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BONE MINERAL DENSITY DETERMINED BY DUAL-ENERGY X-RAY ABSORPTIOMETRY METHOD FOR EGYPTIAN FRUIT BATS (ROUSETTUS AEGYPTIACUS) IN HUMAN CARE. J Zoo Wildl Med 2022; 53:528-536. [DOI: 10.1638/2021-0040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
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2
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Rissmann M, Friedrichs V, Kley N, Straube M, Sadeghi B, Balkema-Buschmann A. Baseline of Physiological Body Temperature and Hematological Parameters in Captive Rousettus aegyptiacus and Eidolon helvum Fruit Bats. Front Physiol 2022; 13:910157. [PMID: 36105294 PMCID: PMC9465388 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2022.910157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2022] [Accepted: 06/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The discovery of bats as reservoir hosts for a number of highly pathogenic zoonotic agents has led to an increasing interest of infectious disease research in experimental studies with bats. Therefore, we established breeding colonies of Rousettus aegyptiacus and Eidolon helvum fruit bats, which both have been identified as reservoir hosts for relevant zoonotic disease agents, such as Marburg virus and Lagos bat virus. Since 2013, individuals of both species have been recruited to the Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut (FLI) from zoological gardens in Europe, to where these species had been introduced from the wild several decades ago. The aviaries have been designed according to national recommendations published by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture. Under these conditions, both species have been reproducing for years. To better understand the physiology of these animals, and to generate baseline knowledge for infection experiments, we monitored the body core temperatures of R. aegyptiacus bats in the aviaries, and found a circadian variation between 34°C and 41.5°C. We also determined the hematological parameters of both species, and detected specific differences between both bat species. For values of clinical chemistry, no correlation to age or sex was observed. However, species-specific differences were detected since ALT, BUN and CREA were found to be significantly higher in R. aegyptiacus and GLU and TP were significantly higher in E. helvum bats. A higher hematocrit, hemoglobin and red blood cell level was observed in subadult R. aegyptiacus, with hemoglobin and red blood cells also being significantly increased compared to E. helvum. Lymphocytes were found to be the dominant white blood cells in both species and are higher in female E. helvum. Neutrophil granulocytes were significantly higher in E. helvum bats. This underlines the necessity to define baseline profiles for each bat species prior to their use in experimental challenge.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melanie Rissmann
- Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Greifswald, Germany
- Department of Viroscience, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | | | - Nils Kley
- Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Martin Straube
- Landratsamt Ortenaukreis, Amt für Veterinärwesen und Lebensmittelüberwachung, Offenburg, Germany
| | - Balal Sadeghi
- Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Anne Balkema-Buschmann
- Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Greifswald, Germany
- *Correspondence: Anne Balkema-Buschmann,
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3
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Pulscher LA, Gray R, McQuilty R, Rose K, Welbergen JA, Phalen DN. Evidence of chronic cadmium exposure identified in the critically endangered Christmas Island flying-fox (Pteropus natalis). THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 766:144374. [PMID: 33421794 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.144374] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2020] [Revised: 11/30/2020] [Accepted: 12/04/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The Christmas Island flying-fox (Pteropus natalis) is the last native mammal on Christmas Island and its population is in decline. Phosphate mining occurs across much of the eastern side of Christmas Island. The phosphate deposits are naturally rich in cadmium, and potentially other metals, which may be threatening the Christmas Island flying-fox population. To test this, concentrations of metals (cadmium, copper, iron, mercury, lead, and zinc) were measured in fur and urine collected from Christmas Island flying-foxes and interpreted concurrently with urinalysis and serum biochemistry data. In addition, metal concentrations in liver and kidney samples from two Christmas Island flying-foxes and associated histological findings from one of these individuals are reported. Fur cadmium concentrations were significantly higher in the Christmas Island flying-fox compared to concentrations found in flying-foxes in mainland Australia. Additionally, 30% of Christmas Island flying-foxes had urine cadmium concentrations exceeding maximum concentrations previously reported in flying-foxes in mainland Australia. Glucosuria and proteinuria were identified in two Christmas Island flying-foxes, suggestive of renal dysfunction. In one aged flying-fox, kidney cadmium concentrations were four-fold higher than toxic thresholds reported for domestic mammals. Microscopic evaluation of this individual identified bone lesions consistent with those described in laboratory animals with chronic cadmium poisoning. These results suggest that Christmas Island flying-foxes are being exposed to cadmium and identification of these sources is recommended as a focus of future research. Unexpectedly, urine iron concentrations in Christmas Island flying-foxes were higher compared to previous studies of Australian mainland flying-foxes, which suggests that urinary excretion of iron may be an important aspect of iron homeostasis in this species whose diet is iron rich.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura A Pulscher
- Sydney School of Veterinary Science, Faculty of Science, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
| | - Rachael Gray
- Sydney School of Veterinary Science, Faculty of Science, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
| | - Robert McQuilty
- Department of Chemical Pathology, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Level 7 Building 65, Missenden Rd, Camperdown, NSW, Australia.
