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Cryobanking European Mink (Mustela lutreola) Mesenchymal Stem Cells and Oocytes. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23169319. [PMID: 36012583 PMCID: PMC9408899 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23169319] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2022] [Revised: 08/01/2022] [Accepted: 08/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The European mink (Mustela lutreola) is one of Europe’s most endangered species, and it is on the brink of extinction in the Iberian Peninsula. The species’ precarious situation requires the application of new ex situ conservation methodologies that complement the existing ex situ and in situ conservation measures. Here, we report for the first time the establishment of a biobank for European mink mesenchymal stem cells (emMSC) and oocytes from specimens found dead in the Iberian Peninsula, either free or in captivity. New emMSC lines were isolated from different tissues: bone marrow (emBM-MSC), oral mucosa (emOM-MSc), dermal skin (emDS-MSC), oviduct (emO-MSc), endometrium (emE-MSC), testicular (emT-MSC), and adipose tissue from two different adipose depots: subcutaneous (emSCA-MSC) and ovarian (emOA-MSC). All eight emMSC lines showed plastic adhesion, a detectable expression of characteristic markers of MSCs, and, when cultured under osteogenic and adipogenic conditions, differentiation capacity to these lineages. Additionally, we were able to keep 227 Cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) in the biobank, 97 of which are grade I or II. The European mink MSC and oocyte biobank will allow for the conservation of the species’ genetic variability, the application of assisted reproduction techniques, and the development of in vitro models for studying the molecular mechanisms of infectious diseases that threaten the species’ precarious situation.
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Skorupski J. Characterisation of the Complete Mitochondrial Genome of Critically Endangered Mustela lutreola (Carnivora: Mustelidae) and Its Phylogenetic and Conservation Implications. Genes (Basel) 2022; 13:genes13010125. [PMID: 35052465 PMCID: PMC8774856 DOI: 10.3390/genes13010125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2021] [Revised: 12/28/2021] [Accepted: 01/06/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
In this paper, a complete mitochondrial genome of the critically endangered European mink Mustela lutreola L., 1761 is reported. The mitogenome was 16,504 bp in length and encoded the typical 13 protein-coding genes, two ribosomal RNA genes and 22 transfer RNA genes, and harboured a putative control region. The A+T content of the entire genome was 60.06% (A > T > C > G), and the AT-skew and GC-skew were 0.093 and −0.308, respectively. The encoding-strand identity of genes and their order were consistent with a collinear gene order characteristic for vertebrate mitogenomes. The start codons of all protein-coding genes were the typical ATN. In eight cases, they were ended by complete stop codons, while five had incomplete termination codons (TA or T). All tRNAs had a typical cloverleaf secondary structure, except tRNASer(AGC) and tRNALys, which lacked the DHU stem and had reduced DHU loop, respectively. Both rRNAs were capable of folding into complex secondary structures, containing unmatched base pairs. Eighty-one single nucleotide variants (substitutions and indels) were identified. Comparative interspecies analyses confirmed the close phylogenetic relationship of the European mink to the so-called ferret group, clustering the European polecat, the steppe polecat and the black-footed ferret. The obtained results are expected to provide useful molecular data, informing and supporting effective conservation measures to save M. lutreola.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jakub Skorupski
- Institute of Marine and Environmental Sciences, University of Szczecin, Adama Mickiewicza 16 St., 70-383 Szczecin, Poland; ; Tel.: +48-91-444-16-85
- Polish Society for Conservation Genetics LUTREOLA, Maciejkowa 21 St., 71-784 Szczecin, Poland
- The European Mink Centre, 71-415 Szczecin, Poland
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Detection of Anti-Leishmania infantum antibodies in Wild European and American Mink (Mustela lutreola and Neovison vison) from Northern Spain, 2014-20. J Wildl Dis 2021; 58:198-204. [PMID: 34818406 DOI: 10.7589/jwd-d-21-00027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2021] [Accepted: 07/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
The European mink (Mustela lutreola) is listed as a critically endangered species because of ongoing population reduction from habitat degradation and the effects of introduced species, such as American mink (Neovison vison). This small, fragmented population becomes vulnerable to many other threats, including diseases. Leishmaniosis is a zoonotic disease caused by the protozoan parasite Leishmania infantum found in the Mediterranean area, which affects many mammals, including wild small mammals. Furthermore, clinical disease caused by L. infantum has recently been described in other mustelids. To assess the exposure to Leishmania sp. infection in mink species in northern Spain, blood samples from 139 feral American mink and 42 native European mink from north Spain were evaluated for Leishmania sp. infection using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays against Leishmania spp. antibodies, with 52.4% of American mink and 45.3% of European mink being found seropositive. This finding raises questions regarding how the disease may affect these species and the potential repercussions for conservation efforts. Despite a high seroprevalence being observed in wild mink of both species in this study, association with clinical or pathologic signs of disease has yet to be elucidated.
