Appearance Of Eggs Research Articles

Transcriptome and histological analyses on the uterus of freckle egg laying hens

BackgroundIn this study, we explored the characteristics and causes of freckle formation. We collected 15 normal and freckled eggs each for eggshell index testing and hypothesized that the structure and function of the uterus would have a direct effect on freckled egg production given that eggshells are formed in the uterus. To test this hypothesis, we collected uterine tissue from laying hens (418 days of age) that laid normal (Group C, n = 13) and freckled (Group T, n = 16) eggs for 7 consecutive days.ResultsWhen we examined the eggshell quality, we found that the L value was significantly lower (P < 0.05) in the freckled site group of freckled eggs compared to the normal egg group during the detection of blunt pole, equator, and sharp pole of the eggshell color. The a-values of the three positions were significantly higher (P < 0.05) in the freckled site group of freckled eggs, and the a-values of the blunt pole were significantly lower (P < 0.05) in the background site group of freckled eggs, compared to the normal egg group. The b-values were significantly higher (P < 0.05) at three locations in the freckled site group of freckled eggs compared to the normal egg group. During the detection of eggshell thickness, the blunt pole was significantly higher (P < 0.05) in the freckled egg site group of freckled eggs compared to the normal egg group, and there was no significant difference between the other groups (P > 0.05). There was no significant difference (P > 0.05) between the transverse and longitudinal diameters of the eggs in each group.We then performed histopathology and transcriptome analyses on the collected tissue. When compared with group C, uterine junctional epithelial cells in group T showed significant defects and cilia loss, and epithelial tissue was poorly intact. From transcriptomics, genes that met (|log2FC|) ≥ 1 and P < 0.05 criteria were screened as differentially expressed genes (DEGs). We identified a total of 136 DEGs, with 101 up- and 35 down-regulated genes from our RNA-seq data. DEGs identified by enrichment analyses, which were potentially associated with freckled egg production were: IFI6, CCL19, AvBD10, AvBD11, S100A12, POMC, and UCN3. Gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analyses showed that pathways were associated with immunoreaction and stress stimulation, e.g., complement activation, interleukin-1 cell reactions, viral responses, cell reactions stimulated by corticotropin releasing hormone, steroid hormone mediated signaling pathways, staphylococcal infections, B cell receptor signaling pathways, and natural killer cell mediated cytotoxicity.ConclusionsFrom these data, freckled areas deepen freckled eggshell color, but background areas are not affected. At the same time,we reasoned that freckle eggs may result from abnormal immune responses and impaired uterine functions induced by stress. Therefore, the uterus of laying hens in a state of stress and abnormal immune function can cause the appearance of freckled eggs.

Progesterone initiates tendril formation in the oviducal gland during egg encapsulation in cloudy catshark (Scyliorhinus torazame)

The diverse reproductive strategies of elasmobranchs (sharks, rays, and skates) have attracted research attention, but the endocrine control of reproduction is still incompletely known in elasmobranchs. By long-term monitoring of the egg-laying cycle in cloudy catsharks (Scyliorhinus torazame), we recently demonstrated a transient increase in plasma progesterone (P4) levels just prior to the appearance of the capsulated eggs in the oviducts. In the present study, we examined the in vivo effects of P4 administration in mature female cloudy catsharks. Although no capsulated eggs were observed following the implantation of P4-containing silicone tubing, we did find dark swollen oviducts in the abdominal cavity, in which clumps of long and coiled tendrils were observed. The tendril is an extension of the egg capsule, and the formation of the egg capsule begins with the tendril before main capsule formation. During the period of P4 implantation, the tendrils elongated, and their diameters were significantly increased on day 2 of treatment. Tendril formation was also confirmed on the day of endogenous P4 surge. Tendrils were not formed in catsharks implanted with estradiol-17β or testosterone. Histological analysis of the oviducal gland revealed that P4 implantation induced the secretion of tendril materials from the secretory tubules in the baffle zone, while the tendril materials were stored in the cytoplasm of the secretory cells under low P4 condition. Morphometrically, the area of secreted luminal materials in the secretory tubules was highly correlated to the diameter of tendrils. Our results suggest that the P4 surge during the egg-laying cycle serves as a trigger for egg capsule formation in the oviducal gland of cloudy catshark, but the hormonal signals were incomplete as the main capsule was not formed. Further studies are required to identify the hormones required for ovulation and formation of the main egg capsule.

