Histopathological studies of EUS affected shing, Heteropneustes fossilis (Bloch) from a fish farm of Mymensingh, Bangladesh

An investigation was carried out to observe histopathological changes in liver and kidney of suspected epizootic ulcerative syndrome (EUS)-affected shing fish, Heteropneustes fossilis (Bloch) collected from the "Agro-3 fish farm" situated at Boilor, Trishal, Mymensingh. Focal necrosis, haemorrhages and atrophy of the sinusoidal region were observed in the liver tissue. Fungal granulomas were found both in liver and kidney. In some cases fatty depositions were observed in all over the hepatic tissue. Degeneration and necrosis of renal tubular epithelial cells were also occurred. Missing of glomerulus and necrosis surrounding the Bowman's capsule in the kidney tissue were found.

Breeding biology and monosex male seed production of Genetically Improved Farmed Tilapia (GIFT) strain of Oreochromis niloticus L. in Bangladesh

A study on the breeding biology of the GIFT strain of Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus, was conducted for a period of five months. The sex ratio of the parent individuals was optimized for performance in spawn production, where the best results were obtained with a sex ratio of female to male of 4:1 compared to those of 3:1 and 2:1. The diameter of eggs obtained from the GIFT stock had major and minor axes of 2.19±0.09 and 1.72±0.07 mm, respectively, with no significant differences between the treatments. The average number of eggs produced was 392±22 per female, with fertilization and hatching rates ranging between 94-96% and 85-88%, respectively. No significant variation was observed between the treatments. Breeding frequencies per female in the three treatment groups ranged between 10-40 days and the highest value was obtained at a female to male sex ratio of 4: l. In an other experiment, l7 aMethyltestosterone (MT) was applied orally to the fry at their first feeding stage with treatments- 1, 2, 3 and 4 at the dosage of 100, 80, 60 and 40 mg/kg feed respectively, for the period of 28 days. The mean percentage of males obtained in treatments, 1, 2, 3 and 4 were 98, 97, 95 and 68, respectively. Treatments-1, 2 and 3 did not differ significantly (P>0.05) from each other but treatment 4 showed significant variation (P<0.05) from other treatments. The results showed that MT-100, 80 and 60 mg/kg feed administered for 28 days produced close to cent percent male population of the GIFT strains in aquaria.

Description of stomatopod larvae from the Arabian Sea

The Northern Arabian Sea Ecological and Environmental Research (NASEER) Programme cruise I, January, 1992 and other collections from Manora Channel (Karachi) were examined. Six stages i.e. IV, VII, VIII, IX, X and XI of stomatopod larvae are recognized. Day samples talen in 1994 (January to December) from Manora Channel revealed the presence of only three specimens of stage IV. They all belong to the family Squillidae. Each stage is measured, described and illustrated. None of the stages could be correlated to their adults.

Reproductive biology, artificial propagation and larval rearing of two freshwater eels, Monopterus cuchia and Mastacembelus armatus

Studies on reproductive biology and artificial propagation including larval rearing of freshwater mud eel, Monopterus cuchia and spiny eel, Mastacembelus armatus were attempted. The gonadosomatic index (GSI) of mud eel ranged from 0.41 (August) to 5.52 (June) in males and 0.53 (August) to 7.61 (June) in females. In both cases the GSI showed a peak in June. Fecundity ranged from 228 (TL - 396 mm; W - 78g) to 5510 (TL - 865 mm; W - 630 g). In case of spiny eel, the GSI varied from 0.65 (August) to 8.30 (July) in males and 0.70 (August) to 10.46 (July) in females. GSI showed single peak in July. Fecundity ranged from 570 (TL - 240 mm; W - 30 g) to 10870 (TL - 601; W - 350g). Histology of the testes and ovaries of the eels were carried out to investigate the gonadal development stages during the reproductive months (August to November 2003). In case of male M. cuchia, the secondary primordial germ cells, primary spermatogonium, some spermatogonia A and clone of spermatogonium B in testis were observed in September. In October-males different sized lobules having spermatogonia, spermatocytes and spermatids were observed. In the ovary of M. cuchia, polygonal shaped oocytes were seen during September. The oogonia were reduced with dense and irregular shaped during October. Numerous pycnotic cells were visible during November. In male M. armatus numerous broken lobule walls were found in testes during September. In October, abundant primary germ cells, pycnotic nests of degenerating cells, spermatogonia and spermatids were observed. In females, ovaries had distinct yolk vesicles stage and yolk granules stages in August. In September, the follicular cells of the oogonia were ruptured, shrunk forming irregular shaped in October. Oogonia were also shrunk with thin, irregular shaped structure but broken parts of the ruptured follicular cells were scattered in case of M. armatus. Experimental attempts on artificial propagation indicated that both freshwater eels were difficult to breed using inducing agents like pituitary glands (PG) of 10, 20, 50, 100 and 150 mg per kg of body weight. Same doses were used for both sexes with equal sex-ratio. In both cases, brood fish died at higher doses of injection given at 100 and 150 mg PG/kg bodyweight. However, M. cuchia breed naturally in cisterns when provided with water hyacinths and tunnel in muddy bottom. M. cuchia fed with chopped cooked fish attained a mean weight of 18.75 ± 2.3 g and cent percent survival. While in case of M. armatus best growth by weight (12.0 ± 2.48 g) and cent percent survival were achieved using chopped raw fish. Car tyre was observed as best shelter for attaining the mean weight gain 22.53 ± 2.24 g and cent percent survival of M. cuchia. While PVC pipe was found to be the best shelter for M. armatus, where it attained the mean weight of 12.73 ± 1.88 g and cent percent survival.

