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Iguana virus, a herpes-like virus isolated from cultured cells of a lizard, Iguana iguana.

An agent cytopathic for Terrapene and Iguana cell cultures was isolated from spontaneously degenerating cell cultures prepared from a green iguana (Iguana iguana). The agent, designated iguana virus, caused a cytopathic effect (CPE) of a giant cell type, with eosinophilic inclusions commonly observed within giant cell nuclei. Incubation temperature had a marked effect on CPE and on virus release from infected cells. Within the range of 23 to 36 C, low temperatures favored CPE characterized by cytolysis and small giant cell formation, and significant virus release was observed. At warmer temperatures, a purely syncytial type of CPE and total absence of released virus were noted. A unique type of hexagonal eosinophilic cytoplasmic inclusion was observed within syncytia of infected Terrapene cell cultures incubated at 36 C. In vivo studies revealed no evidence of pathogenicity of iguana virus for suckling mice, embryonated hen's eggs, or several species of reptiles and amphibians. Inoculation of iguana virus into young iguanas consistently caused infection that was "unmasked" only when cell cultures were prepared directly from the infected animal. Filtration studies revealed a virion size of >100 nm and <220 nm. Iguana virus is ether-sensitive and, as presumptively indicated by studies of inhibition by bromodeoxyuridine, possesses a deoxyribonucleic type of nucleic acid. The virus characteristics described, as well as electron microscopy observations described in a separate report, indicate that iguana virus is a member of the herpesvirus group.

Animals

Cellular and extracellular dehydration, and angiotensin as stimuli to drinking in the common iguana Iguana iguana.

1. After water deprivation, the iguana promptly drank slightly more than enough water to restore the body fluids to isotonicity even under conditions of hypervolaemia. 2. In response to systemic injections of hypertonic solutions of NaCl and sucrose, the iguana drank and retained enough water to dilute the injected load to isotonicity irrespective of whether water was offered immediately or after 3 hr, and irrespective of whether the solute was administered I.V. or I.P. 3. Hypertonic solutions to glucose, urea, sorbitol and KCl caused little drinking. 4. The long latencies to drinking after hypertonic loads, which were not dependent on the nature of the solute, the route of administration or the dosage, were shown not to be a result of slow distribution of the solute throughout the body fluids. 5. Clearance of injected solutes via renal and extra-renal (nasal salt gland) routes was negligible during the 6 hr experimental period. 6. Measurements of plasma [Na], haematocrit, osmotic pressure and inulin space showed that the iguana drank, in response to cellular dehydration, enough water to restore the intracellular fluid volume to normal. 7. We conclude that, in response to substances which dehydrate cells, the iguana regulates its body osmolality precisely and efficiently provided it is able to do so by drinking. In this respect the responses of the iguana are similar to those of the nephrectomized rat since, in the short term, both rely exclusively on drinking to restore cellular water to normal. 8. The iguana also drinks in response to extracellular dehydration produced by hyperoncotic peritoneal dialysis, and in response to I.P. angiotensin II.

Angiotensin II

Growth of juvenile green iguanas (Iguana iguana) fed four diets.

Wild green iguanas consume a primarily folivorous diet. As pets in captivity, they suffer high mortality and malnutrition. Nutrient requirements are not established. The purpose of this study was to compare growth in juvenile iguanas fed three commercial diets and a romaine-based diet. Twelve nominally 4-wk-old iguanas were fed in a latin square design each of four diets for 8 wk, consisting of a 2-wk accommodation period and a 6-wk collection period. Diets were analyzed at the beginning and end of the study. Food consumption was measured daily; body weights and lengths were measured weekly. For Diets A, B, C and D mean body weight gains were--3, 6, 31 and 60% in 6 wk, respectively. Gain in body weight and snout-vent length increased linearly with dietary protein and fiber and with dry matter intake. The data suggest that growth in pet green iguanas may achieve rates for farmed and wild green iguanas when diets are palatable and contain adequate protein and fiber.

Animal Feed

Nutritional osteodystrophy in captive green iguanas (Iguana iguana).

