Glucose metabolism and regulation in lactating mink (Mustela vison)--effects of low dietary protein supply

Eighteen lactating mink raising litters of 6 to 7 kits were fed ad libitum from parturition on diets with 32% of ME derived from protein and decreasing fat:carbohydrate ratios [high fat:low carbohydrate (HFLC): 67:1, medium fat:medium carbohydrate (MFMC): 52:16, low fat:high carbohydrate (LFHC): 37:31]. Four weeks post partum the dams were fitted with a jugular vein catheter, and the experiment started with a 3 hours fasting period, after which the dams were fed 210 kJ ME of the experimental diets. Blood samples were collected 10 and 5 min before feeding and 30, 60, 90, 120, 150 and 180 min postprandially. Two hours postprandially a single dose of 50 microCi U-14C-labelled glucose was administered to each dam and blood samples were collected 5, 10, 20, 30, 45 and 60 min after the tracer administration. Plasma concentrations of glucose and insulin 30 to 120 min postprandially were higher in dams fed the LFHC diet, than in dams fed the HFLC diet, values for dams fed the MFMC diet being intermediate. Plasma glucagon concentrations were not significantly affected by dietary treatment. The glucagon:insulin ratios decreased postprandially in all dams, the response being significant in dams fed the LFHC diet. Plasma concentrations of urea were not significantly affected by dietary treatment. Plasma FFA concentrations tended to increase postprandially in dams fed the HFLC diet. Glucose turnover rates were approximately 4.0% per min in all dams, irrespective of dietary treatment. However, the daily glucose flux was lower in dams fed the HFLC diet than in dams fed the LFHC diet, and tended to be lower than in dams fed the MFMC diet. In conclusion, a dietary protein supply of 32% of ME simultaneously with a carbohydrate supply of 16% or 31% of ME had no adverse effects on glucose homeostasis or glucose metabolism in lactating mink.

High versus low protein diets to mink--postprandial plasma urea and creatinine response, osmotic load and pattern of nitrogen and electrolyte excretion

Nitrogen balance, pattern of excretion of nitrogenous end-products, endogenous urinary N excretion, postprandial plasma urea and creatinine, osmotic load, urinary electrolyte excretion and water intake/output relationships were studied in 12 adult female mink fed a high protein diet (HP; n = 6) providing about 155 g protein/kg or a low protein diet (LP; n = 6) providing about 95 g protein/kg. Two balance periods of each 3 d were used and diets were fed raw or cooked. After the last balance period followed a 48 h fasting period. Postprandial plasma urea and creatinine were studied for 48 h following a test meal given after an overnight fast. Osmotic load was determined based on collection of non-acidified urine carried out during 48 h. Level of protein supply did not affect N balance, being close to zero, whereas slightly negative balances were achieved for fasting animals. Protein supply was clearly reflected in excretion of urinary urea and allantoin but not in creatinine and uric acid. Endogenous urinary N excretion was estimated by a second order regression equation giving an intercept of 280 mg/kg0.75. Post-prandial plasma urea concentrations were strongly influenced by protein supply, HP animals having substantially higher peaks than LP animals, but values returned to fasting values within 24 h after the test meal. Plasma creatinine followed a biphasic pattern with a peak about 2 h after feeding and a nadir approximately 6 h after feeding. Physical form of diet influenced postprandial urea, animals fed raw diets having a higher peak, but not creatinine. The HP diet provided almost the double osmotic load of the LP diet and a corresponding increase in urine volume. The resulting water balances were identical irrespective of diet, showing that water intake/output relationships are very accurately regulated.