Immunization with thiol-binding proteins from Haemonchus contortus adult worms partially protects goats against infection during prepatency

To contribute of the knowledge of the immune mechanisms underlying the response to the immunization of goats with thiol-binding proteins fractions (PBS-TSBP) from Haemonchus contortus (H. contortus) adult worms, this study analyzed the degree of protection and the immune responses developed against the parasite after vaccination with this antigenic complex during the time-elapsing between challenge with L3 of the parasite and the development of adult worms, evidenced by the appearance of first faecal eggs (prepatent period or prepatency). Goat kids immunized with PBS-TBSP generated an immune response during the prepatency which translates into a reduction in the number of worms, as well as a lower reduction on packed cell volume and plasma protein levels in relation to the non-vaccinated animals. As previously described in other studies carried out after the prepatent period, this protection was associated with a systemic humoral response. At the local level, a specific humoral response was also observed, together with an immune-inflammatory infiltrate in the gastric mucosa of MCH-II+cells and CD4+ lymphocytes, whose number was associated with a reduction in the number of worms and an increase in plasma proteins. A high peripheral eosinophilia was detected, but no corresponding increased infiltration of the gastric mucosa by eosinophils or globular leukocytes was observed. In agreement with previous data on the immunolocalization of the antigens used here, the results obtained contribute to the idea that these may be excretion/secretion (E/S) products necessary for parasite survival, whose inactivation during the larval and/or pre-adult stages may have contributed to immunoprotection.

Morphological Diagnosis for Some Eggs of Gastrointestinal Nematodes from Sheep

&#x0D; The current research aimed to study the morphological aspects of eggs of nematodes that parasitic on Awasi sheep and make a comparison with the existing data in specialized references. The eggs were isolated and collected from the nematodes female from the gastrointestinal mass of the sheep. The morphological appearance and measurements of eggs were made with microscope. The results showed the eggs from the following species: Haemonchus contortus, Marshallagia marshalli, Oesophagostomum columbianum and Trichostrongylus colubriformis were similar to the characters that depending on identification keys specialized literates.&#x0D;

Remote video analysis of an unusual fish life-history combination: nest-building, paternal care, and protogyny in a seabream

Seabreams from two genera, Spondyliosoma and Spicara, have a unique life-history that combines nesting, paternal care, and protogyny. Whereas protogyny is a common sexual system among seabreams, all, except Spondyliosoma and Spicara spp., are broadcast spawners. We describe the nesting behaviour of Spondyliosoma emarginatum as a basis for analysing this unusual life-history combination. We remotely filmed males on a nesting site with over 80 nests in South Africa. It has been postulated, based on morphometric data and general observations, that males invest heavily in nest-building, courtship, and egg-guarding, although these behaviours had never been documented. Energy intensive behaviours, including the clearing of invertebrate invaders (7 counts h−1) and fanning of nests (86 counts h−1), remained constant before and after the appearance of eggs. Males spent 79.2% of their time on the nest. The remainder was spent chasing other fish species and neighbouring males (12 counts h−1) and avoiding predation. Paired spawning events proceeded in batches. Nest take-overs and sneaker male attempts were recorded. The young leave the nest immediately after hatching. Males did not feed during the 67-day nesting period. Energetic costs of nest maintenance, starvation, and predation risk explain the condensed (relative to other seabreams) 51-day spawning season. S. emarginatum meets the requirements of the SAM as nest defence requires large male body size. Their short lifespan classifies Spondyliosoma spp. as opportunists, which may explain their success across a wide range of biogeographic zones from the cold temperate North Atlantic to the subtropical western Indian Ocean. These characteristics set Spondyliosoma spp. apart from the bulk of the seabreams, which are long-lived, broadcast-spawning, periodic strategists.

