scholarly journals The molecular detection of relaxin and its receptor RXFP1 in reproductive tissue of Felis catus and Lynx pardinus during pregnancy

Reproduction ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 143 (3) ◽  
pp. 399-410 ◽  
Author(s):  
Beate C Braun ◽  
Astrid Vargas ◽  
Katarina Jewgenow

Relaxin acts as a pregnancy-specific signal in feline species, but specific information about protein structure and binding is essential for the improvement of pregnancy diagnosis in endangered feline species, like the Iberian lynx. To generate a felid-specific relaxin antibody, the DNA and protein sequences of lynx and cat were determined and peptides were chosen for antibody generation. In addition, relaxin and relaxin receptor (RXFP1) mRNA expressions were measured in uteri and ovaries of pregnant domestic cats and lynx placentae. Using real-time PCR and immunohistochemistry, it was established that feline placenta is the main source of relaxin during pregnancy. In other tested tissues, relaxin mRNA expression was weak. TheRXFP1mRNA expression was found mainly in cat uterine tissue and feline placentae. It was assumed that these tissues were main targets for relaxin. In the ovary, relaxin immunostaining was associated with blood vessels, signifying its role in vascularization.

2018 ◽  
Vol 48 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jacqueline Kazue Kurissio ◽  
Marianna Vaz Rodrigues ◽  
Sueli Akemi Taniwaki ◽  
Marcelo de Souza Zanutto ◽  
Claudia Filoni ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT: Felis catus gammaherpesvirus 1 (FcaGHV1) may causes an asymptomatic infection that result in an efficient transmission and subsequently dissemination of the virus in feline population. This study used molecular detection by qPCR (quantitative PCR) based on DNA polymerase gene fragment amplification to evaluate the occurrence of FcaGHV1 and its correlation with other feline viral pathogens, such as Carnivore protoparvovirus 1 (CPPV-1), Felid alphaherpesvirus 1 (FeHV-1), and feline retroviruses such as feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) and feline leukemia virus (FeLV). Of the 182 blood samples evaluated 23.6% (43/182) were positives for FcaGHV1. Approximately 37.9% (33/87) of the samples that tested positive for retrovirus were also were positive for FcaGHV1 infection (P<0.0001). Among FIV-infected samples, 49% (24/49) were positive for FcaGHV1 (P<0.0001). FcaGHV1 infection was not associated with FeLV (P>0.66) or CPPV-1 (P>0.46) coinfection. All samples were negative for FeHV-1. Male felines were significantly associated to FcaGHV1 (P<0.0001) and their risk of infection with FcaGHV1 was about of 7.74 times greater compared to females. Kittens (≤ 1year) were the least affected by FcaGHV1 infection, being verified a rate of 7.7% (4/52). Therefore, male cats over one year old and infected with FIV were considerably more likely to be infected with FcaGHV1. To our knowledge, this is the first study to report the occurrence and molecular detection of FcaGHV1 infection in domestic cats in Brazil and in South America.


2010 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
José María Gil-Sánchez ◽  
Miguel Angel Simón ◽  
Rafael Cadenas ◽  
José Bueno ◽  
Manuel Moral ◽  
...  

Reproduction ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 149 (4) ◽  
pp. 317-327 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martyna Łupicka ◽  
Gabriel Bodek ◽  
Nahum Shpigel ◽  
Ehud Elnekave ◽  
Anna J Korzekwa

The aim of this study was to identify uterine pluripotent cells both in bovine uterine tissues as well in epithelial, stromal, and myometrial uterine cell populations. Moreover, the relationship of pluripotent markers expression with age and the uterine horn side was considered. Uterine tissue was collected from ipsilateral and contralateral horns (days 8–10 of the estrous cycle). Immunohistostaining for C-KIT, OCT3/4, NANOG, and SOX2 in uterine tissue was determined. mRNA expression of C-KIT, OCT3/4, NANOG and SOX2 was evaluated in uterine tissue relative to the age of the cow and uterine horn side. Gene and protein expression of these markers in the uterine luminal epithelial, stromal, and myometrial cells was evaluated by real-time PCR and western blotting respectively. The expression of pluripotent cell markers OCT3/4, NANOG, and SOX2 was identified by flow cytometry assay in epithelial, stromal, and myometrial cells. Multilineage differentiation of the bovine uterine cells was performed. mRNA expression of OCT3/4, NANOG, and SOX2 in uterine tissue was higher in the ipsilateral horn than in the contralateral horn. Flow cytometry assay revealed positive fluorescence for OCT3/4, NANOG, and SOX2 in all uterine cell types. Results showed the age-dependent expression of pluripotent markers in uterine tissue. Beside, the different expression of pluripotent cells in each horn of uterus suggests the influence of ovarian hormones on these characteristics. The highest mRNA and protein expression for pluripotent markers was observed in stromal cells among uterine cells, which indicates this population of cells as the main site of pluripotent cells in the cow uterus.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patricia A. Fleming ◽  
Heather M. Crawford ◽  
Clare Auckland ◽  
Michael C. Calver
Keyword(s):  

