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PubMed1977

Lipids of the anal sac secretions of the red fox, Vulpes vulpes and of the lion, Panthera leo.

Lion anal sac secretion were found to be richer in lipids and to contain more complex less uniform mixtures of lower moleculas weight lipids then the anal sac of the red fox. In the lion, homologous series of 1-alkylglycerols and 2-hydroxy-fatty acids were identified. Phenylacetic, 3-phenylpropionic, and related hydroxylated acids were also observed. Gas-liquid chromatography profiles of fox anal sac secretion lower molecular weight lipids were found to be less variable in their major constituents and to be dominated by relatively few large peaks, mainly (derivatized) fatty acids. Indole was also identified. Free cholesterol, and occasionally, stanols were observed in fox and lion secretions. In the red fox, total cholesterol levels averaged 0.93 mg/g (% free, 56.4), n = 5. Findings are discussed in relation to histological and anatomical similarities and differences between the anal sacs of the lion and the fox and in the context of the role of these secretions in chemical communication.

Anal Sacs↗
PubMed1997

[Occurrence of Echinococcus multilocularis Leuckart, 1863, in foxes (Vulpes vulpes) in the Czech Republic].

During the period between December 1994 and December 1996 the authors examined, using the method of helminthological dissection of the intestinal tract in 15 districts of four regions in the Czech Republic a total of 824 foxes from 350 land registers. Echinococcus multilocularis was found in the following regions: South Bohemian (districts Jindrichův Hradec, Ceský Krumlov, Prachatice and Strakonice), Central Bohemian (Benesov district) and North Bohemian (district Teplice and Chomutov). There were 87 positive (10.6%) foxes in 56 places (16%). In some areas of the South Bohemian region examinations of foxes were repeated. It was found that there are places where the prevalence of E. multilocularis varied between 28.6 and 75% (mean 53.7%) but also areas which were repeatedly negative. In 1996 after one-week intervals foxes from the Prachatice district (South Bohemian region) were sent for parasitological examination. During different months of the year the prevalence of E. multilocularis varied between 2.6 and 33.3%. A similar investigation was made during May to October 1996 (except September) also in the district of Ceský Krumlov (South Bohemian region). Tapeworms were found in 7.14 to 66.7% of foxes.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Comparative morphology of the pituitary gland in Australian flying foxes (Megachiroptera: genus Pteropus).

BACKGROUND: Investigations of reproductive endocrinology of flying foxes (genus Pteropus) have been hampered by inadequate information on the normal morphology of the megachiropteran pituitary. METHODS: The novel technique of graphical three-dimensional (3-D) reconstruction, supported by more traditional anatomical techniques, have now been used to examine the shapes of, the interrelations between, the lobes of the pituitary of the little red flying fox, Pteropus scapulatus. Statistical analysis of data from three species tested whether there were changes in pituitary size with annual cycles in function, particularly with key stages of reproduction. RESULTS: In the three species of Australian flying foxes examined, the hypophyseal cleft is closed; the pars intermedia extends over the rostral, ventral, and lateral surfaces of the neural lobe. The pars distalis is broad rostrally and extends over two-thirds of the lateral and ventral pars intermedia. The hypophyseal recess is broad at the median eminence, then narrows and extends through the infundibulum to, but not into, the neural lobe. In adult animals the pituitary weight was 10.0 +/- 0.3 mg (mean +/- s.e.) in P. scapulatus, 14.7 +/- 0.5 mg in Pteropus poliocephalus (greyheaded flying foxes), and 18.7 +/- 1.5 mg in Pteropus alecto (black flying foxes). Pituitary weight was not significantly affected by reproductive stage. CONCLUSIONS: Thus histologically, the adenohypophysis and neurohypophysis are similar to those of other mammals. Comparative differences in pituitary size reflected differences in species body size rather than cyclical reproduction.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

The effect of food on the absorption of 14C-SDZ FOX 988, an antidiabetic agent, in healthy human volunteers.