Distribution of tyrosine aminotransferase activity in mink (Mustela vison)

The distribution of the enzyme tyrosine aminotransferase in tissues of mink, Mustela vison, was investigated. High levels of enzymatic activity were detected only in liver, documenting the hepatic-specific nature of this enzyme in this species. Further studies disclosed that tyrosine aminotransferase is not absent from non-hepatic tissues because of the lack of the use of a stabilized buffer, sensitivity to temperature, or due to the presence of an inhibitor. Collectively, these results suggest that the enzymatic assay of tyrosine aminotransferase will be unlikely to be an efficacious approach for identifying mink that are heterozygous for the autosomal recessive deficiency of this enzyme that is common in dark mink.

Co-localization of vascular endothelial growth factor and its two receptors flt-1 and kdr in the mink placenta

Placental angiogenesis plays an important role in placental development and morphogenesis. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a well-known angiogenic growth factor, which has previously been localized in different epitheliochorial and haemochorial placenta types. In the present study VEGF and its Flt-1(VEGFR-1) and KDR (VEGFR-2) receptors were immunolocalized in the endotheliochorial mink placenta throughout gestation. VEGF, Flt-1 and KDR co-localized to fetal and maternal microvascular endothelial cells, but with a temporal difference, displaying KDR in endothelial cells throughout gestation, whereas the VEGF and Flt-1 maternal endothelial cell staining was most intense during late gestation. Additionally, KDR was found in vascular related mesenchymal cells. The VEGF-receptors were also localized in non-endothelial cells, e.g. the uterine luminal and glandular epithelium as well as the trophoblast. Our results are in agreement with former studies, showing the different effects of the Flt-1-and KDR receptors in respect of angiogenesis. More importantly, the present study of the endotheliochorial placenta localizes the VEGF-ligand-receptor system in non-endothelial cells, and thereby strengthen the hypothesis that VEGF, apart from its well-established angiogenic properties, must also have additional functional roles in the establishment and development of the placenta.

The pineal body of the mink and horse with special reference to the reproductive cycle. An ultrastructural and immunocytochemical study

An ultrastructural and immunohistochemical analysis was performed on the epiphysis of two species of mammals: mink and horse. These animals present a reproductive cycle that varies along the year according to the light exposition. The aim of the study was to define possible structural changes connected with the gonadal activity. Structural aspects in common emerged such as those in concern with the epiphysis cells, their immunocytochemical characteristics (NSE and Synaptophysin positivity of pinealocytes, as well as CFAP positivity of further cells), and those in concern with the general ultrastructure. This latter has in particular revealed significant differences in relation to the biological cycles considered. In the presence of gonadal activity the mink pinealocyte displays a modest cytological organization which, on the contrary, after the mating and in arrest of the gonadal activity, appears as fully restored. In the horse, in both natural and artificially induced photoperiods, significant variations were noted these in connection with the various phases of development of the electron-dense granules, typical of the horse pinealocyte, interpreted as melanosomes. These aspects confirm the role of the epiphysis in the regulation of the reproductive cycle, albeit in the presence of species-specific peculiarities.

Dynamics of connexin 43 levels and distribution in the mink (Mustela vison) anterior pituitary are associated with seasonal changes in anterior pituitary prolactin content