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New developments in the field of genomic technologies and their relevance to conservation management. CONSERV GENET 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s10592-021-01415-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
AbstractRecent technological advances in the field of genomics offer conservation managers and practitioners new tools to explore for conservation applications. Many of these tools are well developed and used by other life science fields, while others are still in development. Considering these technological possibilities, choosing the right tool(s) from the toolbox is crucial and can pose a challenging task. With this in mind, we strive to inspire, inform and illuminate managers and practitioners on how conservation efforts can benefit from the current genomic and biotechnological revolution. With inspirational case studies we show how new technologies can help resolve some of the main conservation challenges, while also informing how implementable the different technologies are. We here focus specifically on small population management, highlight the potential for genetic rescue, and discuss the opportunities in the field of gene editing to help with adaptation to changing environments. In addition, we delineate potential applications of gene drives for controlling invasive species. We illuminate that the genomic toolbox offers added benefit to conservation efforts, but also comes with limitations for the use of these novel emerging techniques.
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Amstislavsky SY, Mokrousova VI, Okotrub SV, Brusentsev EY, Naprimerov VA. Application of the Cryobank Concept to Wild and Endangered Carnivora Species. Russ J Dev Biol 2021. [DOI: 10.1134/s1062360421040020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
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6
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Gálvez-López E, Kilbourne B, Cox PG. Cranial shape variation in mink: Separating two highly similar species. J Anat 2021; 240:210-225. [PMID: 34569054 PMCID: PMC8742963 DOI: 10.1111/joa.13554] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2021] [Revised: 09/08/2021] [Accepted: 09/09/2021] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
European and American minks (Mustela lutreola and Neovison vison, respectively) are very similar in their ecology, behavior, and morphology. However, the American mink is a generalist predator and seems to adapt better to anthropized environments, allowing it to outcompete the European mink in areas where it has been introduced, threatening the survival of the native species. To assess whether morphological differences may be contributing to the success of the American mink relative to the European mink, we analyzed shape variation in the cranium of both species using 3D geometric morphometrics. A set of 38 landmarks and 107 semilandmarks was used to study shape variation between and within species, and to assess how differences in size factored into that variation. Sexual dimorphism in both size and shape was also studied. Significant differences between species were found in cranial shape, but not in size. Relative to American mink, European mink have a shorter facial region with a rounder forehead and wider orbits, a longer neurocranium with less developed crests and processes, and an antero-medially placed tympanic bullae with an anteriorly expanded cranial border. Within species, size-related sexual dimorphism is highly significant, but sexual dimorphism in shape is only significant in American mink, not in European mink. Additionally, two trends common to both species were discovered, one related to allometric changes and another to sexual size dimorphism. Shape changes related to increasing size can be subdivided into two, probably related, groups: increased muscle force and growth. The first group somewhat parallels the differences between both mink species, while the second group of traits includes an anterodorsal expansion of the face, and the neurocranium shifting from a globous shape in small individuals to a dorsoventrally flattened ellipse in the largest ones. Finally, the sexual dimorphism trend, while also accounting for differences in muscle force, seems to be related to the observed dietary differences between males and females. Overall, differences between species and sexes, and shape changes with increasing size, seem to mainly relate to differences in masticatory-muscle volume and therefore muscle force and bite force, which, in turn, relate to a wider range of potential prey (bigger prey, tougher shells). Thus, muscle force (and dietary range) would be larger in American mink than in European mink, in males than in females, and in larger individuals than in smaller ones.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eloy Gálvez-López
- PalaeoHub, Department of Archaeology, University of York, York, United Kingdom
| | - Brandon Kilbourne
- Museum für Naturkunde, Leibniz Institute for Evolution and Biodiversity Science, Berlin, Germany
| | - Philip G Cox
