Expression and distribution of neuroglobin and hypoxia-inducible factor-1α in the adult yak telencephalon.

The telencephalon is also known as the cerebrum, and it consists of the largest part of the brain. It makes up about 85% of the total weight of the brain. Neuroglobin (Ngb) is a protein found in neurons of both the peripheral and central nervous system that appears to convey some resilience to hypoxia, while the hypoxia-inducible factor (Hif-1α) is a dimeric protein complex that plays an integral role in the body's response to low oxygen concentrations, or hypoxia. The study examines the expression of Ngb and Hif-1α in the telencephalon of adult yak in the telencephalon. The immunohistochemistry (IHC), quantitative real-time PCR and Western blot (WB) were employed to investigate Ngb and Hif-1α expression in the telencephalon. Ngb and Hif-1α are significantly expressed in all tissues of the telencephalon except the hypothalamus. The cerebellar cortex, hippocampus, amygdala, cerebellum and corpus callosum recorded the highest expression but not significant. The overall expression revealed that Ngb expression was higher as compared to Hif-1α. The IHC results also showed that the expression of Ngb and Hif-1α were higher in the cerebellar cortex, hippocampus, amygdala, cerebellum and corpus callosum as compared to other regions. The results suggested that Ngb and Hif-1α expression influence the adaptive mechanism of yak to the high altitude environment. Both Ngb and Hif-1α participate in oxygen transports throughout the telencephalon and have functions in neuroprotection. Further studies are needed to confirm the mechanism of adaptation.

The architecture of alveolar capillaries in the lungs of bactrian camels (Camelus bactrianus) / Arquitectura de los capilares alveolares de pulmones de camellos bactrianos (Camelus bactrianus)

SUMMARY: The Bactrian camel, which is native to China and Mongolia, is large in size and is an even-toed ungulate species. The double humps on the Bactrian camel back differentiate it from the dromedary camel, which has a single hump. This species has adapted to unsuitable conditions (lack of food and water) in the Gobi Desert and is advanced in unique anatomical and physiological characteristics during a prolonged evolution period. Several studies have been conducted on the anatomical features of the Bactrian camel, but none have given attention to the alveolar capillaries of the Bactrian camel lung. Therefore, the current study aims to explore the architecture of the alveolar capillary in the Bactrian camel lung and further explain the mechanism of blood flow in its lung. The current study extracted and examined the architecture of the alveolar capillary in the lung of the Bactrian camel (Camelus bactrianus) and further explained the mechanism of blood flow by performing lung casting and replica scanning electron microscopy methods. The reports showed that the resources of the alveolar-capillary originated from the capillaries of the subpleural space or interlobular septulum, sometimes originating from the precapillary arterioles or directly from the terminal arterioles. The alveolar capillaries anastomosed and formed a single layer of dense, basket-like network surrounding the alveolus. The mash diameter of the alveolar-capillary network was larger than that of the capillary, and the appearance of the mash was oval and elliptical. Many of the collapsed alveolar-capillary networks were found in the alveolar microvascular architecture in the lung of the Bactrian camel. The study found that, due to many collapsed alveoli in the Bactrian camel lung, the disproportional pressure between the pulmonary alveoli induced less imbalance of blood flow in the alveolar capillary, which affected the gas exchange efficiency. Therefore, the function of the anastomosing capillary branch was likely to regulate the blood flow between the alveolar-capillary network.