Because in mammals the anterior pituitary lacks innervation, we investigated whether gap junctions established between selected cells within the gland are part of an intrapituitary mechanism to ensure physiological synchronization of cells involved in the control of hormone secretion. We report here the dynamics of anterior pituitary connexin 43 (Cx43)-gap junctions throughout the mink (Mustela vison) annual reproductive cycle and its relationship with the anterior pituitary prolactin (PRL) content that parallels variations in serum PRL levels documented in the literature. We found that PRL anterior pituitary levels were maximal in spring and during lactation and that they were minimal in autumn and winter. Anterior pituitary Cx43 levels were maximal during periods of high PRL secretion. During these periods, Cx43-positive gap junctions localized to stellate-shaped cells occupying the center of anterior pituitary follicles and to the rounded cells occupying the remaining follicles. Connexin 43-positive gap junctions were also observed between adjacent follicles. During periods of low PRL pituitary content, Cx43-positive gap junctions localized to the stellate cells but not to the cells of the remaining follicles. Moreover, Cx43 labeling was undetected between adjacent follicles. To assess between which cells within the mink anterior pituitary the Cx43 gap junctions were established, the different anterior pituitary cell populations were separated by a discontinuous Percoll gradient, and Western blot analyses of each cell population using Cx43 antibodies were performed. The immunoblots showed a Cx43 immunoreactive band associated with the cell layer enriched in S-100-positive, stellate-shaped cells. The result was confirmed by fluorescence microscopy studies that showed that Cx43-mediated gap junctions were established preferentially between the cultured S-100-positive, elongated cells. The results show that in mink stellate cells, the junctional machinery associated with the Cx43 protein varies in synchrony with the anterior pituitary PRL content throughout the mink annual reproductive cycle. It is suggested that the Cx43 gap junctions on the stellate cells play an important role in the synchronization of cellular activity within selected follicles of the anterior pituitary, thus contributing to the control of PRL secretion during the annual reproductive cycle.

Evaluation of changes in hematologic and clinical biochemical values after exposure to petroleum products in mink (Mustela vison) as a model for assessment of sea otters (Enhydra lutris)

OBJECTIVE

To determine the effects of petroleum exposure on hematologic and clinical biochemical results of mink and to identify variables that may be useful for making management decisions involving sea otters (Enhydra lutris) that have been exposed to oil in their environment.

ANIMALS

122 American mink (Mustela vison).

PROCEDURES

Mink were exposed once to a slick of oil (Alaskan North Slope crude oil or bunker C fuel oil) on seawater or via low-level contamination of their daily rations.

RESULTS

In the acute phase of exposure, petroleum directly affected RBC, WBC, neutrophil, and lymphocyte counts, fibrinogen, sodium, calcium, creatinine, total protein, and cholesterol concentrations, and alanine transaminase, creatine kinase, alkaline phosphatase, and gamma-glutamyltransferase activities. Aspartate transaminase, alkaline phosphatase, gamma-glutamyltransferase, and lactate dehydrogenase activities and cholesterol concentration also varied as a result of chronic low-level contamination of feed.

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE

Our results are in agreement with reports that attribute increased alanine transaminase and alkaline phosphatase activities and decreased total protein concentration to petroleum exposure in sea otters during an oil spill. Sodium, calcium, creatinine, cholesterol, and lactate dehydrogenase may be valuable variables to assess for guidance during initial treatment of sea otters exposed to oil spills as well as for predicting which petroleum-exposed sea otters will reproduce following an oil spill. Measurement of these variables should aid wildlife professionals in making decisions regarding treatment of sea otters after oil spills.

Ecological effects, transport, and fate of mercury: a general review

Mercury at low concentrations represents a major hazard to microorganisms. Inorganic mercury has been reported to produce harmful effects at 5 microg/l in a culture medium. Organomercury compounds can exert the same effect at concentrations 10 times lower than this. The organic forms of mercury are generally more toxic to aquatic organisms and birds than the inorganic forms. Aquatic plants are affected by mercury in water at concentrations of 1 mg/l for inorganic mercury and at much lower concentrations of organic mercury. Aquatic invertebrates widely vary in their susceptibility to mercury. In general, organisms in the larval stage are most sensitive. Methyl mercury in fish is caused by bacterial methylation of inorganic mercury, either in the environment or in bacteria associated with fish gills or gut. In aquatic matrices, mercury toxicity is affected by temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen and water hardness. A wide variety of physiological, reproductive and biochemical abnormalities have been reported in fish exposed to sublethal concentrations of mercury. Birds fed inorganic mercury show a reduction in food intake and consequent poor growth. Other (more subtle) effects in avian receptors have been reported (i.e., increased enzyme production, decreased cardiovascular function, blood parameter changes, immune response, kidney function and structure, and behavioral changes). The form of retained mercury in birds is more variable and depends on species, target organ and geographical site. With few exceptions, terrestrial plants (woody plants in particular) are generally insensitive to the harmful effects of mercury compounds.

