Towards science-based sediment quality standards-Effects of field-collected sediments in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss).

Sediments can act as long-term sinks for environmental pollutants. Within the past decades, dioxin-like compounds (DLCs) such as polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs), polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) have attracted significant attention in the scientific community. To investigate the time- and concentration-dependent uptake of DLCs and PAHs in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) and their associated toxicological effects, we conducted exposure experiments using suspensions of three field-collected sediments from the rivers Rhine and Elbe, which were chosen to represent different contamination levels. Five serial dilutions of contaminated sediments were tested; these originated from the Prossen and Zollelbe sampling sites (both in the river Elbe, Germany) and from Ehrenbreitstein (Rhine, Germany), with lower levels of contamination. Fish were exposed to suspensions of these dilutions under semi-static conditions for 90 days. Analysis of muscle tissue by high resolution gas chromatography and mass spectrometry and of bile liquid by high-performance liquid chromatography showed that particle-bound PCDD/Fs, PCBs and PAHs were readily bioavailable from re-suspended sediments. Uptake of these contaminants and the associated toxicological effects in fish were largely proportional to their sediment concentrations. The changes in the investigated biomarkers closely reflected the different sediment contamination levels: cytochrome P450 1A mRNA expression and 7-ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase activity in fish livers responded immediately and with high sensitivity, while increased frequencies of micronuclei and other nuclear aberrations, as well as histopathological and gross pathological lesions, were strong indicators of the potential long-term effects of re-suspension events. Our study clearly demonstrates that sediment re-suspension can lead to accumulation of PCDD/Fs and PCBs in fish, resulting in potentially adverse toxicological effects. For a sound risk assessment within the implementation of the European Water Framework Directive and related legislation, we propose a strong emphasis on sediment-bound contaminants in the context of integrated river basin management plans.

Water chemistry, and biological traits and mercury content of Salvelinus alpinus and S. namaycush in Laflamme and Pingualuit lake

Pingualuk Lake fills a deep crater in the Parc National des Pingualuit on the Ungava Peninsula (Nunavik, Canada) and is isolated from nearby surface waters. The main objectives of this study were to determine and compare the concentrations of two atmospherically derived contaminants, mercury and perfluorinated chemicals (PFCs), in the lake water column and fish of Pingualuk Lake and to assess the physical and biological factors influencing contaminant concentrations. Mercury concentrations in arctic char muscle tissue were comparable to those of char in other Arctic lakes, while the total amount of PFCs was below reported levels for remote lakes in the Arctic and elsewhere. Stable isotope and stomach content analyses were made to investigate the feeding ecology of the Pingualuk Lake arctic char population and indicated the possibility of multiple feeding groups. Genetics characteristics (MH and mtDNA) of fish from Pingualuk Lake revealed that this population is likely distinct from that of nearby Laflamme Lake. However, both arctic char populations exhibit differential variation of their allele families. Physical characteristics determined for Lake Pingualuk revealed that the water column was inversely stratified beneath the ice and extremely transparent to visible and ultraviolet radiation. The highest mercury concentrations (3- 6 pg/mL THg) occurred just beneath the ice surface in each lake. Pingualuk Lake, given its near pristine state and exceptional limnological features, may serve as a most valuable reference ecosystem for monitoring environmental stressors, such as contaminants, in the Arctic.

Biometry, isotopic composition and diet of Arctic charr (Salvelinus alpinus) from Lake Aigneau, Northern Quebec

Two modal size groups of sexually mature Arctic charr (Salvelinus alpinus) differing in shape and found at different depths in Lake Aigneau in the Canadian sub-Arctic are described and tested for genetic and ecological differentiation. Forms consisted of a small littoral resident, mean size 21.7 cm, and a large profundal resident, mean size 53.9 cm. Mitochondrial DNA analysis indicated that seven of eight haplotypes were diagnostic for either the littoral or profundal fish, with 66.6% of the variation being found within form groupings. Pairwise tests of microsatellite data indicated significant differences in nine of 12 loci and a significant difference between the forms across all tested loci. Molecular variation was partitioned to 84.1% within and 15.9% between forms and suggestive of either restricted interbreeding over time or different allopatric origins. Stable isotope signatures were also significantly different, with the profundal fish having higher d13C and d15N values than the littoral fish. Overlap and separation, respectively, in the range of form d13C and d15N signatures indicated that carbon was obtained from similar sources, but that forms fed at different trophic levels. Littoral fish relied on aquatic insects, predominantly chironomids. Profundal fish were largely piscivorous, including cannibalism. Predominantly empty stomachs and low per cent nitrogen muscle-tissue composition among profundal fish further indicated that the feeding activity was limited to the winter when ice-cover increases the density of available prey at depth. Results provide evidence of significant differences between the modal groups, with origins in both genetics and ecology.

