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PubMed1997

Heterogeneity in K+ channel transcript expression detected in isolated ferret cardiac myocytes.

The molecular basis of the potassium ion (K+) channels that generate repolarization in heart tissue remains uncertain, in part because of the molecular diversity of the voltage-gated K+ channel family. In our investigation, we used fluorescent labeled oligonucleotide probes to perform in situ hybridization studies on enzymatically isolated myocytes to determine the identity, regional distribution, and cellular distribution of voltage-gated K+ channel, alpha-subunit mRNA expressed in ferret heart. The regions studied were from the sinoatrial node (SA), right and left atrium, right and left ventricle, and interatrial and interventricular septa. Kv1.5 and Kv1.4 were the most widely distributed K+ channel transcripts in the ferret heart (present in approximately 70%-86% and approximately 46%-95% of tested myocytes, respectively), followed by Kv1.2, Kv2.1, and Kv4.2. In addition, many myocytes contain transcripts for Kv1.3, Kv2.2, Kv4.1, Kv5.1, and members of the Kv3 family. Kv1.1, Kv1.6, and Kv6.1 were rarely expressed in working myocytes, but were more commonly expressed in SA nodal cells. Two other transcripts whose genes have been implicated in the long QT syndrome, erg and KvLQT1, were common in all regions (approximately 41%-58% and 52%-72%, respectively). These results show that both the diversity and heterogeneity of K+ channel mRNA in heart tissue is greater than previously suspected.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Clinical and histological evaluation of ligature-induced periodontitis in the domestic ferret.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical and histological characteristics of ligature induced periodontitis in 12 domestic ferrets. On day 0, silk ligatures were placed at the gingival margin level of selected experimental teeth. The contralateral teeth served as control teeth. On day 14, 4 animals and on day 28, 8 animals were sacrificed. Clinical measurements including gingival index (GI), probing pocket depth (PPD) and probing attachment level (PAL) were taken in 5 animals on days 0, 14 and 28. Histological sections were prepared for light microscopy. The histometric measurements performed were (1) the distance between the cemento-enamel junction (CEJ) and the alveolar bone crest and (2) the distance between CEJ and connective tissue attachment level. The number of sections with root resorption areas was also observed. Cell counts were taken in 4 different areas. Clinical results showed, on days 14 and 28, a significant increase of the mean values of PPD and PAL at the experimental teeth when compared to the control teeth. The histometric results showed a significant loss of connective tissue attachment and bone loss in the experimental teeth on day 14. On day 28, the results were similar, although more sections with root resorption areas were observed in the experimental teeth. The predominant inflammatory cell in all the 4 experimental areas analyzed was polymorphonuclears (PMN), and they were mainly increased in areas closely related to the junctional epithelium. The results indicate that the domestic ferret may be used as an experimental animal in the ligature-induced periodontitis model.

Alveolar Bone Loss↗
PubMed1993

Normal histologic features of domestic ferret periodontium.

The normal histologic features of the periodontal tissues in 17 domestic ferrets (10 male and 7 female) are described. The following teeth were histologically evaluated: canines, the maxillary third premolar (P3), the mandibular fourth premolar (P4), the carnassial teeth (P4 in the maxilla and the first molar, M1, in the mandible) and the next molar after the carnassials (M1 in the maxilla and M2 in the mandible). After histologic preparation for light microscopy, the sections were analyzed at magnifications of x 20 and x 100. The histometric measurements performed were 1) distance between the cementoenamel junction (CEJ) and the alveolar bone crest, 2) distance between CEJ and the most coronal connective tissue, 3) root length, 4) width of the periodontal ligament at three different locations along the root surface, and 5) cementum layer thickness at the most apical portion of the root. The number of sections exhibiting root resorption was counted. The results gave the normal values of some common periodontal variables and suggested a possible future use of the domestic ferret as an alternative experimental animal in periodontology.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Ultrasonography and fine needle aspirate cytology of the mesenteric lymph node in normal domestic ferrets (Mustela putorius furo).