Effect of dietary glycine and benzoate level on benzoate metabolism in mink (Mustela vision), blue fox (Alopex lagopus), and raccoon dog (Nyctereutes procyonoides)

Three 2 x 4 factorial experiments were carried out from August to September with 30 juvenile male mink, 24 raccoon dogs, and 24 blue foxes to investigate the effect of dietary glycine supply (low or high) on the efficiency of these species to excrete hippuric acid with incremental benzoate intake (0, 1, 2, or 4 mmol/kg BW). For mink, two additional treatments with 1 or 2 mmol/kg BW of ethyl benzoate were included. A basal low-glycine diet was formulated to meet the minimum protein requirements of fur animals (30% of ME). This diet was supplemented with 0 or 3 g/kg of glycine, or with 0, 1.0, 2.07, or 4.15 g/kg of sodium benzoate for mink and blue foxes, and with 0 or 4.5 g/kg of glycine and 0, 1.58, 3.17, or 6.34 g/kg of sodium benzoate for raccoon dogs, respectively. Two additional diets with .76 or 1.53 g/kg of ethyl benzoate were made for mink. Fecal and urinary benzoic and hippuric acid excretion were measured for 3 d. The 24-h recovery of [14C]benzoic acid injected intraperitoneally was measured from urine, the liver, and the kidneys. All animals appeared healthy and no clinical signs of benzoate overdose were observed. Dietary benzoate level did not affect ADFI or ADG in any species. Glycine supplementation lowered ADFI in mink. The majority of ingested benzoates were absorbed from the gut (over 95%), except in blue foxes, which excreted 6 to 15% of ingested benzoates in feces with incremental increases in benzoate intake. Urinary free benzoic acid excretion accounted for 10% of the ingested benzoates in blue foxes but less than 5% in mink and raccoon dogs. When benzoate intake was 1 mmol/kg BW, mink, blue foxes, and raccoon dogs excreted 71, 77, and 34% of ingested benzoates as hippuric acid in urine, respectively. With higher benzoate intakes, urinary hippuric acid excretion decreased quadratically with mink to 20%, and linearly with blue foxes and raccoon dogs to 45 and 16%, respectively. The hippuric acid pathway appears to be the principal route of benzoate elimination in the mink and blue fox, whereas, in the raccoon dog, other pathways appear to be more important. In mink, the elimination of ethyl benzoate did not differ from that of sodium benzoate. Because glycine conjugation is the primary route of benzoate elimination, it is recommended that benzoate content in fur animal feeds should not exceed 1 g/kg feed on an as-fed basis.

Transforming growth factor beta regulates clusterin gene expression via modulation of transcription factor c-Fos

Transforming growth factor-beta (TGFbeta) induces gene expression of the glycoprotein clusterin in a variety of cell types via a consensus AP-1 binding site. Here, we demonstrate, by supershift analysis, that JunB, JunD, Fra1, Fra2, and c-Fos bound to AP-1 but that prior treatment of the cells with TGFbeta reduced dramatically c-Fos binding, suggesting that c-Fos might be playing a negative regulatory role in clusterin gene expression. Transient cotransfection assays in mink lung epithelial (CCL64) cells, using a human c-Fos expressing plasmid together with a clusterin promoter/reporter construct or the artificial TGFbeta-inducible reporter construct 3TPLux, revealed that c-Fos was indeed repressive for TGFbeta-induced promoter transactivation. Further, we demonstrate that in stable c-Fos-overexpressing cell lines, TGFbeta induction of endogenous clusterin mRNA, as well as clusterin promoter transactivation are blocked. Co-transfection with c-Fos deletion constructs revealed that the C-terminal region, including the homologue box 2 motif and the extreme C-terminal serine phosphorylation sites (Ser362 and Ser374) are required for repression of clusterin and 3TPLux transactivation. TGFbeta treatment of CCL64 cells resulted in the induction of c-Fos mRNA but caused no alternation in total c-Fos protein levels. The results suggest that the c-Fos represses clusterin gene expression, maintaining a low basal level in the absence of TGFbeta, and that TGFbeta, presumably through its effects on c-Fos protein synthesis and/or stability, abrogates the repression of c-Fos, thereby resulting in gene expression.