Long-term monitoring of egg-laying cycle using ultrasonography reveals the reproductive dynamics of circulating sex steroids in an oviparous catshark, Scyliorhinus torazame

The many diverse reproductive strategies of elasmobranchs (sharks, skates and rays) from lecithotrophic oviparity to matrotrophic viviparity have attracted significant research attention. However, the endocrine control of elasmobranch reproduction is less well-documented largely due to their reproductive characteristics, such as a long reproductive cycle, and/or repeated internal fertilization using stored sperm in oviparous species. In the present study, for the first time, we succeeded in non-invasive monitoring of the continuing egg-laying cycle of the cloudy catshark Scyliorhinus torazame using portable ultrasound devices. Furthermore, long-term simultaneous monitoring of the egg-laying cycle and measurement of plasma sex steroids revealed cycling patterns of estradiol-17β (E2), testosterone (T) and progesterone (P4). In particular, a decline in T followed by a reciprocal surge in plasma P4 were consistently observed prior to the appearance of the capsulated eggs, implying that P4 is likely associated with the ovulation and/or egg-case formation. While the cycling pattern of E2 was not as apparent as those of T and P4, threshold levels of E2 (>5 ng/mL) and T (>1 ng/mL) appeared to be crucial in the continuation of egg-laying cycle. The possibility to trace the dynamics of plasma sex steroids in a single individual throughout the reproductive cycles makes the catshark a useful model for regulatory and mechanistic studies of elasmobranch reproduction.

A chromosome-level genome of the human blood fluke Schistosoma japonicum identifies the genomic basis of host-switching.

The evolution and adaptation of S.japonicum, a zoonotic parasite that causes human schistosomiasis, remain unclear because of the lack of whole-genome data. We construct a chromosome-level S.japonicum genome and analyze it together with 72 samples representing six populations of the entire endemic region. We observe a Taiwan zoophilic lineage splitting from zoonotic populations ∼45,000 years ago, consistent with the divergent history of their intermediate hosts. Interestingly, we detect a severe population bottleneck in S.japonicum, largely coinciding with human history in Asia during the last glacial maximum. We identify several genomic regions underlying natural selection, including GATAD2A and Lmln, both showing remarkable differentiation among different areas. RNAi knockdown suggests association of GATAD2A with parasite development and infection in definitive hosts, while Lmln relates to the specificity of the intermediate hosts. Our study provides insights into the evolution of S.japonicum and serves as a resource for further studies.

Rejection of Conspecific Eggs Associated with the Appearance of Eggs, in the Azure-Winged Magpie Cyanopica cyanus in Korea

Avian brood parasitism is a reproductive strategy in which a parasitic species lays its eggs in the nests of a host. In response to parasitism, hosts have evolved various defence strategies. One of the host defences against intraspecific and interspecific brood parasitism is to distinguish parasitic eggs based on intraclutch variation in egg appearance. Hosts can improve their ability to discriminate parasitic eggs by lowering the degree of their intraclutch variation in egg appearance. Therefore, intraclutch variation may affect the egg rejection behaviour of hosts. In this study, we conducted experiments to study egg recognition and rejection behavior for mimetic eggs in Azure-winged Magpies Cyanopica cyanus in Korea. We also investigated the level of variation in egg appearance (egg color, spottiness and volume) in order to explore whether the degree of this variation is associated with the rejection decision. We found that there were no differences in egg coloration or spottiness between the rejecter and accepter. However, we found that intraclutch egg volume variation in rejecters was significantly lower than that in accepters, indicating that the Azure-winged Magpie is likely to recognize its own eggs by lowering its intraclutch variation in egg volume as a defensive strategy against brood parasitism. This study suggests that the Azure-winged Magpie use not the differences in egg coloration but egg volume to discriminate and reject closely mimetic conspecific eggs.

Ecology of Laridae under conditions of unstable hydrological regime: colony sizes and synchronization of reproduction