The large mesenteric lymph node of 28 normal ferrets was imaged with ultrasound. The large node, located in the mid-abdomen at the root of the mesentery, was round to ovoid and uniformly hyperechoic. Mean ultrasonographic dimensions of the lymph node were 12.6 +/- 2.6 mm by 7.6 +/- 2.0 mm. Fine needle aspirates of 20 lymph nodes were obtained either using ultrasound guided free-hand techniques or at necropsy. The cytological descriptions were compared to histological descriptions of 13 lymph node core biopsies obtained during laparotomy or necropsy as well as 10 peripheral blood smear differentials. The large mesenteric lymph node of ferrets could be easily imaged and measured by ultrasound and evaluated by fine needle aspirate cytology. Normal lymph node cytology may include an eosinophilic infiltrate.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

M-mode and Doppler echocardiographic findings in normal ferrets sedated with ketamine hydrochloride and midazolam.

M-mode and Doppler echocardiographic values were obtained from 30 normal adult ferrets (14 neutered females, 13 neutered males, 3 intact males) sedated with an intramuscular combination of ketamine hydrochloride and midazolam. Routine M-mode measurements of the left and right ventricle, left atrium (LA) and aorta (AO) and Doppler measurements of aortic and pulmonic outflow, and mitral inflow were recorded. The following values were calculated: LA:AO diameter, ratio of peak E: peak A wave velocity (E:A ratio) for mitral inflow, and stroke volume (SV), cardiac output (CO) and cardiac index (CI) for both pulmonary and aortic outflow tracts. Maximal aortic velocities (AOmax) and velocity-time integral values (AO VTI) were significantly less than corresponding pulmonary outflow tract values (PAmax, PA VTI) but there was no difference in calculated values for SV, CO or CI. Calculated CO values were in the range expected based on the size of the species. Difficulties in aligning the aortic outflow tract for Doppler imaging may make pulmonary outflow Doppler values more consistent for use in estimating volume flow in ferrets.

Adjuvants, Anesthesia↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Retrospective review of the ultrasonographic features of adrenal lesions in 21 ferrets.

Clinical signs and follow-up information were recorded. Histopathologic diagnoses were obtained for 25 adrenal glands in 21 ferrets. Adrenal lesions included ten adenocarcinomas, nine adenomas, one hyperplasia and one cortical cyst. Four adrenal glands (all right-sided) were diagnosed as unspecified adrenal tumors but lacked a definite histopathologic diagnosis (adenoma vs. adenocarcinoma) due to incomplete surgical resection and consequent small sample sizes. Bilateral adrenal lesions were identified in 4 ferrets (19%). Adrenal shape, size, echogenicity, laterality, and the presence of vascular invasion were evaluated with ultrasound. Size and shape were variable and not specific to lesion type. Both benign and malignant adrenal tumors (adenomas, adenocarcinomas) appeared most often as masses with increased thickness and a normal length (11/23), less frequently as larger masses with increased thickness and length (4/23) or as nodules focally deforming the normal adrenal shape (6/23). The only cortical cyst appeared as a nodule. Three adrenal glands had a normal size and shape and were diagnosed as adenomas (2) or hyperplasia (1). Therefore treatment may be warranted based solely on clinical signs if adrenal glands are ultrasonographically normal. Vascular invasion was not identified ultrasonographically. However, focal absence of periglandular fat resulting in contact of 8 adrenal glands with either caudal vena cava (6), aorta (1) or liver (1) identified ultrasonographically, correlated with incomplete surgical resectability (6/8) and histopathologic diagnoses of carcinoma (4/8) or unspecified tumors (4/8). Therefore, a focal absence of periglandular fat between the adrenal gland and the large vessels or liver, deviation or compression of the large vessels by the adrenal lesion may indicate malignancy. Adrenal tumors (benign and malignant) were often associated with a prominent uterus, uterine stump or prostate with or without prostatic cysts.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed2000

Echocardiographic diagnosis of dirofilariasis in a ferret.

Heartworm disease is described in a 14-month-old neutered female ferret (Mustela putorius furo) which had a three-week history of sneezing, anorexia and dyspnoea. Echocardiography revealed the presence of heartworms as hyperechoic densities within the right atrial and ventricular cavities. At necropsy, four Dirofilaria immitis parasites (three females, one male) were found in the right heart, the cranial vena cava and the caudal vena cava. Histopathological findings were similar to those reported in canine heartworm disease. Echocardiography may be a useful method of diagnosis of heartworm disease in the ferret.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

Two cases of pancreatic neoplasia in British ferrets (Mustela putorius furo).

