SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “TOADS”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

SourceResearch connectionFrom yearThrough year

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 343 records · Page 19Linked to original sources

PubMed1995

Responses of retinal and tectal neurons in non-paralyzed toads Bufo bufo and B. marinus to the real size versus angular size of objects moved at variable distance.

Toads judge the real size of moving visual objects during prey-catching. But neither ganglion cells of the retinotectal projection nor tectal neurons showed a comparable phenomenon in muscle paralyzed toads. In non-paralyzed toads, however, tectal neurons, unlike neurons, displayed a sensitivity to the real size of an object moving at variable distance to the animal. Interestingly, this property was obtained both in monocular T5 smallfield neurons and in most of the investigated T4 widefield neurons.

Animals↗

PubMed1991

Effect of salt acclimation on digitalis-like compounds in the toad.

Digitalis-like compounds (DLC) were shown to be a normal constituent of the skin and plasma of toads. In order to assess the possible physiological role of these compounds in the toad, their levels were determined in the brain, plasma and skin following acclimation in different NaCl solutions. We demonstrate that an increase in salt concentrations in the animal medium from 0 to 1.2% decreased the levels of DLC in the brain by 50% without altering significantly its levels in the plasma and skin. An increase in medium salt concentration to 1.5% resulted in a 50% increase of DLC levels in the skin without changing its levels in the plasma or brain. These results suggest that skin and brain DLC may participate in the long-term salt and water homeostasis in the toad, while the plasma compound either participates in the short-term regulations of salt and water homeostasis or have some other, unknown, function.

Animals↗

PubMed1977

A comparison of the uptake of [1-14C]palmitate into cell fractions of the perfused toad, chick and guinea-pig heart.

1. The incorporation and washout of [1-14C]palmitate in the subcellular fractions of toad, chick and guinea-pig hearts has been studied at warm and cold temperatures. 2. Maximal FFA radioactivity generally occurred in the microsomal fraction. Washout of radioactivity in chick and guinea-pig hearts virtually ceased in the cold, while in the toad it was only moderately affected. 3. The microsomal esterification process was temperature dependent. It was most active in the guinea-pig and least active in the toad.

Animals↗

PubMed1989

Comparison of xanthine: NAD+ oxidoreductase from liver of toad Bufo viridis and other vertebrates.

1. Xanthine oxidoreductase was isolated from toad Bufo viridis (a mainly ureotelic amphibian species) and partially purified. The enzyme occurred as a stable xanthine: NAD+ oxidoreductase (EC 1.1.1.204), unconvertible to the oxidase form. 2. Some properties of the enzyme resembled those of xanthine oxidoreductase from an ammonotelic fish, Cyprinus carpio, and the ureotelic rat, but in other aspects it was similar to this enzyme from an uricotelic snake, Natrix natrix. 3. Inhibition of the toad enzyme by NADH at high non-physiological concentrations rules out a modulation of its oxypurine-hydroxylating activity by in vivo changes in the NADH/NAD+ ratio. Therefore, toad xanthine oxidoreductase plays no regulatory role in the purine nucleotide metabolism.

Animals↗

PubMed1988

Fenoterol stimulation of sodium transport in the isolated toad skin: a beta adrenergic effect.

1. This work examines the effects of fenoterol on the isolated skin of the Chilean toad Pleurodema thaul. 2. A dose-dependent increase in the potential difference and in the short-circuit current of the skin was found. Furthermore, sodium potential (ENa) and sodium conductance (GNA) also rose. 3. The increase in bioelectric parameters was reversibly blocked by propranolol, was not significantly affected by reserpinization and was not calcium-dependent. 4. The skin response was significantly reduced in the presence of low Na+ in the outer bathing solution. Although the response was also reduced in the presence of isethionate Ringer's in the inner bathing solution, this reduction was less than the decrease in the presence of low Na+. 5. Fenoterol significantly increased toad skin oxygen consumption and net Na+ movement across the skin due to an increase in Na+ flux from mucosa to serosa. 6. These results show that fenoterol enhances active transport across the isolated toad skin probably through beta adrenergic stimulating effects which activate the sodium driving force, sodium conductance and net Na+ transepithelial flux.

Amiloride↗

PubMed1984

Age-related changes of ascorbic acid content of liver and brain of common Indian toad, Bufo melanostictus.

