Behavioral evaluation of exhibit modifications designed to accommodate an aged diana monkey

Modifications in a zoo exhibit were made to increase the arboreality of an aged female diana monkey, and to increase her use of the central portion of the exhibit where a new food shelf had been added. Branches, which formed ramps to this shelf, also were added. Following these changes, the aged female's arboreality increased slightly, and her use of the central portion of the exhibit increased significantly. Changes in habitat use following these modifications also were noted in the other two diana monkeys in the group. These results suggest that zoo habitats can be made more usable for individuals whose behavioral capabilities might be limited due to age or physical disability.     

Reproductive biology and management of captive black-footed ferrets (Mustela nigripes)

A captive breeding program is being conducted with black-footed ferrets (Mustela nigripes), an endangered species. Results of 5 years of study are reported. Simple, but specialized, nontraumatic handling techniques allowed assessment of reproductive status with minimal stress, which was important in breeding management. Black-footed ferrets are sexually mature and may successfully reproduce in their 1st year. Proestrus lasts approximately 2-3 weeks. Duration of estrus in unbred females was 32–42 days; females usually bred within 20 days. Most breeding activity occurred during April. Mean gestation length was 42.7 days (±0.7, range 42–45 days), litter size averaged 3.0 kits (±1.4, range 1–6 kits), and weaned kits/litter averaged 2.4 (±1.7, range 1–6 kits). Weaning rate of kits was 80%. Sex ratio of kits was essentially 1:1. Productivity was greatest among females ?3 years of age. Rapid expansion of the captive population is possible and will be important for genetic management of the species and for achieving the primary goal of the recovery program, which is to return black-footed ferrets to the wild.     

The synthesis and biological activity of four novel fluorescent vasopressin analogs

We synthesized and tested the biological properties of four fluorescent vasopressin analogs: [1-(2-mercapto)propionic acid]-8-lysine-N6-5-dimethylamino-naphthalene-1-sulfonyl vasopressin (D-MLVP), [1-(2-mercapto)propionic acid]-8-lysine-N6-carboxyfluorescein vasopressin (F-MLVP), [1-(2-mercapto)propionic acid]-8-lysine-N6-2-N-methylanthranilamide vasopressin (MA-MLVP), and [1-(2-mercapto)propionic acid]-8-lysine-N6-carboxytetramethylrhodamine vasopressin (R-MLVP). All fluorescent analogs were prepared by coupling the appropriate fluorochrome to the 6-amino group of the lysine residue in [1-(2-mercapto)propionic acid]-8-lysine vasopressin (MLVP) which was synthesized by the Merrifield solid-phase method. The structures of high performance liquid chromatography-purified MLVP and the fluorescent analogs were confirmed by fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry. F-MLVP, MA-MLVP, and R-MLVP effectively competed for 8-arginine vasopressin (AVP)-binding sites in canine renal plasma membranes and on the surface of porcine kidney cells (LLC-PK1, ATCC CL101). Dissociation constants for F-MLVP, MA-MLVP, and R-MLVP of 32, 8.8, and 26 nM, respectively, were calculated from the results of competition binding assays conducted with membranes. D-MLVP did not bind to plasma membranes. Dissociation constants for F-MLVP, MA-MLVP, and R-MLVP of 390, 38, and 160 nM, respectively, were calculated from the results of competition binding assays conducted with cells. F-MLVP, MA-MLVP, and R-MLVP at a concentration of 10(-6) M increased adenylate cyclase activity in canine renal plasma membranes to values 2.4, 2.9, and 2.6 times that of basal activity, respectively. A maximally active concentration of AVP (1 microM) increased adenylate cyclase activity in canine renal plasma membranes to a value 2.7 times that of basal activity. D-MLVP did not stimulate adenylate cyclase activity. F-MLVP, MA-MLVP, and R-MLVP at a concentration of 10(-6) M increased the cAMP content of porcine kidney cells from a basal level of 43 to 267, 160, and 469 pmol/mg of cell protein, respectively. Specific binding of these fluorescent analogs to receptors on the surface of LLC-PK1 cells was observed by fluorescence microscopy. These observations indicate that F-MLVP, MA-MLVP, and R-MLVP are biologically active fluorescent vasopressin analogs which are well-suited to the study of renal vasopressin receptors by fluorescence microscopy.     