Diagnostic ultrasound activation of contrast agent gas bodies induces capillary rupture in mice

Interaction of diagnostic ultrasound with gas bodies produces a useful contrast effect in medical images, but the same interaction also represents a mechanism for bioeffects. Anesthetized hairless mice were scanned by using a 2.5-MHz transducer (610-ns pulses with 3.6-kHz repetition frequency and 61-Hz frame rate) after injection of Optison and Evans blue dye. Petechial hemorrhages (PHs) in intestine and abdominal muscle were counted 15 min after exposure to characterize capillary rupture, and Evans blue extravasation was evaluated in samples of muscle tissue. For 5 ml⋅kg-1 contrast agent and exposure to 10 alternating 10-s on and off periods, PH counts in muscle were approximately proportional to the square of peak negative pressure amplitude and were statistically significant above 0.64 MPa. PH counts in intestine and Evans blue extravasation into muscle tissue were significant above 1.0 MPa. The PH effect in muscle was proportional to contrast dose and was statistically significant for the lowest dose of 0.05 ml⋅kg-1. The effects decreased nearly to sham levels if the exposure was delayed 5 min. The PH effect in abdominal muscle was significant and statistically indistinguishable for uninterrupted 100-s exposure, 10-s exposure, 100 scans repeated at 1 Hz, and even for a single scan. The results confirms a previous report of PH induction by diagnostic ultrasound with contrast agent in mammalian skeletal muscle [Skyba, D. M., Price, R. J., Linka, A. Z., Skalak, T. C. & Kaul, S. (1998) Circulation 98, 290–293].

Pré-condicionamento isquêmico remoto em portadores de claudicação intermitente de membros inferiores

INTRODUÇÃO: Pré-condicionamento isquêmico remoto (PCIR) é o fenômeno pelo qual curtos períodos de isquemia sub-letal sobre um órgão ou tecido, intercalados com reperfusão do mesmo, conferem a outros órgãos ou tecidos distantes deste, um aumento na capacidade da resistir a episódios subsequentes de isquemia, a qual os mesmos possam ser expostos. Com base nesse fato, testamos a hipótese de que o pré-condicionamento isquêmico remoto em pacientes portadores de claudicação intermitente de membros inferiores poderia aumentar a capacidade de deambulação desses pacientes, extrapolando o conceito do PCIR de aumento da capacidade de preservação da integridade celular frente à isquemia, para a manutenção da função celular, tornando a célula mais apta ao trabalho em situações de privação de oxigênio, geradas pela restrição do fluxo sanguíneo, como ocorre nos pacientes com claudicação intermitente de membros inferiores, durante o exercício. OBJETIVOS: Avaliar se o PCIR aumenta a distância de início de claudicação e/ou a distância total de claudicação em pacientes com doença arterial obstrutiva periférica. MÉTODOS: Foram estudados 52 pacientes ambulatoriais que apresentavam queixa de claudicação intermitente dos membros inferiores, associada a um pulso arterial ausente ou reduzido no membro sintomático e/ou um índice tornozelo-braço <0,90. Estes pacientes foram randomizados em três grupos (A, B e C). Todos os pacientes foram submetidos a dois testes de caminhada em esteira de acordo com o protocolo de Gardner. O grupo A fez o primeiro teste de esteira sem o pré-condicionamento isquêmico remoto e, após 7 dias, foi submetido a um novo teste de esteira, agora precedido pelo pré-condicionamento isquêmico remoto. O grupo B foi submetido ao pré-condicionamento isquêmico remoto antes do primeiro teste de esteira e, após 7 dias, realizou novo teste de esteira, agora sem o pré-condicionamento isquêmico remoto. Já no Grupo C (grupo controle), ambos os testes de esteira foram realizados sem pré-condicionamento isquêmico remoto, também com 7 dias de intervalo. RESULTADOS: Os grupos A e C mostraram um aumento na distância de início de claudicação, no segundo teste, em comparação com o primeiro teste. O grupo A teve um aumento estatisticamente significativo, em relação ao grupo C (grupo controle). Com relação à distância total de claudicação, todos os grupos (A, B e C), mostraram um aumento estatisticamente significativo a favor do segundo teste, porém não foi observada diferença entre os grupos (A, B e C). CONCLUSÕES: O pré-condicionamento isquêmico remoto aumentou a distância inicial de claudicação em pacientes com claudicação intermitente, no entanto, ele não afetou a distância total de claudicação dos pacientes portadores de claudicação intermitente de membros inferiores

