Multiple paternity and sperm storage in captive Hermann's tortoises, Testudo hermanni boettgeri determined from amniotic fluid adhering to the eggshell.

We identified multiple paternity in 52.9% of the clutches of Hermann's tortoise Testudo hermanni boettgeri using polymorphic microsatellite markers. In addition we demonstrated sperm storage across seasons. DNA was extracted from the amniotic fluid adhering to the eggshell's inner surface, a procedure suitable for easy, non-invasive DNA sampling in conservation and breeding programs. To improve the informative value of monomorphic single tandem repeat (STR) markers we additionally analyzed single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) variability.

Tracing the origin of 'blue Weimaraner' dogs by molecular genetics.

Weimaraner dogs are defined by light brown coat colour termed grey including several shadings ranging from silver and deer to mouse grey. In contrast, the so-called blue Weimaraners (BW) with lightened black-pigmented coat have been proposed to represent spontaneous revertants in the Weimaraner breed. In order to investigate the genetic determinants of the characteristic grey coat colour versus those of BW, known variation in coat colour genes including TYRP1 and MLPH were analysed in a number of grey and blue dogs. Variations at the B locus cause grey coat colour in Weimaraners via two non-functional TYRP1 copies (bb) including the b(s), b(d) and b(c) alleles. In all BW, at least one functional TYRP1 allele (Bb or BB genotype) was identified. Defined microsatellite alleles in TYRP1 intron 4 are linked to this functional B allele in BW. These alleles were also detected in various other dog breeds, but not in grey Weimaraners. The combination of a dominant trait for blue versus grey together with a specific TYRP1 haplotype in BW suggests that blue coat colour is not the result of spontaneous (back-) mutation in grey Weimaraners. This inference is even emphasized by the presence of a unique Y-chomosomal haplotype in a male offspring of the supposed ancestor of the BW population which - according to pedigree information - carries a copy of the original Y chromosome. Thus, molecular genetic analyses of coat colours combined with Y-chromosomal haplotypes allow tracing the origin of atypical dogs in respective canine populations.

[Renal oxalosis with renal failure after infusion of xylitol]. / Renale Oxalose mit Niereninsuffizienz nach Xylitinfusion.

HISTORY AND FINDINGS: Ten days after a complication-free operation for early gastric cancer a 61-year old man had a seizure and acute renal failure. INVESTIGATIONS: A percutaneous renal biopsy was performed to find the cause of the renal failure, which at times required several sessions of haemodialysis. TREATMENT AND COURSE: The seizure was thought to have been due to cerebrovascular deposits of oxalate crystals (renocerebral oxalosis). Parenteral xylitol had been given postoperatively, as a glucose substitute (total dose 1560g), together with other routine drugs. Primary oxalosis and other causes of secondary oxalosis had been excluded. CONCLUSION: Xylitol should not be used parenterally as a glucose substitute (banned in the USA).