The problem of criteria for distinguishing colonies from similar socio-demographic structures (mainly in terms of nesting density) is highly relevant and has remained in the focus of attention of ornithologists for a long time. The synchronization of reproduction in a colony is one of the criteria which require special development. Based on particular works (1972–2005), I present synchronization of the reproduction of gulls in colonies of different sizes. In contrast to previous studies, this paper uses a specially developed Index of Synchronization of Bird Breeding (Isr) to study this phenomenon, making it relatively easy to determine its level. The index distinguishes between different species of birds of this group: 75.7% (white-winged black tern) and 97.6% (black-headed gull) of the total variability of synchronization of breeding birds in colonies. Frequent failure of nesting attempts often causes repeated (compensatory) reproduction, which in the case of a mass manifestation significantly reduces the synchronization of the nesting period in colonies and thus significantly reduces this indicator. It is proved that a higher synchronization of reproduction characterizes small colonies (up to 50 nests). In all species of gulls, the beginning of reproduction in different colonies differs in terms of the appearance of the first eggs by 1–10 days and at the beginning of mass egg-laying – by 1–18 days. To the same extent, they differ in the timing of the hatching of eggs. In small colonies, the total egg-laying period is shorter by 34.9–49.7% compared to larger colonies. My observations show that large colonies are formed by the nesting of several small colonies on one plot. This phenomenon is noticeable during periods of mass re-nesting of birds after a high loss of nests (up to 69.5% or more) because of severe flooding. Differences in the breeding periods of colonies that differ in size appear when several small colonies with different breeding periods of birds are combined into one larger colony. This phenomenon is well detected in the formation of several sub-colonies and in the differences in the timing of reproduction of different parts of a large colony.

Ecology of Laridae under conditions of unstable hydrological regime: colony sizes and synchronization of reproduction

The problem of criteria for distinguishing colonies from similar socio-demographic structures (mainly in terms of nesting density) is highly relevant and has remained in the focus of attention of ornithologists for a long time. The synchronization of reproduction in a colony is one of the criteria which require special development. Based on particular works (1972–2005), I present synchronization of the reproduction of gulls in colonies of different sizes. In contrast to previous studies, this paper uses a specially developed Index of Synchronization of Bird Breeding (Isr) to study this phenomenon, making it relatively easy to determine its level. The index distinguishes between different species of birds of this group: 75.7% (white-winged black tern) and 97.6% (black-headed gull) of the total variability of synchronization of breeding birds in colonies. Frequent failure of nesting attempts often causes repeated (compensatory) reproduction, which in the case of a mass manifestation significantly reduces the synchronization of the nesting period in colonies and thus significantly reduces this indicator. It is proved that a higher synchronization of reproduction characterizes small colonies (up to 50 nests). In all species of gulls, the beginning of reproduction in different colonies differs in terms of the appearance of the first eggs by 1–10 days and at the beginning of mass egg-laying – by 1–18 days. To the same extent, they differ in the timing of the hatching of eggs. In small colonies, the total egg-laying period is shorter by 34.9–49.7% compared to larger colonies. My observations show that large colonies are formed by the nesting of several small colonies on one plot. This phenomenon is noticeable during periods of mass re-nesting of birds after a high loss of nests (up to 69.5% or more) because of severe flooding. Differences in the breeding periods of colonies that differ in size appear when several small colonies with different breeding periods of birds are combined into one larger colony. This phenomenon is well detected in the formation of several sub-colonies and in the differences in the timing of reproduction of different parts of a large colony.

Effect of nest and floor eggs with visually clean shells on hatchability and chick quality in broiler breeders

The aim of this study is to determine whether the site of oviposition has an impact on the results of incubation of broiler hatching eggs. In order to determine this, eggs laid in the nest, eggs laid in the nest and then placed on the floor to cool and eggs laid on the floor were compared. All eggs had a visually clean shell, including eggs laid on the floor. A total of 1,800 eggs from a 59-week-old Cobb 500 parent flock were examined, divided into three groups (n = 600) with 4 replicates (150 eggs per replicate). Compared to nest eggs, floor eggs had significantly higher weight loss (p0.05), lower hatchability of set eggs and total embryonic mortality (p0.01), as well as a lower number of first grade chicks per incubator tray (p0.05). The percentage of contamination differed significantly between groups and it was the highest in floor eggs and the lowest in nest eggs (p0.01). Nest eggs placed on the floor did not differ statistically significantly from nest and floor eggs in hatchability, total mortality and number of first grade chicks per incubator tray, although these eggs achieved more favourable results compared to floor eggs (p0.05). The applied treatments did not affect the weight and length of the chicks (p0.05). This research confirmed that floor eggs, despite their clean shell, have lower hatchability and a higher percentage of contamination than nest eggs, which emphasizes the importance of maintaining hygiene in nests and preventing the appearance of floor eggs in order to ensure the maximum number of eggs suitable for incubation.