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mikel M. Delgado ◽  
Brandon Sang Gyuc Han ◽  
Melissa J. Bain

AbstractContrafreeloading is the willingness of animals to work for food when equivalent food is freely available. This behavior is observed in laboratory, domesticated, and captive animals. However, previous research found that six laboratory cats failed to contrafreeload. We hypothesized that cats would contrafreeload in the home environment when given a choice between a food puzzle and a tray of similar size and shape. We also hypothesized that more active cats would be more likely to contrafreeload. We assessed the behavior of 17 neutered, indoor domestic cats (Felis catus) when presented with both a food puzzle and a tray across ten 30-min trials. Each cat wore an activity tracker, and all sessions were video recorded. Cats ate more food from the free feed tray than the puzzle (t (16) = 6.77, p < 0.001). Cats made more first choices to approach and eat from the tray. There was no relationship between activity and contrafreeloading, and there was no effect of sex, age, or previous food puzzle experience on contrafreeloading. Our results suggest that cats do not show strong tendencies to contrafreeload in the home environment, although some cats (N = 4) ate most food offered in the puzzle or showed weak contrafreeloading tendencies (N = 5). Eight cats did not contrafreeload. Cats who consumed more food from the puzzle, consumed more food in general, suggesting a relationship between hunger and effort. Further research is required to understand why domestic cats, unlike other tested species, do not show a strong preference to work for food.


Mammalia ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 0 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
Brian Keane ◽  
Phillip J. Long ◽  
Yasmeen Fleifil ◽  
Nancy G. Solomon

AbstractBehavioral changes that reduce the risk of predation in response to predator-derived odor cues are widespread among mammalian taxa and have received a great deal of attention. Although voles of the genus Microtus are staples in the diet of many mammalian predators, including domestic cats (Felis catus), there are no previous studies on vole space utilization and activity levels in response to odor cues from domestic cats. Therefore, the objective of our study was to investigate responses of adult prairie voles (Microtus ochrogaster) living in semi-natural habitats to odor cues from domestic cat excreta. Contrary to expectations, neither adult males or females showed significant changes in space use or willingness to enter traps in response to cat odors. One hypothesis to explain our results are that prairie voles have not co-evolved with domestic cats long enough to respond to their odors. Other possible explanations include whether levels of odors in the environment were sufficient to trigger a response or that the perceived risk of predation from odor cues alone did not outweigh relative costs of changing space use and activity levels. Future studies should consider multiple factors when determining what cues are sufficient to elicit antipredatory behavior.


2006 ◽  
Vol 256 (1) ◽  
pp. 81-83 ◽  
Author(s):  
Graeme D. Ruxton ◽  
Sarah Thomas ◽  
Jessica W. Wright
Keyword(s):  

2008 ◽  
Vol 20 (3) ◽  
pp. 381-385 ◽  
Author(s):  
Inés Luaces ◽  
Ana Doménech ◽  
Marino García-Montijano ◽  
Victorio M. Collado ◽  
Celia Sónchez ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  

2007 ◽  
Vol 81 (4) ◽  
pp. 377-380 ◽  
Author(s):  
Javier Millán ◽  
Joan Carles Casanova

AbstractFive critically endangered Iberian lynxes (Lynx pardinus) and 35 other sympatric carnivores (19 feral catsFelis catus, 12 Egyptian mongoosesHerpestes ichneumon, and 4 common genetsGenetta genetta) were analysed for helminths in Sierra Morena and Doñana area (southern Spain).Ancylostoma tubaeforme, which was believed to be harmful for lynx cubs according to a previous study, was present in the only lynx and in 53% of cats analysed in Doñana (80% in adult cats). Other species shared in both areas wereToxocara cati(1 lynx, 31% of cats),Joyeuxiella pasqualei(1 lynx, 21% of cats) andMesocestoidessp. (2 lynxes, 5% of cats). Only one mongoose was parasitized, harbouring larvae of two acantocephalan species not previously reported in the Iberian peninsula (Centrorhynchus(Sphaerirostris)lanceaandCentrorhynchus(Longirostris)undulatus). Feral cats may be a reservoir for hookworms and other helminths affecting the Iberian lynx. In contrast, mongooses and genets may not play a role in the epidemiology of these species.


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