- PalaeoHub, Department of Archaeology, University of York, York, United Kingdom
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Hobbs EC, Reid TJ. Animals and SARS-CoV-2: Species susceptibility and viral transmission in experimental and natural conditions, and the potential implications for community transmission. Transbound Emerg Dis 2021; 68:1850-1867. [PMID: 33091230 PMCID: PMC8359434 DOI: 10.1111/tbed.13885] [Citation(s) in RCA: 101] [Impact Index Per Article: 33.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2020] [Revised: 09/25/2020] [Accepted: 10/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The current COVID-19 global pandemic, caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) of probable bat origin, has highlighted the ongoing need for a One Health response to emerging zoonotic disease events. Understanding the human-animal interface and its relevance to disease transmission remains a critical control point for many emerging zoonoses. Determination of the susceptibility of various animal species to infection with SARS-CoV-2 and the role of animals in the epidemiology of the disease will be critical to informing appropriate human and veterinary public health responses to this pandemic. A scoping literature review was conducted to collect, evaluate and present the available research evidence regarding SARS-CoV-2 infections in animals. Experimental studies have successfully demonstrated SARS-CoV-2 infection and transmission in cats, ferrets, hamsters, bats and non-human primates under experimental settings. Dogs appear to have limited susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2, while other domestic species including pigs and poultry do not appear susceptible. Naturally occurring SARS-CoV-2 infections in animals appear uncommon, with 14 pets, 8 captive big cats and an unreported number of farmed mink testing positive at the time of writing (early July 2020). Infections typically appear asymptomatic in dogs, while clinical signs of respiratory and/or gastrointestinal disease tend to be mild to moderate in felines, and severe to fatal in mink. Most animals are presumed to have been infected by close contact with COVID-19 patients. In domestic settings, viral transmission is self-limiting; however in high-density animal environments, there can be sustained between-animal transmission. To date, two potential cases of animal-to-human transmission are being investigated, on infected mink farms. Given the millions of COVID-19 cases worldwide and ongoing potential for further zoonotic and anthroponotic viral transmission, further research and surveillance activities are needed to definitively determine the role of animals in community transmission of SARS-CoV-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma C. Hobbs
- Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness (ACDP)Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO)East GeelongVICAustralia
| | - Tristan J. Reid
- Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness (ACDP)Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO)East GeelongVICAustralia
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Skorupski J. Fifty Years of Research on European Mink Mustela lutreola L., 1761 Genetics: Where Are We Now in Studies on One of the Most Endangered Mammals? Genes (Basel) 2020; 11:E1332. [PMID: 33187363 PMCID: PMC7696698 DOI: 10.3390/genes11111332] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2020] [Revised: 10/28/2020] [Accepted: 11/06/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The purpose of this review is to present the current state of knowledge about the genetics of European mink Mustela lutreola L., 1761, which is one of the most endangered mammalian species in the world. This article provides a comprehensive description of the studies undertaken over the last 50 years in terms of cytogenetics, molecular genetics, genomics (including mitogenomics), population genetics of wild populations and captive stocks, phylogenetics, phylogeography, and applied genetics (including identification by genetic methods, molecular ecology, and conservation genetics). An extensive and up-to-date review and critical analysis of the available specialist literature on the topic is provided, with special reference to conservation genetics. Unresolved issues are also described, such as the standard karyotype, systematic position, and whole-genome sequencing, and hotly debated issues are addressed, like the origin of the Southwestern population of the European mink and management approaches of the most distinct populations of the species. Finally, the most urgent directions of future research, based on the research questions arising from completed studies and the implementation of conservation measures to save and restore M. lutreola populations, are outlined. The importance of the popularization of research topics related to European mink genetics among scientists is highlighted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jakub Skorupski
- Institute of Marine and Environmental Sciences, University of Szczecin, Adama Mickiewicza 16 St., 70-383 Szczecin, Poland; ; Tel.: +48-914-441-685
