A proposed technique for quantifying muscle progesterone content in minke whales (Balaenoptera acutorostrata)

1994 ◽  
Vol 72 (2) ◽  
pp. 368-370 ◽  
Author(s):  
Motoi Yoshioka ◽  
Takuji Okumura ◽  
Katsumi Aida ◽  
Yoshihiro Fujise
Keyword(s):  
Serum Levels ◽  
Balaenoptera Acutorostrata ◽  
Minke Whales ◽  
Quantitative Extraction ◽  
A New Technique ◽  
Ethanol Extracts ◽  
Free Ranging ◽  
Near Future ◽  
Muscle Biopsies

We have developed a new technique for the quantitative extraction of progesterone from very small pieces of muscle tissue of minke whales (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) post mortem. Ethanol extracts of approximately 0.5 g of tissue contained, on average, 15.3 ng/g progesterone in the case of pregnant females (SD = 12.7, n = 9) and 0.32 ng/g progesterone in the case of immature females (SD = 0.03, n = 9). Differences in muscle progesterone levels between females in the two reproductive states were significant, as has been previously reported also for serum levels. Our technique is expected to be applicable in the near future to the determination of the presence or absence of the corpus luteum in the ovaries and the reproductive status of free-ranging female whales, provided that sampling techniques for muscle biopsies are developed.

Exclusive adjoining ranges in individually identified minke whales (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) in Washington state

1983 ◽  
Vol 61 (1) ◽  
pp. 174-181 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eleanor M. Dorsey
Keyword(s):  
Washington State ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Territorial Defense ◽  
Balaenoptera Acutorostrata ◽  
Marine Waters ◽  
Baleen Whales ◽  
Distinctive Features ◽  
Naturally Occurring ◽  
Minke Whales ◽  
Free Ranging

Free-ranging minke whales in the inland marine waters of Washington, U.S.A., were found to be individually identifiable from photographs of naturally occurring distinctive features. Sixteen individuals were recognized and observed from small boats 66 times over 3.5 months in 1980, and four of these whales were also recognized from photographs taken in 1977 and 1978. Three exclusive adjoining ranges were found in about 600 km2, each one shared by up to at least seven minke whales, with only two instances of crossover between areas in 70 sightings. Feeding was observed in all three areas, and the whales within each area appeared most of the time to be acting independently of one another. No calves were seen, and no overt acts of territorial defense were observed. This is the first known report in baleen whales of nonoverlapping ranges on a very small scale.

scholarly journals Quantitative extraction of morphologic cell parameters from the diffraction pattern.

1977 ◽  
Vol 25 (7) ◽  
pp. 707-718 ◽  
Author(s):  
G Seger ◽  
M Achatz ◽  
W Heinze ◽  
F Sinsel
Keyword(s):  
Fourier Analysis ◽  
Diffraction Pattern ◽  
Diffraction Plane ◽  
Cell Parameters ◽  
The Third ◽  
Exfoliated Cells ◽  
Quantitative Extraction ◽  
Diffraction Patterns ◽  
A New Technique

A new technique for the fast and quantitative extraction of cell parameters from diffraction patterns was applied to cervical gynecologic material. Based on radial scans through the diffraction pattern, this technique permits the simultaneous determination of the nuclear and cytoplasmic diameter by Fourier analysis of the radial scanning signals after compensation for the intensity falloff by an amplification which is proportional to the third power of the radial position in the diffraction plane. In addition, a correlation between the angle of the highest amplitude of the scanning signals and the coarseness of microstructures in the cell was observed. Illustrative examples of measurements on exfoliated cells of different type are presented.

DETERMINATION OF PREGNANCY STATUS FROM BLUBBER SAMPLES IN MINKE WHALES (BALAENOPTERA ACUTOROSTRATA)

2002 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 112-120 ◽  
Author(s):  
Atef A. H. Mansour ◽  
Donald W. Mkay ◽  
Jon Lien ◽  
James C. Orr ◽  
Joseph H. Banoub ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Balaenoptera Acutorostrata ◽  
Minke Whales ◽  
Pregnancy Status

Human Prothrombin Activation: Determination of Plasma and Serum Levels of Prothrombin Fragment 3 by Radioimmunoassay

1979 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel Walz ◽  
Thomas Brown
Keyword(s):  
Blood Clotting ◽  
Factor Xa ◽  
Heart Association ◽  
Serum Levels ◽  
Cross Reactivity ◽  
Assay Procedure ◽  
A Chain ◽  
Prothrombin Activation ◽  
Theoretical Amount

