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Renal excretion of urea in a small east African antelope, the dik-dik (Rhynchotragus kirkii).

1. A study on the renal handling of urea by the dik-dik antelope (Rhynchotragus kirkii) was conducted. 2. Plasma and urine samples were analysed for osmolality, urea and creatinine concentrations during dehydration and intra-ruminal loading of potassium and sodium solutions. 3. The glomerular filtration rate (GFR) of the dik-dik was found to be 182.6 +/- 11.7 ml/min/100 kg body mass. 4. Dehydration was observed to increase tubular urea reabsorption and increase plasma and urine osmolalities, but had no effect on the amount of urea filtered at the glomerulus. 5. Potassium loading increased both GFR and urine flow rate.

Animals↗

The entrainment of breathing rhythm to stride frequency in the dik-dik antelope (Rhynchotragus kirki) with observations on the thermoregulatory consequences.

1. Three adult dik-dik antelopes with an average weight of 4.5 kg were used to investigate the rate of oxygen consumption (VO2) during exercise and the entrainment of respiratory rate with stride frequencies at running velocities between 2-11 km/hr. 2. The results of VO2 and the metabolic cost of horizontal locomotion were found to agree with what would be expected of an animal of this size. 3. Respiratory frequencies recorded during the most strenuous exercise were approximately 50% below the value observed when dik-diks are exposed to an ambient temperature (Ta) of 42 degrees C. 4. Respiratory evaporative heat loss was estimated to account for only 4% of the total heat production during exercise. 5. Respiratory frequencies were found to be entrained quite strongly to stride frequencies. The thermoregulatory consequences of this entrainment is discussed.

Animals↗

Isolation of Legionella pneumophila from calves and the prevalence of antibodies in cattle, sheep, horses, antelopes, buffaloes and rabbits.

The lungs of 139 calves presented for autopsy and 29 healthy slaughtered calves were examined for Legionella by culture and by direct immunofluorescence (DIF) with fluorescein-conjugated antisera. About 17% of the cadaver lungs and 4% of lungs from slaughtered animals were positive by DIF. Legionella organisms were only isolated from the lungs of two cadavers (L. pneumophila, serogroup 1). In a prevalence study of antibodies to Legionella in domestic and wild animals of various species, titers of greater than or equal to 64 were demonstrated by indirect immunofluorescence in sera of 10% of dairy cattle, 5% of beef cattle, 4% of sheep, 22% of antelopes, 35% of horses, 36% of buffaloes and 0% of laboratory rabbits. The isolation of Legionella from lung tissue is evidence for a possible etiologic role of Legionella spp. in natural pathology of animals.

Animals↗

Neospora caninum infection associated with stillbirths in captive antelopes (Tragelaphus imberbis).

Neosporosis was diagnosed in full-term stillborn twin calves of captive antelopes (Tragelaphus imberbis) in a German zoo. In both calves a multifocal non-suppurative encephalitis was present and infection with Neospora (N.) caninum was confirmed by foetal serology and PCR. N. caninum-DNA was detected in brain, heart, lung, liver and spleen of a third full-term stillborn calf. Histopathological lesions were absent in this calf and antibodies against N. caninum were not detected in pleural fluid. Immunohistochemistry failed to demonstrate N. caninum antigen in all three calves.

Animals↗

The infection characteristics of the antelope schistosomes, Schistosoma margrebowiei and S. leiperi, in inbred BALB/c mice and in Mastomys coucha.

Detailed studies were carried out to assess the infection characteristics of the antelope schistosomes in BALB/c mice and Mastomys coucha. Both schistosome species reached sexual maturity in these hosts. However, they differed markedly in terms of egg production rates and preferred sites of tissue egg deposition. Tissue egg deposition commenced between 4 and 5 weeks in the case of Schistosoma margrebowiei and between 6 and 7 weeks in the case of S. leiperi. Tissue egg accumulation rates of S. leiperi were calculated to be 334 and 311 eggs/gravid worm pair/day in mice and M. coucha, respectively. The fecundity of S. margrebowiei was found to be substantially greater (approximately 5 times; daily output ranging from 1600-1900 eggs/gravid worm pair). While S. leiperi infections remained relatively stable in both hosts during the study period (i.e. up to 15 weeks after onset of egg laying), S. margrebowiei infections were observed to deteriorate rapidly in M. coucha.

