·2%) of the white polar foxes, in 17 (17·5%) of the common foxes, in 13 (12·1%) of the dogs and in the one European bear examined. Trichinella larvae were not found in 190 marine mammals examined: 178 ringed seals, 7 whales, 4 walruses, and 1 bearded seal, nor in the 8 Siberian squirrels and 159 domestic pigs examined. The high incidence of Trichinella infection amongst blue polar foxes and silver-black foxes on fur-animal farms in Chukotka, where the food ration of these animals is predominately the flesh of marine mammals (walruses and other pinnipeds), suggests that marine mammals may constitute one of the sources of infection to caged animals. In Chukotka, as in other regions of the Extreme North and North-East, the circulation of trichinae in nature may occur between two ecologically different groups of animals: terrestial and marine mammals. A wide distribution of trichinellosis among animals in nature, or kept in cages and among dogs in Chukotka National district and in the North-Even region of Magadan province provides a constant threat of infection to man. Thus the flesh and sub-products of potential hosts of trichinae (including dogs, fur animals, European and polar bears, marine mammals, etc.) should undergo thorough trichinelloscopy examination before being consumed by man. The flesh of sea mammals should be examined for trichinellosis before being used as food for animals; the presence of trichinae in it requires its sterilization.     

The food of suburban foxes (Vulpes vulpes), with special reference to London

The food of foxes in suburban London was examined using stomach contents and den litter analysis. A great diversity of food was taken. Adult foxes killed nearer to the city centre were found to eat significantly fewer earthworms, domestic pets and wild mammals, but more scavenged food items, than foxes killed closer to the suburban fringe. Cubs killed closer to the city centre ate significantly fewer earthworms and insects, and more pet birds, pet mammals and scavenged food items than cubs killed nearer the periphery of the suburban area. Although seasonal trends in food selection were apparent, they were not as pronounced as those observed in studies of rural foxes. At no time of the year did a single food item predominate in the diet of adult foxes. Passeriformes were the most important single food item in the diet of young cubs, but there was no correlation between the number of Passeriformes eaten and their abundance, nor between annual changes in the abundance of small birds and mean fox birth litter size and productivity. Most foxes examined were in good body condition; there was no seasonal variation in body weight, although fat content did vary seasonally. A complementary survey in Bristol on losses of domestic pets to foxes revealed that 07% of pet cats and 80% of other pets kept outdoors were killed in a year. Damage to garden Crops was negligible.     

Resistance to antibiotics and heavy metal salts of coagulase-positive staphylococci belonging to different biological types (ecovars)

A total of 189 strains of S. aureus isolated from cows, sheep, swines, poultry, monkeys, rabbits, foxes, and humans and 23 strains of S. intermedius isolated from minks and sables were studied. The staphylococci belonged to different biological types (according to the Hajek-Marsalek's scheme) and ecovars (according to the Meyer-Witte's scheme). The strains were studied with respect to their resistance to 10 antibiotics (benzylpenicillin, streptomycin, tetracycline, levomycetin, erythromycin, oleandomycin, neomycin, kanamycin, monomycin, and novobiocin), mercuric chloride and cadmium sulfate. As a whole the frequency of resistance to the above preparations among the staphylococci of the animal origin was not high. Differences in the frequency and range of the resistance between strains belonging to different biological types (ecovars) were shown. The highest number of the resistant cultures was detected among the strains of the biological type E (ecovar canis) and atypical strains of S. intermedius isolated from the minks. The least number of the resistant cultures was detected among the strains of the biological type C1 (ecovar bovis) isolated from the cows. It was found that almost all strains of S. intermedius were resistant to cadmium sulfate. This may be used as an additional characteristic of the species.     

DNA and antibodies to DNA in Aleutian mink disease]

Free DNA and various types of antibodies to DNA were determined in the blood serum and plasma of minks which contracted Aleutian disease (AD) spontaneously and of minks experimentally infected with this disease. Healthy minks and other animals served as controls. It was found that a higher incidence of antibodies to DNA of the 2nd and 3rd types in high titres (1: 80-1: 2560) was characteristic of the experimental group of animals. Besides, a free polymeric DNA was more frequently revealed in the experimental group of animals.     