Concentrations of perfluorinated carboxylic acids (PFCAs) and sulfonic acids (PFSAs) in liver samples of different marine mammals (1984-2009)

Temporal variations in concentrations of perfluorinated carboxylic acids (PFCAs) and sulfonic acids (PFSAs), including perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoate (PFOA) structural isomers, were examined in livers of pilot whale (Globicephala melas), ringed seal (Phoca hispida), minke whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata), harbor porpoise (Phocoena phocoena), hooded seal (Cystophora cristata), Atlantic white-sided dolphin (Lagenorhynchus acutus) and in muscle tissue of fin whales (Balaenoptera physalus). The sampling spanned over 20 years (1984-2009) and covered a large geographical area of the North Atlantic and West Greenland. Liver and muscle samples were homogenized, extracted with acetonitrile, cleaned up using hexane and solid phase extraction (SPE), and analyzed by liquid chromatography with negative electrospray tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). In general, the levels of the long-chained PFCAs (C9-C12) increased whereas the levels of PFOS remained steady over the studied period. The PFOS isomer pattern in pilot whale liver was relatively constant over the sampling years. However, in ringed seals there seemed to be a decrease in linear PFOS (L-PFOS) with time, going from 91% in 1984 to 83% in 2006.

First report of three Kudoa species from Eastern Australia: Kudoa thyrsites from Mahi mahi (Coryphaena hippurus), Kudoa amamiensis and Kudoa minithyrsites n. sp. from sweeper (Pempheris ypsilychnus)

Fish species around the world are parasitized by myxozoans of the genus Kudoa, several of which infect and cause damage of commercial importance. In particular, Kudoa thyrsites and Kudoa amamiensis infect certain cultured fish species causing damage to muscle tissue, making the fish unmarketable. Kudoa thyrsites has a broad host and geographic range infecting over 35 different fish species worldwide, while K. amamiensis has only been reported from a few species in Japanese waters. Through morphological and molecular analyses we have confirmed the presence of both of these parasites in eastern Australian waters. In addition, a novel Kudoa species was identified, having stellate spores, with one polar capsule larger than the other three. The SSU rDNA sequence of this parasite was 1.5% different from K. thyrsites and is an outlier from K. thyrsites representatives in a phylogenetic analysis. Furthermore, the spores of this parasite are distinctly smaller than those of K. thyrsites, and thus it is described as Kudoa minithyrsites n. sp. Although the potential effects of K. minithyrsites n. sp. on its fish hosts are unknown, both K. thyrsites and K. amamiensis are associated with flesh quality problems in some cultured species and may be potential threats to an expanding aquaculture industry in Australia.

The roles of exercise-induced immune system disturbances in the pathology of heat stroke - The dual pathway model of heat stroke

Heat stroke is a life-threatening condition that can be fatal if not appropriately managed. Although heat stroke has been recognised as a medical condition for centuries, a universally accepted definition of heat stroke is lacking and the pathology of heat stroke is not fully understood. Information derived from autopsy reports and the clinical presentation of patients with heat stroke indicates that hyperthermia, septicaemia, central nervous system impairment and cardiovascular failure play important roles in the pathology of heat stroke. The current models of heat stroke advocate that heat stroke is triggered by hyperthermia but is driven by endotoxaemia. Endotoxaemia triggers the systemic inflammatory response, which can lead to systemic coagulation and haemorrhage, necrosis, cell death and multi-organ failure. However, the current heat stroke models cannot fully explain the discrepancies in high core temperature (Tc) as a trigger of heat stroke within and between individuals. Research on the concept of critical Tc: as a limitation to endurance exercise implies that a high Tc may function as a signal to trigger the protective mechanisms against heat stroke. Athletes undergoing a period of intense training are subjected to a variety of immune and gastrointestinal (GI) disturbances. The immune disturbances include the suppression of immune cells and their functions, suppression of cell-mediated immunity, translocation of lipopolysaccharide (LPS), suppression of anti-LPS antibodies, increased macrophage activity due to muscle tissue damage, and increased concentration of circulating inflammatory and pyrogenic cytokines. Common symptoms of exercise-induced GI disturbances include diarrhoea, vomiting, gastrointestinal bleeding, and cramps, which may increase gut-related LPS translocation. This article discusses the current evidence that supports the argument that these exercise-induced immune and GI disturbances may contribute to the development of endotoxaemia and heat stroke. When endotoxaemia can be tolerated or prevented, continuing exercise and heat exposure will elevate Tc to a higher level (> 42 degrees C), where heat stroke may occur through the direct thermal effects of heat on organ tissues and cells. We also discuss the evidence suggesting that heat stroke may occur through endotoxaemia (heat sepsis), the primary pathway of heat stroke, or hyperthermia, the secondary pathway of heat stroke. The existence of these two pathways of heat stroke and the contribution of exercise-induced immune and GI disturbances in the primary pathway of heat stroke are illustrated in the dual pathway model of heat stroke. This model of heat stroke suggests that prolonged intense exercise suppresses anti-LPS mechanisms, and promotes inflammatory and pyrogenic activities in the pathway of heat stroke.