The Role of Intra-Clutch Variation of Magpie Clutches in Foreign Egg Rejection Depends on the Egg Trait Considered

The existence of a coevolutionary process between avian brood parasites and their hosts predicts a lower intra-clutch variation in egg appearance of host eggs among rejecters as this would favor egg discrimination of parasite eggs by hosts once parasitic egg mimicry had evolved. So far empirical tests of this prediction have ignored the fact that different aspects of host egg phenotypes may differ in the relative role of environmental vs. genetic determination, and hence that the role of intra-clutch variation in egg rejection within a population cannot be invariant. Here, we estimated whether the intra-clutch variation in several aspects of host eggshell features is consistently associated to rejection of parasitic foreign eggs across years in a magpie host population parasitized by great spotted cuckoos. We innovatively estimated spottiness by means of the fractal dimension of eggs, which considers the homogeneity of spot pattern complexity in eggshells. Our results show that low intra-clutch variation in the blue-green coloration at the middle area of the eggs associated with a high chance of rejection, but only in one of the 3 years we conducted the study. In addition, females that rejected foreign eggs presented more homogenous spot patterns in their clutches as estimated by their fractal dimension than females that accepted experimental eggs, independently of the year of study. Finally, intra-clutch variation in egg volume of host eggs was not associated to rejection. Analyses at the individual level revealed that the relative role of genetic vs. environmental factors that determine egg phenotype would be feature-specific in magpies, females having a characteristic spottiness, but not color or volume, pattern. Our work stresses the importance of considering a holistic approach including several aspects of variation in host egg phenotype (size, color, and homogeneity of spot pattern), as some aspects might be more susceptible to selection through egg rejection than others, presumably because they are less influenced by variation in the environmental conditions. Moreover, our study highlights the importance of replication in studies on the adaptive value of host traits in egg rejection.

Exceptional variation in the appearance of Common Murre eggs reveals their potential as identity signals

Abstract We studied the ground colors and maculations of 161 Common Murre (Uria aalge) eggs laid by 43 females in 3 small breeding groups on the cliffs of Skomer Island, Wales, in 2016–2018. Both the colors and maculations varied much more among than within females, providing quantitative evidence for the egg traits that might facilitate the parents’ ability to identify their own eggs on the crowded breeding ledges where the density is typically ~20 eggs m–2. Ground colors had a trimodal distribution of hue values (whitish to pale brown, pale blue, or vivid blue-green) and maculations ranged from none to complex squiggles and blotches. The eggs laid by each female in different years were similar to one another, and replacement eggs laid by females within years were also more similar to their first egg than to other eggs in the same breeding group. Egg appearance did not differ among the 3 breeding groups that we studied. Our findings thus support anecdotal observations that, within and between years, female Common Murres lay eggs that have similar ground colors and maculations. We do not, however, find evidence that there is much difference among the eggs laid in different parts of a colony.

Origin, behaviour, and genetics of reproductive workers in an invasive ant

BackgroundWorker reproduction has an important influence on the social cohesion and efficiency of social insect colonies, but its role in the success of invasive ants has been neglected. We used observations of 233 captive colonies, laboratory experiments, and genetic analyses to investigate the conditions for worker reproduction in the invasive Anoplolepis gracilipes (yellow crazy ant) and its potential cost on interspecific defence. We determined the prevalence of worker production of males and whether it is triggered by queen absence; whether physogastric workers with enlarged abdomens are more likely to be reproductive, how normal workers and physogastric workers compare in their contributions to foraging and defence; and whether worker-produced males and males that could have been queen- or worker-produced differ in their size and heterozygosity.ResultsSixty-six of our 233 captive colonies produced males, and in 25 of these, some males could only have been produced by workers. Colonies with more workers were more likely to produce males, especially for queenless colonies. The average number of days between the first appearance of eggs and adult males in our colonies was 54.1 ± 10.2 (mean ± SD, n = 20). In our laboratory experiment, queen removal triggered an increase in the proportion of physogastric workers. Physogastric workers were more likely to have yolky oocytes (37–54.9%) than normal workers (2–25.6%), which is an indicator of fertile or trophic egg production. Physogastric workers were less aggressive during interspecific aggression tests and foraged less than normal workers. The head width and wing length of worker-produced males were on average 4.0 and 4.3% greater respectively than those of males of undetermined source. Our microsatellite DNA analyses indicate that 5.5% of worker-produced males and 14.3% of males of undetermined source were heterozygous, which suggests the presence of diploid males and/or genetic mosaics in A. gracilipes.ConclusionsOur experimental work provides crucial information on worker reproduction in A. gracilipes and its potential cost to colony defence. The ability of A. gracilipes workers to produce males in the absence of queens may also contribute to its success as an invasive species if intranidal mating can take place between virgin queens and worker-produced males.

