Cellular composition of the late milk of the koala (Phascolarctos cinereus)

The changes in cellular composition of the milk of the koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) have been investigated in late lactation and after the loss of pouch and back young. During lactation, the polymorphonuclear neutrophil was the most frequently observed cell. After loss or removal of the young, macrophages and foamy epithelial cells were detected in moderate to high numbers. In one animal, mammary secretions containing lymphocytes and unidentifiable, immature mononuclear cells continued for 120 days after the loss of pouch young. These observations of cellular composition of late- and post-lactation secretions are consistent with reports from a number of eutherian mammals and also with another marsupial, the tammar wallaby (Macropus eugenii).

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Characterization of the antimicrobial peptide family defensins in the Tasmanian devil (Sarcophilus harrisii), koala (Phascolarctos cinereus), and tammar wallaby (Macropus eugenii)

Immunogenetics ◽

10.1007/s00251-016-0959-1 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 69 (3) ◽

pp. 133-143 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Elizabeth A. Jones ◽

Yuanyuan Cheng ◽

Denis O’Meally ◽

Katherine Belov

Keyword(s):

Antimicrobial Peptide ◽

Tammar Wallaby ◽

Tasmanian Devil ◽

Phascolarctos Cinereus ◽

Macropus Eugenii ◽

Peptide Family ◽

Sarcophilus Harrisii

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Determination of oestrus in the female tammar, Macropus eugenii, by analysis of cellular composition of smears from the reproductive tract

Wildlife Research ◽

10.1071/wr9920035 ◽

1992 ◽

Vol 19 (1) ◽

pp. 35 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

WE Poole ◽

M Westcott ◽

NG Simms

Keyword(s):

Epithelial Cells ◽

Cycle Length ◽

Reproductive Tract ◽

Urogenital Sinus ◽

Cellular Composition ◽

Macropus Eugenii ◽

Common Structure ◽

Periodic Model ◽

Consistent Feature

Oestrus in the tammar, Macropus eugenii, was diagnosed from observed changes in the proportion of partly cornified epithelial cells in smears taken from the anterior urogenital sinus throughout oestrous cycles in both pregnant and nonpregnant females. Intra- and inter-animal variability in counts of cells necessitated smoothing of the data, which were also rescaled to a cycle length of 30 days. A simple non-sinusoidal periodic model was fitted to the proportions of partly cornified cells in each cycle. The analysis confirmed a common structure across cycles. A marked and consistent feature of this structure was a decrease from about 80 to 20% in partly cornified cells commencing just before oestrus, a feature tested as a detector of oestrus. The procedure proved to be reliable, but to invoke a rule developed for this purpose, a run of daily smears was needed. The maintenance of a routine record for individual animals over 10-1 1 days, including oestrus, may seem onerous but in practice has proved to be more dependable than reliance on chance observations of matings or a retained seminal plug. With experience, an empirical diagnosis of oestrus can be achieved with a shorter run of smears.

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Cellular Components of the Milk of the Tammar Wallaby (Macropus eugenii)

Australian Journal of Zoology ◽

10.1071/zo96063 ◽

1997 ◽

Vol 45 (4) ◽

pp. 423 ◽

Cited By ~ 19

Author(s):

L. Young ◽

K. Basden ◽

D. W. Cooper ◽

E. M. Deane

Keyword(s):

Mammary Gland ◽

Mononuclear Cells ◽

Tammar Wallaby ◽

Mammary Glands ◽

Cell Type ◽

Phagocytic Cells ◽

Macropus Eugenii ◽

Predominant Cell Type ◽

Cellular Components

The cellular components of colostrum and milk of the tammar wallaby (Macropus eugenii) have been investigated over the period of oestrus, lactation and weaning. Macrophages, neutrophils, lymphocytes and other vacuolated mononuclear cells were identified. The total number and diversity of cells were higher in colostral secretions and in secretions from post-lactational mammary glands. Neutrophils were the predominant cell type in early secretions. Macrophages were more prevalent in the milk of animals that no longer had young attached to the teat. These observations are consistent with suggestions that phagocytic cells play a role in post-lactational repair of the mammary gland but also suggest that non-specific phagocytic protection plays a role in protection of the neonatal marsupial.

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