A novel bradykinin-related peptide from skin secretions of toad Bombina maxima and its precursor containing six identical copies of the final product

Amphibian skin contains rich bradykinin-related peptides, but the mode of biosynthesis of these peptides is unknown. In the present study, a novel bradykinin-related peptide, termed bombinakinin M, was purified from skin secretions of the Chinese red bell

An anionic antimicrobial peptide from toad Bombina maxima

Amphibian skin is a rich resource of antimicrobial peptides like maximins and maximins H from toad Bombina maxima. A novel cDNA clone encoding a precursor protein that comprises maximin 3 and a novel peptide. named maximin H5. was isolated from a skin cDNA library of B. maxima. The predicted primary structure of maximin H5 is ILGPVLGLVSDTLDDVLGIL-NH2,. Containing three aspartate residues and no basic amino acid residues. maximin H5 is characterized by an anionic property. Different from cationic maximin H peptides. only Gram-positive strain Staphylococcus aureus was sensitive to maximin H5. while the other bacteria] and fungal strains tested ere resistant to it. The presence of metal ions. like Zn2+ and Mg2+, did not increase its antimicrobial potency. Maximin H5 represents the first example of potential anionic antimicrobial peptides from amphibians, The results provide the first evidence that. together kith cationic antimicrobial peptides. anionic antimicrobial peptides may also exist naturally as part of the innate defense system. (C), 2002 Elsevier Science (USA). All rights reserved.

Antimicrobial peptides from skin secretions of Chinese red belly toad Bombina maxima

Two groups of antimicrobial peptides have been isolated from skin secretions of Bombina maxima. Peptides in the first group, named maximins 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5, are structurally related to bombinin-like peptides (BLPs). Unlike BLPs, sequence variations in maximins occurred all through the molecules. In addition to the potent antimicrobial activity, cytotoxicity against tumor cells and spermicidal action of maximins, maximin 3 possessed a significant anti-HIV activity. Maximins 1 and 3 were toxic to mice with LD50 values of 8.2 and 4.3 mg/kg, respectively. Peptides in the second group, termed maximins H1, H2, H3 and H4, are homologous with bombinin H peptides. cDNA sequences revealed that one maximin peptide plus one maximin H peptide derived from a common larger protein. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.

A novel proline rich bombesin-related peptide (PR-bombesin) from toad Bombina maxima

A novel bombesin-related peptide was isolated from skin secretions of Chinese red belly toad Bombina maxima. Its primary structure was established as pGlu-Lys-Lys-Pro-Pro-Arg-Pro-Pro-Gln-Trp-Ala-Val-Gly-His-Phe-Met-NH2. The amino-terminal (N-terminal) 8-residue segment comprising four prolines and three basic residues is extensively different from bombesins from other Bombina species. The peptide was thus named proline rich bombesin (PR-bombesin). PR-bumbesin was found to elicit concentration-dependent contractile effects in the rat stomach strip, with both increased potency and intrinsic activity as compared with those of [Leu(13)]bombesin. Analysis of different bombesin cDNA structures revealed that an 8 to 14- nucleotide fragment replacement in the peptide coding region (TGGGGAAT in the cDNAs of multiple bombesin forms from Bombina orientalis and CACCCCGGCCACCC in the cDNA of PR-bombesin) resulted in an unusual Pro-Pro-Arg-Pro-Pro motif in the N-terminal part of PR-bombesin. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.