Animals↗

Multidirectional chromosome painting between the Hirola antelope (Damaliscus hunteri, Alcelaphini, Bovidae), sheep and human.

Chromosome specific painting probes of human, sheep and the Hirola antelope ( Damaliscus hunteri ) derived by flow sorting of chromosomes were used in multi directional chromosome painting experiments to better define the karyological relationship within Bovidae species (specifically, Caprini and Alcelaphini tribes) and humans. Although not all chromosomes of Damaliscus hunteri could be resolved into single peaks by flow-sorting we managed to present a complete homology map for chromosomes between the three species. When comparing the karyotype of Damaliscus hunteri with human all of the main known motives in mammalian chromosome evolution are present (i.e. associations of human homologous chromosomes 3-21, 4-8, 7-16, 14-15, 16-19 and two forms of 12-22) which were also confirmed with the sheep paint probes. Further, we observed those patterns that have been described as common derived traits for artiodactyls (i.e. associations of human homologous chromosomes 5/19 and a complex alternating pattern of hybridizations with human chromosome 14 and 15 probes). As known from classical karyotyping some of the Damaliscus chromosomes are biarmed and were supposedly involved in Robertsonian translocations frequently found in karyotype evolution of bovids. We refined these rearrangements with the molecular probes and also delineated a chromosome painting pattern that should be the result of a paracentric inversion in the Damaliscus hunteri karyotype. This study demonstrates that multidirectional chromosome painting will be a valuable tool for the investigation of the dynamics of chromosome evolution in exotic bovid species.

Animals↗

Olfactory cues influence female choice in two lek-breeding antelopes.

Pronounced differences in mating success between males holding territories clustered on traditional mating grounds (leks) are commonly cited as evidence of female choice for male phenotypes, but female ungulates appear to prefer particular territories even when no other individuals are on the lek. Female choice of territories may be influenced by spatial features, but observations suggest that females may also be attracted to successful territories by olfactory cues in the soil. Here we report that transferring the topsoil between successful and unsuccessful territories on leks of two reduncine antelope species caused the numbers of females and matings on the unsuccessful territories to increase tenfold. Females were probably attracted to the soil by smells that had accumulated from heavy use by other females. Because of this attraction, stochastic process may play an important part in generating the variance in mating success between territory holders on leks.

Animals↗

Characterization of major histocompatibility complex DRB diversity in the endemic South African antelope Damaliscus pygargus: a comparison in two subspecies with different demographic histories.

Major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II locus DRB was investigated by single-strand conformation polymorphism analysis (SSCP) and sequence analysis in the endemic South African antelope, Damaliscus pygargus, of which there are two subspecies. Greater polymorphism was found in the blesbok (D. p. phillipsi) subspecies (n = 44; 22 alleles) than in the bontebok (D. p. pygargus) subspecies (n = 45; 6 alleles). Erosion of allelic diversity in bontebok was most likely the result of two severe bottleneck events caused by hunting pressure and parasitic infection. A majority of the polymorphism observed was found within the peptide binding region (PBR) where dN/dS ratios were higher than for the non-PBR region. This, and the apparent trans-species relationship among alleles in a bovid phylogeny, suggest the evolution of diversity by heterosis or frequency-dependent selection.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Overt female mate competition and preference for central males in a lekking antelope.

In mammals, there exists only scant evidence of female mate choice in species mating on arenas, so-called leks. This has led to hypotheses of lek evolution that are based on benefits to females from reduced harassment by males, low predation risk, or improved availability of scarce nutrients. Here I report that female topi antelopes (Damaliscus lunatus) compete aggressively for matings with preferred males on central lek territories. Females fight at higher rates and more likely disrupt mating attempts of others in the lek center than elsewhere. Contrary to the predictions of the alternative hypotheses, food resources were insignificant, and harassment levels and estimated predation risk were higher on than off lek. These results clearly demonstrate female competition for mates in a lekking mammal in which a female chooses between males for the sole purpose of mating. The finding suggests that the forces leading to lek evolution in mammals and birds may be more similar than previously acknowledged.