Two six-year-old male neutered polecat ferrets (Mustela putorius furo) were presented for the investigation of acute collapse or periodic weakness and weight loss. While blood biochemistry revealed hypoglycaemia in both cases, diagnosis of an insulin-secreting neoplasia was confirmed by exploratory surgery in one case and supported by the use of an insulin assay in the other. Subsequent histopathological examination showed the former to be a pancreatic islet cell carcinoma and the latter to be a pancreatic islet cell adenoma. While neoplasia of the pancreas commonly affects ferrets in the USA, there appears to be only one previous report from the UK.

Adenoma, Islet Cell↗
PubMed1991

Kinetic models of Na-Ca exchange in ferret red blood cells. Interaction of intracellular Na, extracellular Ca, Cd, and Mn.

The kinetic equation that best describes the intracellular Na dependence of Ca influx into ferret red cells is sequential; whether this implies that there is a conformation of the protein that has both Na and Ca ions bound remains to be determined. Cd and Mn substitute very well for Ca on the exchanger in ferret red cells; this suggests that the Ca-binding site does not contain an important thiol and that the one of the Na steps may be rate limiting.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Successful treatment of invasive nasal cryptococcosis in a ferret.

Invasive cryptococcal rhinitis due to Cryptococcus neoformans var gattii was diagnosed in a castrated, 5-year-old, albino ferret with subcutaneous swelling of the nasal bridge. The diagnosis was based on histology, needle aspirate cytology and positive culture on Sabouraud's dextrose agar and birdseed agar. The ferret was successfully treated using a long course of itraconazole (25 to 33 mg orally once daily with food) subsequent to surgical debulking of the lesion, using sequential cryptococcal antigen titre determinations to guide therapy.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

Pneumonia due to Mycobacterium abscessus in two domestic ferrets (Mustelo putorius furo).

Two ferrets were diagnosed with pneumonia due to Mycobacterium abscessus. Both cases were treated successfully using clarithromycin after positive cultures were obtained via unguided bronchoalveolar lavage. This is the first time M abscessus has been isolated in our laboratory and the first report of this organism causing disease in companion animals in Australia. Underlying respiratory tract disease was thought to be an important factor in the development of the infections. Thorough investigation of chronic lower respiratory tract disease in ferrets is recommended as this species appears predisposed to atypical infections.

Animals↗
PubMed1988

The brain stem localization of vagal preganglionic neurones in the ferret, Mustela putorius furo.

Horseradish peroxidase-wheatgerm agglutinin was injected into the cervical vagus nerve of adult ferrets. Efferent fibres coursing in the vagus nerve were shown to originate in the dorsal vagal motor nucleus (DmnX), the nucleus ambiguus (nA), a region ventral to the nucleus ambiguus (VnA) and the reticular formation between DmnX and nA. The distribution of vagal preganglionic neurones in the ferret is compared with data already obtained in similar studies conducted in other mammals.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

The role of the sarcoplasmic reticulum in the response of isolated ferret cardiac muscle to beta-adrenergic stimulation.

beta-Adrenergic stimulation of cardiac muscle leads to an increase in the strength of contraction and an abbreviation of its time course. We have investigated the role of the sarcoplasmic reticulum in these changes by monitoring force and cytoplasmic [Ca2+] in ferret papillary muscles, and the Ca2+ current in isolated ferret myocytes, during the application of isoprenaline in the absence and presence of the sarcoplasmic reticulum inhibitor ryanodine (10(-6) mol/l). Isoprenaline (10(-6) mol/l) led to a marked increase in the size of both the twitch and Ca2+ transient, and a decrease in their duration. In the presence of ryanodine, application of isoprenaline had no significant effect on either the size or the time course of the twitch. However, the increase in the Ca2+ current in response to isoprenaline was the same in the absence and presence of ryanodine. Increasing bathing [Ca2+] led to a prolongation of both the twitch and the Ca2+ transient. In the presence of ryanodine, increasing bathing [Ca2+] still increased the size, but decreased the duration, of the twitch. These data provide direct evidence that both the inotropic and lusitropic effects of isoprenaline are mediated via the sarcoplasmic reticulum.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Effects of moderate hypothermia on baroreflex and pulmonary chemoreflex heart rate response in decerebrate ferrets.