Changes in estrogen receptor expression and cell activity of lactotropes in female mink (Mustela vison) pituitary in response to variations in the gonadal steroid environment

This study was undertaken to get new information on the role played by estrogen (E) on the activity of mink lactotropes. Immunocytochemistry for estrogen receptor (ER) and prolactin (PRL) was applied to assess modifications in the protein production that occur as a result of in vivo changes in the gonadal steroid environment. Variations in the functional activity of lactotropes were demonstrated from the ultrastructural characteristics and morphometric parameters (cellular area, numerical density, and secretory granular size). The present study documents the presence of ER in mink lactotropes revealing the ability of E to regulate the expression of ER in the mink pituitary. Furthermore, all morphological and morphometric parameters of lactotropes activity appeared significantly increased in intact females, killed during the mating period, compared with castrated females under the same photoperiodic conditions. Castration thus blocks the stimulatory effect of photoperiod on metabolic activity of mink lactotropes suggesting that E may participate in the photoperiodic regulation of PRL.

Reproductive performance of two generations of female semidomesticated mink fed diets containing organic mercury contaminated freshwater fish

Semidomesticated female mink (Mustela vison) were fed daily diets containing 0.1 ppm, 0.5 ppm, and 1.0 ppm of total mercury. Piscivorous and nonpiscivorous fish naturally contaminated with organic mercury were used to prepare the diets. Twenty-month-old females (G1 generation) that were exposed to the experimental diets for approximately 400 days in 1994 and 1995 and their 10-month-old female offspring (G2 generation) that were exposed to mercury for approximately 300 days in 1995, were all mated to 10-month-old males. Males were fed the diet containing 0.1 ppm mercury 60 days prior to the mating season. Diets containing 0.1 ppm and 0.5 ppm were not lethal to G1 and G2 females for an exposure period of up to 704 days. At the age of 11 months, mortalities occurred in 1994 for G1 females (30/50) and in 1995 for G2 females (6/7) fed the 1.0 ppm mercury diet after 90 days and 330 days of exposure, respectively. The length of the gestation periods and the number of kits born per female were not different among dietary groups for the two generations of females. The proportion of females giving birth was low for all groups, except for the G1 females fed the 0.1 ppm diet. There was an inverse relationship between whelping proportion and exposure group, but was not statistically significant. There was evidence that kits were exposed to mercury both in utero and/or during lactation as indicated by the presence of mercury in their livers. Mercury exposure did not influence the survival and growth of neonatal kits.

Fatty acid alterations caused by PCBs (Aroclor 1242) and copper in adipose tissue around lymph nodes of mink

Fatty acid composition was determined in adipose tissue surrounding the mesenteric lymph nodes of mink (Mustela vison) exposed to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs: 1 mg Aroclor 1242 in food day-1 for 28 days) and/or copper (62 mg kg-1 food). These specific adipose tissues are known to have functional relationships with lymphocytes, and proliferation of cultured lymphocytes is influenced by the quality of fatty acids available in media. In six experimental groups the diet was based on freshwater fish, and in two groups it was based on marine fish. These basal diets differed in terms of fatty acid composition and content of fat-soluble vitamins A1 and E. The fatty acid composition of membrane phospholipids (PL) responded to PCBs more than that of triacylglycerols (TG). The effects of copper were small. In female minks fed a diet of freshwater fish, the proportion of highly unsaturated fatty acids in PL decreased by 5 wt.% due to PCBs, and the acids seemed to be replaced by monounsaturated fatty acids (9 wt.% increase of total). This decrease of highly unsaturated fatty acids in PL was milder in minks on the marine fish diet rich in fat-soluble vitamins. In TG of minks on the marine diet, however, PCBs decreased the proportion of docosahexaenoic acid (22:6n-3). The possibility that these alterations in the fatty acid metabolism of adipose tissue supporting the lymph nodes affect immune function during PCB exposure should be studied further. Interestingly, the quality of the fish diet affected the magnitude of the alterations. The fatty acid responses may also differ between males and females.