Increases in arterial blood oxygen during exercise in the lemon shark (Negaprion brevirostris)

Summary Polyethylene cannulae were implanted in pre- and post-branchial blood vessels allowing nonstressful blood sampling over a variety of activity ranges in an active tropical elasmobranch, the lemon shark (Negaprion brevirostris). TheP ₅₀ was found to be 11.8 Torr at 24°C and pH of 7.7. A Bohr shift of –0.36 was also found. BloodP _{o 2} and oxygen content were measured during rest, routine swimming, and exercise in unanesthetized, free swimming juveniles. Under all conditions venous oxygen levels were low with venousP _{o 2} of 7.1±2.7 Torr, and venous oxygen content ( ) of 0.56±0.4 vol%. However, a large variability was found in arterial blood measurements. ArterialP _{o 2} ranged from 7 to 80 Torr, while arterial oxygen content (Ca_{o 2}) varied from 1.6 vol% to 6.8 vol% among ten experimental animals. A significant increase in arterialP _{o 2}, oxygen content, and hematocrit was noted during increased activity. Since the venous system provides little or no oxygen reserve, increased oxygen extraction from the blood ( ) appears to be met by an increase inCa_{o 2} rather than a decrease in . Mechanisms to accomplish this may include increasing hematocrit and vacular gill shunts.     

The generation of cytolytic activity in mixed leukocyte cultures: cortisone-resistant thymocytes are deficient in helper T lymphocytes

Cortisone-resistant (CR) thymocytes did not generate cytolytic activity toward H-2 K or D alloantigen unless they were also stimulated by H-2 I or non-H-2 alloantigens, even though spleen cells generated brisk cytolytic activity toward H-2 K or D alone. Backstimulation by stimulating strain T lymphocytes accounted for neither the response of spleen cells toward H-2 K or D alloantigen nor the response of CR thymocytes to a full set of alloantigens. In addition, lack of non-T accessory cells did not account for the CR thymocyte pattern of reactivity. Rather, CR thymocytes appeared to be relatively deficient in helper T lymphocytes (HTL). CR thymocytes generated specific cytolytic activity toward H-2 D alloantigen when T cell growth factors (TCGF) or cloned alloreactive helper T lymphocytes were added to culture. CR thymocytes contained fewer HTL precursors detected at limit dilution than spleen cells did. Thus spleen cells generated cytolytic activity toward class I alloantigens alone, but under the same culture conditions CR thymocytes had to be stimulated by both class I and class II alloantigens. Class II alloantigens may be required to stimulate cytolytic activity only under culture conditions in which class I-reactive HTL are not sufficient to provide a minimal threshold of help.     

Effects of mannitol and chlorpromazine pretreatment of rabbits on kidney mitochondria following in vivo ischemia and reflow

The effects of in vivo ischemia and reflow on the respiratory control ratio (RCR) of rabbit kidney mitochondria (homogenates) was studied in rabbits pretreated with mannitol or chlorpromazine (CPZ). Two hours of ischemia damages mitochondria and lowers the RCR from about 13 to 2. Reflow to ischemic kidneys does not affect the RCR (RCR = 2.1), unless the rabbits are pretreated with mannitol (RCR = 11) or CPZ (RCR = 13.9). Although mannitol or CPZ pretreatment is effective at fully restoring the RCR to normal levels, the maximal rate of ADP-stimulated respiration remains partially depressed. Three hours of ischemia followed by reflow does not allow restoration of mitochondrial RCR even with mannitol or CPZ pretreatment. The mechanism of action of mannitol and CPZ may be explained on the basis of their vascular effects resulting in increased reflow in ischemic kidneys. Although a direct effect upon the metabolism of the ischemic kidney remains a possibility.     

Hirsutinolides from Vernonia species

Out of the nineteen species of Vernonia studied, five contained highly oxygenated sesquiterpene lactones, while the rest contained predominantly triterpenes, especially lupane derivatives.