貂、狐、貉源犬瘟热病毒的分离鉴定与序列分析

采用能稳定表达犬信号淋巴细胞活性分子(SLAM)的Vero-DST细胞从发病貉、狐狸和水貂病料,分离获得5株病毒,经电镜形态观察、RT-PCR检测、理化特性测定和人工感染发病试验鉴定,均为犬瘟热病毒(CDV),分别命名为HT-P(貉源)、THDI(貉源)、HD(貂源)、LN(貂源)和HB(狐源).5个分离毒株TCID50为10-5.2-7.3/ml;除鸡、鹅红细胞呈微弱阳性外,其余均未见血凝作用;对乳鼠的LD50 分别为2×10-308～4.8/ml,对实验兔无致病性,对貉有明显致病性作用.5株CDVH和N基因序列分析结果为5个分离株之间H基因nt序列同源性均达到97.5%以上,HT-P(貉源,山东青岛)与THDI(貉源,山东潍坊)的aa同源性为100%,二者与其他分离株间aa序列同源性为87.9%～99.1%;与chn等疫苗株基因nt序列和推导aa序列同源性普遍较低,分别为90.5～91.8和89.%～91.8%.5个分离株之间N基因nt序列同源性均≥94.5%,HT-P与THD1同源性最高(99.8%),分离株之间aa序列除HT-P、THD1与HD(貂源,山东青岛)同源性较高(99.0%以上)外,其他分离株之间同源性低.与chn等疫苗株nt序列同源性较低(90.9～93.5%).此外,HD和LN(貂源,辽宁大连)发病区域相距较远,但具有较高的同源性,但与HB(狐源,河北沦州)具有相对较低的nt同源性,提示野毒株在易感动物上可能存在种属差异.分离毒株与疫苗株之间H和N蛋白基因差异.可能与CD免疫失败有关.     

Characterization and physiological roles of membrane-bound hydrogenase isoenzymes from Salmonella typhimurium.

We found that Salmonella typhimurium strain LT2 (Z) possessed two immunologically distinct, membrane-bound hydrogenase isoenzymes, which were similar in electrophoretic mobilities and apoprotein contents to hydrogenase isoenzymes 1 and 2 of Escherichia coli. The S. typhimurium enzymes cross-reacted with antibodies raised to the respective hydrogenase isoenzymes of E. coli. As for E. coli, an additional membrane-bound hydrogenase activity (termed hydrogenase 3), which did not cross-react with antibodies raised against either hydrogenase 1 or 2, was also present in detergent-dispersed membrane preparations. The physiological role of each of the three isoenzymes in E. coli has remained unclear owing to the lack of mutants specifically defective for individual isoenzymes. However, analysis of two additional wild-type isolates of S. typhimurium revealed specific defects in their hydrogenase isoenzyme contents. S. typhimurium LT2 (A) lacked isoenzyme 2 but possessed normal levels of hydrogenases 1 and 3. S. typhimurium LT7 lacked both isoenzymes 1 and 2 but retained normal hydrogenase 3 activity. Characterization of hydrogen metabolism by these hydrogenase-defective isolates allowed us to identify the physiological role of each of the three isoenzymes. Hydrogenase 3 activity correlated closely with formate hydrogenlyase-dependent hydrogen evolution, whereas isoenzyme 2 catalyzed hydrogen uptake (oxidation) during anaerobic, respiration-dependent growth. Isoenzyme 1 also functioned as an uptake hydrogenase but only during fermentative growth. We postulate that this enzyme functions in a hydrogen-recycling reaction which operates during fermentative growth.     

Genetics and phenogenetics of hormonal characteristics of animals. VIII. Analysis of the variability of the corticosteroid function of the adrenal cortex of silver foxes during their domestication

The contribution of genetic and environmental components in phenotype variety of corticosteroid adrenal function was studied in undomesticated and domesticated silver foxes during postnatal ontogenesis. The variation of basal and stress plasma corticosteroid level in animals aged 2, 4, 6, 8 months and in vitro secretion of the adrenal gland at the age 8 months was analysed. Significant genotype-depended variability was only demonstrated in undomesticated foxes under stress stimulation conditions. This phenomenon is manifested from the fourth month of life. However, significant genotype-depended variability was already revealed under basal conditions in domesticated foxes, on initial steps of postnatal ontogenesis. The peculiarities of genetic variability of adrenocortical function in foxes selected for domestication are discussed.