| | - Karrie Rose
- Australian Registry of Wildlife Health, Taronga Conservation Society Australia, Bradleys Head Road, Mosman, NSW 2088, Australia.
| | - Justin A Welbergen
- Hawksbury Institute for the Environment, Western Sydney University, Richmond, NSW 2753, Australia.
| | - David N Phalen
- Sydney School of Veterinary Science, Faculty of Science, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
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4
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Oonincx DGAB, Diehl JJE, Kik M, Baines FM, Heijboer AC, Hendriks WH, Bosch G. The nocturnal leopard gecko (Eublepharis macularius) uses UVb radiation for vitamin D 3 synthesis. Comp Biochem Physiol B Biochem Mol Biol 2020; 250:110506. [PMID: 32950659 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpb.2020.110506] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2020] [Revised: 08/26/2020] [Accepted: 09/14/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Vitamin D is an important regulator of calcium and phosphorus homeostasis in animals. It can be acquired from the diet or synthesised de novo when skin is exposed to UVb. Vitamin D deficiency can lead to a complex of diseases collectively called metabolic bone disease (MBD). Diurnal lizards without access to UVb are prone to develop vitamin D deficiency, even when dietary vitamin D3 is provided. A trial was conducted to determine whether juvenile nocturnal lizards require access to UVb to prevent vitamin D deficiency. All leopard geckos (Eublepharis macularius) were supplemented with dietary vitamin D3. One group was exposed to low level UVb radiation (33-51 μW/cm2) from hatching until 6 months of age and a second group remained unexposed. Animals were fed ad libitum and their growth and weight gain compared with non-exposed controls. At the end of the trial, blood samples were analysed for vitamin D3 metabolites. The concentration of the vitamin D3 metabolite, 25(OH)D3, was higher in UVb exposed animals (61 ± 20 vs. 38 ± 8 nmol/L), confirming cutaneous synthesis with UVb exposure. Growth and weight gain were similar in both groups, and this, together with the absence of clinical symptoms, suggests that dietary vitamin D3 alone can meet the vitamin D requirements for growth of this nocturnal gecko, during the first six months of life. It remains to be investigated whether the higher vitamin D metabolite levels holds other health benefits for this species, such as improved bone density or immune response.
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Affiliation(s)
- D G A B Oonincx
- Animal Nutrition Group, Department of Animal Sciences, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, the Netherlands; Laboratory of Entomology, Department of Plant Sciences, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, the Netherlands.