Animals↗

Blastocyst development after intergeneric nuclear transfer of mountain bongo antelope somatic cells into bovine oocytes.

Intergeneric embryos were constructed by nuclear transfer using Mountain Bongo antelope somatic cells fused with enucleated bovine oocytes and their subsequent development in vitro was investigated. After two to six passages, starved or non-starved skin fibroblast cells were used as donor nuclei. In vitro matured bovine oocytes were enucleated by squeezing the first polar body and surrounding cytoplasm through a slit in the zona pellucida. After injection of a somatic cell into the perivitelline space, couplets were fused electrically and activated chemically, then subjected to different embryo culture treatments. Serum starvation had no effect on the frequency of cleavage to two cells or on development to the blastocyst stage in either sequential hamster embryo culture medium (HECM)-6/TCM-199 + serum or HECM-9/TC-199 + serum, or modified synthetic oviduct fluid (mSOF) culture medium. When couplets from non-starved donor nuclei were cultured, the frequency of cleavage (66 +/- 8% vs. 44 +/- 5%), development to >/=9 cells (46 +/- 6% vs. 24 +/- 4%), and formation of blastocysts (24 +/- 5% vs. 11 +/- 2%) were all significantly higher (p < 0.05) in the HECM-6 medium than in mSOF medium. In conclusion, bovine oocytes can support blastocyst development after intergeneric fusion with bongo fibroblasts. This technique could potentially be used as an alternative to using scarce bongo oocytes in attempts to propagate these endangered animals.

Animals↗

Monogamy without biparental care in a dwarf antelope.

The only widely accepted explanations for the evolution of monogamy in mammals have been based on the benefits of biparental care of offspring. This is probably because, unless biparental care is important, the most competitive males would be expected to monopolize more than one female. This study investigates whether males are important for offspring survival in a monogamous dwarf antelope, Kirk's dik-dik (Madoqua kirkii), by testing three hypotheses that have been proposed to account for monogamy in mammals. In dik-diks, males could help their mates and young by: (i) defending resources; (ii) defending against infanticide by other males; and (iii) reducing predation risk. Because territorial defence was mainly sex-specific, males did not defend resources for their mates or offspring. Males also made no attempt to kill infants they had not sired, so there is no risk of infanticide. Nor was there any evidence that males reduced predation risk: females were not alerted to an approaching predator sooner when males were present, and only mothers responded to playbacks of the call of a predator which preys on juvenile but not adult dik-diks. This is the first conclusive evidence of the absence of paternal care in any monogamous mammal.

Animals↗

Evaluation of Brucella abortus strain RB51 and strain 19 in pronghorn antelope.

Free-roaming elk and bison in the Greater Yellowstone Area remain the only wildlife reservoirs for Brucella abortus in the United States, and the large number of animals and a lack of holding facilities make it unreasonable to individually vaccinate each animal. Therefore, oral delivery is being proposed as a possible option to vaccinate these wild ungulates. One of the main problems associated with oral vaccination is the potential exposure of nontarget species to the vaccines. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of two Brucella vaccines, strain 19 (S19) and the rough strain RB51 (SRB51), in pregnant pronghorn antelope. We conclude that S19 and SRB51 rarely colonize maternal and fetal tissues of pregnant pronghorn and were not associated with fetal death. Oral delivery of either vaccine at this dose appears to be nonhazardous to pregnant pronghorn.

Abortion, Veterinary↗

Blood gas changes during panting in a small East African antelope, the dik-dik.

Five adult male dik-dik (Madoqua kirkii) were exposed in a climatic chamber to an air temperature of 45 degrees C. Measurements were made of rectal temperature (Tre) and respiratory frequency (f) and arterial blood samples taken before and during heat exposure were analyzed for pH, PCO2 and PO2. During exposure, Tre and f increased in all animals. In the first 80 min dik-dik displayed thermal tachypnea and minor changes in blood gases. Continued exposure lead to hyperpnea accompanied by a fall in PaCO2 and a rise in pH. PaCO2 at first fell and then increased toward or above control levels. The dik-dik did not display second phase breathing. This observation confirms that second phase breathing is not essential to the development of respiratory alkalosis. The main conclusion of the study is that the dik-dik, unlike another heat-adapted antelope, the wildebeest (Taylor, Robertshaw, and Hoffmann. Am. J. Physiol. 217:907-910, 1969), is unable to resist alkalosis during heat stress.