The objective of this study is to examine the effect of food on oral absorption of SDZ FOX 988 (FOX 988), an antidiabetic agent, and circulating levels of its active metabolite, SDZ 53-450 (53-450). Sixteen normal volunteers received a single 10 mg dose of 14C-FOX 988, either as gelatin capsules or in a suspension (0.5% CMC). For subjects receiving each formulation, four subjects received a meal, consisting of 50% fat by calories, immediately following dosing, while the other four received the same meal at 2 h post-dose. Serial blood, urine, and fecal samples were collected for 120 h and analyzed for total radioactivity. Blood concentrations of 53-450 were analyzed using an HPLC-UV method. Concomitant administration with food increased the extent of FOX 988 absorption from either suspension or capsule, as shown by an increase in AUC and in urinary recovery of radioactivity. Blood concentrations of 53-450 were only detected in subjects receiving food at dosing. No difference in absorption was observed between the capsule and the suspension. Results from this study showed that oral absorption of FOX 988 is enhanced by co-administration of food in normal volunteers.

Absorption↗
PubMed1991

Cytoarchitecture, neuronal composition, and entorhinal afferents of the flying fox hippocampus.

In a comparative approach, the anatomical organization of the hippocampus was investigated in two species of megachiropteran bats, the grey-headed flying fox, Pteropus poliocephalus, and the little red flying fox, Pteropus scapulatus. In general, the cytoarchitectonic appearance of the flying fox hippocampus corresponded well with that of other mammals, revealing all major subdivisions. While the dentate fascia was trilaminated with a molecular layer, a granule cell layer, and a distinct polymorphic layer, the ammonic subfields were subdivided into stratum lacunosum molecular, stratum radiatum, stratum lucidum or mossy fiber layer (restricted to the CA3 region), pyramidal cell layer, and stratum oriens. In Ammon's horn, only subfields CA1, CA3, and CA3c were clearly discernible, whereas the CA2 region remained indistinct. In some cytoarchitectonic features, such as the dispersion of the pyramidal layer in CA1, the megachiropteran hippocampus resembled the corresponding region in primates. Five characteristic neuronal cell types of the megachiropteran hippocampus were studied in fixed slice preparations after intracellular injection with Lucifer Yellow. While the morphological appearance of CA3 pyramidal cells, horizontal stratum oriens cells, aspiny stellate cells, and mossy cells strongly resembled their counterparts in rodents, primates, and carnivores, granule cells showed an interesting variation from the nonprimate pattern. Like a subset of granule cells in the primate dentate gyrus, 75% of flying fox granule cells revealed 1-2 basal dendrites that ramified in the polymorphic layer. These processes are presumed to form the morphological substrate for recurrent excitation. Entorhinal afferents to Ammon's horn and the dentate fascia were revealed by employing the method of tract tracing in fixed tissue with the carbocyanine dye DiI. Similar to the rat and cat, but unlike the monkey, the entorhino-dentate projection in the flying fox is bilaminate, with medial entorhinal afferents occupying the middle third of the molecular layer and lateral entorhinal axons ramifying closer to the hippocampal fissure. The remaining inner third of the molecular layer was free from entorhinal input. In contrast to the radial organization of the projection to dentate gyrus and subfield CA3, entorhinal afferents to region CA1 followed a proximo-distal gradient, with medial entorhinal afferents terminating closer to the CA3/CA1 border. Photoconverted preparations were used to determine the trajectory of individual axons. The majority of entorhino-dentate axons traversed the hippocampal fissure, usually close to the crest region, and gave rise to several terminal branches with numerous en passant varicosities. Individual fibers coursed for considerable distances parallel to the granule cell layer, thus presumably activating a large number of postsynaptic granule cells.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Trade-off between floor level and floor material in farmed silver foxes.

