Adaptation of wild-caught Tasmanian devils (Sarcophilus harrisii) to captivity: evidence from physical parameters and plasma cortisol concentrations

2005 ◽  
Vol 53 (5) ◽  
pp. 339 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susan M. Jones ◽  
Tammy J. Lockhart ◽  
Randolph W. Rose

This study assessed whether capture and transferral into captivity represents a significant stressor to Tasmanian devils. Four male and four female devils were captured in the wild and housed for 6 months in captivity in male–female pairs. Blood samples were collected for cortisol assay at capture, every 24 h for the first 4 days, and then monthly; body weight and tail width were monitored weekly. In the males, mean plasma cortisol concentrations were highest (49 ± 9.19 ng mL–1) at the time of initial capture; cortisol concentrations declined significantly after 48 h in captivity (9.2 ± 5.96 ng mL–1) and did not change significantly over the months in captivity. Females exhibited a different pattern: plasma cortisol concentrations were highest (74.0 ± 3.24 ng mL–1) in the initial sample, but mean concentrations remained elevated in samples taken at 24, 48 and 96 h after initial capture, and did not exhibit a significant decline (to 20.65 ± 8.95 ng mL–1) until 4 weeks after capture. During the first 2 months in captivity, the male devils lost ~8.7% of their original body weight, and females lost 10.6% during this same period. However, body weights then rose during the rest of the experiment. These results suggest that Tasmanian devils experience elevated plasma cortisol concentrations in response to capture and transfer into captivity. However, these high concentrations are not maintained during 6 months in captivity, suggesting that the animals are not chronically stressed.

1995 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 1
Author(s):  
R.T. Gemmell

The brushtail possum is a common arboreal marsupial that is well adapted to the Australian urban environment and to rearing in captivity. Data obtained from 100 female possums housed in a semi-captive colony over a 7 year period demonstrate the reproductive capability of this marsupial. The main breeding season is from March to June with a declining number of births occurring from July to October. The possums gave birth to 259 single young and one set of twins. The range of the lactation period was from 177 to 200 days with the birth of the subsequent young occurring at 188.4 ± 4.1 days post partum (SD, n = 5). The growth rate of the young female possum varied greatly after day 100 post partum, the mean body weight of possums at day 172, being 753.0 ± 76.2g (SD, n = 5) with a range of 685 to 851 g. Female possums, with a mean body weight of 2171 ± 388g, gave birth to their first litter on day 345.9 ± 69.3 days postpartum (mean, SD, n = 7). Although two female possums trapped in the wild were held in captivity for 64 and 63.4 months and one possum bred in captivity had a life span of 51.5 months, the mean life span was 21.0 ± 12.5 months (SD, n =3D 8), with a range of 14.3 to 51.5 months. This life span is very variable and it is of interest to determine if this is an artefact of captivity or is also observed in the wild.


1983 ◽  
Vol 61 (5) ◽  
pp. 1116-1119 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. E. Watkins ◽  
D. E. Ullrey

Three wild, female white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) collected in Missaukee County, Michigan, during February and March 1979 had lower (P < 0.01) serum total thyroxine (T4), free T4 (FT4), and triiodothyronine (T3) levels, thyroid iodine (I) concentration, and body weights than 17 captive does fed a complete diet. Thyroid weight per metabolic body weight (body weight (kilograms)0.75) was greater (P < 0.01) in the wild deer. These data indicate malnutrition and incipient I deficiency in the wild deer.


1984 ◽  
Vol 5 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 323-327 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lily O. Rodriguez Bayona ◽  
Michael K. Rylander

The South American tortoise Geochelone denticulata was studied in the wild near Iquitos, Peru, and in enclosures in Lima. In the wild, specimens fed regularly on a variety of fruits that had fallen to the forest floor, as well as on mushrooms, dead animals and fæces. The reproductive behavior of the species is described. Captive tortoises consumed 100-125 g of food a day and experienced a weight increase of 43.3 g per day . Biometric data for 143 adult male and 57 adult female tortoises indicate that the length of the carapace is longer in males than in females, and that the length of the carapace and body weight were correlated (r2 = 80%) . A survey of 80 families in the area revealed the extent to which this species is utilized for food, as compared to fish and domestic animals. Problems associated with raising this species in captivity are discussed.


2014 ◽  
Vol 84 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 5-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eun Y. Jung ◽  
Sung C. Jun ◽  
Un J. Chang ◽  
Hyung J. Suh

Previously, we have found that the addition of L-ascorbic acid to chitosan enhanced the reduction in body weight gain in guinea pigs fed a high-fat diet. We hypothesized that the addition of L-ascorbic acid to chitosan would accelerate the reduction of body weight in humans, similar to the animal model. Overweight subjects administered chitosan with or without L-ascorbic acid for 8 weeks, were assigned to three groups: Control group (N = 26, placebo, vehicle only), Chito group (N = 27, 3 g/day chitosan), and Chito-vita group (N = 27, 3 g/day chitosan plus 2 g/day L-ascorbic acid). The body weights and body mass index (BMI) of the Chito and Chito-vita groups decreased significantly (p < 0.05) compared to the Control group. The BMI of the Chito-vita group decreased significantly compared to the Chito group (Chito: -1.0 kg/m2 vs. Chito-vita: -1.6 kg/m2, p < 0.05). The results showed that the chitosan enhanced reduction of body weight and BMI was accentuated by the addition of L-ascorbic acid. The fat mass, percentage body fat, body circumference, and skinfold thickness in the Chito and Chito-vita groups decreased more than the Control group; however, these parameters were not significantly different between the three groups. Chitosan combined with L-ascorbic acid may be useful for controlling body weight.