Human prothrombin activation is unique in that, in addition to the release of fragment 1.2 (FI.2) from the NH-terminus of prothrombin by factor Xa during the generation of thrombin, an additional 13 residue polypeptide, fragment 3 (F3), is autocatalytically removed from the amino-terminus of the thrombin A chain. We have developed a rapid radioimmunoassay for human F3 which incorporates short incubation times and the use of a preprecipitated second antibody; the assay can be performed in three hours. Specificity studies in buffer systems show prothrombin and prethrombin 1 cross-reacting at a level of 0.001; purified thrombin does not cross-react. In the presence of 5% BSA, prothrombin displays considerably less cross-reactivity. No immunoreactive material to F3 antibodies could be detected in 400 μL of plasma. Serum, obtained from whole blood clotting, contained measurable quantities of F3 (40-100 ng/mL). This amount in serum represents only 5-10% of the theoretical amount available should all of the fragment be hydrolytically cleaved during the conversion of prothrombin to thrombin. This assay procedure is currently being utilized to monitor the activation of purified human prothrombin in the absence and presence of selected plasma inhibitors. (Supported in part by NIH 05384-17 and the Michigan Heart Association).

scholarly journals Circulating bioactive sclerostin levels in an Austrian population-based cohort

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katharina Kerschan-Schindl ◽  
Ursula Föger-Samwald ◽  
Andreas Gleiss ◽  
Stefan Kudlacek ◽  
Jacqueline Wallwitz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Serum Levels ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Negative Regulator ◽  
Total Serum ◽  
Mineral Density ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Robust Parameter ◽  
Austrian Population ◽  
Different Levels

Summary Background Circulating serum sclerostin levels are supposed to give a good estimation of the levels of this negative regulator of bone mass within bone. Most studies evaluating total serum sclerostin found different levels in males compared to females and in older compared to younger subjects. Besides an ELISA detecting total sclerostin an ELISA determining bioactive sclerostin has been developed. The aim of this study was to investigate serum levels of bioactive sclerostin in an Austrian population-based cohort. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional observational study in 235 healthy subjects. Using the bioactive ELISA assay (Biomedica) bioactive sclerostin levels were evaluated. Results Serum levels of bioactive sclerostin were higher in men than in women (24%). The levels correlated positively with age (r = 0.47). A positive correlation could also be detected with body mass index and bone mineral density. Conclusion Using the ELISA detecting bioactive sclerostin our results are consistent with data in the literature obtained by different sclerostin assays. The determination of sclerostin concentrations in peripheral blood thus appears to be a robust parameter of bone metabolism.

Corneal anatomy of marine mammals

1993 ◽  
Vol 71 (11) ◽  
pp. 2282-2290 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. T. Pardue ◽  
J. G. Sivak ◽  
K. M. Kovacs
Keyword(s):  
Marine Mammals ◽  
Equatorial Region ◽  
Balaenoptera Acutorostrata ◽  
Marine Habitat ◽  
Corneal Surface ◽  
Balaenoptera Physalus ◽  
Phoca Groenlandica ◽  
Minke Whales ◽  
Transmission Electron ◽  
Ultrathin Sections

The corneal anatomy of fin whales (Balaenoptera physalus), minke whales (Balaenoptera acutorostrata), harp seals (Phoca groenlandica), ringed seals (Phoca hispida), and bearded seals (Eriganthus barbatus) was examined to determine if marine mammals have evolved specialized corneas for life in a marine habitat. One to seven eyes of each species were analyzed: paraffin sections stained with haematoxylin and eosin for light microscopy; and ultrathin sections for transmission electron microscopy. All corneas contain the five typical mammalian layers: epithelium, Bowman's layer, stroma, Descemet's membrane, and endothelium. The corneas of these marine mammals are thicker than human corneas because of a thicker stromal layer. The other layers are thinner than those found in humans, except for the epithelial layer in the bearded seal and the cetaceans where it may provide extra protection for the eye during feeding behaviour. The epithelial cells in all corneas studied have an abundance of tonofilaments, which may strengthen the cells and distribute force across the corneal surface. No special organization of collagen fibrils was found in the stroma that would offer protection from ultraviolet radiation or glare for pinnipeds when on ice. The thickness of the sclera in the cetaceans may serve to hold the inner globe of the eye in an elliptical shape, while the thinning of the sclera in the equatorial region in pinnipeds may flatten the eye in air to reduce aerial myopia.

scholarly journals A Multi-elemental Approach to Identification of Subpopulations of North Atlantic Minke Whales Balaenoptera Acutorostrata

2007 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 84-97 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erik W. Born ◽  
Michael C. S. Kingsley ◽  
Frank F. Rigét ◽  
Rune Dietz ◽  
Per Møller ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
North Atlantic ◽  
Balaenoptera Acutorostrata ◽  
Minke Whales
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