Captive lizards fed a variety of vegetarian and carnivorous diets frequently develop severe nutritional osteodystrophy. Five hatchling iguanas which were captive for 5 months and fed a diet low in calcium and phosphorus developed clinical signs and lesions typical of nutritional osteodystrophy in captive lizards. They had tetany with severe osteoporosis, pathologic fractures, and cartilaginous diaphyseal enlargements of long bones which either were associated with fractures or with intact bones. Hatchling and juvenile iguanas fed a similar diet low in calcium (0.1%) and phosphorus (0.2%) under experimental conditions developed hypocalcemia, tetany, osteoporosis with but adequate in phosphorus (1.1%) developed progressive hypocalcemia and severe osteopososis with pathologic fractures. Control iguanas fed a diet with adequate calcium (2.7%) and phosphours (1.1%) had well mineralized bones with wide cortices and thick metaphyseal trabeculae. Iguanas fed low calcium experimental diets whether low or adequate in phosphorus developed hypocalcemia with compensatory secondary hyperparathyroidism resulting in severe osteodystrophy similar to that reported in captive lizards.

Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena

The amino acid sequence of iguana (Iguana iguana) pancreatic ribonuclease.

The pyrimidine-specific ribonuclease superfamily constitutes a group of homologous proteins so far found only in higher vertebrates. Four separate families are found in mammals, which have resulted from gene duplications in mammalian ancestors. To learn more about the evolutionary history of this superfamily, the primary structure and other characteristics of the pancreatic enzyme from iguana (Iguana iguana), a herbivorous lizard species belonging to the reptiles, have been determined. The polypeptide chain consists of 119 amino acid residues. The positions of insertions and deletions in the sequence are identical to those in the enzyme from snapping turtle. However, the two enzymes differ at 54% of the amino acid positions. Iguana ribonuclease contains no carbohydrate, although the enzyme possesses three recognition sites for carbohydrate attachment, and has a high number of acidic residues in a localized part of the sequence.

Amino Acid Sequence

Haematological and biochemical values of 10 green iguanas (Iguana iguana).

Ten clinically healthy green iguanas (Iguana iguana) imported from South America were examined, and haematological and biochemical measurements were made on samples of blood. This paper describes the methods of blood sampling, handling and laboratory analysis, and presents the results as a set of normal blood ranges for the green iguana.

Animals

Hemoglobins of reptiles. The primary structures of the alpha I- and beta I-chains of common iguana (Iguana iguana) hemoglobin.

The primary structures of alpha I- and beta I-chains from the hemoglobins of the Common Iguana (Iguana iguana) are presented. The globin chains were separated on CM-cellulose in 8 M urea buffer. The amino-acid sequences were established by automatic Edman degradation of the native chains, the tryptic peptides and a peptide obtained by cyanogen bromide cleavage. The sequences are compared with human hemoglobin. Amino-acid replacements at positions critical for structure and function of the hemoglobin are discussed. The requirements for binding of ATP and also of DPG as allosteric effectors at the beta-chains seem to be fulfilled. Comparison of the alpha-chains with those of the Viper (Vipera aspis) shows 66 amino-acid substitutions. This number is in the same order of magnitude as the ones found by comparison with alpha-chains of crocodiles and mammals as well as with alpha A-chains of a turtle and birds. This result points towards a period of independent evolution of the reptile lines leading to the Common Iguana on one hand and to the Viper on the other. This time span is comparable to the one separating mammals from reptiles.

Amino Acid Sequence

Exogenous GnRH overrides the endogenous annual reproductive rhythm in green iguanas, Iguana iguana.