| | - J J E Diehl
- Animal Nutrition Group, Department of Animal Sciences, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - M Kik
- Pathology division, Department of Biomedical Health Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - F M Baines
- UV Guide UK, Greenfield, School Lane, Govilon, Abergavenny, NP7 9NT, Wales, United Kingdom
| | - A C Heijboer
- Endocrine Laboratory, Department of Clinical Chemistry, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, and University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam Gastroenterology & Metabolism, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - W H Hendriks
- Animal Nutrition Group, Department of Animal Sciences, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - G Bosch
- Animal Nutrition Group, Department of Animal Sciences, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, the Netherlands
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5
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Moretti P, Ravasio G, Magnone W, Di Cesare F, Paltrinieri S, Pecile A, Giordano A. Haematological, serum biochemical and electrophoretic data on healthy captive Egyptian fruit bats ( Rousettus aegyptiacus). Lab Anim 2020; 55:158-169. [PMID: 32838610 DOI: 10.1177/0023677220948542] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Bats play a key role as reservoir hosts of many emerging viral diseases with zoonotic potential. However, little is known about the laboratory reference intervals (RIs) of bats, especially Egyptian fruit bats (Rousettus aegyptiacus). The aim of this study was to obtain haematological, biochemical and electrophoretic RIs from captive fruit bats. Blood was collected from 21 R. aegyptiacus (11 females and 10 males). Complete blood cell count was performed using an impedance cell counter followed by the morphologic analysis of blood smears. Clinical biochemistry was performed with an automated spectrophotometer and agarose gel electrophoresis was carried out with an automated instrument. Reference intervals were determined using the Reference Value Advisor V2.1, following the American Society for Veterinary Clinical Pathology guidelines. Possible differences related to sex or sexual maturity were also investigated. The RIs for most of the analytes investigated were similar to those of other types of bats and other mammalian species. Haematology revealed mild polychromasia and slightly lower haematocrit, haemoglobin, leukocyte and lymphocyte counts compared to other bats. Glucose levels varied possibly due to stress, the anaesthetic protocol and fasting time. Creatine kinase was higher, while triglycerides were lower compared with domestic mammals and other bats. No sex- or age-related differences were found. Serum protein electrophoresis showed five fractions (albumin, α-, β1-, β2- and γ-globulins). The values recorded in this study could be helpful as a reference biological dataset to monitor the health status of wild and captive R. aegyptiacus and, possibly, of other Chiroptera.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pierangelo Moretti
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Milan, Italy.,Veterinary Teaching Hospital, University of Milan, Italy
| | - Giuliano Ravasio
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Milan, Italy.,Veterinary Teaching Hospital, University of Milan, Italy
| | | | - Federica Di Cesare
- Department of Health, Animal Science and Food Safety, University of Milan, Italy
| | - Saverio Paltrinieri
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Milan, Italy.,Veterinary Teaching Hospital, University of Milan, Italy
| | - Alessandro Pecile
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Milan, Italy.,Veterinary Teaching Hospital, University of Milan, Italy
| | - Alessia Giordano
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Milan, Italy.,Veterinary Teaching Hospital, University of Milan, Italy
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6
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Dierenfeld ES, Pernikoff D, Brewer P. DIETARY VITAMIN D3 INFLUENCE ON SERUM 25-HYDROXY VITAMIN D CONCENTRATIONS IN CAPTIVE SUGAR GLIDERS (PETAURUS BREVICEPS). J Exot Pet Med 2018. [DOI: 10.1053/j.jepm.2017.10.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
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7
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Scheelings TF, Slocombe RF, Bayley C. Metastatic mineralisation caused by vitamin D intoxication in hand-raised short-beaked echidnas (Tachyglossus aculeatus). Aust Vet J 2017; 95:427-430. [PMID: 29076218 DOI: 10.1111/avj.12640] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2015] [Revised: 12/18/2016] [Accepted: 02/12/2017] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
CASE REPORT Two cases of metastatic mineralisation caused by dietary excess of vitamin D are reported in hand-raised short-beaked echidna (Tachyglossus aculeatus) puggles at the Australian Wildlife Health Centre. Oversupplementation was attributed to excessive levels of vitamin D in Wombaroo Echidna Milk Replacer fed to the puggles. No information exists regarding the naturally occurring vitamin D levels in echidna milk, but, given the low serum levels that have been observed in free-ranging animals, it is likely to be low. CONCLUSION The vitamin D concentration in Wombaroo Echidna Milk Replacer has been reduced.
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Affiliation(s)
- T F Scheelings
- Australian Wildlife Health Centre, Healesville Sanctuary, Healesville, VIC, Australia
| | - R F Slocombe
- Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Melbourne, Werribee, VIC, Australia
| | - C Bayley
- Gribbles Pathology, Clayton, VIC, Australia
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8
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Dammann P. Slow aging in mammals-Lessons from African mole-rats and bats. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2017; 70:154-163. [PMID: 28698112 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2017.07.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2017] [Revised: 07/04/2017] [Accepted: 07/05/2017] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Traditionally, the main mammalian models used in aging research have been mice and rats, i.e. short-lived species that obviously lack effective maintenance mechanisms to keep their soma in a functional state for prolonged periods of time. It is doubtful that life-extending mechanisms identified only in such short-lived species adequately reflect the diversity of longevity pathways that have naturally evolved in mammals, or that they have much relevance for long-lived species such as humans. Therefore, some complementary, long-lived mammalian models have been introduced to aging research in the past 15-20 years, particularly naked mole-rats (and to a lesser extent also other mole-rats) and bats. Here, I summarize and compare the most important results regarding various aspects of aging - oxidative stress, molecular homeostasis and repair, and endocrinology - that have been obtained from studies using these new mammalian models of high longevity. I argue that the inclusion of these models was an important step forward, because it drew researchers' attention to certain oversimplifications of existing aging theories and to several features that appear to be universal components of enhanced longevity in mammals. However, even among mammals with high longevity, considerable variation exists with respect to other candidate mechanisms that also must be taken into account if inadequate generalizations are to be avoided.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philip Dammann
- Central Animal Laboratory, Faculty of Medicine, University of Duisburg, Essen, Germany.