Farmed silver foxes (Vulpes vulpes) were allowed to balance their known preference for an elevated floor against their presumed preference for a sand floor. In Experiment 1, foxes had to choose between two identical cages, connected with an opening. One cage had a wire floor and the other had a sand floor, but the cages either were on the same (low or elevated) or on different levels (one cage 40 cm higher than the other). In Experiment 2, the cage pairs were connected with a 1.2 m long wire-mesh tunnel, one cage was always on a higher level (50 cm) than the other. In Experiment 1, foxes always preferred the sand floor during their active time. They also preferred the sand floor for resting, if it was on the same level as wire floor, but did not show any genuine preference if the floors were on different levels. In Experiment 2, foxes never preferred the lower floor. They preferred the elevated sand floor for activity and the elevated wire floor for lying. When two floors were identical they preferred the elevated one. Their rest consisted of 11-22 bouts, a major part of these being spent in the preferred cage. They also preferred a previous lying site to a new one, often exclusively and independently of floor material. In Experiment 1 foxes preferred the sand floor whereas in Experiment 2 they preferred the elevated floor indicating that the ability of a trade-off situation to rank resources depends on the method it is inflicted.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2003

Pituitary content of luteinizing hormone reveals species differences in the reproductive synchrony between males and females in Australian flying-foxes (genus Pteropus).

Flying-foxes (genus suborder, Pteropus Megachiroptera) are long-lived tropical mammals. Their seasonal reproduction appears to be regulated by an endogenous, circannual rhythm modified by multiple environmental cues. Luteinizing hormone (LH) content in pituitary extracts was examined to establish the broad time-frame of pituitary stages in the reproductive seasonality of the flying-foxes. A comparison was made between the grey-headed flying-fox P. poliocephalus, which mates and conceives in autumn, and the little red flying-fox P. scapulatus, which mates and conceives in spring. In P. scapulatus, LH was maximum during the spring mating season at 1494 ng mg(-1) in males and 896 ng mg(-1) in females. In P. poliocephalus males, LH increased to 1082 ng mg(-1) in early summer, 4 months before the mating season; LH concentrations in male P. poliocephalus returned to a low of 222 ng mg(-1) by the time of the autumn mating, by which time the female P. poliocephalus expressed elevated LH concentrations (624 ng mg(-1)). Apparently in P. poliocephalus, the peak LH concentrations in females are delayed by 4 months relative to LH concentrations in males. This is associated with 4 months of energetic courtship on the part of male P. poliocephalus, which is not observed in P. scapulatus, the fertility of which is synchronized between the sexes. The heterologous radioimmunoassay developed using monoclonal antibody 518B7 confirmed classic suppression of LH during pregnancy and lactation in flying-foxes and LH elevation in response to gonadectomy. Juveniles generally had pituitary levels similar to non-breeding levels in adults.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Gene sequence and biochemical characterization of FOX-1 from Klebsiella pneumoniae, a new AmpC-type plasmid-mediated beta-lactamase with two molecular variants.

Klebsiella pneumoniae BA32, a clinical isolate from Buenos Aires, Argentina, was found to produce a plasmid-encoded beta-lactamase (FOX-1) which conferred resistance to broad-spectrum cephalosporins and cephamycins. Resistance could be transferred by conjugation or transformation into Escherichia coli K-12 via a 48.5-kb plasmid (pGLK1) that produced two FOX-1 molecular variants with isoelectric points of 6.8 and 7.2 and apparent molecular sizes of 37 and 35 kDa, respectively. The kinetic study revealed that the two variants had very similar substrate and inhibition profiles. These values resemble those of chromosomally mediated class C (group 1) cephalosporinases. The structural gene of FOX-1 (blaFOX-1) was cloned into a 2,270-bp PstI-PstI fragment and was expressed in E. coli TG1. The deduced 382-amino-acid sequence of FOX-1 exhibited a high degree of similarity with chromosomally encoded AmpC beta-lactamases of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Serratia marcescens, Enterobacter cloacae, E. coli, and Citrobacter freundii. These findings suggest that FOX-1 is a plasmid-mediated AmpC-type beta-lactamase that is encoded by a single gene and that has two molecular variants.

Aged↗
PubMed1997

A novel class C beta-lactamase (FOX-2) in Escherichia coli conferring resistance to cephamycins.