The effects on the baroreceptor reflexes and pulmonary reflexes of moderate immersion hypothermia (core temperature, 30.2 +/- 0.07 degrees C) have been investigated in the decerebrate ferret. Baroreflex sensitivity was estimated from the relationship between change in cardiac interval and change in systolic blood pressure following i.v. bolus injection of phenylephrine. The responses to phenylephrine in ferrets were best fitted by two linear slopes with an initial shallow slope, a, followed by a steeper slope, b. The slope or sensitivity of b was increased significantly by moderate cooling (n = 6 animals, 36 responses, P < 0.05). Pulmonary J-receptor reflex sensitivity was assessed by i.v. injection of phenylbiguanide (PBG), which evokes a dose-dependent bradycardia. The bradycardic response was unaltered by the hypothermia (n = 6 animals, 88 responses). Electrical stimulation of the right peripheral vagal nerve was employed to assess effects on the efferent components of the reflexes. The bradycardia, in response to stimulation, was significantly increased by moderate cooling at all stimulation frequencies (n = 8 animals, 88 responses, P < 0.001). Thus the results suggested that baroreceptor heart rate reflex sensitivity was enhanced by the moderate hypothermia. At least one component of the enhanced baroreflex response may be the result of changes in the efferent pathway of the reflex response. However, the absence of effect of PBG may indicate a differential afferent and efferent organization of pulmonary J-receptors compared with baroreceptors.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Nitric oxide in the control of submandibular gland function in the anaesthetized ferret.

Stimulation of parasympathetic innervation of the submandibular gland (2 or 20 Hz continuously or 20 Hz for 1 s at 10 s intervals), in the ferret, produced secretion of fluid and protein and a fall in vascular resistance. The responses following the administration of N omega-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME; 2 mmol kg-1 i.a.) to block the synthesis of nitric oxide (NO) were reduced, and the persisting responses were abolished (at 2 Hz continuously and 20 Hz intermittently) or further reduced (at 20 Hz continuously) by the additional administration of atropine. The output of vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) from the gland was not affected. Neither the secretory nor the vascular response to intra-arterial infusions of acetylcholine (1.25 nmol kg-1) was affected by L-NAME, whereas the vascular responses to both VIP (10 pmol kg-1) and pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating peptide (1-38) (PACAP) (0.5 pmol kg-1) were reduced thereby. Neither peptide evoked a fluid secretion per se. However, when infused during parasympathetic stimulation of saliva secretion, VIP increased both flow rate and the output of protein. These effects of VIP were abolished by L-NAME. The experiments were performed in the presence of sodium nitroprusside at doses (4-8 nmol min-1 kg-1 i.v.) aimed to counterbalance the systemic effects of L-NAME. The results show that, in the ferret, parasympathetic nerve activity increases submandibular blood flow, and elicits the flow of saliva and output of protein by mechanisms that involve in situ generation of NO, upon which the effects of VIP and PACAP but not acetylcholine are largely dependent.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Depletion of acinar secretory granules in the ferret parotid gland: effects of substance P and vasoactive intestinal peptide.

The acinar cells of the ferret parotid gland are supplied with parasympathetic nerve fibres containing vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) and substance P. In this study intracarotid infusions of the two peptides (0.5-1.0 microgram kg-1 min-1 of each for 40 min) in the pentobarbitone-anaesthetized ferret, treated with atropine and adrenoceptor antagonists, induced a loss of acinar secretory granules from this gland, by 32 % in response to VIP and by 46 % in response to substance P. Stimulation of the parasympathetic auriculo-temporal nerve (40 Hz, in the presence of adrenoceptor antagonists) caused a larger loss of acinar granules from the gland than stimulation of the sympathetic superior cervical ganglion (intermittently, 50 Hz for 1 s every 10th second, in the presence of atropine) over 40 min (52 % versus 10 %). A 27 % granular loss in response to parasympathetic stimulation followed upon atropinization. The parasympathetic response was not further diminished by the tachykinin antagonist Spantide ((d-Arg1, d-Pro2, d-Trp7,9, Leu)-substance P). Thus, despite the large exocytotic response to the infusion of substance P, the parasympathetic non-adrenergic, non-cholinergic secretion of storage granules seemed, under the present experimental conditions, to occur independently of the action of substance P.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

Adenosine affects the release of Ca2+ from the sarcoplasmic reticulum via A2A receptors in ferret skinned cardiac fibres.