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9
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ASSESSMENT OF SERUM 25-HYDROXYVITAMIN D CONCENTRATIONS IN TWO COLLECTIONS OF CAPTIVE GORILLAS (GORILLA GORILLA GORILLA). J Zoo Wildl Med 2017; 48:144-151. [PMID: 28363045 DOI: 10.1638/2015-0299.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations were assessed in subadult to adult captive lowland gorillas ( Gorilla gorilla gorilla) (n = 26) at two institutions with different husbandry and management practices. Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D) concentrations for gorillas managed predominantly indoors was low (14.2 ± 5.9 ng/ml), despite consuming commercial biscuits fortified with vitamin D3. Concentrations of 25(OH)D in gorillas with near daily outdoor access were significantly higher than gorillas managed indoors, although many individuals still had serum values below concentrations recommended for adult humans. Consideration should be given to assessing 25(OH)D concentrations in all captive gorillas and providing specific supplementation, particularly to juveniles without access to direct sunlight.
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10
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Stringer E, Han S, Larsen RS. Cutaneous vitiligo associated with hypovitaminosis D in Malayan flying foxes (
Pteropus vampyrus
) and Island flying foxes (
Pteropus hypomelanus
). VETERINARY RECORD CASE REPORTS 2016. [DOI: 10.1136/vetreccr-2016-000297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Sushan Han
- Department of MicrobiologyDiagnostic Medicine CenterColorado State UniversityFort CollinsColoradoUSA
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11
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ESTABLISHMENT OF REFERENCE INTERVALS FOR HEMATOLOGY AND BIOCHEMISTRY ANALYTES IN A CAPTIVE COLONY OF STRAW-COLORED FRUIT BATS (EIDOLON HELVUM). J Zoo Wildl Med 2016; 47:106-12. [PMID: 27010270 DOI: 10.1638/2015-0040.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Straw-colored fruit bats (Eidolon helvum) are an ecologically important species of megachiropteran bat that are common both in captivity and in the wild. This study attempts to determine reference intervals from a group of 45 captive individuals for a variety of hematologic and biochemistry parameters. Most of the values are similar to values previously seen in other pteropodid bat species. Differences included a lower than expected reference interval for the total white blood cell count, a wider reference interval for glucose, and a higher reference interval for 25-hydroxyvitamin D. Establishing reference intervals for hematologic and biochemistry analytes for bats that were maintained on the same diet and under the same husbandry parameters for several years will help in the future assessment of other bats maintained in a similar manner.
