Sperm-oviduct epithelial cell monolayer co-culture: an in vitro model of sperm-female tract interactions in a marsupial, the tammar wallaby (Macropus eugenii).

Oviduct epithelial cell (OEC) monolayers were prepared from the isthmic and ampullary parts of the oviducts of FSH-primed tammar wallabies. Co-culture experiments found that 50-60% of wallaby spermatozoa attached immediately to OEC monolayers, tracheal cell monolayer controls, and the surface of culture dishes with and without Matrigel coating. Spermatozoa were considered to be attached if they remained on the culture surface after rapidly pipetting the co-culture medium five times.

Improved method of superovulation in monovulatory brushtail possums (Trichosurus vulpecula) using pregnant mares' serum gonadotrophin-luteinizing hormone.

A new superovulation regimen for the monovulatory brushtail possum (Trichosurus vulpecula) has been devised. It reduces the number of hormone treatments required and elicits a better rate of ovulation than the established pregnant mares' serum gonadotrophin (PMSG)-GnRH method. Ovarian stimulation was achieved by a single intramuscular injection of 15 iu PMSG.

Further observations of the ovarian response of the tammar wallaby (Macropus eugenii) to exogenous gonadotrophins: an improved method for superovulation using FSH/LH.

This study reports the development of an improved superovulation protocol in the monovulatory tammar wallaby, Macropus eugenii. Treatment with pregnant mare's serum gonadotrophin (PMSG; 10-20 IU) inhibited follicle development in the corpus luteum (CL)-bearing ovary and only 2-3 eggs per female could be recovered after ovulation induction with gonadotrophin releasing hormone (GnRH; 3 x 30 microg at 3-h intervals) or porcine luteinizing hormone (LH; 4, 5 or 8 mg) 3 days after PMSG priming. Treatment with porcine FSH (8 x 6 mg at 12-h intervals for four consecutive days) was found to override this inhibition and resulted in the recovery of 7-13 eggs per female after ovulation induction with porcine LH (4 mg on day 5).

Timing of zona pellucida formation in the tammar wallaby (Macropus eugenii) and brushtail possum (Trichosurus vulpecula).

The zona pellucida (ZP) is an extracellular coat that surrounds the mammalian egg, and serves as the primary recognition site for fertilizing spermatozoa. The timetable of ZP formation was examined in two marsupials, the tammar wallaby (Macropus eugenii) and the brushtail possum (Trichosurus vulpecula) using conventional histological methods, immunofluorescence and electron microscopy. Ovaries from tammar wallaby pouch young less than 80 days of age contained only primordial follicles with a single layer of flattened granulosa cells.

Sequence and analysis of zona pellucida 2 cDNA (ZP2) from a marsupial, the brushtail possum, Trichosurus vulpecula.

All mammalian eggs are surrounded by the zona pellucida, an extracellular coat involved in vital functions during fertilization and early development. The zona pellucida glycoproteins are promising antigenic targets for development of contraceptive vaccines to control pest populations of marsupials in Australia and New Zealand. Our current understanding of the function of the zona pellucida glycoproteins is based almost entirely on the mouse and may not be representative of gamete interactions in all eutherian or marsupial mammals.

Fertility of brushtail possums (Trichosurus vulpecula) immunised against sperm.

The brushtail possum (Trichosurus vulpecula) is a major pest species in New Zealand. Research to develop a possum-specific method of immunologically-based fertility control (immunocontraception) has begun. This study examined the effect of immunization against sperm on the fertility of possums.

Titration of heparinase for removal of the PCR-inhibitory effect of heparin in DNA samples.

Heparin is a naturally occurring polysaccharide found primarily in the liver, lung and artery walls (White et al. 1968), which is commonly used as an anticoagulant for venal blood samples. Although the inhibitory effect of heparin on the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and other enzyme-mediated reactions has been noted (Beutler et al.

Likely targets for immunocontraception in marsupials.

There is a growing need to manage marsupial populations as a means to mitigate economic and environmental damage and resolve animal welfare problems. In Australia, the problems of population management are highly specific and localized. In contrast, in New Zealand the problem is the control of the many millions of widely-distributed brushtail possums which are the country's major vertebrate pest.

Australian and New Zealand mammal species considered to be pests or problems.

In New Zealand and Australia, 25 and 16 introduced mammals are viewed as pests, respectively, as well as a further 17 native mammals in Australia. Most introductions were deliberate and the deleterious effects became apparent later. These pests affect primary production, act as a sylvatic reservoir of disease, cause degradation of natural ecosystems, or threaten rare or endangered native animals and plants.