In this study, it was shown that adenosine potentiates caffeine-induced Ca2+ release. It was then proposed that the enhancement of the caffeine-induced Ca2+ release might occur by a direct effect on the ryanodine Ca2+ release channel or on other Ca2+ regulation mechanisms. Furthermore, A2A receptors may be functional on the ferret cardiac sarcoplasmic reticulum. Using chemically skinned fibres, experiments were conducted on ferret cardiac muscle to find out whether adenosine and the A1 and A2A adenosine receptor agonists (CCPA and CGS 21680) and antagonists (DPCPX and ZM 241385) affected caffeine-induced Ca2+ release and the Ca2+ sensitivity of contractile proteins. Changes in the caffeine-induced contracture brought about by adenosine and by adenosine-receptor agonists and antagonists were recorded in saponin-skinned fibres (50 microg ml(-1)). Tension-pCa relationships were then obtained by exposing Triton X-100-skinned fibres (1% v/v) sequentially to solutions of decreasing pCa. Adenosine (1-100 nm) and the specific A2A receptor agonist CGS 21680 (1-50 nm) produced a concentration-dependant potentiation of the caffeine-induced Ca2+ release from saponin-skinned fibres. The data plotted versus adenosine and CGS 21680 concentrations displayed sigmoid relationships (Hill relationship), with potentiation of Ca2+ release by 22.2 +/- 1.6 (n = 6) and 10.9 +/- 0.4% (n = 6), respectively. In addition, the potentiation of caffeine-induced Ca2+ release by adenosine (50 nm; 15.3 +/- 1.0%; n = 6) and by CGS 21680 (50 nm; 11.2 +/- 0.4%; n = 6) was reduced by the specific A2A receptor antagonist ZM 241385 (50 nm) to 8.0 +/- 1.4 (n = 4) and 5.4 +/- 1.2% (n = 4), respectively. The A1 receptor agonist CCPA (1-50 nm) and antagonist DPCPX (50 nm) had no significant effects on caffeine responses. In Triton X-100-skinned fibres, the maximal Ca(2+)-activated tension of the contractile proteins (41.3 +/- 4.1 mN mm(-2); n = 8), the Hill coefficient (nH = 2.2 +/- 0.1; n = 8) and the pCa50 (6.15 +/- 0.05; n = 8) were not significantly modified by adenosine (100 nm) or by CGS 21680 (50 nm).

Adenosine↗
PubMed1982

Effect of stimulation of the vagus nerve in bursts on gastric acid secretion and motility in the anaesthetized ferret.

1. The effect of electrical stimulation of the vagus nerve with different patterns of impulses (the total number of stimuli remaining constant) on gastric acid secretion and gastric motility were investigated in the anaesthetized ferret. Three stimulus patterns were used: continuous, bursts at ten times the continuous frequency but for a tenth of the time, and a natural burst pattern obtained from a recording of vagal efferent fibre discharge. 2. The natural burst pattern gave rise to gastric contractions of larger amplitude than either the artificial burst or continuous stimulation, while continuous stimulation gave rise to larger changes in tonus. Acid secretion, however, was reduced by the natural pattern of stimulation as compared to the output during continuous stimulation, but to a lesser extent than that due to artificial burst stimulation. 3. Burst stimulation at 10 impulses/sec resulted in a larger output of acid and greater amplitude of gastric contraction than the equivalent continuous stimulation. This potentiation was lost at stimulation frequencies above 30 impulses/sec. 4. At burst frequencies of 60 and 120 impulses/sec there was a marked reduction in acid output and amplitude of contraction as compared with continuous stimulation at 6 and 12 impulses/sec respectively. 5. These results are discussed in relation to the functional significance of the different patterns of vagal discharge seen in the anaesthetized ferret.

Action Potentials↗