Exogenous melatonin elevates the plasma leptin and thyroxine concentrations of the mink (Mustela vison)

Eight male and eight female minks were given exogenous melatonin as subcutaneous implants. The plasma leptin and thyroxine concentrations were measured. The leptin concentrations showed clear seasonal variations and differences between the experimental groups. In September most of the control females had undetectable plasma leptin concentrations, but the melatonin-treated females had detectable concentrations significantly higher than the leptin levels of the controls. Most of the males had undetectable leptin concentrations, too. In October the plasma leptin levels had increased significantly in all the groups except the control males. The melatonin-treated minks had significantly higher leptin levels than the controls. There was a significant rise in the thyroxine levels from September to October and the melatonin-treated groups had significantly higher thyroxine levels than the controls. The effects of exogenous melatonin are very pronounced in the mink. Melatonin elevates the plasma leptin and thyroxine levels possibly by direct and indirect mechanisms.     

Interactions between melatonin and prolactin during gestation in mink (Mustela vison)

Immature female mink, 8 weeks of age in July, were treated with implants releasing melatonin. Mating, which induced ovulation, took place during the normal breeding season in the following March. Circulating prolactin and progesterone concentrations did not undergo the expected gestational increases, and no embryos implanted. A similar absence of gestational changes in prolactin and progesterone values ensued in primiparous mink treated with the melatonin implant 2-3 days after the second of 2 matings. Administration of exogenous sheep prolactin (0.5 mg/day) by minipump induced precocious elevation of progesterone concentrations in mated mink. Prolactin administration overcame the effects of melatonin, in that the corpora lutea were activated and embryos implanted, but exogenous prolactin resulted in degeneration of implanted embryos both in the presence and absence of chronic melatonin. The results suggest that melatonin has a single effect in alteration of gestation in mink; i.e. the prevention of prolactin secretion. Hyperprolactinaemia may inhibit embryo development in this species.     

The fine structure of the lutein cells in the mink (Mustela vison) with special reference to the secretory activity during pregnancy

Summary The ultrastructure of the lutein cells in the mink throughout pregnancy and the regression periodpost partum is described. To correlate the fine structure with the changes in the peripheral plasma progesterone levels, the concentrations of progesterone were measured by a rapid competitive protein-binding assay.Even during the delay period (e.g. as long the plasma progesterone levels remain at the basal level, <8ng/ml), the lutein cells in the mink exhibit structural criteria of functional activity. However, the increase in progesterone secretion is accompanied by some morphological transformations, characterized by the presence of more and more small dense homogenous bodies in the cytoplasm, which become irregular and scalloped during the stage with maximum release of progesterone. At this stage the agranular endoplasmic reticulum is often cisternal or vesicular.During the decline of the progesterone levels, typical and moderate electron-dense lipid droplets are found increasingly more within the lutein cells. The expanded agranular ER is now more sparse, while the granular ER becomes more pronounced, often forming parallel arrays. During this phase the mitochondria become elongated, dumb-bell, or cup shaped. After parturition the corpora lutea consist of cells in various stages of degeneration. At day 14post partum only a few lutein cells are still identifiable.Evidently the observed morphological changes take place in the lutein cells during the life span of corpora lutea. This feature lends further support to the concept that the mink lutein cells are steroid-producing cells and furthermore, that the corpora lutea may be the main sites of gestagen production during pregnancy.     

Effects of hCG on folliculogenesis and fecundity in mink (Mustela vision Schreb)

The endogenous hormonal response obtained after reproductive organs are challenged by exogenous hormones is increasingly being used to predict presence of functional reserves and to apply this information to improve efficiency of managed breeding programs. With that in mind, the aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of a single treatment with hCG on folliculogenesis and fertility in standard 7-month-old mink females. The extent of stimulation following treatment was determined by examining patterns of vaginal smears. Characteristics of each cycle stage were: estrus, preponderance of cornified epithelial cells; proestrus, polygonal, elongate epithelial cells; anestrus, parabasal, intermediate and leucocyte cells. Smears exhibiting a mixed population of cells were categorized as being in transition between adjacent stages anestrus–proestrus or proestrus–estrus. The initial evaluations were done on Day 6 after hCG treatment. Histomorphometric examination of ovaries and uteri was done during seasonal anestrus (November) and in the breeding season (March). Vaginal cytology patterns were correlated with changes in folliculogenesis. A mean of 1.3 mature (Graafian) follicles were counted during estrus, while the mean number seen during anestrus, anestrus–proestrus and proestrus, were 0.4, 0.3 and 1.0, respectively. During the breeding season, in females that were not treated, the numbers of growing follicles decreased and maturing follicles increased, whereas females that came in estrus after treatment with hCG in November had increased numbers of both growing and maturing follicles. Fertility after breeding in hCG-treated females was increased by 9.2% (P<0.05) as compared to untreated females. Females showing the highest fertility rise (27%) were predominantly in the group that showed estrus after hCG treatment. We conclude that monitoring the response of the mink reproductive system to hCG stimulation in November may be a useful tool for identifying females of high fertility in the spring.     