- Polish Society for Conservation Genetics LUTREOLA, Maciejkowa 21 St., 71-784 Szczecin, Poland
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9
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Toledano-Díaz A, Castaño C, Velázquez R, Bóveda P, López-Sebastián A, Martínez-Nevado E, Villaverde-Morcillo S, Esteso MC, Santiago-Moreno J. Cryopreservation of ferret (Mustela putorius furo) sperm collected by rectal massage and electroejaculation: Comparison of a decelerating and an accelerating freezing rate protocol. Vet Med Sci 2020; 7:256-263. [PMID: 33040487 PMCID: PMC7840209 DOI: 10.1002/vms3.362] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2020] [Revised: 07/30/2020] [Accepted: 09/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The domestic ferret (Mustela putorius furo) provides a good model for developing new reproductive technologies for use with threatened related species. Such technologies could also be used in the reproductive management of this pet species. The present work reports an improved freezing protocol for ferret sperm. Semen was collected by electroejaculation plus rectal massage (in an attempt to reduce the electrical stimulation necessary) from five adult male ferrets, and then subjected to one of two freezing protocols: (a) from 5 to −35°C at 40°C/min, then from −35 to −65°C at 17°C/min, and finally from −65 to −85°C at 3°C/min—a decelerating freezing rate; and (b) from 5 to − 10°C at 5°C/min, and then from −10 to −130°C at 60°C/min—an accelerating freezing rate. After thawing, the viability and acrosomal integrity of the sperm frozen via the two‐step accelerating method were better than those frozen via the three‐step decelerating method (43.3 ± 3.5% and 71.2 ± 3.4% compared with 29.7 ± 3.7% and 58.8 ± 3.4% respectively; p < .05). No differences were seen between the methods with respect to sperm motility variables; most sperm (>90%) remained static with both freezing methods. In conclusion, although the method with accelerating freezing rate was associated with better post‐thaw sperm viability and acrosome integrity values, neither of the two freezing methods tested provided adequate motility results after thawing. Combining rectal massage with electrical stimuli seemed to reduce the number of the latter required for successful sperm collection.
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Sirotkin AV, Mertin D, Süvegová K, Lauričik J, Morovič M, Harrath AH, Kotwica J. Mink aging is associated with a reduction in ovarian hormone release and the response to FSH and ghrelin. Theriogenology 2016; 86:1175-81. [PMID: 27160444 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2016.04.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2015] [Revised: 04/04/2016] [Accepted: 04/05/2016] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
The endocrine mechanisms of mink ovarian hormones release and reproductive aging are poorly investigated. The aims of our study were to: (1) identify hormones produced by mink ovaries (the steroids progesterone [P] and estradiol [E], the peptide hormone oxytocin [OT], and the prostaglandin F [PGF] and prostaglandin E [PGE]); (2) examine the effect of FSH and ghrelin on the release of the hormones listed previously; and (3) understand whether these hormones can be involved in the control of mink reproductive aging, i.e., whether aging can be associated with changes (a) in the basal release of P, E, OT, PGF, or PGE and (b) their response to FSH and ghrelin. Fragments of ovaries of young (yearlings) and old (3-5 years of age) minks were cultured with and without FSH and ghrelin (0, 1, 10, or 100 ng/mL), and the release of hormones was analyzed by EIA/RIA. We found that isolated ovaries were able to release P, E, OT, PGF, and PGE, and the levels of P produced in the ovaries of old animals were lower than those produced in the ovaries of young animals, whereas the levels of other hormones did not differ. FSH was able to stimulate P and E and suppress OT and PGF and did not affect PGE release. Aging was associated with the inhibition of the effect of FSH on ovarian P and E, the appearance of the inhibitory action of FSH on OT, and the disappearance of this action on ovarian PGF. PGE was not affected by FSH, irrespective of animal age. Ghrelin was able to promote E (but not P) and suppress OT, PGF, and PGE output. Aging was associated with the appearance of an inhibitory influence of ghrelin on ovarian OT and PGE and with the disappearance of this influence on PGF output. Aging did not affect the action of ghrelin on ovarian P and E. Our observations (1) confirm the production of P and E and show that OT, PGF, and PGE are released from mink ovaries, (2) confirm the involvement of FSH and demonstrate the involvement of ghrelin in the control of mink ovarian hormone release, and (3) suggest that reproductive aging in minks is due to a reduction in basal P release and alterations in the response of E, OT, PGF (but not of PGE) to FSH and ghrelin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander V Sirotkin
- Constantine the Philosopher University, Nitra, Slovakia; Research Institute of Animal Production, Lužianky, Slovakia.
