Immunological evaluation of captive green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas) with ulcerative dermatitis.

Ulcerative dermatitis (UD) is common in captive sea turtles and manifests as skin erosions and ulcers associated with gram-negative bacteria. This study compared clinically healthy and UD-affected captive turtles by evaluating hematology, histopathology, immunoglobulin levels, and delayed-type hypersensitivity assay. Turtles with UD had significantly lower weight, reduced delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) responses, and higher heterophil:lymphocyte ratios.

Differential expression of estrogen receptor alpha gene in the ampullae and isthmus regions of the rabbit oviduct during early pregnancy.

We characterized the expression pattern of estrogen receptor alpha (ERalpha) gene in two regions of the oviduct, ampullae and isthmus, of the rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) during early pregnancy (1-4 days) by RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry. In both regions of the oviduct, ERalpha mRNA was increased (P<0.01) in pregnant rabbits as compared with non-pregnant animals (NG).