Rapid life-history evolution in a wild Daphnia pulex population in response to novel size-dependent predation

The effect of size-selective predation on prey communities and their traits is well documented, but the relative roles of genetic adaptation and phenotypic plasticity continue to be debated. We looked for evidence of genetic adaption in a population of the water flea Daphnia pulex that faced a novel, introduced predator, Eurasian perch (Perca fluviatilis), selectively preying upon large zooplankton. Theory predicts adaptive changes towards a faster life history. We compared growth, age and length at maturation, egg size, and fecundity of two groups of clones kept in common-garden conditions, 13 clones isolated at around the time of the perch introduction and 14 isolated 3 years after. All animals were photographed daily and observed every third hour to detect maturation and measure the clutch size. Post-introduction clones matured earlier, but this was an indirect response triggered by genetic change in growth: post-introduction clones had faster growth prior to maturation than pre-introduction ones, reaching earlier the size threshold for maturation, but the threshold itself remained unchanged. Post-introduction clones showed also higher clutch size for 2nd and 3rd clutch, and slower growth from maturation (first appearance of eggs) to the moult after the release of the first clutch. Egg size did not differ between the periods. The experiment shows how life-history responses to predation involve multiple interlinked traits and both direct and indirect genetic responses.

Occurrence of geohelminths in the soil of children's playgrounds and green areas in the city of Wrocław, Poland.

Pets, strays, and wild animals that excrete dispersal forms of parasites into the soil may be a threat in urban areas. The aim of the study was to determine the level of contamination with geohelminth eggs in community playgrounds (fenced and unfenced), playgrounds in city parks, and a transect found along the banks of the River Oder. In 74 out of 424 examined soil samples, the presence of geohelminths was confirmed (Toxocara spp., Ancylostomatidae and Trichuris spp.). The highest prevalence was noted for Toxocara spp. roundworms. Both total and mean number of eggs in the examined samples, as well as the general prevalence, proved to be diversified in almost all types of development that were compared. Areas near the river emerged as places most exposed to the appearance of geohelminth eggs; playgrounds in city parks were less likely sites; community playgrounds in the city centre were the least common places.

Succession pattern of invertebrates on an unburied corpse of a cat suffering from cancer: A case study

Forensic entomology frequently assists forensic medicine in legal investigations. It makes it possible to estimate the time of death when a cadaver is recovered at a relatively advanced stage of decomposition. In criminalistics practice, unburied bodies are found the most commonly, and therefore the fauna of these cadavers is the best investigated. The aim of this study was to collect a succession of insects and other invertebrates occurring on an unburied corpse. The experiment was conducted on the carcass of a cat euthanized due to an advanced cancer process. The carcass was colonized by three phyla of animals: Annelidae, Mollusca, and Arthropoda. They belonged to 7 classes and 10 orders. The most diverse were Arthropoda. They were classified into 5 classes: Insecta, Diplopoda, Malacostraca, Entognata, and Arachnida, and into 8 orders: Julida, Isopoda, Collembola, Diptera, Coleoptera, Hemiptera, Araneae, and Acari. The fly species Calliphora vicina from the family Calliphoridae is of particular interest among the insects collected because it is one of the fundamental indicator species whose life cycle makes it possible to determine an approximate time of death. During the study it was noted that arthropods occurred in a certain pattern of succession, predictable in forensic entomology. The first group was Calliphora vicina (Calliphoridae, Diptera), which laid eggs. The next (second) group consisted of first-instar C. vicina larvae and insects feeding on these larvae, such as Philonthus tenuicornis (Staphylinidae, Coleoptera). The first stage of succession was the appearance of eggs of C. vicina. The second phase was the appearance of adult flies other than Calliphoridae and of accidental species, as well as beetles (e.g. Philonthus tenuicornis, Staphylinidae, Coleoptera) feeding on larvae of C. vicina. The third phase of succession was the appearance of all larvae stages of C. vicina that continued and finished their life cycle.