水貂睾丸退化期间TGFB家族生长因子及其受体基因表达量的变化

为了探究水貂季节性睾丸退化的分子机制,本研究利用HE染色技术对不同退化时期的水貂睾丸组织进行了组织学研究,同时利用荧光定量PCR技术对不同退化时期的水貂睾丸组织中TGFB家族生长因子及其受体基因表达量变化进行了研究。结果发现在水貂睾丸退化期间,其直径逐渐缩短到原来的1/2,重量逐渐降低到原来的1/8。HE染色结果发现,4~7月水貂睾丸经历了严重退化,而且曲细精管的管腔逐渐消失,同时曲细精管的直径减小到其最大尺寸的1/3。荧光定量PCR结果发现TGFb3、INHBA、TGFBR1、ACVR2A、ACVR2B、SMAD2、SMAD4基因相对表达量在水貂睾丸退化期间都呈下降趋势。本研究表明TGFB信号通路可能在水貂睾丸退化期间发挥了重要功能。     

Plasma leptin and thyroxine of mink (Mustela vison) vary with gender, diet and subchronic exposure to PCBs

Female minks (Mustela vison) fed diets based on freshwater, marine or mixed fish were exposed to 1 mg of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) a day for 21 weeks. The plasma leptin and thyroxine concentrations and the glucose-6-phosphatase and glycogen phophorylase activities in the liver were measured at the end of the experiment. The plasma thyroxine concentrations were significantly higher in the group exposed to PCBs. The mean plasma leptin concentration and glucose-6-phosphatase activity was the highest in the group that had the lowest body-mass index (BMI). The glycogen phophorylase activity was the highest in the freshwater fish-control group. The results suggest that the amount of fat in the body of the female minks is not the only determinant of the plasma leptin levels, but the leptin levels seem to rise with a lowered BMI unlike in rodents or humans. The positive correlation between the leptin levels and the glucose-6-phosphatase activity suggests increased gluconeogenesis with high leptin levels. Subchronic exposure to PCBs seems to have no effect on the plasma leptin levels or the glucose-6-phophatase activities, but it elevates significantly the plasma thyroxine levels with a mechanism that remains unknown.     

Cortisol increases the activities of intestinal apical membrane hydrolases and nutrient transporters before weaning in mink (Mustela vison)

Glucocorticoids from endogenous and exogenous sources accelerate maturation of brush-border membrane (BBM) hydrolases in omnivorous laboratory rodents and pigs. Less is known for carnivores, and whether the route of administration (oral or systemic) has an influence. The present study examined the influence of administering cortisol (hydrocortisone succinate, 5 mg/kg-day) to mink during postnatal week 4, just prior to weaning, on small intestine glucose and amino acid (aspartate, leucine, lysine, methionine, proline) absorption and on the activities of BBM disaccharidases and peptidases. Kits treated with cortisol were smaller (P<0.05), but had small intestines that were proportionally larger (P<0.05 for length and mass per kg body weight, but not for mucosal mass) than control kits with higher rates of absorption for most nutrients, except leucine, and increased activities of most BBM hydrolases, except lactase. As a consequence, cortisol increased hydrolytic and absorptive capacities of the entire small intestine, with the responses more pronounced when the cortisol was given orally. These findings indicate administration of cortisol stimulates growth of the developing mink small intestine, but does not accelerate the postnatal declines in nutrient transport, and may be a dam-to-kit signal that prepares suckling mink to digest and absorb the adult diet.     

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone neurons and pathways in the brain of the female mink (Mustela vison)

Summary The distribution of gonadotropin-releasing hormone-immunoreactive neurons and processes was mapped in the female mink brain using coronal, horizontal and sagittal sections. Perikarya were found along a ventral continuum including the olfactory tubercle, the diagonal band of Broca, the lateral septum, the preoptic and anterior hypothalamic area and the mediobasal hypothalamus; 80% of the perikarya were counted in the mediobasal hypothalamus. Fibres were mainly observed in the organum vasculosum of the lamina terminalis and the median eminence. A few processes terminated in the ependymal cells lining the third and lateral ventricles. The total number of immunoreactive perikarya was the highest in the brains of females sacrificed in July; it then significantly decreased until December. This variation is discussed in relation to the annual breeding cycle.     