Ascorbic acid content reaches a peak level in liver in group III male toads and then declines significantly. But there is no significant age-related change in ascorbic acid in the brain of male toads or in liver and brain of female toads. Sex comparison indicates that in females the content declines in the liver of age-group III and increases in age-group II, and there is an increase in the brain of age-group III females over their male counterparts.

Aging↗

PubMed1983

6-Hydroxydopamine produces a weight increase in toads.

A large increase in body weight occurred after injection of 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA, 100 mg kg-1) into the iliac lymph sac of toads. The body weight increase was apparently due to retention of fluid and only occurred when toads could not avoid contact of their ventral skin with water. Lower doses of 6-OHDA (25 or 50 mg kg-1) did not cause a weight increase although they were sufficient to eliminate fluorescence from peripheral adrenergic nerves. A peripheral injection of 6-OHDA did not affect the appearance of central aminergic nerves. Removal of the pituitary and median eminence did not affect the weight increase. Although the primary action of 6-OHDA in upsetting water balance in toads has not been revealed by this study, it is clearly not related to the chemical sympathectomy of adrenergic nerves.

Adrenergic Fibers↗

PubMed1983

A pharmacological and ultrastructural study of alveolar contractile tissue in toad (Bu fo marinus) lung.

The structure of the wall of the lung from the toad (Bufo marinus) has been examined using scanning and transmission electron microscopy and the presence of smooth muscle cells in the septal-alveolar walls detected. Responses of toad isolated lung parenchyma strip to agonists causing relaxation and contraction were measured and the potencies of adrenoceptor and 5-hydroxytryptamine receptor antagonists were determined. Results indicated the presence of populations of alpha- and beta-adrenoceptors in toad lung alveoli, both of which mediate relaxation responses. Stimulation of both alpha- and beta-adrenoceptors was required to cause complete relaxation. 5-Hydroxytryptamine also caused complete relaxation. A population of alpha-adrenoceptors mediating contraction may also exist in pulmonary vascular and or septal edge smooth muscle.

Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists↗

PubMed1986

A role for the kallikrein-kinin system in the regulation of osmotic water permeability in the toad bladder.

Captopril (CA), a specific inhibitor of kininase II, did not alter osmotic water permeability (Posm) when present in the mucosal bath of the urinary bladder isolated from the toad Bufo arenarum at a concentration of 2.3 X 10(-3) M. This treatment, however, caused a 65% enhancement in the increase in Posm following serosal exposure to vasopressin, oxytocin or theophylline, agents that increase intracellular cyclic AMP levels. The effect of captopril was prevented by procedures that reduce the kallikrein (KK)-like alkaline esterase activity present in the bladder (such as simultaneous exposure to 2.3 X 10(-5) M aprotinin, or pretreatment of the toads with 0.1 N NaCl for several days before the experiment) or by replacing the mucosal bath with fresh solution of identical composition after exposure to captopril. In contrast, changing the serosal bath did not alter the effect of the drug. These results are consistent with an effect of CA at a step beyond cAMP generation, and suggest it is mediated by release of a soluble factor, probably a kinin, into the mucosal bath. These observations, together with data previously published, suggest that the KK-kinin system may participate in the control of epithelial water and electrolyte permeability in the toad bladder. In particular, under environmental stress, it may become important in the regulation of the animal's extracellular fluid volume, thus exhibiting an adaptive value.

Animals↗

PubMed1993

Ionic components of the electrical response of chromaffin cells from the toad (Caudiverbera caudiverbera) adrenal gland.

1. Ultra fine tip microelectrodes (300 MOhm) were used to study the electrical properties of the chromaffin cell membrane in situ in the intact toad adrenal gland. 2. In the presence of physiologic [K+]o (2 mM) the resting membrane potential (Vm) was -53 +/- 3.2 mV. Vm depended on [K+]o as predicted by the constant field equation with PNa/PK of 0.16. 3. A small fraction (20%) of the impaled cells exhibited spontaneous electrical activity, though in all the cells examined, the injection of depolarizing current pulses elicited repetitive spikes. 4. Our measurements of the chromaffin cell input resistance (326 +/- 35 MOhm) is substantially smaller than the values reported for bovine isolated chromaffin cells, suggesting that the toad adrenal chromaffin cells might be electrically coupled. 5. Tetraethylammonium (TEA) increased the amplitude and duration of spikes, probably inhibiting outward K+ current. In the presence of tetrodotoxin (TTX) action potentials were abolished, although they reappeared if TEA was added, suggesting the participation of both Na+ and Ca2+ currents in the genesis of spikes. 6. As expected, acetylcholine (ACh) and nicotine depolarized the cells, though they did not always elicit electrical activity. 7. Muscarine (10-100 microM) had no effect on both Vm and on the depolarization induced by ACh or nicotine. Since muscarine inhibits catecholamine (CA) secretion induced by ACh and nicotine, we concluded that the inhibition of CA release by muscarine in the toad probably occurs at a level other than the membrane.