2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (8) ◽  
pp. 1262-1267
Author(s):  
Haojun Yang ◽  
Hanyang Liu ◽  
YuWen Jiao ◽  
Jun Qian

Background: G protein-coupled bile acid receptor (TGR5) is involved in a number of metabolic diseases. The aim of this study was to identify the role of TGR5 after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (GBP). Methods: Wild type and TGR5 knockout mice (tgr5-/-) were fed a high-fat diet (HFD) to establish the obesity model. GBP was performed. The changes in body weight and food intake were measured. The levels of TGR5 and peptide YY (PYY) were evaluated by RT-PCR, Western blot, and ELISA. Moreover, the L-cells were separated from wild type and tgr5-/- mice. The levels of PYY in L-cells were evaluated by ELISA. Results: The body weights were significantly decreased after GBP in wild type mice (p<0.05), but not tgr5-/- mice (p>0.05). Food intake was reduced after GBP in wild type mice, but also not significantly affected in tgr5-/- mice (p>0.05). The levels of PYY were significantly increased after GBP compared with the sham group (p<0.05); however, in tgr5-/- mice the expression of PYY was not significantly affected (p>0.05). After INT-777 stimulation in L-cells obtained from murine intestines, the levels of PYY were significantly increased in L-cells tgr5+/+ (p<0.05). Conclusion: Our study suggests that GBP up-regulated the expression of TGR5 in murine intestines, and increased the levels of PYY, which further reduced food intake and decreased the body weight.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Shota Ichikawa ◽  
Misaki Hamada ◽  
Hiroyuki Sugimori

AbstractBody weight is an indispensable parameter for determination of contrast medium dose, appropriate drug dosing, or management of radiation dose. However, we cannot always determine the accurate patient body weight at the time of computed tomography (CT) scanning, especially in emergency care. Time-efficient methods to estimate body weight with high accuracy before diagnostic CT scans currently do not exist. In this study, on the basis of 1831 chest and 519 abdominal CT scout images with the corresponding body weights, we developed and evaluated deep-learning models capable of automatically predicting body weight from CT scout images. In the model performance assessment, there were strong correlations between the actual and predicted body weights in both chest (ρ = 0.947, p < 0.001) and abdominal datasets (ρ = 0.869, p < 0.001). The mean absolute errors were 2.75 kg and 4.77 kg for the chest and abdominal datasets, respectively. Our proposed method with deep learning is useful for estimating body weights from CT scout images with clinically acceptable accuracy and potentially could be useful for determining the contrast medium dose and CT dose management in adult patients with unknown body weight.


2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (7) ◽  
pp. 3671
Author(s):  
Magdalena Ulanowska ◽  
Beata Olas

Eugenol is a phenolic aromatic compound obtained mainly from clove oil. Due to its known antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal, anticancer, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, it has long been used in various areas, such as cosmetology, medicine, and pharmacology. However, high concentrations can be toxic. A dose of 2.5 mg/kg body weight is regarded as safe. This paper reviews the current state of knowledge regarding the activities and application of eugenol and its derivatives and recent research of these compounds. This review is based on information concerning eugenol characteristics and recent research from articles in PubMed. Eugenol remains of great interest to researchers, since its multidirectional action allows it to be a potential component of drugs and other products with therapeutic potential against a range of diseases.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Marina B. Blanco ◽  
Lydia K. Greene ◽  
Robert Schopler ◽  
Cathy V. Williams ◽  
Danielle Lynch ◽  
...  

AbstractIn nature, photoperiod signals environmental seasonality and is a strong selective “zeitgeber” that synchronizes biological rhythms. For animals facing seasonal environmental challenges and energetic bottlenecks, daily torpor and hibernation are two metabolic strategies that can save energy. In the wild, the dwarf lemurs of Madagascar are obligate hibernators, hibernating between 3 and 7 months a year. In captivity, however, dwarf lemurs generally express torpor for periods far shorter than the hibernation season in Madagascar. We investigated whether fat-tailed dwarf lemurs (Cheirogaleus medius) housed at the Duke Lemur Center (DLC) could hibernate, by subjecting 8 individuals to husbandry conditions more in accord with those in Madagascar, including alternating photoperiods, low ambient temperatures, and food restriction. All dwarf lemurs displayed daily and multiday torpor bouts, including bouts lasting ~ 11 days. Ambient temperature was the greatest predictor of torpor bout duration, and food ingestion and night length also played a role. Unlike their wild counterparts, who rarely leave their hibernacula and do not feed during hibernation, DLC dwarf lemurs sporadically moved and ate. While demonstrating that captive dwarf lemurs are physiologically capable of hibernation, we argue that facilitating their hibernation serves both husbandry and research goals: first, it enables lemurs to express the biphasic phenotypes (fattening and fat depletion) that are characteristic of their wild conspecifics; second, by “renaturalizing” dwarf lemurs in captivity, they will emerge a better model for understanding both metabolic extremes in primates generally and metabolic disorders in humans specifically.