Cardiac contributions to exercise training responses in patients with chronic heart failure: A strain imaging study

The improvement of exercise capacity due to exercise training in heart failure has been associated with peripheral adaptation, but the contribution of cardiac responses is less clear. We sought the extent to which the improvement of functional capacity in patients undergoing exercise training for heart failure was related to myocardial performance. Thirty-seven patients (35 men, age 64 +/- 11) with symptomatic heart failure and left ventricular ejection fraction

Human impacts on pig frog (Rana grylio) populations in south Florida wetlands: Harvest, water management and mercury contamination

This study investigated how harvest and water management affected the ecology of the Pig Frog, Rana grylio. It also examined how mercury levels in leg muscle tissue vary spatially across the Everglades. Rana grylio is an intermediate link in the Everglades food web. Although common, this inconspicuous species can be affected by three forms of anthropogenic disturbance: harvest, water management and mercury contamination. This frog is harvested both commercially and recreationally for its legs, is aquatic and thus may be susceptible to water management practices, and can transfer mercury throughout the Everglades food web. ^ This two-year study took place in three major regions: Everglades National Park (ENP), Water Conservation Areas 3A (A), and Water Conservation Area 3B (B). The study categorized the three sites by their relative harvest level and hydroperiod. During the spring of 2001, areas of the Everglades dried completely. On a regional and local scale Pig Frog abundance was highest in Site A, the longest hydroperiod, heavily harvested site, followed by ENP and B. More frogs were found along survey transects and in capture-recapture plots before the dry-down than after the dry-down in Sites ENP and B. Individual growth patterns were similar across all sites, suggesting differences in body size may be due to selective harvest. Frogs from Site A, the flooded and harvested site, had no differences in survival rates between adults and juveniles. Site B populations shifted from a juvenile to adult dominated population after the dry-down. Dry-downs appeared to affect survival rates more than harvest. ^ Total mercury in frog leg tissue was highest in protected areas of Everglades National Park with a maximum concentration of 2.3 mg/kg wet mass where harvesting is prohibited. Similar spatial patterns in mercury levels were found among pig frogs and other wildlife throughout parts of the Everglades. Pig Frogs may be transferring substantial levels of mercury to other wildlife species in ENP. ^ In summary, although it was found that abundance and survival were reduced by dry-down, lack of adult size classes in Site A, suggest harvest also plays a role in regulating population structure. ^

Fatty acids and stable isotopes as indicators of early-life feeding and potential maternal resource dependency in the bull shark Carcharhinus leucas

The degree of reliance of newborn sharks on energy reserves from maternal resource allocation and the timescales over which these animals develop foraging skills are critical factors towards understanding the ecological role of top predators in marine ecosystems. We used muscle tissue stable carbon isotopic composition and fatty acid analysis of bull sharks Carcharhinus leucas to investigate early-life feeding ecology in conjunction with maternal resource dependency. Values of δ13C of some young-of-the-year sharks were highly enriched, reflecting inputs from the marine-based diet and foraging locations of their mothers. This group of sharks also contained high levels of the 20:3ω9 fatty acid, which accumulates during periods of essential fatty acid deficiency, suggesting inadequate or undeveloped foraging skills and possible reliance on maternal provisioning. A loss of maternal signal in δ13C values occurred at a length of approximately 100 cm, with muscle tissue δ13C values reflecting a transition from more freshwater/estuarine-based diets to marine-based diets with increasing length. Similarly, fatty acids from sharks >100 cm indicated no signs of essential fatty acid deficiency, implying adequate foraging. By combining stable carbon isotopes and fatty acids, our results provided important constraints on the timing of the loss of maternal isotopic signal and the development of foraging skills in relation to shark size and imply that molecular markers such as fatty acids are useful for the determination of maternal resource dependency.