| | - Dušan Mertin
- Research Institute of Animal Production, Lužianky, Slovakia
| | | | | | | | - Abdel Halim Harrath
- Department of Zoology, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Jan Kotwica
- Institute of Animal Reproduction and Food Research, Polish Academy of Sciences, Olsztyn, Poland
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Sirotkin AV, Mertin D, Süvegová K, Harrath AH, Kotwica J. Aging influences steroid hormone release by mink ovaries and their response to leptin and IGF-I. Biol Open 2016; 5:174-7. [PMID: 26794607 PMCID: PMC4823990 DOI: 10.1242/bio.016436] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of our study was to understand whether ovarian steroid hormones, and their response to the metabolic hormones leptin and IGF-I leptin, could be involved in the control of mink reproductive aging via changes in basal release of ovarian progesterone and estradiol. For this purpose, we compared the release of progesterone and estradiol by ovarian fragments isolated from young (yearlings) and old (3-5 years of age) minks cultured with and without leptin and IGF-I (0, 1, 10 or 100 ng/ml). We observed that isolated ovaries of older animals produced less progesterone but not less estradiol than the ovaries of young animals. Leptin addition stimulated estradiol release by the ovarian tissue of young animals but inhibited it in older females. Leptin did not influence progesterone output by the ovaries of either young or older animals. IGF-I inhibited estradiol output in young but not old animals, whereas progesterone release was inhibited by IGF-I irrespective of the animal age. Our observations demonstrate the involvement of both leptin and IGF-I in the control of mink ovarian steroid hormones release. Furthermore, our findings suggest that reproductive aging in minks can be due to (a) reduction in basal progesterone release and (b) alterations in the response of estradiol but not of progesterone to leptin and IGF-I. Summary: Both leptin and IGF-I are involved in the control of mink ovarian steroid hormone release. Reproductive aging can be due to (a) reduction in basal progesterone release and (b) alterations in the response of estradiol but not of progesterone to leptin and IGF-I.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander V Sirotkin
- Department of Zoology and Anthropology, Constantine the Philosopher University, Nitra 949 74, Slovakia Department of Genetics and Reproduction, Research Institute of Animal Production, Lužianky 949 59, Slovakia
| | - Dušan Mertin
- Department of Genetics and Reproduction, Research Institute of Animal Production, Lužianky 949 59, Slovakia
| | - Karin Süvegová
- Department of Genetics and Reproduction, Research Institute of Animal Production, Lužianky 949 59, Slovakia
| | - Abdel Halim Harrath
- Department of Zoology, College of Science, King Saud University, P.O. Box 2455, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Jan Kotwica
- Institute of Animal Reproduction and Food Research, Polish Academy of Sciences, Olsztyn 10-747, Poland
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Nagl A, Kneidinger N, Kiik K, Lindeberg H, Maran T, Schwarzenberger F. Noninvasive monitoring of female reproductive hormone metabolites in the endangered European mink (Mustela lutreola). Theriogenology 2015; 84:1472-81. [PMID: 26324114 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2015.07.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2015] [Revised: 07/14/2015] [Accepted: 07/14/2015] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
This study examined the reproductive physiology of female European mink (Mustela lutreola) to augment the available information on estrus, ovulation, and pregnancy with the long-term goal of supporting ex situ breeding management of this highly endangered species. Fecal reproductive hormone metabolites were measured using EIAs for estrogen and 20-oxo-pregnane metabolites. Seasonal hormone profiles were established. A comparison of hormone fluctuations in pregnant and nonpregnant females showed that both estrogen and 20-oxo-pregnane metabolites were significantly elevated during gestation, which is 42 days in length. Delayed implantation or embryonic diapause does not occur in this species. Litter size was correlated with 20-oxo-pregnane levels but not with estrogen concentrations. During lactation, 20-oxo-pregnane metabolite levels remained higher than in nonpregnant females. The breeding season was characterized by peaks in vaginal cornified cells and fecal estrogen metabolite levels. Up to four peaks in estrogen levels were identified and confirmed that European mink are seasonally polyestrous. The results of 20-oxo-pregnane measurements indicated that hCG can be applied to induce ovulation. With the establishment of this noninvasive method, we present a new tool to support population management of this species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Astrid Nagl