An Escherichia coli strain resistant to a broad spectrum of beta-lactams, including cephamycins, was isolated from a patient suffering from urinary tract infection. A resistance plasmid (pMVP-7) was transferred from the clinical isolate to an Escherichia coli recipient. Both strains produce a cefoxitin-hydrolyzing beta-lactamase focusing at pI 6.7. The phenotype was similar to that of a Klebsiella pneumoniae strain producing cephamycinase FOX-1, so primers were selected from the FOX-1 sequence to amplify the bla gene of the transconjugant. The PCR product obtained was sequenced. The percentage of identity of the deduced amino acid sequence with sequences of other AmpC-type beta-lactamases was 96.9% with FOX-1, 74.9% with CMY-1, and 67.7% with MOX-1. This new plasmid-mediated enzyme is most closely related to FOX-1 (11 amino acid exchanges). We therefore propose the designation FOX-2.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

The fox operon from Rhodobacter strain SW2 promotes phototrophic Fe(II) oxidation in Rhodobacter capsulatus SB1003.

Anoxygenic photosynthesis based on Fe(II) is thought to be one of the most ancient forms of metabolism and is hypothesized to represent a transition step in the evolution of oxygenic photosynthesis. However, little is known about the molecular basis of this process because, until recently (Y. Jiao and D. K. Newman, J. Bacteriol. 189:1765-1773, 2007), most phototrophic Fe(II)-oxidizing bacteria have been genetically intractable. In this study, we circumvented this problem by taking a heterologous-complementation approach to identify a three-gene operon (the foxEYZ operon) from Rhodobacter sp. strain SW2 that confers enhanced light-dependent Fe(II) oxidation activity when expressed in its genetically tractable relative Rhodobacter capsulatus SB1003. The first gene in this operon, foxE, encodes a c-type cytochrome with no significant similarity to other known proteins. Expression of foxE alone confers significant light-dependent Fe(II) oxidation activity on SB1003, but maximal activity is achieved when foxE is expressed with the two downstream genes foxY and foxZ. In SW2, the foxE and foxY genes are cotranscribed in the presence of Fe(II) and/or hydrogen, with foxZ being transcribed only in the presence of Fe(II). Sequence analysis predicts that foxY encodes a protein containing the redox cofactor pyrroloquinoline quinone and that foxZ encodes a protein with a transport function. Future biochemical studies will permit the localization and function of the Fox proteins in SW2 to be determined.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1994

Comparison of three commercial MIC systems, E test, fastidious antimicrobial susceptibility panel, and FOX fastidious panel, for confirmation of penicillin and cephalosporin resistance in Streptococcus pneumoniae.

The performances of three commercial broth microdilution MIC assays adapted for use with fastidious organisms--the E test (ET), Fastidious Antimicrobial Susceptibility panel (FAS), and FOX Fastidious panel (FOX)--were compared with a MIC using Mueller-Hinton broth with 5% lysed horse blood (MHLHB) to confirm penicillin and cephalosporin resistance in clinical isolates of Streptococcus pneumoniae. Of the isolates screened for penicillin resistance, 5 (12.8%) were categorized as susceptible, 16 (41.0%) were categorized as intermediate, and 18 (46.2%) were categorized as resistant by MHLHB. Only the isolates exhibiting intermediate-to-resistant MICs were included in the comparison. Agreement within +/- 1 log2 dilution was found in 91, 21, and 76% of the ET, FAS, and FOX MICs, respectively, compared with the MHLHB MIC. No very major or major discrepancies occurred with the ET or FOX; however, two very major interpretive errors occurred with the FAS. Agreement between the ET and MHLHB for cefotaxime, ceftriaxone, and cefuroxime was 88, 85, and 100%, respectively. Less than 50% of cephalosporin MICs categorized as > 0.5 microgram/ml by MHLHB were detected by FAS or FOX. Of the methods compared, the ET was the most reliable alternative for susceptibility testing of pneumococci.

Cefotaxime↗
PubMed1966

Natural Brucella infection in Argentine wild foxes.