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12
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Southworth LO, Holick MF, Chen TC, Kunz TH. Effects of sunlight on behavior and 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels in two species of Old World fruit bats. DERMATO-ENDOCRINOLOGY 2014; 5:192-8. [PMID: 24494054 PMCID: PMC3897589 DOI: 10.4161/derm.24020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2012] [Revised: 02/11/2013] [Accepted: 02/15/2013] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
UNLABELLED It has long been accepted that most vertebrate animals meet their vitamin D requirements from exposure of skin to UV-B (UV-B) radiation. Many factors affect this endogenous synthesis of vitamin D, including season, latitude, time of day, age, presence of hair, and degree of skin pigmentation. Most bats roost in dark places by day and forage at night, and thus have little or no potential for sunlight exposure. Notwithstanding, some tropical species are diurnal and are known to roost in the canopy of trees where they may be exposed to sunlight for up to 12 h each day. In this study, two species of captive tropical bats (both species are active at night but one, Rousettus aegyptiacus, roosts in caves, tombs, and buildings, whereas the other, Pteropus hypomelanus, roosts in trees) were evaluated for their ability to endogenously synthesize vitamin D. Following timed periods of sunlight exposure, blood plasma was analyzed using a competitive protein binding assay (CPBA) to determine concentrations of 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D], the major circulating vitamin D metabolite. The ability to photoconvert provitamin D (7-dehydrocholesterol, 7-DHC) in the sub-tropical winter was determined using sunlight exposed borosilicate samples of 7-DHC in hourly increments. Finally, both species were evaluated in their preference for a roost site by the release of individuals into sunlight or shade in timed trials. OUR RESULTS SUPPORT THE HYPOTHESES (1) when exposed to natural sunlight, both species exhibited an ability to endogenously synthesize vitamin D, although significant differences were found between the two, (2) photoconversion of 7-DHC to previtamin D3 is possible during the mid-day hours of a sub-tropical winter day and (3) captive, cave roosting R. aegyptiacus will choose shaded roost sites while captive P. hypomelanus will show no preference for either shade or sun.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lizabeth O Southworth
- Center for Ecology and Conservation Biology; Department of Biology; Boston University, Boston, MA USA
| | - Michael F Holick
- Section of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Nutrition; Department of Medicine; Boston University School of Medicine; Boston, MA USA
| | - Tai C Chen
- Section of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Nutrition; Department of Medicine; Boston University School of Medicine; Boston, MA USA
| | - Thomas H Kunz
- Center for Ecology and Conservation Biology; Department of Biology; Boston University, Boston, MA USA
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Adaptive evolution of the myo6 gene in old world fruit bats (family: pteropodidae). PLoS One 2013; 8:e62307. [PMID: 23620821 PMCID: PMC3631194 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0062307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2012] [Accepted: 03/19/2013] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Myosin VI (encoded by the Myo6 gene) is highly expressed in the inner and outer hair cells of the ear, retina, and polarized epithelial cells such as kidney proximal tubule cells and intestinal enterocytes. The Myo6 gene is thought to be involved in a wide range of physiological functions such as hearing, vision, and clathrin-mediated endocytosis. Bats (Chiroptera) represent one of the most fascinating mammal groups for molecular evolutionary studies of the Myo6 gene. A diversity of specialized adaptations occur among different bat lineages, such as echolocation and associated high-frequency hearing in laryngeal echolocating bats, large eyes and a strong dependence on vision in Old World fruit bats (Pteropodidae), and specialized high-carbohydrate but low-nitrogen diets in both Old World and New World fruit bats (Phyllostomidae). To investigate what role(s) the Myo6 gene might fulfill in bats, we sequenced the coding region of the Myo6 gene in 15 bat species and used molecular evolutionary analyses to detect evidence of positive selection in different bat lineages. We also conducted real-time PCR assays to explore the expression levels of Myo6 in a range of tissues from three representative bat species. Molecular evolutionary analyses revealed that the Myo6 gene, which was widely considered as a hearing gene, has undergone adaptive evolution in the Old World fruit bats which lack laryngeal echolocation and associated high-frequency hearing. Real-time PCR showed the highest expression level of the Myo6 gene in the kidney among ten tissues examined in three bat species, indicating an important role for this gene in kidney function. We suggest that Myo6 has undergone adaptive evolution in Old World fruit bats in relation to receptor-mediated endocytosis for the preservation of protein and essential nutrients.
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14
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Scheelings TF, Haynes L. Effect of diet on serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentration in the short-beaked echidna (Tachyglossus aculeatus). Aust Vet J 2012; 90:325-8. [PMID: 22827628 DOI: 10.1111/j.1751-0813.2012.00944.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Elevated concentrations of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)-D) were diagnosed in captive short-beaked echidnas (Tachyglossus aculeatus) from three different zoological facilities within Australia. RESULTS The mean serum 25(OH)-D concentration in the wild echidnas was 24.7 nmol/L and was significantly higher in captive echidnas from all three facilities: Facility 1, mean 335.5 nmol/L (P < 0.001); Facility 2, mean 187.2 nmol/L (P = 0.003); Facility 3, mean 194 nmol/L (P = 0.005). Animals did not appear to have clinical manifestations of vitamin D toxicosis. The increased serum 25(OH)-D concentration was attributed to excessive dietary intake and a reduction in the amount of vitamin D(3) in the diet of echidnas from Facility 1 resulted in a marked decrease in the serum 25(OH)-D concentrations (mean 33 nmol/L). The reduction in serum 25(OH)-D concentration was statistically significant (P = 0.002) and the resulting concentrations were similar to those of wild echidnas (P = 0.212). CONCLUSION It is not known what effect an elevated serum 25(OH)-D concentration has on echidnas.