Avaliação do efeito do liraglutida nos tecidos muscular e adiposo e nos parâmetros bioquímicos em camundongos Swiss submetidos à dieta de cafeteria e a atividade física

Obesity is a chronic metabolic disease characterized by adipose tissue formation excess leading to an increase in body fat mass, of multifactorial origin, produced mainly by poor eating habits combined with a sedentary lifestyle. Data consider obesity as a serious disease that affects the world's population, ranking fifth in death rates. Faced with this situation, individuals seek, increasingly, means to lose weight with less physical effort and food. In 2009 and 2010 the drug liraglutide was lauched in order to reduce weight in individuals with diabetes mellitus type 2, thus avoiding the emergence of other diseases. The aggravating factor is that obese nondiabetic individuals are making use of this substance, even if its use is not authorized by ANVISA (Brazilian Health Surveillance Agency). Thus the objective of this research is to evaluate the effect of liraglutide for muscle or fat tissues and biochemical parameters in Swiss mice submitted to cafeteria diet and physical activity. The study was approved by the Ethics Committee on Animal Use - CEUA (nº003 Protocol / 2014). For this study 74 animals (Swiss mice) were used, divided as follows: in the initial phase of this study, we carried out a pilot study (n = 10) divided into a control group (PCON) (n = 5) and cafeteria group (PCAF) (n = 5), in order to evaluate a cafeteria diet which was both attractive to the animals and that could provide an increase in adipose tissue. After the induction of the diet, animals were euthanized and as a result, the animals in the PCAF group showed an intra-abdominal adiposity 0.74 ± 0.05 g, taken as the parameter for increasing fat in animals. Subsequently the study base was conducted for this research where animals were used (n = 64) divided into 2 groups: the Cafeteria Study Base Group (EBCAF) divided as follows: cafeteria + exercise + liraglutide (CEL) (n = 8), cafeteria + exercise + saline (CES) (n = 8), cafeteria + liraglutide (CL) (n = 8) and cafeteria + saline (CS) (n = 8). The Chow Study Base group (EBR) was divided into: exercise + liraglutide (EL) (n = 8), exercise + saline + (ES) (n = 8), liraglutide (L) (n = 8) and saline solution (SS) (n = 8). All animals went through the submission process to the cafeteria diet, followed by exercise protocol through swimming and treatment with the test substance intraperitoneally (200 mg / mL / kg). After the treatments, the animals were euthanized and had the following parameters evaluated: the muscle tissue mass, adipose tissue mass and biochemical parameters. It was observed that the processing done with the exercise-associated liraglutide reduced adipose tissue mass significantly (0.32 ± 0.05 g) compared to the saline group (0.53 ± 0.07 g). There were no changes in the muscle tissue of the group which was treated and exercised (1.39 ± 0.03 g) compared to the saline group (1.33 ± 0.03 g). Regarding biochemical parameters it was evident that there were changes in these parameters. Interesting to note that, although blood glucose values have been changed, the animals did not become diabetic. Thus, it appears that physical activity together with liraglutide is eficcient to the loss of intraabdominal adipose tissue and the maintenance of lean body mass thereby generating a satisfactory result in the pursuit of quality of life and disease prevention.

Avaliação do efeito do liraglutida nos tecidos muscular e adiposo e nos parâmetros bioquímicos em camundongos Swiss submetidos à dieta de cafeteria e a atividade física