In the course of an investigation in 1962-64 into the natural occurrence of brucellosis among grey foxes in Argentina, agglutination tests were performed on 728 sera of the foxes Dusicyon gymnocercus antiquus and D. griseus griseus, captured in the provinces of Buenos Aires and Rio Negro. Agglutination titres of from 1:25 to 1:800 were found in 173 (23.8%) of the foxes tested, 11.3% having titres of 1:100 or more. In bacteriological testing, eight cultures of Brucella abortus, biotype 1, were obtained.Discussing their findings, the authors point out that it cannot be stated definitely whether Brucella is naturally shed by foxes or to what extent infected foxes contribute to the dissemination of brucellosis.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Effects of seasonality and fasting on the plasma leptin and thyroxin levels of the raccoon dog (Nyctereutes procyonoides) and the blue fox (Alopex lagopus).

Plasma leptin and thyroxin concentrations of eleven raccoon dogs and eleven blue foxes were monitored for 6 months. Half of the animals were placed on a 3-week fast in November. Leptin levels were low in summer, but in October they rose significantly. In November, leptin concentrations decreased rapidly within a week although the body mass of the animals remained stable. There were no significant differences between experimental groups for raccoon dogs, but in blue foxes the fasting group had lower leptin levels than the control group. High thyroxin levels in summer decreased as autumn progressed, but thyroxin concentrations of the fasting groups increased at the end of the fast. Leptin levels of the raccoon dog and the blue fox are not determined only by the fat reserves of the animals, but they seem to reflect the autumnal deposition of fat at the onset of winter. Blue foxes have metabolic rates of active animals during the winter and higher leptin levels in December than raccoon dogs. The superficially hibernating raccoon dogs have low leptin levels after the onset of winter perhaps as an adaptation to fasting. J. Exp. Zool. 289:109-118, 2001.

Adaptation, Physiological↗
PubMed2000

Primary structure of fox (Vulpes vulpes) proinsulin based on sequence studies of pancreatic peptides and cDNA.

Insulin and C-peptide were extracted and purified from fox (Vulpes vulpes) pancreas using gel filtration, ion-exchange chromatography and HPLC. Chromatographic data for the insulin, as well as for its oxidized and carboxymethylated chains proved it to be identical to that of polar fox (Alopex lagopus) and dog. The sequence analysis of a peptide which was assumed to be the corresponding C-peptide revealed that it comprises 23 amino acid residues and is identical to the C-peptide fragment isolated from dog pancreas: it differs from polar fox C-peptide by a single substitution (Asp-->Glu). mRNA was isolated from pancreatic tissue and cDNA was obtained by reverse transcription. A polymerase chain reaction was performed using gene-specific primers to obtain a DNA fragment corresponding to part of fox proinsulin. DNA sequencing revealed 100% identity to dog proinsulin at the protein level, although some amino acids were encoded by different codons. The total sequence of proinsulin was deduced from these results.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1994

Polychlorinated biphenyl congeners in foxes in Germany from 1983 to 1991.

Red foxes served as a biological indicator for the temporal development of environmental contamination with polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB). The concentration of PCB congeners nos. 28, 49, 52, 101, 138, 153, and 180 were analyzed in the body fat of 80 foxes (Canis vulpes) from Germany. The samples were from animals that had been submitted for examination in 1983, 1987, and 1991. Throughout this time period, a reduction was seen in the concentration of the highly chlorinated biphenyls 138, 153, and 180, whereas the concentration of the low-chlorinated congeners PCB nos. 28, 49, and 52 increased. No change in contamination with congener 101 was observed. These results show a trend toward reduction of environmental contamination with highly-chlorinated biphenyls since 1983, while contamination with low-chlorinated congeners is apparently increasing. An interesting observation is the disproportionately higher amount of 2,2',3,4,4',5,5'-hepatachlorobiphenyl (PCB 180) over that of 2,2',4,4',5,5'-hexachlorobiphenyl (PCB 153) in body-fat samples from all foxes analyzed. This phenomenon was also observed in 10 dogs examined as controls. Based on evidence from other authors of experimental toxicological studies on beagles, it appears that the fox possesses a similar cytochrome P-450 isoenzyme that can degrade 2,4,5-trichloro-substituted aromatic compounds. As a consequence, in canines, PCB 180 which is additionally meta-chloro substituted is accumulated to a greater degree than is PCB 153.