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Affiliation(s)
- T F Scheelings
- Australian Wildlife Health Centre, Healesville Sanctuary, Healesville, Victoria 3777, Australia.
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15
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Aitken-Palmer C, Isaza R, Pope B, Reese D. Delayed growth in a young fruit bat (Pteropus pumilis) due to nutritional hypovitaminosis C. Vet Rec 2012; 170:22. [PMID: 22027185 DOI: 10.1136/vr.100214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- C Aitken-Palmer
- Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, University of Florida, 2015 SW, 16th Ave, Gainesville, Florida 32610, USA
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16
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Tubo NJ, McLachlan JB, Campbell JJ. Chemokine receptor requirements for epidermal T-cell trafficking. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PATHOLOGY 2011; 178:2496-503. [PMID: 21641376 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajpath.2011.02.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2010] [Revised: 01/17/2011] [Accepted: 02/01/2011] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Inflamed skin contains CD4 T-cell subsets that express chemokine receptors CCR4, CCR6, and/or CCR10. Prior attempts to reveal the distinct role(s) of each receptor in T-cell trafficking to skin have not produced a coherent story. Different conclusions drawn by separate research groups are difficult to reconcile because of the disparate inflammation models used. Here we directly compare CD4 T cells from wild-type, CCR4(-/-), CCR6(-/-), and CCR10(-/-) mice in parallel assays of trafficking to skin. Our models require direct competition between wild-type and receptor-deficient populations for access to inflamed cutaneous sites. Major histocompatibility complex-peptide tetramers allowed us to identify antigen-specific endogenous long-term memory CD4 T cells within skin after multiple topical immunizations. We separately analyzed cells from the dermal and epidermal layers, allowing us to assess the involvement of each receptor in trafficking between dermis and epidermis. We found that CCR4 deficiency reduces accumulation of memory CD4 T cells in skin by approximately 20-fold, but neither CCR6 nor CCR10 deficiency yielded any detectable effects. Strikingly, no differences in dermal versus epidermal localization were observed for cells lacking any of these three receptors. Our findings raise the possibility that CCR6 and CCR10 play (as yet) unknown roles in cutaneous T-cell immunology, unrelated to skin-specific trafficking.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noah J Tubo
- Department of Dermatology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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17
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Herr C, Greulich T, Koczulla RA, Meyer S, Zakharkina T, Branscheidt M, Eschmann R, Bals R. The role of vitamin D in pulmonary disease: COPD, asthma, infection, and cancer. Respir Res 2011; 12:31. [PMID: 21418564 PMCID: PMC3071319 DOI: 10.1186/1465-9921-12-31] [Citation(s) in RCA: 137] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2010] [Accepted: 03/18/2011] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The role of vitamin D (VitD) in calcium and bone homeostasis is well described. In the last years, it has been recognized that in addition to this classical function, VitD modulates a variety of processes and regulatory systems including host defense, inflammation, immunity, and repair. VitD deficiency appears to be frequent in industrialized countries. Especially patients with lung diseases have often low VitD serum levels. Epidemiological data indicate that low levels of serum VitD is associated with impaired pulmonary function, increased incidence of inflammatory, infectious or neoplastic diseases. Several lung diseases, all inflammatory in nature, may be related to activities of VitD including asthma, COPD and cancer. The exact mechanisms underlying these data are unknown, however, VitD appears to impact on the function of inflammatory and structural cells, including dendritic cells, lymphocytes, monocytes, and epithelial cells. This review summarizes the knowledge on the classical and newly discovered functions of VitD, the molecular and cellular mechanism of action and the available data on the relationship between lung disease and VitD status.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian Herr
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division for Pulmonary Diseases, Philipps-Universtät Marburg, 35043 Marburg, Germany
- Department of Pulmonology, University of the Saarland, 66421 Homburg Saar, Germany
| | - Timm Greulich
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division for Pulmonary Diseases, Philipps-Universtät Marburg, 35043 Marburg, Germany
| | - Rembert A Koczulla
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division for Pulmonary Diseases, Philipps-Universtät Marburg, 35043 Marburg, Germany
| | - Silke Meyer
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Endocrinology & Diabetology, Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital Marburg, 35043 Marburg, Germany