Obesity is a chronic metabolic disease characterized by adipose tissue formation excess leading to an increase in body fat mass, of multifactorial origin, produced mainly by poor eating habits combined with a sedentary lifestyle. Data consider obesity as a serious disease that affects the world's population, ranking fifth in death rates. Faced with this situation, individuals seek, increasingly, means to lose weight with less physical effort and food. In 2009 and 2010 the drug liraglutide was lauched in order to reduce weight in individuals with diabetes mellitus type 2, thus avoiding the emergence of other diseases. The aggravating factor is that obese nondiabetic individuals are making use of this substance, even if its use is not authorized by ANVISA (Brazilian Health Surveillance Agency). Thus the objective of this research is to evaluate the effect of liraglutide for muscle or fat tissues and biochemical parameters in Swiss mice submitted to cafeteria diet and physical activity. The study was approved by the Ethics Committee on Animal Use - CEUA (nº003 Protocol / 2014). For this study 74 animals (Swiss mice) were used, divided as follows: in the initial phase of this study, we carried out a pilot study (n = 10) divided into a control group (PCON) (n = 5) and cafeteria group (PCAF) (n = 5), in order to evaluate a cafeteria diet which was both attractive to the animals and that could provide an increase in adipose tissue. After the induction of the diet, animals were euthanized and as a result, the animals in the PCAF group showed an intra-abdominal adiposity 0.74 ± 0.05 g, taken as the parameter for increasing fat in animals. Subsequently the study base was conducted for this research where animals were used (n = 64) divided into 2 groups: the Cafeteria Study Base Group (EBCAF) divided as follows: cafeteria + exercise + liraglutide (CEL) (n = 8), cafeteria + exercise + saline (CES) (n = 8), cafeteria + liraglutide (CL) (n = 8) and cafeteria + saline (CS) (n = 8). The Chow Study Base group (EBR) was divided into: exercise + liraglutide (EL) (n = 8), exercise + saline + (ES) (n = 8), liraglutide (L) (n = 8) and saline solution (SS) (n = 8). All animals went through the submission process to the cafeteria diet, followed by exercise protocol through swimming and treatment with the test substance intraperitoneally (200 mg / mL / kg). After the treatments, the animals were euthanized and had the following parameters evaluated: the muscle tissue mass, adipose tissue mass and biochemical parameters. It was observed that the processing done with the exercise-associated liraglutide reduced adipose tissue mass significantly (0.32 ± 0.05 g) compared to the saline group (0.53 ± 0.07 g). There were no changes in the muscle tissue of the group which was treated and exercised (1.39 ± 0.03 g) compared to the saline group (1.33 ± 0.03 g). Regarding biochemical parameters it was evident that there were changes in these parameters. Interesting to note that, although blood glucose values have been changed, the animals did not become diabetic. Thus, it appears that physical activity together with liraglutide is eficcient to the loss of intraabdominal adipose tissue and the maintenance of lean body mass thereby generating a satisfactory result in the pursuit of quality of life and disease prevention.

Maternal and paternal growth regulatory factor expression in hybrid sunfish.

Unidirectional hybridization between bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus) and pumpkinseed (L. gibbosus) sunfish enables researchers to explore the relative expression of paternal and maternal alleles in hybrids. Past studies have found that the metabolic dysfunction in bluegill-pumpkinseed hybrids may be due to incompatibilities between nuclear and mitochondrial genomes. However, the consequences of hybridization on body size and muscle growth have not been examined. This topic is particularly interesting because hybrids grow larger than parentals despite the fact that they are often sired by smaller, precociously mature bluegills. In order to improve our understanding of growth dynamics in hybrid sunfish, I conducted real-time quantitative PCR using species-specific primers on the white muscle tissue of bluegills, pumpkinseeds, and hybrids collected from Lake Opinicon, ON. Five growth factors that have been linked to muscle growth and body size demonstrated similar expression for maternal and paternal alleles. While about half of the hybrids showed the same pattern with myogenin, about half showed very low levels of mRNA for the paternal (bluegill) gene. While this did not explain the heterosis seen in hybrids, it may explain the small body phenotype of the cuckholding bluegill males. I explored the upstream genetic structure of bluegill myogenin and established that four alleles exist within the population. Furthermore, I uncovered a relationship in hybrids between the proximal promoter/ 5’ UTR of myogenin and its transcript level. I found that the hybrids demonstrating low paternal myogenin expression unfailingly possessed A3 or A4 alleles, but future studies will be needed to reveal the molecular links between the genotype and the growth phenotype. A similar genotype-phenotype association was not obvious in parentals, even those that were homozygous for these alleles. Whether this relationship can provide insight into the genetic determinants of bluegill alternative mating strategies has yet to be determined.

Otimização da caracterização de fibras musculares estriadas em cão (Canis familiaris) por histoquímica e imunohistoquímica com potencial aplicação ao diagnóstico

Dissertação de Mestrado Integrado em Medicina Veterinária