Propagation method of saving valuable strains from a Mycobacterium liflandii infection in Western clawed frogs (Silurana tropicalis).

Mycobacterium liflandii has been responsible for an emerging infection reported in the international trade of Western clawed frogs (Silurana tropicalis). This study shows that this mycolactone-producing Mycobacterium (MPM) has expanded its distribution range to France. The results of this study suggest that the use of in vitro fertilization to maintain genetic lines could be a temporary solution for valuable S.

Localization of microcystin-LR in medaka fish tissues after cyanotoxin gavage.

Microcystins (MCs) are toxic monocyclic heptapeptides produced by many cyanobacteria. Over 70 MCs have been successfully isolated and identified, of which MC-LR is the most commonly occurring toxin. Microcystins, especially MC-LR, cause toxic effects in mammals, birds and fish and are a recognized potent cause of environmental stress and pose a potential health hazard in aquatic ecosystems when heavy blooms of cyanobacteria appear.

Mycobacterium szulgai infection in a captive population of African clawed frogs (Xenopus tropicalis).

A colony of captive Xenopus tropicalis became infected with Mycobacterium szulgai. Clinical signs, when observed, were lethargy, weight loss, and emaciation. Visceral granulomas were common findings at laparoscopy and necropsy.

Microcystin-LR and embryo-larval development of medaka fish, Oryzias latipes. I. Effects on the digestive tract and associated systems.

The cyanobacterial hepatotoxin microcystin-LR (MC-LR) is a specific potent PP1 and PP2A protein phosphatase inhibitor. In view to obtain an integrated whole-body, understanding of the key target organs of MC-LR subsequent to embryonic exposure on the anatomy of medaka fish hatchlings, embryos at stage 19 were microinjected with a sublethal dose of MC-LR corresponding to 0.2 pg/vitellus.

Effects of microcystin-LR on development of medaka fish embryos (Oryzias latipes).

Chronic and subchronic toxicity from exposure to microcystins, cyclic hepatotoxic heptapeptides from cyanobacteria, receives increasing attention as a public human health biohazard. So far, the effects of microcystin on fish have been studied mainly in adults, rather than during early life stages. Limitations of direct ambient exposure experiments to fish egg have resulted from the difficult access of microcystin through the egg chorion.

The axolotl (Ambystoma mexicanum), a neotenic amphibian, expresses functional thyroid hormone receptors.

Neotenic amphibians such as the axolotl (Ambystoma mexicanum) are often unable to undergo metamorphosis under natural conditions. It is thought that neoteny represents a deviation from the standard course of amphibian ontogeny, affecting the thyroid axis at different levels from the central nervous system to peripheral organs. Thyroid hormone receptors (TRs) that bind the thyroid hormone (TH) T(3) have been described in axolotl.