Action Potentials↗

PubMed2005

Testosterone secretion and pharmacological spermatozoal recovery in the cane toad (Bufo marinus).

The cane toad (Bufo marinus) was used as a model to study male anuran reproductive endocrinology and to develop a protocol for non-invasive sperm recovery. Circulating testosterone concentrations in 6-hourly samples did not vary significantly (P < 0.05) over a 24 h period although there was a tendency (P = 0.06) for testosterone to be elevated at 19:00 h relative to other times of the day, which may be related to the nocturnal activity pattern of this species. Testosterone secretion after intraperitoneal (IP) injection of either a GnRH agonist (5 microg IP) or hCG (1000 IU) was also examined. While the GnRH agonist did not produce a significant increase above basal plasma testosterone (0.29, 95% C.I. of 0.05-1.10 ng/ml), injection of hCG resulted in an increase (P < 0.01) of plasma testosterone with peak concentrations at approximately 120 min (4.17, 95% C.I. of 2.69-7.44 ng/ml) after injection. Non-invasive pharmaceutical sperm recovery was attempted following IP injection of graded doses of GnRH agonist, hCG or FSH. Urine was collected at 3, 6 and 12 h after treatment to assess sperm quality and quantity. The optimal protocol for sperm recovery in cane toads was injection of either 1000 or 2000 IU hCG; there was no significant difference in the quality of the spermic urine samples obtained using either dose of hCG or with respect to collection time. The findings indicated that hCG can be used to assess testicular steroidogenic status and also to induce sperm recovery in the cane toad. The hCG protocols developed in this study will have application in studies on the reproductive biology of rare and endangered male anurans.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Morphological recovery in the reattached retina of the toad Bufo marinus: a new experimental model of retinal detachment.

BACKGROUND: The retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) of the toad (Bufo marinus) has been used in many studies as a model for understanding its role and interaction with the neural retina. The toad's retina has been used to establish a new in vitro model of experimental retinal detachment (RD) and replacement . It has been shown that the electrophysiological measures of retinal function recovered following complete RD. The toad was chosen because its RPE is similar to the mammalian RPE . In this report, light microscopy was used to characterize the morphologic changes that occur in the RPE and neural retina following RD/replacement and to correlate these findings with recovery of electrophysiologic function. METHODS: Retinas from Bufo marinus were studied in vitro. The neural retina completely detached from the RPE and then replaced. At various times after replacement, neural retina-RPE tissues were processed for light microscopy. RESULTS: At 30 min after replacement, the subretinal space was greatly expanded, and the apical processes that normally ensheath the rod outer segments were short and no longer contacted the rod outer segments. The RPE was swollen, contained many vacuoles and the apical surface was rounded. By 2 h after replacement, the subretinal space was significantly resorbed and contained many shredded rod outer segments; RPE cells were still swollen, although less. During the next 5-10 h, the number of phagosomes in the RPE cytoplasm increased and the number of shredded rod outer segments in the subretinal space decreased. RPE cells regained their normal size and interdigitation of apical processes and rod outer segments were observed. CONCLUSIONS: These results demonstrate the re-establishment of morphological interactions between the RPE and neural retina within hours following RD/replacement. Morphological recovery coincides with recovery of electrophysiologic parameters. This is a good model to investigate the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and neural retina mechanisms involved in retinal adhesion and recovery from retinal detachment.

Animals↗

PubMed2004

Quantitative structure-activity analyses of bufokinin and other tachykinins at bufokinin (bNK1) receptors of the small intestine of the cane toad, Bufo marinus.