Adipose Tissue↗
PubMed1995

Isomer-specific analysis of polychlorinated biphenyls and 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin equivalents (TEQs) in red fox and human adipose tissue from central Italy.

The general exposure of humans and foxes to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and DDT in Italy was determined by analysis of adipose tissue samples collected from 1991-1992. sigma PCB concentrations varied between 1.0 and 2.6 micrograms/g (wet wt.). sigma DDT concentrations ranged from 1.6 to 5.0 micrograms/g (wet wt.). About thirty-five PCB congeners were identified in most samples. PCB congeners of IUPAC Nos. 138, 153, and 180 were the most abundant compounds, accounting for an average of 50% of the sigma PCBs in humans and 64% in foxes. Generally, higher chlorinated biphenyls and those with a 2,4,5-chlorine substitution in one ring and at least one substitution in the 4-position of the other ring were preferentially accumulated. Coplanar PCB congeners were detected at considerable concentrations and there is no sign of decline in their concentrations with respect to previously reported data. IUPAC Nos. 118, 156 and 126 were the main contributors to toxicity in humans and foxes. The significant contribution of mono-ortho congeners in humans and non-ortho congeners in foxes suggests that differences in metabolic potential may affect the PCB toxicity pattern.

Adipose Tissue↗
PubMed1982

The intestinal helminths of the red fox and some other carnivores in southwest Germany.

In south-west Germany between 1975 and 1980, 3,573 red foxes (Vulpes vulpes), 84 badgers (Meles meles), 47 stone martens (Martes foina), and 387 cats (Felis catus) were examined for intestinal helminths. In foxes the extent of infections was: Taenia crassiceps 24%, T. polyacantha 8%, T. taeniaeformis 0.6%, T. serialis 0.5%, Mesocestoides leptothylacus 20%, Mesocestoides sp. 0.2%, Toxocara canis 32%, Toxascaris leonina 3%, Uncinaria stenocephala 26%. One to three foxes harboured T. hydatigena, T. pisiformis, T. martis, Dipylidium caninum, Diphyllobothrium sp., Alaria alata, and Ancylostoma caninum (Echinococcus multilocularis will be dealth with in a separate paper by the second author). Results are compared with those of other European countries. Seasonal dynamics were exhibited by M. leptothylacus (rare in late summer), U. stenocephala (more frequent in summer than in winter), and, to a lesser extent, by T. canis (slightly less in spring and autumn than in winter and summer). Infections in fox cubs were comparable to those of adults in summer. Of the badgers, 2% harboured Taenia martis, 15.5% Atriotaenia incisa, and 4% Uncinaria criniformis; of the stone martens 6% harboured T. crassiceps and 36% T. martis; of the cats 1% were infected with T. crassiceps, 29% with T. Taeniaeformis, 2% with Mesocestoides leptothymacus, 30% with Toxocara Cati and 2% with U. stenocephala.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Oral rabies vaccination of skunks and foxes with a recombinant human adenovirus vaccine.

A new recombinant rabies vaccine (human adenovirus 5 containing the rabies glycoprotein gene) was given to striped skunks (Mephitis mephitis) and red foxes (Vulpes vulpes). Groups of skunks received the vaccine in baits, by direct instillation into the mouth, or intramuscularly. Foxes were given vaccine by direct instillation into the oral cavity (DIOC). Selected groups of vaccinated skunks and foxes were challenged with street rabies virus. There were high rates of seroconversion (generally with high antibody titers) in both foxes and skunks, with survival of all challenged vaccinated animals (all challenge controls developed rabies). In skunks, vaccine given DIOC was effective over a broad range of doses (10(8.7), 10(7.6) and 10(6.4) median tissue culture infective doses). There was no evidence of pathogenic effects. The results indicate that this adenovirus recombinant has considerable potential as a wildlife oral rabies vaccine.

Adenoviruses, Human↗