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Unit of Physiology, Pathophysiology and Experimental Endocrinology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria
| | - Nadja Kneidinger
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Unit of Physiology, Pathophysiology and Experimental Endocrinology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria
| | - Kairi Kiik
- Department of Zoology, Institute of Ecology and Earth Sciences, Tartu University, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Heli Lindeberg
- Natural Resources Institute Finland, Green Technology, Maaninka, Finland
| | - Tiit Maran
- Institute of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, Estonian University of Life Sciences, Tartu, Estonia; Species Conservation Lab, Tallinn Zoological Gardens, Tallinn, Estonia
| | - Franz Schwarzenberger
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Unit of Physiology, Pathophysiology and Experimental Endocrinology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria.
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Carbonell R. Managing Spanish European mink populations: Moving from a precautionary approach towards knowledge-based management. J Nat Conserv 2015. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jnc.2015.03.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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14
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Amstislavsky SY, Brusentsev EY, Okotrub KA, Rozhkova IN. Embryo and gamete cryopreservation for genetic resources conservation of laboratory animals. Russ J Dev Biol 2015; 46:47-59. [DOI: 10.1134/s1062360415020022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/04/2023]
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15
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Barrett GW, Barrett TL, Pratt NL. Survivorship and Reproductive Success of Released Laboratory-bred and Native Golden Mice within a Forest-edge Habitat. AMERICAN MIDLAND NATURALIST 2015. [DOI: 10.1674/0003-0031-173.1.133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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16
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Amstislavsky S, Lindeberg H, Ternovskaya Y, Zavjalov E, Zudova G, Klochkov D, Gerlinskaya L. Reproduction in the European Mink, Mustela lutreola: Oestrous Cyclicity and Early Pregnancy. Reprod Domest Anim 2009; 44:489-98. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1439-0531.2008.01216.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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17
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Sun X, Li Z, Yi Y, Chen J, Leno GH, Engelhardt JF. Efficient term development of vitrified ferret embryos using a novel pipette chamber technique. Biol Reprod 2008; 79:832-40. [PMID: 18633142 DOI: 10.1095/biolreprod.107.067371] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Development of an efficient cryopreservation technique for the domestic ferret is key for the long-term maintenance of valuable genetic specimens of this species and for the conservation of related endangered species. Unfortunately, current cryopreservation procedures, such as slow-rate freezing and vitrification with open pulled straws, are inefficient. In this report, we describe a pipette tip-based vitrification method that significantly improves the development of thawed ferret embryos following embryo transfer (ET). Ferret embryos at the morula (MR), compact morula (CM), and early blastocyst (EB) stages were vitrified using an Eppendorf microloader pipette tip as the chamber vessel. The rate of in vitro development was significantly (P < 0.05) higher among embryos vitrified at the CM (93.6%) and EB (100%) stages relative to those vitrified at the MR stages (58.7%). No significant developmental differences were observed when comparing CM and EB vitrified embryos with nonvitrified control CM (100%) and EB (100%) embryos. In addition, few differences in the ultrastructure of intracellular lipid droplets or in microfilament structure were observed between control embryos and embryos vitrified at any developmental stage. Vitrified-thawed CM/EB embryos cultured for 2 or 16 h before ET resulted in live birth rates of 71.3% and 77.4%, respectively. These rates were not significantly different from the control live birth rate (79.2%). However, culture for 32 h (25%) or 48 h (7.8%) after vitrification significantly reduced the rate of live births. These data indicate that the pipette chamber vitrification technique significantly improves the live birth rate of transferred ferret embryos relative to current state-of-the-art methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xingshen Sun
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa 52242, USA
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