From:
Sukie Crandall
Date: 2008-08-02 18:37:00 UTC
Subject: [ferrethealth] new ferret abstracts
To: fhl <ferrethealth@yahoogroups.com>
BEGIN QUOTES
Reprod Domest Anim. 2008 Jul;43 Suppl 2:150-6
Reproduction of the female ferret (Mustela putorius furo).
Lindeberg H.
University of Kuopio, Department of Biosciences, Kuopio, Finland. lindeber@=
messi.uku.fi
The domestic ferret is a seasonally polyoestrous species. Females=20
reach puberty at the age of 8-12 months. Females exhibit a constant=20
oestrus between late March and early August if they are not bred.=20
Increasing tumescence in the pink-coloured vulva is a sign of pro-
oestrus. Oestrus can persist for up to 5 months, but once ovulation is=20
induced, either pregnancy or pseudopregnancy ensues. Follicular=20
development and atresia overlap in such a manner that there is a=20
recent cohort of follicles available for ovulation whenever copulation=20
might occur. Copulation may last from 15 min to 3 h, the average being=20
1 h. Ovulation is induced by pressure on the cervix associated with=20
copulation. After sufficient LH release, the pre-ovulatory follicles=20
mature and an average of 12 oocytes (5-13) per female are ovulated=20
30-40 h after copulation into the ovarian bursa. The ferret oocytes=20
are most capable of being fertilized up to 12 h after ovulation, i.e.=20
42-52 h after copulation. Ferret oocytes ovulate at the metaphase of=20
the second meiotic division (MII) embedded in three layers of corona=20
radiata cells. Embryos enter the uterus over a period of several days=20
starting on day 5 after mating. Between days 12 and 13 after mating,=20
the embryos have become implanted in the endometrium. Implantation in=20
the ferret is central with rapid invasion of the uterine epithelium by=20
the trophoblast over a broad area that eventually becomes a zonary=20
band of endotheliochorial placenta. Gestation length is 41 days (39-42=20
days). The domestic ferret gives birth to an average of eight kits=20
(1-18 kits), which weigh 6-12 g at birth.
PMID: 18638117
which is supposed to be available in
http://www3.interscience.wiley.com
but currently is not
---
Exp Anim. 2008 Jul;57(4):397-400.
A case of fibrosarcoma on the perivertebral surface of a ferret with=20
hind limb paralysis.
Ohta G, Kobayshi M, Yanai T, Sakai H, Yuki M, Masegi T.
Inuyama Animal Hospital.
A 2.5 year-old female ferret had a stiff palpable mass arising from=20
the dorsal surface of the thoracic (T) to lumbar (L) vertebrae with=20
paralysis of the hind limbs. By myelography the dorsal and ventral=20
lines of contrast were not observed in the area forwarded of L3.=20
Grossly, the tumor encircled the dorsal vertebrae. Microscopically,=20
tumor cells were proliferated intimately and were attached to the=20
vertebrae surface involving surrounding fatty and connective tissues.=20
The tumor consisted of fibroblastic cells with prominent cellular=20
atypia. The bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) labeling index to examine=20
cellular kinetics was high (11.8%). Based on macro and=20
micropathological features, the present tumor was diagnosed as=20
periosteal fibrosarcoma arising from perivertebral connective tissue.
PMID: 18633162
Available for free on-line:
http://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/expanim/57/4/397/_pdf
---
Biol Reprod. 2008 Jul 16. [Epub ahead of print]
Efficient Term Development of Vitrified Ferret Embryos Using a Novel=20
Pipette Chamber Technique.
Sun X, Li Z, Yi Y, Chen J, Leno GH, Engelhardt JF.