Incorporation of (2-14C)acetate into lipids of mink (Mustela vison) liver and intestine during in vitro and in vivo treatment with aflatoxin B1.

The in vitro and in vivo incorporation of (2-14C)acetate into lipids of mink (Mustela vison) liver and intestines was studied. In vitro, a dose of aflatoxin B1 as small as 7.5 mug/ml of medium reduced by 20% the amount of (2-14C)acetate incorporated into lipids of mink liver slices, whereas 180 mug caused 76% reduction in the synthesis of lipids from the radioactive precusor. Similar inhibition of lipid synthesis by aflatoxin also was observed with tissues from mink intestines and fatty liver. The degree of inhibition (19 to 84% for tissue from intestines and 19 to 64% for tissue from fatty livers) depended on the amount of aflatoxin B1 (7.5 TO 180 MUG) present in the medium. In vivo, a substantially increased amount of 14C-labeled lipids was found in the livers of mink injected with 600 mug of aflatoxin B1 per kg of body weight 20, 28, and 40 h earlier. However, no appreciable difference in incorporation of (2-14C)acetate into lipids was observed between toxin-treated and control animals when these animals were sacrificed and examined for 14C-labeled lipids at 4 and 10 h after toxin was administered.     

Effects of water salinity on melatonin levels in plasma and peripheral tissues and on melatonin binding sites in European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax)

Sea bass is an euryhaline fish that lives in a wide range of salinities and migrates seasonally from lagoons to the open sea. However, to date, the influence of water salinity on sea bass melatonin levels has not been reported. Here, we evaluated the differences in plasma and tissue melatonin contents and melatonin binding sites in sea bass under four different salinity levels: seawater (36‰), isotonic water (15‰), brackish water (4‰) and freshwater (0‰). The melatonin content was evaluated in plasma, whole brain, gills, intestine and kidney, while melatonin binding sites were analyzed in different brain regions and in the neural retina. Plasma melatonin levels at mid-dark varied, the lowest value occurring in seawater (102 pg/mL), and the highest in freshwater (151 pg/mL). In gills and intestine, however, the highest melatonin values were found in the seawater group (209 and 627 pg/g tissue, respectively). Melatonin binding sites in the brain also varied with salinity, with the highest density observed at the lower salinities in the optic tectum, cerebellum and hypothalamus (30.3, 13.0, and 8.0 fmol/mg protein, respectively). Melatonin binding sites in the retina showed a similar pattern, with the highest values being observed in freshwater. Taken together, these results reveal that salinity influences melatonin production and modifies the density of binding sites, which suggests that this hormone could play a role in timing seasonal events in sea bass, including those linked to fish migration between waters of different salinities for reproduction and spawning.     

Short-term fasting induces intra-hepatic lipid accumulation and decreases intestinal mass without reduced brush-border enzyme activity in mink (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Mustela vison</Emphasis>) small intestine

For many mammalian species short-term fasting is associated with intestinal atrophy and decreased digestive capacity. Under natural conditions, strictly carnivorous animals often experience prey scarcity during winter, and they may therefore be particularly well adapted to short-term food deprivation. To examine how the carnivorous gastrointestinal tract is affected by fasting, small-intestinal structure, brush-border enzyme activities and hepatic structure and function were examined in fed mink (controls) and mink that had been fasted for 1–10 days. During the first 1–2 days of fasting, intestinal mass decreased more rapidly than total body mass and villus heights were reduced 25–40%. In contrast, tissue-specific activity of the brush-border enzymes sucrase, maltase, lactase, aminopeptidase A and dipeptidylpeptidase IV increased 0.5- to1.5-fold at this time, but returned to prefasting levels after 6 days of fasting. After 6–10 days of fasting there was a marked increase in the activity of hepatic enzymes and accumulation of intra-hepatic lipid vacuoles. Thus, mink may be a useful model for studying fasting-induced intestinal atrophy and adaptation as well as mechanisms involved in accumulation of intra-hepatic lipids following food deprivation in strictly carnivorous domestic mammals, such as cats and ferrets.Communicated by I.D. Hume     

Different fatty acid composition in central and peripheral adipose tissues of the American mink (Mustela vison)