Female green iguanas, Iguana iguana, were caught in Belize, Central America (17 degrees N), in December, at the onset of seasonal gonadal activity. The animals were immediately transferred to San Diego (32 degrees N). Ovarian follicular development continued, with peak plasma hormone levels measured in January and February; 200 pg/ml for progesterone (P) and 800 pg/ml for total estrogens (Et = estradiol [E2] + estrone [E1]). E2 was the predominant estrogen throughout the cycle. Follicular atrophy was indicated in April with circulating progesterone and estrogen levels decreasing to baseline (refractory phase) levels (P = 20 pg/ml; Et = 50 pg/ml). Approximately midway through the refractory phase of their annual reproductive cycle (late May), either the D-Arg6 analog of Chicken II or mammalian GnRH was administered via intraperitoneal osmotic pumps for 14 days to nine females. The analog of chicken II induced a fivefold increase in total circulating estrogens within 3-4 days after implantation. Both continuous and pulsatile delivery of the chicken II analog produced a similar pattern of steroidogenic response. A radical sham control animal showed no increase in steroidogenesis. Mammalian GnRH produced a pattern of similar duration, although the magnitude of the steroidogenic response was only half that produced by the chicken II analog. Estrogen titers approached baseline levels in all treatment groups two days after treatment ceased. Progesterone levels increased in all treatment groups during the delivery of exogenous GnRH, although the increases were not consistent. Untreated male cagemates housed with treated females exhibited increased territoriality, courtship behavior, and mating, which began on day 4 or 5 of the treatment period. The control female was not courted by its male cagemate.

Animals

An anatomical investigation of the muscles of the pelvic outlet in iguanas (Iguanidae Iguana iguana) and varanus (Varanidae Varanus (dumerillii)) with special reference to their nerve supply.

Five pelvic halves from three male iguanas (Iguanidae Iguana iguana) and two pelvic halves from one male varanus (Varanidae Varanus (dumerillii)), were dissected in order to obtain detailed data on the relationship of the lumbosacral plexus and the muscles of the pelvic outlet. According to the positions of the passage of the metazonal nerves, the nerves can be divided into three groups: 1) the nerves passing dorsal to the caudofemoralis muscle, 2) the nerves passing between the caudofemoralis and the caudoischiadicus major, 3) the nerves passing ventral to the caudoischiadicus major. In consideration of the sites of origin from the lumbosacral plexus, a stratificational analysis can be proposed; group 1 arises craniodorsal to group 2, and group 3 caudoventral to group 2. It is suggested that the pelvic outlet muscles (caudofemoralis, quadratus caudae, obliquus cloacae, transversus cloacae profundus, retractor penis, caudoischiadicus major, and the caudoischiadicus minor) are derived from the ventral muscles of the posterior limb, and have moved caudally concomitant with the caudal migration of the cloaca.

Animals

Behavior and electrical brain stimulation in the green iguana, Iguana iguana L. II. Stimulation effects.

Behavioral responses were electrically elicited in the brains of 21 green iguanas. At 518 stimulation sites, a limited number of behaviors could be reliably elicited. Except for some motor responses which had a forced appearance, they corresponded to the basic activity of green iguanas, exploratory behavior, display, defensive and escape-related behavior. Head-nodding displays were reliably elicited post stimulation when imminent escape was prevented experimentally but rarely during stimulation. Goal-directed behavior, i.e., feeding, drinking, mating and fighting behavior, were not elicited. The stimulation sites of frequently elicited behavioral responses revealed regional differences and some structural correlations. The majority of sites yielding defensive display responses were found in the hypothalamus, while dewlap display was more readily and widely elicited. Axial rotation and head-raising were elicited in a ventrothalamic zone extending into the tegmentum mesencephali. Tongue-flicking response sites were mostly concentrated in ventromedial areas of the tel-, di- and mesencephalon. Most escape-related responses were distributed unspecifically but the sites of violent flight responses were confined to the dorsal and lateral mesencephalon.

Animals

[Urolithiasis in a green iguana (Iguana iguana)].

In this report surgery on the urinary bladder of an iguana is documented. Clinical signs, palpation and radiography failed to reveal the cause of the illness. During surgery a distended urinary bladder which contained an urolith 3 x 2 cm in size was found and removed. The urinary bladder was closed with a double-layered, non-perforating suture. According to the results of infrared spectroscopy, the urolith consisted of 70% dehydrated uric acid and 30% ammonium hydrogen urate. After removal of the urolith the iguana recovered within two days.

Animals