Development of an efficient cryopreservation technique for the=20
domestic ferret is key for the long-term maintenance of valuable=20
genetic specimens of this species and for the conservation of related=20
endangered species. Unfortunately, current cryopreservation=20
procedures, such as slow-rate freezing and vitrification with open=20
pulled straws, are inefficient. In this report, we describe a pipette=20
tip-based vitrification method that significantly improves the=20
development of thawed ferret embryos following embryo transfer (ET).=20
Ferret embryos at the morula (M), compact morula (CM) and early=20
blastocyst (EB) stages were vitrified using an Eppendorf microloader=20
pipette tip as the chamber vessel. The rate of in vitro development=20
was significantly (P < 0.05) higher among embryos vitrified at the CM=20
(93.6%) and EB (100%) stages, relative to those vitrified at the M=20
(58.7%) stages. No significant developmental differences were observed=20
when comparing CM and EB vitrified embryos with non-vitrified control=20
CM (100%) and EB (100%) embryos. In addition, few differences in the=20
ultrastructure of intracellular lipid droplets or in microfilament=20
structure were observed between control embryos and embryos vitrified=20
at any developmental stage. Vitrified-thawed CM/EB embryos cultured=20
for 2h or 16h before ET resulted in a live birth rate of 71.3% and=20
77.4%, respectively. These rates were not significantly different=20
(p<0.05) from the control live birth rate (79.2%). However, culture=20
for 32h (25%) or 48h (7.8%) post-vitrification significantly reduced=20
the rate of live births. These data indicate that the pipette chamber=20
vitrification technique significantly improves the live birth rate of=20
transferred ferret embryos relative to current state-of-the-art methods.
PMID: 18633142
Available free online:
http://www.biolreprod.org/cgi/rapidpdf/biolreprod.107.067371v1
---
J Small Anim Pract. 2008 Jul 4. [Epub ahead of print]
Localised radiotherapy for a ferret with possible anal sac apocrine=20
adenocarcinoma.
Nakata M, Miwa Y, Nakayama H, Sakai T, Sasaki N.
Laboratories of Veterinary Surgery, Graduate School of Agricultural=20
and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, 1-1-1 Yayoi, Bunkyo-ku,=20
Tokyo 113-8657, Japan.
A seven-year-old, neutered male ferret was referred to our hospital=20
with two perianal masses (2.4x3.0 and 2.4x3.5 cm, respectively) that=20
had recurred after initial surgical excision. Complete resection of=20
the masses was impossible as there was deep invasion along the rectum.=20
On histopathology, the masses were diagnosed as apocrine=20
adenocarcinoma possibly of anal gland origin based on tumour location.=20
There was marked response to localised radiotherapy using an=20
orthovoltage unit at 4 Gy, twice weekly. No visible mass was=20
detectable after six doses of radiation. However, at that time,=20
pleural effusion was diagnosed and radiotherapy was discontinued.=20
Cytology of a sample of the pleural effusion suggested mesothelioma,=20
and no obvious pulmonary metastasis of anal sac adenocarcinoma were=20
identified on thoracic radiography. The ferret died at home on day 71=20
after the first admission.
PMID: 18631226
for more:
http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/120736952/abstract
---
J Vet Med Sci. 2008 Jun;70(6):543-50.
Molecular cloning and phylogenetic analysis of inflammatory cytokines=20
of the ferret (Mustela putorius furo).
Nakata M, Itou T, Sakai T.
Nihon University Veterinary Research Center, Kanagawa, Japan.
The present study determined the cDNA and deduced amino acid sequences=20
of ferret (Mustela putorius furo) inflammatory cytokines, interferon=20
(IFN)-gamma, interleukin (IL)-1beta, IL-6, IL-8 and tumor necrosis=20
factor (TNF)-alpha. The homologies of the nucleotide sequences of IFN-
gamma, IL-1beta, IL-6, IL-8 and TNF-alpha of the ferret to those from=20
other mammalian species ranged from 64.3-92.9%, 73.0-83.9, 58.1-84.8%,=20
58.1-89.7% and 79.0-95.0%, respectively. As distinctive amino acid=20
residues constituting various motifs and ligand-binding sites and=20
cysteine residues were highly conserved in ferret inflammatory=20
cytokine proteins, ferret cytokines may have fundamentally similar=20
functions to those of other mammals. Phylogenetic analyses based on=20
the deduced amino acid sequences revealed that all ferret inflammatory=20
cytokines were more closely related to those of the Carnivora order,=20
specifically dog and cat, than to other species.