2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. ii45-ii45
Author(s):  
Sharon Gardner ◽  
Carl Koschmann ◽  
Rohinton S Tarapore ◽  
Jeffrey Allen ◽  
Wafik Zaky ◽  
...  

Abstract ONC201, an anti-cancer DRD2 antagonist and ClpP agonist, is in Phase II trials for adult H3 K27M-mutant diffuse midline gliomas. In adults, the recommended phase 2 dose (RP2D) of 625mg ONC201 once a week has been established as a biologically active dose that is well tolerated. Radiographic regressions with single agent ONC201 have been reported in adult recurrent H3 K27M-mutant glioma patients. This multi-arm, dose-escalation and dose-expansion trial determined the pediatric RP2D of ONC201 administered as an oral capsule (Arm A) or liquid formulation (Arm E) in post-radiation H3 K27M-mutant glioma (Arm A) or in newly diagnosed DIPG (Arm B) patients. Molecular assessments include intratumoral ONC201 concentrations (Arm C) and CSF H3 K27M DNA levels (Arm D). Enrollment as of April 30, 2020 is complete in Arm A (22) and Arm E (26) and continues in Arm B (18/24), Arm C (5/12), and Arm D (22/24). The RP2D of weekly 625mg ONC201 scaled by body weight was confirmed when administered as a capsule or a liquid formulation as a single agent or in combination with radiation without dose-limiting toxicity. The most frequent adverse events regardless of attribution to the drug were predominantly low grade: ONC201 capsule alone was headache (54.5%), nausea (36.4%), and fatigue (36.4%); ONC201 liquid formulation was vomiting (31.8%), headache (22.7%), VIth nerve disorder (22.7%); ONC201 capsules in combination with radiation (Arm B) was headache (47.1%), vomiting (52.9%), nausea (41.2%). Pharmacokinetic analysis in plasma of Arm A patients revealed T1/2: 8.4h; Tmax: 2.1h; Cmax: 2.3ug/mL; AUC0-tlast: 16.4ug/mL, with similar exposure across body weights. In conclusion, when scaled by body weight the ONC201 capsule or liquid formulation alone or in combination with radiation were associated with safety and pharmacokinetic profiles in pediatric H3 K27M-mutant diffuse midline glioma patients that are similar to the experience in adults.


2020 ◽  
Vol 98 (Supplement_4) ◽  
pp. 74-74
Author(s):  
Ellen M Herring ◽  
Elizabeth B Kegley ◽  
Ken Coffey ◽  
Shane Gadberry ◽  
Jeremy G Powell ◽  
...  

Abstract This research evaluated the effects of ensiled edamame soybean processing waste on ruminant intake and total tract digestibility. Waste from processing stored edamame was obtained (3 trips) and wilted (28%, 25%, and 37% DM), then treated with or without inoculant (Lactobacillus buchneri) and ensiled in 167 L plastic barrels (2 or 3 barrels/treatment from each trip) for 72 (Trip 1) or 69 (Trip 2 and 3) days. Pregnant ewes (n = 18; body weight = 55.5 ± 1.2 kg; 2 to 3 years old) were blocked by body weight and assigned randomly within a block to treatments within a trip, then each ewe was assigned to a barrel of silage. Ewes were housed individually in 1 × 1.5-m pens and offered silage for a 10-day adaptation period followed by 7 days of total feces and urine collection. Ewes were offered silage to allow for 10% orts and were offered 0.2% of their body weight of soyhulls and 32 g of mineral supplement/day to meet their predicted nutrient requirements for gestating ewes. Ewes consumed 1,616 ± 54 g DM/day (X ± SEM) or 2.9 ± 0.12% of their body weight and there was no effect (P ≥ 0.85) of inoculant treatment on DM intake (g/day or % of body weight). Dry matter digestibility was not affected (P = 0.98) by inoculant and averaged 55.7 ± 0.66%. Ewe average daily gain for the 17-day trial tended to be greater (P = 0.08) for the ewes offered the silage without inoculant (0.18 vs. 0.04 kg/d). Ensiling edamame processing waste yielded a feed that ewes consumed in adequate amounts to maintain their body weights over 17 days when also supplemented with soyhulls. The addition of silage inoculant had minimal effects on intake, digestibility, or ewe body weight change.


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