Long-term exposure of hypothalamic explants to melatonin alters the release of gonadotrophin releasing hormone and the density of melatonin binding sites in the pars tuberalis of the male mink (Mustela vison)

To investigate the action of melatonin on the reproductive system, the effect of prolonged versus short-term exposure to melatonin on the release of gonadotrophin releasing hormone (GnRH) was examined in hypothalamic explants of male mink sacrificed in July, September or November. Mediobasal hypothalamic (MBH) explants including the pars tuberalis (PT) were incubated for 1 night with or without melatonin (10(-8) M) for 8 hr or 16 hr and the release of GnRH was then measured. The next day, the explants were incubated further but in a melatonin free buffer, and the release of GnRH was measured with increasing time. Half of the July and September explants had melatonin binding sites quantified by autoradiography. In November, a 16-hr exposure to melatonin induced a significant increase in the release of GnRH during the night, compared with control or 8-hr melatonin exposure. This increase persisted for at least 45 min after the withdrawal of melatonin, suggesting a stimulatory effect of melatonin on the synthesis of GnRH; this effect was apparent in July, September and November. In September, the density of melatonin binding in the PT was significantly lower in the explants incubated for 16 hr with melatonin, compared with those incubated for 8 hr. Thus, in vitro, a long exposure to melatonin, mimicking a single long night, stimulates the release and synthesis of GnRH in parallel with a decrease in the density of melatonin binding in the PT. These effects seem to depend heavily on the duration of exposure to melatonin.

Water intake and excretion, urinary solute excretion and some stress indicators in mink (Mustela vison): effect of ambient temperature and quantitative water supply to lactating females

Lactation is a physiologically demanding period in mink production, during which kit and dam losses may occur. Ambient temperature and quantitative water supply are thought to affect animal performance and well-being, but conclusive data in the literature are sparse. Therefore, effects of ambient temperature (Ta; low, about 5 degrees; medium, about 15 degrees; high, average 20-25 degrees) and water supply (ad libitum (N), or 10% extra supplementation in the food (E)) were investigated regarding effects on quantitative water intake and excretion, urine osmolality and solute excretion, and urinary cortisol and catecholamines as stress indicators in an experiment with twelve lactating mink with litters of three to seven kits in three consecutive periods, lasting 3, 3 and 2 d respectively. Kit ages ranged from 15 to 20 d at the end of the experiment. Water requirement for milk production (factorial calculations) and water available for evaporation (balance component) were estimated. Period, and hence mainly Ta, had a significant influence on intake of metabolizable energy, quantitative water intake and excretion, but there was less effect of water supply. The total water intake and excretion were very high in relation to the weight of the animals as an effect of lactation. Water intake and excretion, and urinary Na excretion, seemed to be less accurately regulated compared with corresponding functions in non-lactating animals. Rectal temperature increased with increasing Ta, possibly as a means of decreasing evaporative water loss. Water output in milk was estimated to increase from 118 g/d at low Ta to 134 g/d at high Ta. The amounts of water available for evaporation were estimated to be 42, 58 and 69 g/kg0.75 at low, medium and high Ta. Cortisol data did not indicate that the animals experienced negative stress. It was concluded that prolonged periods of high Ta may be hazardous for lactating mink because of decreased intake of metabolizable energy resulting in energy deficit and excessive mobilization of body reserves simultaneously as the requirement for intake of water increases considerably.