PMID: 18628593
Full free article online:
http://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/jvms/70/6/543/_pdf
---
I think I might have carried this one in before but since I am not=20
certain:
Vet Pathol. 2008 Jul;45(4):439-42.
Cytochrome b5 expression in gonadectomy-induced adrenocortical=20
neoplasms of the domestic ferret (Mustela putorius furo).
Wagner S, Kiupel M, Peterson RA 2nd, Heikinheimo M, Wilson DB.
Department of Pediatrics, Washington University School of Medicine,=20
660 S. Euclid Ave., St. Louis, MO 63110, USA.
Whereas the adrenal glands of healthy ferrets produce only limited=20
amounts of androgenic steroids, adrenocortical neoplasms that arise in=20
neutered ferrets typically secrete androgens or their derivative,=20
estrogen. The 17,20-lyase activity of cytochrome P450 17alpha-
hydroxylase/17,20-lyase (P450c17) must increase to permit androgen=20
biosynthesis in neoplastic adrenal tissue. We screened ferret=20
adrenocortical tumor specimens for expression of cytochrome b(5) (cyt=20
b(5)), an allosteric regulator that selectively enhances the 17,20-
lyase activity of P450c17. Cyt b(5) immunoreactivity was evident in 24=20
of 25 (96%) adrenocortical adenomas/carcinomas from ferrets with signs=20
of ectopic sex steroid production. Normal adrenocortical cells lacked=20
cyt b(5), which may account for the low production of adrenal=20
androgens in healthy ferrets. Other markers characteristic of gonadal=20
somatic cells, such as luteinizing hormone receptor, aromatase, and=20
GATA4, were coexpressed with cyt b(5) in some of the tumors. We=20
concluded that cyt b(5) is upregulated during gonadectomy-induced=20
adrenocortical neoplasia and is a marker of androgen synthetic=20
potential in these tumors.
PMID: 18587089
http://www.vetpathology.org/cgi/content/full/45/4/439
---
[somewhat related]
Folia Parasitol (Praha). 2008 Jun;55(2):95-9.Links
Natural infection with two genotypes of Cryptosporidium in red=20
squirrels (Sciurus vulgaris) in Italy.
Kv=E1c M, Hofmannov=E1 L, Bertolino S, Wauters L, Tosi G, Modr=FD D.
Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre of the Academy of Sciences=20
of the Czech Republic, Branisovsk=E1 31, 370 05 Cesk=E9 Budejovice, Czech =
Republic. kvac@centrum.cz
We investigated the genotypes of Cryptosporidium infecting red=20
squirrels (Sciurus vulgaris L.) in two areas of the Western Alps in=20
Italy. Examination of 141 faecal samples from 70 red squirrels=20
revealed oocysts of Cryptosporidium in 17 animals (24.3%). Based on=20
18S rRNA gene sequencing, two genotypes of Cryptosporidium species=20
were found: 15 squirrels were positive for the Cryptosporidium ferret=20
genotype and 2 for the Cryptosporidium chipmunk genotype I. The=20
occurrence and intensity of Cryptosporidium infection did not differ=20
between the study areas or sex. More than 85% of the positive animals=20
were adults; however no difference was found between Cryptosporidium=20
infection in the juvenile and adult age groups. Oocysts of the=20
Cryptosporidium ferret genotype measured 5.5 +/- 0.3 x 5.2 +/- 0.2=20
microm (shape index 1.06) and the Cryptosporidium chipmunk genotype I=20
5.8 +/- 0.3 x 5.4 +/- 0.3 microm (shape index 1.07). Neonatal and=20
adult CD1 and BABL/c mice inoculated with 1 x 10(3) fresh oocysts of=20
both genotypes did not produce detectable infection.