STUDY OF DISTRIBUTION SPARGANOSIS IN BIOLOGICAL SYSTEMS THE CENTRAL CHERNOZEM REGION OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION

he distribution of sparganosis in the biosystems of the Central Chernozem region of the Russian Federation has been studied, material on the ecology, biology and distribution of sparganum has been collected in various territorial units of the CCR, infection of wild animals with both mature and larval forms Spirometra erinaceieuropaei (Rudolphi, 1819) has been determined. For the first time procercoids, spirometers were found in the intermediate host Ciclops strenuus(Fischer, 1851).The strongest water semination of surface water bodies was observed in the Rylsky district (Kursk region). 15 out of 133 (12.7%) studied water samples contained eggs of sparganum. We suggest that the appearance of sparganum eggs in surface water bodies is caused by washing off of sparganum eggs by rain. The largest numbers of infected Cyclops are found in Kursk, Voronezh and Tambov regions – 38 (9,84%), 21 (10,99%) и 23 (7,74%) respectively. We examined 275 animals within the study of sparganum (second larval stages) infestation of additional hosts: infected specimens were discovered in Kursk, Voronezh, Lipetsk and Tambov regions. Sparganosis was detected in two wild boars and eight grass snakes in Karachanskiy district of the Belgorod region, two grass snakes in the Usmansky district of Lipetsk region and five grass snakes in Morshansky district of the Tambov region.

The chemical basis of a signal of individual identity: shell pigment concentrations track the unique appearance of Common Murre eggs.

In group-living species with parental care, the accurate recognition of one's own young is critical to fitness. Because discriminating offspring within a large colonial group may be challenging, progeny of colonial breeders often display familial or individual identity signals to elicit and receive parental provisions from their own parents. For instance, the common murre (or common guillemot: Uria aalge) is a colonially breeding seabird that does not build a nest and lays and incubates an egg with an individually unique appearance. How the shell's physical and chemical properties generate this individual variability in coloration and maculation has not been studied in detail. Here, we quantified two characteristics of the avian-visible appearance of murre eggshells collected from the wild: background coloration spectra and maculation density. As predicted by the individual identity hypothesis, there was no statistical relationship between avian-perceivable shell background coloration and maculation density within the same eggs. In turn, variation in both sets of traits was statistically related to some of their physico-chemical properties, including shell thickness and concentrations of the eggshell pigments biliverdin and protoporphyrin IX. These results illustrate how individually unique eggshell appearances, suitable for identity signalling, can be generated by a small number of structural mechanisms.

Ultrasonographic Liver Findings in a Sheep Flock Involved in Chronic Fasciolosis

Background: Fasciola hepatica is a genus of the trematodes which mainly affects the liver of sheep and these livestock are accidentally infected by eating plants or drinking water contaminated with the metacercariae of this parasite. These parasites can cause considerable economic damage by destroying the liver and bile ducts. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of ultrasonographic diagnosis in chronic hepatic fasciolysis of sheep and to provide ultrasonography views of fasciolosis in sheep’s liver. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, 256 sheep of the Makoei breed, including 130 male (50.8%) and 126 female (49.2%) with diagnosis of chronic fasciolosis confirmed by the appearance of fluke eggs in feces and using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) were referred to the Department of Radiology and Ultrasonography, Doppler ultrasound was performed. Average age of sheep was 2.1 years (minimum age 7 months and maximum age 6 years). Data were analyzed by SPSS software (version 11.5) and the statistical test was chi-square test. P value less than 0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: In the results, 55.6% of sheep had ascites in the abdominal cavity and in 5.7% and 11.3%, bile ducts and gallbladder were affected, respectively, and in 4.8% of sheep both the liver and the bile ducts were involved. In 22.6% of sheep, there was no abnormal finding in ultrasound. The most common site of injury was in the posterior part of the right lobe of liver. There was no significant difference between the place of involvement in the liver, age and sex of the patients. CONCLUSIONS: According to this study, ultrasonography can play an important role in the diagnosis and follow up of sheep’s chronic fasciolosis treatment.