Organochlorine and heavy metal contaminants in wild mink in western Northwest Territories, Canada

The mink (Mustela vision) is a top trophic level species that readily bioaccumulates environmental pollutants and is considered to be a sensitive indicator of ecosystem health. Spatial trends in levels of organochlorine and heavy metal contaminant burdens were determined from 1991 to 1995 for wild mink from western Northwest Territories (NWT), Canada. Tissue samples from 207 mink from seven communities were analyzed for residues of 63 organochlorines and 10 heavy metals. All groups of organochlorines were detected in mink livers at relatively low levels; maximum community means were 9.52 ng/g sigma DDT and 73.07 ng/g sigma PCB (sum of 43 congeners). There was a general trend of decreasing organochlorine burdens along a northerly or westerly gradient for some groups of compounds, primarily sigma DDT, sigma PCB, sigma chlordane and dieldrin. Toxic equivalents (TEQs) of mink liver tissue were low, with the maximum community mean of 0.28 pg/g wet weight (5.5 pg/g lipid weight). Levels of heavy metal burdens in liver and kidney tissues were found to be relatively low, with the exception of Hg, which was found at moderate levels. There was no obvious geographic trend to the pattern of heavy metal burdens. The available evidence suggests that long-range atmospheric transport is the main source of the organochlorine contaminants observed. Local conditions (geology, water and soil chemistry, diet, etc.) may determine heavy metal burdens. Levels of contaminants in NWT mink appear to be one to two orders of magnitude lower than levels observed to cause reproductive impairment, reduced survival of kits, or lethality in adult mink. In the western NWT mink may be the best indicator to assess trends in environmental contaminants and ecosystem health; periodic monitoring is recommended.

Daily milk intake and body water turnover in suckling mink (Mustela vison) kits

Daily (24 h) milk intake and body water turnover were measured in eight litters of suckling mink (Mustela vison) kits (6-9 kits litter-1) during weeks 1-4 post partum using the tritiated water (3HHO) dilution technique. The biological half-life of body water turnover in the mink kits increased linearly from 0.9 days in week 1 (3-5 days post partum) to 1.9 days in week 4 (22-24 days post partum). The daily milk intake varied markedly among the mink kits within a litter and increased significantly with increasing body mass from (mean +/- SEM) 10.9 +/- 0.4 g per kit during week 1 to 27.7 +/- 1.0 g per kit during week 4. Throughout the study, male kits were approximately 10% heavier and had a significantly higher milk intake than female kits. The results were corrected for water recycling between the dam and her kits, ranging from approximately 4 to 15% of the daily milk water intake, and the calculated daily milk yield of the 2 year old lactating mink dams increased from 87 +/- 7 g day-1 in week 1 to 190 +/- 15 g day-1 in week 4 post partum. The average body growth rate of the mink kits ranged from 2.9 g kit-1 per day in week 1 to 5.4 g kit-1 per day in week 4, and the calculated mean intake of mink milk per unit of body weight gain was remarkably stable at 1.0 (g g-1) during weeks 1-3 post partum, but increased to 5.6 (g g-1) in week 4 post partum. The amount of metabolizable energy supplied to the kits by the daily milk yield of the dam increased from approximately 450 to approximately 990 kJ day-1, which corresponded well with the calculated daily energy requirements of the kits. The tritiated water dilution technique was found feasible and reliable for repeated measurements of milk intake in suckling mink kits up to 4 weeks of age.

Expression of the insulin-like growth factor II gene in polychlorinated biphenyl exposed female mink (Mustela vison) and their fetuses

AIM

To study how polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) affect fetal growth and the expression of the insulin-like growth factor (IGF II) gene in the mink (Mustela vision).

METHODS

Ten female mink were each exposed to 0.65 or 1.3 mg Clophen A50/day, respectively, during the reproductive season. The numbers and sizes of viable fetuses were recorded. The expression of the IGF II gene was studied by northern blotting using a mink specific IGF II cDNA probe.