PMID: 18666411
---
[possibly somewhat related]
Genetika. 2008 Apr;44(4):516-23.Links
[Effect of coat color mutations on behavioral polymorphism in farm=20
populations of american minks (Mustela vison Schreber, 1777) and=20
sables (Martes zibellina Linnaeus, 1758)]
[Article in Russian]
[No authors listed]
Behavioral polymorphism estimated by the expression of the defensive=20
reaction towards humans has been studied in farm-bred American minks=20
and sables with different color types. Most animals (both minks and=20
sables) from farm populations displayed passive defensive behavior=20
towards humans in the standard hand catch test. Coat color genes have=20
been found to have pleiotropic effects; they influence both the=20
penetrance and expressivity of domestication behavior: in animals with=20
aberrant color types (both sapphire minks and white-and-black sables),=20
the proportion of animals with domestication behavior and the=20
expressivity of this behavior are significantly higher (p <0.01 and p=20
< 0.001, respectively).
PMID: 18666556
[Other work is looking into adrenal differences in domesticated=20
animals with non-wild pelage with the hypothesis that the adrenal=20
cortex is altered with one effect being that adrenaline is reduced in=20
lower amounts and requires greater stimulus for release.]
---
The following link will interest those who are interested in the=20
behavior of a cousin in genus Mustela:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18629542
---
The following is for those who want to know more about the=20
bilchemistry of anal sac secretions in genus Mustela:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18626668
---
In combination with other studies (which show American mink=20
outcompeting European Polecats) this study may be useful for those in=20
places like California:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18624744
---
New phylogenetic work:
Zoolog Sci. 2008 Jun;25(6):662-72.Links
New Insights into the Evolution of Intronic Sequences of the beta-
fibrinogen Gene and Their Application in Reconstructing Mustelid=20
Phylogeny.
Yu L, Liu J, Luan PT, Lee H, Lee M, Min MS, Ryder OA, Chemnick L,Davis=20
H, Zhang YP.
Mustelidae is the largest and most diverse family in the order=20
Carnivora. The phylogenetic relationships among the subfamilies have=20
especially long been a focus of study. Herein we are among the first=20
to employ two new introns (4 and 7) of the nuclear beta-fibrinogen=20
gene to clarify these enigmatic problems. In addition, two previously=20
available nuclear (IRBP exon 1 and TTR intron 1) and one mt (ND2) data=20
sets were also combined and analyzed simultaneously with the newly=20
obtained sequence data in this study. Detailed characterizations of=20
the two intronic regions not only reveal the remarkable occurrences of=20
short interspersed element (SINE) insertion events, providing a new=20
example supporting the attractive hypothesis that attrition of an=20
earlier retroposition may offer a proper environment for successive=20
retropositions by forming a "dimer-like" structure, but also=20
demonstrate their utility in the resolution of mustelid phylogeny. All=20
of our analyses confirm the assemblage of Mustelinae, Lutrinae, and=20
Melinae with confidence; moreover, two clades within Mustelinae were=20
clearly recognized, i.e., genera Mustela and Martes. Notably, genus=20
Martes of Mustelinae was found to branch off first, followed by=20
Melinae and then a clade containing Lutrinae and genus Mustela of=20
Mustelinae, indicating paraphyly of Mustelinae. In addition,=20
Mephitinae diverges before the other mustelids and the monophyletic=20
Procyonidae in all cases, supporting its elevation to a separate=20
family. Additional independent genetic markers are still in need to=20
resolve the trichotomy among Mephitinae and the other two carnivoran=20
clades, Ailuridae and Procyonidae/non-mephitine Mustelidae.
PMID: 18624576
---
Sukie (not a vet)
Recommended ferret health links:
http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/ferrethealth/
http://ferrethealth.org/archive/
http://www.afip.org/ferrets/index.html
http://www.miamiferret.org/fhc/
http://www.ferretcongress.org/
http://www.trifl.org/index.shtml
http://homepage.mac.com/sukie/sukiesferretlinks.html
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
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