Fatty acid (FA) composition in the intraabdominal (IAB), subcutaneous (SC) and peripheral adipose tissues of the semiaquatic American mink (Mustela vison) was examined in comparison to the diet by gas-liquid chromatography. There was a clear compositional gradient from the IAB via SC to peripheral adipose tissues and the anatomically different adipose tissues accumulated or metabolized FA selectively. The total lipids of the body appendages had smaller proportions of saturated (SFA) and larger proportions of monounsaturated (MUFA) and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) than the lipids of the trunk adipose tissues. Especially n-3 PUFA were enriched in the periphery. The appendages were also characterized with a high ratio of unsaturated FA to SFA, an increased Delta9-desaturation index and increased mean numbers of double bonds and carbon atoms in a FA molecule. The proportions of SFA and MUFA of the diet resembled the trunk adipose tissues while the dietary percentage of n-3 PUFA surpassed those of the trunk fat depots but was lower than those of the peripheral fats. These data confirm that the FA signatures of mammals reflect not only their dietary history but also metabolic modifications of ingested FA.     

Effects of lactic acid fermentation and gamma irradiation of barley on antinutrient contents and nutrient digestibility in mink (Mustela vison) with and without dietary enzyme supplement

Abstract

The experiment was conducted to study the effects of fermentation of barley, using two different strains of lactic acid bacteria, a Lactobacillus plantarum/pentosus strain isolated from spontaneously fermented rye sourdough (AD2) and a starch-degrading Lactobacillus plantarum (AM4), on contents of mixed-linked (1 → 3) (1 → 4)-β-glucans, α-amylase inhibitor activity, inositol phosphates, and apparent digestibility of macronutrients in mink. Effects of fermentation were compared with effects of gamma irradiation (γ-irradiation: ⁶⁰Co γ-rays at 25 kGy). The diets were fed to mink with and without a supplementary enzyme preparation. Both lactic acid fermentation and γ-irradiation followed by soaking and incubation, reduced concentrations of soluble β-glucans, phytate and α-amylase inhibitor activity. Dietary enzyme supplementation increased significantly digestibility of crude protein, fat, starch and crude carbohydrate (CHO). Fermentation of the barley increased digestibility of starch and CHO. Fermentation with lactic acid bacteria AD2 resulted in higher starch and CHO digestibility than strain AM4, and had greater effect than γ-irradiation, soaking and incubation. The highest digestibility of starch and CHO was obtained after AD2 fermentation followed by enzyme supplementation. It is concluded that both lactic acid fermentation of barley and enzyme supplementation have positive nutritional implications in the mink by limiting the effects of antinutrients and improving digestibility and energy utilization.     

Effects of lactic acid fermentation and gamma irradiation of barley on antinutrient contents and nutrient digestibility in mink (Mustela vison) with and without dietary enzyme supplement

The experiment was conducted to study the effects of fermentation of barley, using two different strains of lactic acid bacteria, a Lactobacillus plantarum/pentosus strain isolated from spontaneously fermented rye sourdough (AD2) and a starch-degrading Lactobacillus plantarum (AM4), on contents of mixed-linked (1 --> 3) (1 --> 4)-beta-glucans, alpha-amylase inhibitor activity, inositol phosphates, and apparent digestibility of macronutrients in mink. Effects of fermentation were compared with effects of gamma irradiation (gamma-irradiation: 60Co gamma-rays at 25 kGy). The diets were fed to mink with and without a supplementary enzyme preparation. Both lactic acid fermentation and gamma-irradiation followed by soaking and incubation, reduced concentrations of soluble beta-glucans, phytate and alpha-amylase inhibitor activity. Dietary enzyme supplementation increased significantly digestibility of crude protein, fat, starch and crude carbohydrate (CHO). Fermentation of the barley increased digestibility of starch and CHO. Fermentation with lactic acid bacteria AD2 resulted in higher starch and CHO digestibility than strain AM4, and had greater effect than gamma-irradiation, soaking and incubation. The highest digestibility of starch and CHO was obtained after AD2 fermentation followed by enzyme supplementation. It is concluded that both lactic acid fermentation of barley and enzyme supplementation have positive nutritional implications in the mink by limiting the effects of antinutrients and improving digestibility and energy utilization.     