RESULTS

The number of viable fetuses decreased after PCB exposure in a dose dependent fashion. Expression of the IGF II gene in adult livers from PCB exposed animals was decreased, compared with control animals, in a dose dependent fashion. In contrast, IGF II expression in placentas and fetuses was unaltered. Furthermore, the maternal excretion of urinary cortisol increased in both exposed groups during the implantation period.

CONCLUSIONS

Expression of the IGF II gene is downregulated by PCB exposure in the adult liver. There is also an indication that the regulation of the expression of this gene differs between adult and fetal life.

Mercury accumulation in mink fed fish collected from streams on the Oak Ridge Reservation

This study evaluates effects of feeding mercury (Hg) contaminated fish collected from streams on the Oak Ridge Reservation (ORR) on mink. Diets composed of 25, 50, or 75% fish collected from streams on the ORR were fed to mink beginning 3 months prior to breeding and ending 6 weeks following whelping. Mercury concentrations in diets, tissues of adult mink and their offspring, and physiological and reproductive effects were recorded and compared to concentrations and effects observed in mink fed diets composed of 75% fish collected from the Clinch River above the ORR or from the ocean. Mercury concentrations in prepared diets and in tissues of adult mink and their offspring increased progressively with increased percentage of ORR fish in the diets. Female mink fed diets containing 75% ORR fish had reduced body weight and a decreased number of kits compared to those fed diets containing 75% fish collected above the ORR or from the ocean. However, based on previously reported Hg concentrations associated with adverse effects in mink, the observed adverse effects are not thought to result from exposure to Hg.

Nitrogen balance in adult female mink (Mustela vision) in response to normal feeding and short-term fasting

Ten adult female mink (Mustela vison) were studied in a 7 d balance experiment consisting of a 2 d pre-surgery feeding period, followed by surgery, 1 d of recovery 4 d of ad libitum feeding, and a 2 d fasting period. In this experiment (Expt A) the animals had osmotic pumps implanted for continuous release of radioactively-labelled p-aminohippuric acid (p-aminobenzoyl-2-[3H]glycine; [3H]PAH; n 10) and 14C-labelled inulin ([14C]IN; n 5). Repeated 24 h collections of urine, corrected to 100% [3H]PAH or [14C]IN recovery, were used for accurate determination of N balances, 24 h urinary excretion of urea, creatinine, and total N, and calculation of mean 24 h renal clearance rates for endogenous creatinine and inulin. N balances were slightly below zero, but not significantly different between feeding and fasting periods, indicating that correction to 100% [3H]PAH recovery resulted in slight overestimation of the final balances. During fasting, withdrawal of the dietary water and protein loads resulted in a dramatic decline in 24 h urinary volume, and urea and creatinine excretion. Large individual variations in 24 h urinary creatinine excretion (with relative variation coefficients up to 30%) confirmed that this is an unreliable index of the completeness of urine collection. In this respect, recovery rates of [3H]PAH proved far more consistent. Renal clearance values obtained in fed mink were in fair agreement with published data from cats, dogs and ferrets (Mustela putorius furo). Inulin clearance was about 30% higher than endogenous creatinine clearance, although its decline in response to fasting was not significant. In a separate study (Expt B) another ten female mink were equipped with osmotic pumps containing [3H]PAH for determination of 24 h excretion rates of purine derivatives. During feeding, allantoin accounted for more than 97% of the excretion of purine derivatives in urine, uric acid making up less than 2.5%, xanthine and hypoxanthine less than 1%. In fasted animals, urinary excretion of each of these purine derivatives declined to less than 50% of the feeding value. In conclusion, an experimental technique is presented for efficient and accurate measurements of daily urinary excretion of nitrogenous constituents, which allows for correct determination of N balances in adult mink and, presumably, in other mammalian species.