Haematobia irritans parasitism of F1 yak × beef cattle (Bos grunniens × Bos taurus) hybrids

The horn fly Haematobia irritans (Diptera: Muscidae) is a blood obligate ectoparasite of bovids that causes annual losses to the U.S. beef cattle industry of over US$1.75 billion. Climate warming, the anthropogenic dispersion of bovids and the cross‐breeding of beef cattle with other bovid species may facilitate novel horn fly–host interactions. In particular, hybridizing yaks [Bos grunniens (Artiodactyla: Bovidae)] with beef cows (Bos taurus) for heterosis and carcass improvements may increase the exposure of yak × beef hybrids to horn flies. The present paper reports on the collection of digital images of commingled beef heifers (n = 12) and F1 yak × beef hybrid bovids (heifers, n = 7; steers, n = 5) near Laramie, Wyoming (～ 2200 m a.s.l.) in 2018. The total numbers of horn flies on beef heifers and F1 yak × beef heifers [mean ± standard error (SE): 88 ± 13 and 70 ± 17, respectively] did not differ significantly; however, F1 yak × beef steers had greater total horn fly abundance (mean ± SE: 159 ± 39) than female bovids. The present report of this experiment is the first such report in the literature and suggests that F1 yak × beef bovids are as susceptible as cattle to horn fly parasitism. Therefore, similar monitoring and treatment practices should be adopted by veterinarians, entomologists and producers.     

In vitro regulation of the pathogenic autoantibody response of New Zealand black mice. I. Loss with age of suppressive activity in T cell populations

An investigation of the regulation of specific anti-self responses was initiated with the development of an in vitro system in which spleen cells from NZB mice were stimulated by syngeneic mouse erythrocytes (MRBC) to produce MRBC-specific autoantibody-secreting cells. The response was measured by a modification of the focus-forming cell (FFC) assay, which enumerates cells secreting IgG, which specifically bind MRBC. Spleen cells from 9- to 12-mo-old NZB mice developed MRBC-specific FFC after 3 to 5 days in culture with MRBC. Few FFC were detected in the absence of MRBC in culture. Spleen cells from young (1- to 4-mo-old) NZB mice developed few if any FFC. Spleen cell populations containing T cells from young NZB mice suppressed this anti-MRBC response, whereas B cell populations from these young mice did not. In contrast, spleen cells, including T cell-enriched populations from old, Coombs'-positive mice were not capable under the same conditions of producing equivalent suppression of this in vitro autoimmune response. These data suggest that a population of suppressor T cells that may control the autoimmune anti-MRBC response in young NZB mice is lost, or else its activity is masked in old NZB mice that are actively producing anti-MRBC antibody.     

Cloning and characterization of the platypus mitochondrial genome

The vertebrate mitochondrial genome is highly conserved in size and gene content. Among the chordates there appears to be one basic gene arrangement, but rearrangements in the mitochondrial gene order of the avian lineages have indicated that the mitochondrial genome may be more variable than once thought. Different gene orders in marsupials and eutherian mammals leave the ancestral mammalian order in some doubt. We have investigated the mitochondrial gene order in the platypus (Ornithorhynchus anatinus), a representative of the third major group of mammals, to determine which mitochondrial gene arrangement is ancestral in mammals. We have found that the platypus mtDNA conforms to the basic chordate gene arrangement, common to fish, amphibians, and eutherian mammals, indicating that this arrangement was the original mammalian arrangement, and that the unusual rearrangements observed in the avians and marsupials are probably lineage-specific. Correspondence to: N.J. Gemmell     

The kinetics of avoidance of simulated solar UV radiation by two arthropods.

There is an increasing likelihood that the solar UV-B radiation (lambda = 280-320 nm) reaching the earth's surface will increase due to depletion of the stratospheric ozone layer. It is recognized that many organisms are insufficiently resistant to solar UV-B to withstand full summer sunlight and thus mechanisms which facilitate avoidance of solar UV-B exposure may have significance for the survival of sensitive species. There are many alternative pathways which would lead to avoidance of solar UV-B. We have investigated the dynamics of biological reactions to stimulated solar UV-B radiation in two small arthropods, the two-spotted spider mite Tetranychus urticae Koch and the aquatic copepod Cyclops serrulatus. Observations of positioning and rate of movement were made; a mathematical formalism was developed which assisted in interpretation of the observations. Our observations suggest that, although avoidance would mitigate increased solar UV-B effects, even organisms which specifically reduce their UV-B exposure would encounter additional stress if ozone depletion does occur.     

Tumor necrosis factor-alpha enhances inhibitory effects of interleukin-1 beta on Leydig cell steroidogenesis

Human recombinant tumor necrosis factor-alpha (rTNF alpha) alone (up to 1000 units/ml) did not alter either basal or human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG)-induced testosterone formation in primary culture of rat Leydig cells. However, concomitant addition of rTNF alpha with human recombinant interleukin-1 beta (rIL-1 beta) enhanced the inhibitory effects of rIL-1 beta. The rIL-1 beta dose response curve was shifted to the left (IC50 changed from 1 ng/ml to 0.3 ng/ml). Even though rTNF alpha had no effect on testosterone formation, hCG-stimulated cyclic AMP formation was inhibited by rTNF alpha in a dose dependent manner. In the presence of both rTNF alpha and rIL-1 beta, hCG-induced cyclic AMP formation and binding of [125I]-hCG to Leydig cells were further inhibited. Testicular macrophages represent about 20% of the interstitial cells. TNF alpha and IL-1 may be produced locally by interstitial macrophages and have paracrine effects on Leydig cell function.     

Demonstration of active suppressor cells in spleens of young NZB mice

NZB mice, a strain prone to the development of autoimmune disease, have during the first 2 weeks of life suppressor cells in their spleens which can in coculture with adult spleen cells suppress the antibody response to sheep red blood cells (SRBC) generated in culture by the adult cells. The suppressive activity of spleen cells from NZB mice in the first week after birth is similar to that of spleen cells from 4-day-old C57BL/6 mice, a strain which does not spontaneously develop autoimmune disease. As in “normal” strains of mice, suppressor cell activity in NZB mice is diminished at 2 weeks and undetectable at 3 weeks of age. The data indicate that there is no defect inherent in the suppressor cells detected in the spleens of newborn and young NZB mice and suggest that the development of autoimmune responses does not result from a lack of suppressor cells in the young animals.