| | - Tetyana Zakharkina
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division for Pulmonary Diseases, Philipps-Universtät Marburg, 35043 Marburg, Germany
- Department of Pulmonology, University of the Saarland, 66421 Homburg Saar, Germany
| | - Meret Branscheidt
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division for Pulmonary Diseases, Philipps-Universtät Marburg, 35043 Marburg, Germany
| | - Rebecca Eschmann
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division for Pulmonary Diseases, Philipps-Universtät Marburg, 35043 Marburg, Germany
| | - Robert Bals
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division for Pulmonary Diseases, Philipps-Universtät Marburg, 35043 Marburg, Germany
- Department of Pulmonology, University of the Saarland, 66421 Homburg Saar, Germany
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Booher CM, Hood WR. Calcium utilization during reproduction in big brown bats (Eptesicus fuscus). J Mammal 2010. [DOI: 10.1644/09-mamm-a-186.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
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Buffenstein R, Pinto M. Endocrine function in naturally long-living small mammals. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2009; 299:101-11. [PMID: 18674586 PMCID: PMC4399555 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2008.04.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2008] [Accepted: 04/11/2008] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
The complex, highly integrative endocrine system regulates all aspects of somatic maintenance and reproduction and has been widely implicated as an important determinant of longevity in short-lived traditional model organisms of aging research. Genetic or experimental manipulation of hormone profiles in mice has been proven to definitively alter longevity. These hormonally induced lifespan extension mechanisms may not necessarily be relevant to humans and other long-lived organisms that naturally show successful slow aging. Long-lived species may have evolved novel anti-aging defenses germane to naturally retarding the aging process. Here, we examine the available endocrine data associated with the vitamin D, insulin, glucocorticoid and thyroid endocrine systems of naturally long-living small mammals. Generally, long-living rodents and bats maintain tightly regulated lower basal levels of these key pleiotropic hormones than shorter lived rodents. Similarities with genetically manipulated long-lived rodent models of aging suggest that evolutionary well-conserved hormonal mechanisms are integrally involved in lifespan determination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rochelle Buffenstein
- The Sam and Ann Barshop Institute for Longevity and Aging Studies & Department of Physiology, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, TX 78245, United States.
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Abstract
Life-history trade-offs between components of fitness arise because reproduction entails both gains and costs. Costs of reproduction can be divided into ecological and physiological costs. The latter have been rarely studied yet are probably a dominant component of the effect. A deeper understanding of life-history evolution will only come about once these physiological costs are better understood. Physiological costs may be direct or indirect. Direct costs include the energy and nutrient demands of the reproductive event, and the morphological changes that are necessary to facilitate achieving these demands. Indirect costs may be optional 'compensatory costs' whereby the animal chooses to reduce investment in some other aspect of its physiology to maximize the input of resource to reproduction. Such costs may be distinguished from consequential costs that are an inescapable consequence of the reproductive event. In small mammals, the direct costs of reproduction involve increased energy, protein and calcium demands during pregnancy, but most particularly during lactation. Organ remodelling is necessary to achieve the high demands of lactation and involves growth of the alimentary tract and associated organs such as the liver and pancreas. Compensatory indirect costs include reductions in thermogenesis, immune function and physical activity. Obligatory consequential costs include hyperthermia, bone loss, disruption of sleep patterns and oxidative stress. This is unlikely to be a complete list. Our knowledge of these physiological costs is currently at best described as rudimentary. For some, we do not even know whether they are compensatory or obligatory. For almost all of them, we have no idea of exact mechanisms or how these costs translate into fitness trade-offs.
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Affiliation(s)
- John R Speakman
- Aberdeen Centre for Energy Regulation and Obesity (ACERO), School of Biological Sciences, University of Aberdeen, UK.
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Affiliation(s)
- C. M. Booher
- Department of Ecology and Organismal Biology, Indiana State University, Terre Haute, IN, USA
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