Age-related hormonal differences in cycling squirrel monkeys (Saimiri boliviensis boliviensis)

This study was planned to evaluate the poor reproductive performance of aged squirrel monkeys in a self-sustaining breeding colony. Two groups of monkeys aged 6–8 years (Group 1), and >12 years (Group 2) were evaluated. During the midbreeding season, daily blood samples were obtained for a period of 35 days from 10 animals in each group. Blood samples were assayed for serum estradiol (E), progesterone (P), and bioassayable luteinizing hormone (bio-LH) concentrations and the data were analyzed by ANOVA (analysis of variance). Bio-LH surges were less frequent in the aged breeders (Group 2). Total P output during periovulatory period (day ?;3 to day + 3) and the total P output during the luteal phases of the estrus cycles were significantly lower in aged squirrel monkeys (Group 2, P < 0.003). Although E peaks occurred less frequently in Group 2, they had higher concentrations as compared to Group 1 (P < 0.003). Cumulative periovulatory and luteal phase E levels did not differ between the two groups. The reduction in P output in aged squirrel monkeys may interfere with proper implantation, thus contributing to the lower pregnancy rate observed in this age group. The decreased frequency of bio-LH surges indicated less frequent ovulations in the aged animals which may further impair reproduction with aging. © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Survey of Scalp Dermatophyte Carriage in a Day Care Center in Turkey

The prevalence of tinea capitis and the symptom-free colonisation of the scalp with dermatophytes were examined in 502 mentally retarded participants who attended day care centers in the Tarsus district, Mersin, Turkey. Between December 2006 and May 2007, a screening study was conducted in three centers on a total of 316 (62.9%) male and 186 (37.1%) female participants aged 12 ± 6.2 years. The examinations were carried out in parallel with the hairbrush, toothbrush, and cotton swab methods by inoculation onto Sabouraud glucose agar. No participant was diagnosed with tinea capitis; however, we detected three carriers, all of whom were boys aged 2–16 years. The total prevalence of carrier state was 0.6%. Of three boys, T. tonsurans was seen in two cases (66.7%), and in one case a zoophilic variant of T. mentagrophytes (33.3%) was isolated. The diagnosis was made via the hairbrush method in all three carriers. We also did a screening study on ten households of the three asymptomatic carriers. T. mentagrophytes also was isolated in a 5-year-old sister of the boy with T. mentagrophytes colonisation. All the carriers were followed-up without any antimycotic treatment. In two of the participants, the carrier state persisted at the 13th and 17th week follow-ups, and mycological clearance was documented at the 20th and 24th week for these individuals. The third case and the household’s culture were found negative at the 7- and 12-week follow-ups. Despite poor hygienic conditions and the participants’ difficulties in performing basic hygiene practices, asymptomatic carriage was found to be surprisingly less prevalent among the mentally retarded individuals.     

Cloning and expression of mouse-brain calmodulin as an activator of Bordetella pertussis adenylate cyclase in Escherichia coli

Cloning of higher eukaryotic genes has seldom been performed by complementation of a defective prokaryotic function. This is especially true in the case of functions that are normally absent from the prokaryotic host. We demonstrate here that it is possible to identify by complementation the cDNA from mouse brain, which encodes calmodulin (CaM) synthesis, in spite of the fact that the recipient strain, Escherichia coli, does not normally harbour a CaM function. A three-component cloning procedure in which a gene product requiring CaM for activity, adenylate cyclase from the pathogen Bordetella pertussis, was used to screen a cDNA library for cAMP synthesis in E. coli. The nucleotide sequence of the corresponding cDNA is also reported.     

Seasonal changes of serum concentrations of estradiol and progesterone in Bolivian squirrel monkeys (Saimiri sciureus)

Serial measurements of estradiol (E2) and progesterone (P) were used to describe the ovarian cycle of the Bolivian squirrel monkey. Group-caged, sexually mature female squirrel monkeys, housed with males, were sampled daily between 0900 and 1100 hr. Sampling was carried out during the breeding and nonbreeding seasons, for periods of 19–20 days from September 1981 to May 1982. Seasonal differences in serum concentrations of E2 and P were found with low levels of E2 and P and an absence of preovulatory surges of E2 during the nonbreeding season. This pattern was also observed in some animals during the breeding season. An abrupt increase in serum P concentrations in December appeared to signal the onset of cycling. Cycling animals had well-defined peaks of E2 (450–9,500 pg/ml) followed by increasing levels of P, which were >200 ng/ml in some animals. After the breeding season, E2 and P levels returned to their initially low levels. Levels of both steroids in cycling animals were higher than those reported for other primates and for previous measurements made in squirrel monkeys. Cycle length based on time interval between consecutive E2 peaks varied from 6–12 days.