The toad tachykinin, bufokinin (Lys-Pro-Arg-Pro-Asp-Gln-Phe-Tyr-Gly-Leu-Met amide; BUF), acts via tachykinin NK1-like receptors to contract the intestine of the cane toad, Bufo marinus. In this structure-activity study, we used isolated segments of toad small intestine and performed binding studies with [125I] Bolton-Hunter BUF in intestinal membranes to compare the contribution of individual amino acid residues to the potencies of 18 naturally occurring tachykinins and 13 BUF analogs. Potencies were similar (r=0.94) in functional and binding studies, with BUF and ranakinin being most potent. Ranatachykinin A, physalaemin, hylambatin and cod, trout and mammalian SPs exhibited 10-60% of the potency of BUF. The Ala-substituted BUF analogs were 11-60% as potent as BUF in functional studies, with [Ala2]-BUF and [Ala4]-BUF the least efficacious, indicating the importance of both proline residues. QSAR equations were developed using 12 connectivity, shape and steric parameters for each of the 7 hypervariable amino acid residues in these peptides. For the binding data, the optimal regression equation explained 81% of the variance, and indicated the importance of the steric function at [Pro2] and simple connectivity functions at [Gln6] and [Tyr8]. The optimal functional regression equation (80% of variance) confirmed the importance of connectivity functions at [Gln6] and [Tyr8], as well as the shape of residues [Lys1] and [Pro4]. The potencies of most full-length peptides were well predicted using the leave-one-out procedure, as were the potencies of a series of model Ala-substituted BUFs, thus emphasising the potential utility of these equations in the design of new ligands interacting with tachykinin receptors.

Amino Acid Substitution↗

PubMed2006

Lack of bufadienolides in the skin secretion of red bellied toads, Melanophryniscus spp. (Anura, Bufonidae), from Uruguay.

The South-American red bellied toads (Melanophryniscus spp.) belonging to the Bufonidae family contain toxic alkaloids in their skin, predominantly of the pumiliotoxin group. Whole animal methanolic extracts of individual specimens of three species (Melanophryniscus atroluteus, M. devincenzii, and M. montevidensis) were analyzed for the presence of toad specific bufadienolides and indolalkylamines (serotonin derivatives) by HPLC-electrospray (ESI)-MS-TOF. No bufadienolides, but few bufotenines, mainly dehydrobufotenine, were detected in the extracts in variable amounts. The concentration of the dehydrobufotenine in the extracts seems to be species specific. Whereas M. atroluteus and M. montevidensis contain very low or trace amounts, M. devincenzii specimens exhibit high concentrations of this indolalkylamine. In comparison, analysis of extracts from Bufo arenarum (Uruguay) and from B. bufo (Germany) confirmed the presence of bufadienolides as well as of bufotenine derivatives. Tadpoles of both species exhibited a different pattern: extracts from B. arenarum tadpoles contained only dehydrobufotenine, but those from B. bufo tadpoles bufotoxin and two alkylamines. Melanophryniscus toads appear not to be able to compensate the high variability of toxic skin alkaloids by producing defensive bufadienolides.

Amphibian Venoms↗

PubMed2005

The effect of Zn2+ on glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase activity from Bufo arenarum toad ovary and alfalfa plants.

The effect of Zn2+ on glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) activity was monitored in samples from Bufo arenarum toad ovary and alfalfa plants, in the search for a possible new bioindicator able to detect levels of exposure through contaminated soils, and also to elucidate possible similarities between the enzyme from animal and plant tissues. The in vivo effect was evaluated after exposure of the toads to the metal in Ringer solution during 30 days and after 10 days of treatment in 6 weeks old plants, cultured under laboratory conditions. In vitro effects were measured in different extracts from control samples and partially purified enzyme from ovarian tissue as well as in different extracts from control alfalfa plants, by addition of the metal to the reaction mixture containing the enzyme. G6PD from toad ovary was noncompetitively inhibited by zinc both in vivo and in vitro, under all the experimental conditions studied. A kinetic analysis of the enzyme activity showed that the Michaelis-Menten constant (Km) was not modified, while maximal velocity (Vmax) decreased as the consequence of treatment. It was not possible to obtain a dose-response curve for the effects of Zn2+ on G6PD from alfalfa whole plants, measured in vivo or in vitro. Only leaf extracts evidenced a possible relationship between treatment with the metal and G6PD activity alteration. The results agree with a possible role for G6PD as a biomarker of effect and exposure to Zn2+ in B. arenarum ovarian tissue but not in alfalfa plants.