A NOVEL PLASMINOGEN-ACTIVATOR FROM SNAKE-VENOM - PURIFICATION, CHARACTERIZATION, AND MOLECULAR-CLONING

A novel plasminogen activator from Trimeresurus stejnegeri venom (TSV-PA) has been identified and purified to homogeneity. It is a single chain glycoprotein with an apparent molecular weight of 33,000 and an isoelectric point of pH 5.2. It specifically activates plasminogen through an enzymatic reaction. The activation of human native GIu-plasminogen by TSV-PA is due to a single cleavage of the molecule at the peptide bond Arg(561)-Val-(562). Purified TSV-PA, which catalyzes the hydrolysis of several tripeptide p-nitroanilide substrates, does not activate nor degrade prothrombin, factor X, or protein C and does not clot fibrinogen nor show fibrino(geno)lytic activity in the absence of plasminogen. The activity of TSV-PA was readily inhibited by phenylmethanesulfonyl fluoride and by p-nitrophenyl-p-guanidinobenzoate. Oligonucleotide primers designed on the basis of the N-terminal and the internal peptide sequences of TSV-PA were used for the amplification of cDNA fragments by polymerase chain reaction. This allowed the cloning of a full-length cDNA encoding TSV-PA from a cDNA library prepared from the venom glands. The deduced complete amino acid sequence of TSV-PA indicates that the mature TSV-PA protein is composed of 234 amino acids and contains a single potential N-gIycosylation site at Asn(1G1). The sequence of TSV-PA exhibits a high degree of sequence identity with other snake venom proteases: 66% with the protein C activator from Aghistrodon contortrix contortrix venom, 63% with batroxobin, and 60% with the factor V activator from Russell's viper venom. On the other hand, TSV-PA shows only 21-23% sequence similarity with the catalytic domains of u-PA and t-PA. Furthermore, TSV-PA lacks the sequence site that has been demonstrated to be responsible for the interaction of t-PA (KHRR) and u-PA (RRHR) with plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1.

Identification and cloning of a trypsin inhibitor from skin secretions of Chinese red-belly toad Bombina maxima

A novel trypsin inhibitor was identified and purified from skin secretions of Chinese red-belly toad Bombina maxima. The partial N-terminal 29 amino acid residues of the peptide, named BMTI, were determined by automated Edman degradation. This allowed the cloning of a full-length cDNA encoding BMTI from a cDNA library prepared from the toad skin. The deduced complete amino acid sequence of BMTI indicates that mature BMTI is composed of 60 amino acids. A FASTA search in the databanks revealed that BMTI exhibits 81.7% sequence identity with BSTI, a trypsin/thrombin inhibitor from European toad Bombina bombina skin secretions. Sequence differences between BMTI and BSTI were due to 11 substitutions at positions 2, 9, 25, 27, 36-37, 39, 41-42, 50 and 56. BMTI potently inhibited trypsin with a K-i value of 0.06 muM, similar to that of BSTI. However, unlike BSTI, which also inhibited thrombin with a K-i value of 1 muM, no inhibitory effect of BMTI on thrombin was observed under the assay conditions. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.

An opioid peptide from synganglia of the tick, Amblyomma testindinarium

An opioid peptide, which shares similarity with mammalian hemorphins, has been identified from the synganglia (central nervous system) of the hard tick, Amblyomma testindiarium. Its primary sequence was established as LVVYPWTKM that contains a tetrapeptide sequence Tyr-Pro-Trp-Thr of hemorphin-like opioid peptides. By hot-plate bioassay, the purified peptide and synthetic peptide displayed dose-related antinociceptive effect in mice, as observed for other hemorphin-like opioid peptides. This is the first opioid peptide identified from ticks. Ticks may utilize the opioid peptide in their strategy to escape host immuno-surveillance as well as in inhibiting responses directed against themselves. (c) 2004 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Effect of age and breeding season on the developmental capacity of oocytes from unstimulated and follicle-stimulating hormone-stimulated rhesus monkeys

Effects of age and season on the developmental capacity of oocytes from unstimulated and FSH-stimulated rhesus monkeys were examined, Immature cumulus-oocyte complexes were matured in vitro in modified CMRL-1066 medium containing 20% bovine calf serum and

The mastoparanogen from wasp

Mastoparans are a family of small peptides identified from the venom of hymenopteroid insects. Although they have been characterized as early as 1979, and so far are recognized as a leading biomolecule in potential drug therapy, their precursors, mastopar

Two families of antimicrobial peptides with multiple functions from skin of rufous-spotted torrent frog, Amolops loloensis

There are around 27 species of Amolops amphibian distributed in South-east of Asia. Seven antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) belonging to two different families were purified from skin of rufous-spotted torrent frog, Amolops loloensis, and designated brevinins

Energy substrate requirement for in vitro maturation of oocytes from unstimulated adult rhesus monkeys

The energy substrates lactate, pyruvate, and glucose were evaluated for supporting in vitro cytoplasmic maturation of rhesus monkey oocytes. A total of 321 cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) aspirated from greater than or equal to 1000 mum diameter follicles