Animals↗

X chromosome evolution in the suni and eland antelope: detection of homologous regions by fluorescence in situ hybridization and G-banding.

Comparative cytogenetics and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) were used to track structural rearrangements in the X chromosomes of two African antelope species, the eland (Taurotragus oryx; tribe Tragelaphini) and the suni (Neotragus moschatus; tribe Neotragini). Using two microdissected cattle chromosome painting probes (one specific for Xp-containing sequences corresponding to Xp24-->p12 of the cattle X, and one specific for Xq-containing sequences corresponding to Xq12-->qter), we show that intrachromosomal rearrangements distinguish the X chromosomes of these species. Furthermore, there is clear evidence that, superimposed on this background of intrachromosomal evolutionary change, the sequences contained in the cattle Xp painting probe appear to have moved as a complete unit during the repatterning of the bovid X. Although we are unable to infer the order of the rearranged chromosomal segments, given the large regions of homology detected by the chromosome paints, we nonetheless believe that this approach (combining conventional and molecular cytogenetic studies on the X chromosome) will prove useful for inferring phylogenetic relationships in the family Bovidae, particularly as more probes become available.

Animals↗

Clinical and morphologic findings of familial goiter in bongo antelope (Tragelaphus eurycerus).

Inherited defects of thyroglobulin synthesis resulting in congenital goiter are well described in certain breeds of domestic ungulates and in human beings. Goiter associated with synthesis of an abnormal thyroglobulin and the presence of thyroidal albumin was identified in five closely related bongo antelopes (Tragelaphus eurycerus). The goiter had an adult onset, and the affected bongos appeared to remain euthyroid with normal serum T3 and T4 values, normal serum cholesterol concentrations, and nonelevated concentrations of circulating thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH). Goitrous bongos had significant reproductive difficulties, including reduced cyclic activity and prolonged gestations, but were otherwise normal. Over the course of the disease, the thyroid glands greatly enlarged (up to 10 x 20 cm) and became polycystic. Microscopically, there was an admixture of giant colloid-filled follicles and follicles of normal size lined with variable follicular epithelium ranging from squamoid to mildly to moderately hyperplastic. The pathogenesis of goiter in the bongo may reflect a mixture of genetic predisposition coupled with environmental factors, including a period of exposure to a goitrogen.

Animals↗

Familial goiter in bongo antelope (Tragelaphus eurycerus).

Congenital defects in thyroglobulin (Tg) synthesis in animals have proven to be useful models for the study of Tg synthesis and regulation. Defects in Tg synthesis have been well described in Afrikander cattle, Australia Merino sheep, and goats in The Netherlands. This report describes a study of goiter in a nondomesticated bovine species, bongo antelope (Tragelaphus eurycerus), an African bovid. Three animals housed at the National Zoological Park, Washington, D.C. were studied; two had visible goiters, and a third bongo had microscopic evidence of goiter. Tg extracted from thyroid glands or thyroid colloid from these animals had a high mol wt component that was greater than 220K daltons and differed in apparent mol wt from 19S Tg from domestic cattle. Thyroid extracts also had thyroid albumin; albumin was more than half the total protein in colloid extract. The animals with goiter were euthyroid according to their circulating levels of thyroid hormones.

Animals↗

Primary structure of the hemoglobins from the greater Kudu antelope (Tragelaphus strepsiceros).

The adult greater Kudu antelope has two hemoglobin components, Hb A and Hb B, with one alpha and two beta chains. The complete amino-acid sequences of these three chains are presented. The two beta chains differ only in one residue at position 16 (Gly----Ser) and may be the product of two allelic genes. The primary structure of the chains was determined by sequencing the tryptic peptides after their isolation from the tryptic digest of the chains by high performance liquid chromatography. The alignment of these peptides was deduced from homology with the chains of bovine hemoglobin. Between the Kudu hemoglobins and those of cattle a high degree of homology was found.

Amino Acid Sequence↗