Animals↗

PubMed2004

The toad iris assay: a simple method for evaluating CRH action on the sympathetic nervous system.

Corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) plays a key role in the regulation of stress and arousal associated behaviors in mammals, and contributes to hyperglycemia and activation of the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) during stress. Whether CRH regulates SNS activity in nonmammals has not been well studied. Here we used the iris assay to determine the ability of ovine CRH (oCRH) to influence SNS activity in the Texas toad, Bufo speciosus. In the toad iris assay, relaxation of the sphincter pupillae muscles in the iris is determined by measuring treatment-related changes in pupillary dilatation. A single dose of oCRH administered via the dorsal lymph sac increased pupillary dilatation within 30min after administration. The stimulatory effects of oCRH on pupillary dilatation were dose- and time-dependent, were blocked with the CRH-receptor antagonist alpha-helical CRH, were associated with elevated plasma norepinephrine, and were not blocked by hypophysectomy. Isoproterenol, a beta-adrenergic receptor agonist, increased pupillary dilatation in a dose-related fashion. The effects of isoproterenol and oCRH were blocked by the beta-adrenergic receptor antagonist propranolol. We conclude that the toad iris assay is a simple but effective method for assessing CRH receptor regulation of the SNS.

Analysis of Variance↗

PubMed2005

Elevated corticosterone levels elicit non-calling mating tactics in male toads independently of changes in circulating androgens.

Competition among males for a limited number of females may result in the expression of condition-dependent alternative mating tactics. In such cases, decision rules mediating mating tactic expression are likely to be influenced by a male's external as well as internal environment. For example, experimental studies with anuran amphibians (frogs and toads) indicate that changes in the social-acoustic environment alter the probability that an individual adopts a calling versus non-calling "satellite" mating tactic. However, there is considerable variation in the behavioral responses of individuals in such studies, suggesting that physiological differences among individuals play an important role in tactic expression. For instance, recent models predict that natural elevation in adrenal glucocorticoids during vocal production alters androgen production and/or neural activity to mediate transitions between reproductive tactic expression in anuran amphibians. Using corticosteroid injections, we show that elevation in circulating corticosterone levels significantly increase the probability that free-ranging male Great Plains toads (Bufo cognatus) and Woodhouse's toads (B. woodhousii) adopt a non-calling satellite tactic. Corticosterone-induced behavioral transitions occurred rapidly (<1 h) and independently of fluctuations in circulating androgen levels, suggesting a direct effect of glucocorticoids on brain centers controlling vocal production. We discuss our findings in the context of behavioral studies that alter the social-acoustic environment to examine its influence on tactic expression.

Androgens↗

PubMed2004

Molecular systematics of African 20-chromosome toads (Anura: Bufonidae).

Intrageneric lineages and the historical biogeography of toads, genus Bufo, are poorly resolved due to their conservative morphology, their highly conserved karyotypes (typically 2N = 22), and erratic patterns of interspecific hybridisation. Here, we use mitochondrial and nuclear DNA sequence data to reconstruct relationships of the 20-chromosome toads, a major component of the African bufonid fauna. Mitochondrial 12S and 16S sequences from 29 species revealed two independent transitions between phenotypically distinct savannah and forest adapted forms. Analyses of mitochondrial 12S, 16S, and ND2, along with nuclear ACTC and Rhodopsin sequences from 12 species greatly increased bootstrap, and likelihood support for internal branches including a basal split into two pan-African 20-chromosome clades. Hybridisation is a weak indicator of phylogenetic relationship as it occurs across these deeply divergent clades, between Bufo rangeri and Bufo gutturalis. These analyses suggest a secondary reversion to 22-chromosomes in Bufo pardalis, within the 20-chromosome group, although we could not reject an alternative hypothesis that this lineage forms a sister to all 2N = 20 toads. Other informally recognised 22-chromosome groups form independent phylogenetic lineages outside the 20-chromosome group, such as the Angusticeps and Vertebralis divisions. Bufo lindneri, from the Taitanus division, is closely related to Stephopaedes anotis, and these species should be considered congeners.

Africa↗