Circadian variations in the activities of 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase in the liver of control and streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

The aim of this study was to examine: the 24 h variation of 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase activities, key enzymes for the maintenance of intracellular NADPH concentration, in rat liver in control and streptozotocin-induced diabetic animals. Adult male rats were fed ad libitum and synchronized on a 12:12 h light-dark cycle (lights on 08:00 h). One group of animals was treated with streptozotocin (STZ, 55 mg/kg, intraperitoneal) to induce experimental diabetes. Eight weeks after STZ injection, the animals were sacrificed at six different times of day—1, 5, 9, 13, 17 and 21 Hours After Lights On (HALO)—and livers were obtained. Enzyme activities were determined spectrophotometrically in triplicate in liver homogenates and expressed as units per mg protein. 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase activity was measured by substituting 6-phosphogluconate as substrate. Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase activity was determined by monitoring NADPH production. Treatment, circadian time, and interaction between treatment and circadian time factors were tested by either one or two way analysis of variance (ANOVA). Two-way ANOVA revealed that 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase activity significantly depended on both the treatment and time of sacrifice. 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase activity was higher in control than diabetic animals; whereas, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase activity did not vary over the 24 h in animals made diabetic by STZ treatment. Circadian variation in the activity of 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase was also detected in both the control and STZ treatment groups (one-way ANOVA). Time-dependent variation in glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase activity during the 24 h was detected in control but not in diabetic rats. No significant interaction was detected between STZ-treatment and time of sacrifice for both hepatic enzyme activities. These results suggest that the activities of NADPH-generating enzymes exhibit 24 h variation, which is not influenced by diabetes.     

Cloning of leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) and its expression in the uterus during embryonic diapause and implantation in the mink (Mustela vison)

Leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) is essential for embryo implantation in mice. Whether LIF plays a role in termination of embryonic diapause and initiation of implantation in carnivores, especially in species with obligate delayed implantation such as the mink, is not known. The objectives of this study were to clone the LIF coding sequence in the mink and determine its mRNA abundance in the uterus through embryonic diapause, implantation, and early postimplantation. We show that the mink LIF cDNA contains 609 nt encoding a deduced protein of 203 amino acids. The homologies are 80.6, 90, 88.2, 87.6, and 86.8% in coding sequence and 79.2, 90.1, 91, 90.1 and 85.4% in amino acid sequence with mouse, human, pig, cow, and sheep respectively. Glycosylation sites and disulfide bonds present in other species are generally conserved in the mink LIF sequence. Quantitation by polymerase chain reaction amplification indicates that LIF mRNA is expressed in mink uterus just prior to implantation and during the first two days after implantation, but not during diapause or later after implantation pregnancy. The abundance of LIF mRNA was significantly higher in the uterus at the embryo expansion stage (P < 0.05) than at days 1–2 of postimplantation. By immunohistochemical localization it was shown that LIF is expressed in the uterine epithelial glands at time of embryonic expansion and in early postimplantation. The coincidence of LIF expression with implantation in this species suggests that LIF is involved in the implantation process, and may be a maternal signal which terminates obligate embryonic diapause. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 51:13–21, 1998. © 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Effect of starvation and refeeding on digestive enzyme activities in sturgeon (Acipenser naccarii) and trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

The digestive enzyme activities were determined in Adriatic sturgeon and rainbow trout during starvation and refeeding period. Overall, the digestive enzyme activities are affected in the same sense in both species. The protease and lipase activities were decreased later than amylase activity. Even after 1 month of starvation, both species would be prepared to digest protein and lipids in an effective way. After 72 days of starvation, the digestive machinery of the sturgeon and of the trout shows an altered capacity to digest macronutrients. The capacity to digest proteins and lipids, after 60 days of refeeding, begins to become re-established in sturgeon and trout. In contrast, in this period, the capacity to digest carbohydrates remains depressed in both species.     

苯并（a）芘对大弹涂鱼肝脏抗氧化酶活性影响的初步研究

在实验条件下,研究了不同浓度苯并(a)芘(BaP)暴露对大弹涂鱼肝脏内抗氧化酶-超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(GPx)和过氧化氢酶(CAT)活性的影响.结果表明,不同浓度的BaP暴露对抗氧化酶活性产生不同程度的影响.低浓度组(3μg     

Chromosome localization of the loci GOT1, PP,NP, SOD1, PEPA and PEPC in the American mink (Mustela vison)

Summary Twenty eight American mink × Chinese hamster somatic cell hybrids were analysed for the expression of mink enzymes and chromosome segregation. This analysis made it possible to assign the genes for glutamate-oxaloacetate transaminase-1 (soluble) (EC 2.6.1.1), inorganic pyrophosphatase (EC 3.6.1.1), purine nucleoside phosphorylase (EC 2.4.2.1) to mink chromosome 2, superoxide dismutase-1 (soluble) (EC 1.11.1.1) to chromosome 5, peptidase A (EC 3.4.11 or 3.4.13) to chromosome 4, and peptidase C (EC 3.4.11 or 3.4.13) to chromosome 13. It is suggested that the synthenic gene group GOT1-PP-NP is located on the short arm of mink chromosome 2.