RESUMEN: El camello bactriano, es originario de China y Mongolia, es de gran tamaño y es una especie de ungulado de dedos pares. Las dobles jorobas del lomo del camello bactriano lo diferencian del dromedario, que tiene una sola joroba. Esta especie se ha adaptado a condiciones inadecuadas (falta de alimento y agua) en el desierto de Gobi y ha avanzado en características anatómicas y fisiológicas únicas durante un período de evolución prolongado. Se han realizado varios estudios sobre las características anatómicas del camello bactriano, pero ninguno ha prestado atención a los capilares alveolares del pulmón de este animal. Por lo tanto, el presente estudio tuvo como objetivo principal explorar la arquitectura del capilar alveolar en el pulmón del camello bactriano y explicar el mecanismo del flujo sanguíneo. A partir de nuestro trabajo se examinó la arquitectura del capilar alveolar en el pulmón del camello bactriano (Camelus bactrianus) mediante la realización de métodos de microscopía electrónica de barrido y escaneo pulmonar. Los informes mostraron que los recursos del alvéolo-capilar se originaban en los capilares del espacio subpleural o del tabique interlobulillar y a veces se originaban en las arteriolas precapilares o directamente en las arteriolas terminales. Los capilares alveolares se anastomosaban y formaban una densa red de capa única en forma de cesta que rodeaba el alvéolo. El diámetro del macerado de la red alveolar-capilar era mayor que el del capilar y el aspecto del macerado era ovalado y elíptico. Muchas de las redes alvéolo-capilares colapsadas se encontraron en la arquitectura microvascular alveolar en el pulmón del camello bactriano. El estudio encontró que, muchos alvéolos colapsados en el pulmón del camello bactriano, la presión desproporcionada entre los alvéolos pulmonares inducía un menor desequilibrio del flujo sanguíneo en el capilar alveolar, lo que afectaba la eficiencia del intercambio de gases. Por lo tanto, la función de la rama capilar anastomosante probablemente regularía el flujo sanguíneo entre la red alveolar-capilar.

Correction: Investigation of biochemical and physiological parameters of the newborn Saiga antelope (Saiga tatarica) in Gansu Province, China.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0224822.].

Determination of haematological and biochemical parameters of Calf Saiga antelope (Saiga tatarica) living in the Gansu Endangered Animals Research Center.

BACKGROUND: The Saiga antelope (Saiga tatarica) is native to Eurasia and is a member of the family Bovidae. Prior to 1920, the antelope had been extensively hunted for its horns, which were used in traditional Chinese medicine. Since 1920, the Saiga antelope has been protected because of this extensive hunting, which nearly led to its extinction. OBJECTIVE: The study evaluated haematological and biochemical parameters to provide references for the Calf Saiga antelope (S. tatarica). The study also sought to explore the mechanisms affecting these parameters in both genders of the Calf Saiga antelope. METHODS: Haematological and biochemical parameters were collected from the Calf Saiga antelope. Haematological and biochemical parameters were analysed by the Coulter counter and Automatic analyser, respectively. RESULTS: The average concentrations of female triglyceride levels showed significantly higher values than the significant concentrations of male. Female red blood cells and platelets concentrations were statistically significant than the significant concentrations of males. Magnesium female concentrations were also significantly higher than male values. Other parameters showed differences between males and females. CONCLUSION: The reported results show that haematological and biochemical characteristics varied among Calf Saiga antelope and other animals. The study results suggest that regardless of the factors, breed, the breeding environment, and climatic variables, haematological and biochemical variations can be triggered that can result in a reduction in the heat production needed for maintenance of homeothermy.

Investigation of biochemical and physiological parameters of the newborn Saiga antelope (Saiga tatarica) in Gansu Province, China.

BACKGROUND: The Saiga antelope (Saiga tatarica) is a critically endangered species, and there has been limited success in restoring the population by captive breeding. This study assessed the biochemical and physiological parameters of newborn Saiga antelope to provide reference information that can be used to evaluate their health. Comparisons have been made with parameters for horses and closely related members of the Bovidae family but there are no reference values for the newborn Saiga antelope. METHODS: Biochemical and physiological parameters were measured in 61 animals. An automatic analyzer (Hitachi Ltd. 7180 Serial, Tokyo, Japan) was used to analyze the biochemical parameters, while the Coulter counter (Model ZK) was used to analyze the physiological parameters. RESULTS: The results showed that the biochemical and physiological parameters differ considerably in range. The evaluation of parameters stratified by sex showed differences. Triglyceride and LDL cholesterol concentrations among male animals were significantly higher than those in female animals, while the creatine kinase concentrations were significantly higher in females than in males. Comparing this study's results with published data for horses showed many similarities and some differences. Cholesterol, magnesium and glucose levels were similar between Saiga antelope and horses, while albumin and hematocrit levels in Saiga antelope differed from the reference values in horses. CONCLUSION: The study has shown that horses and even closely related members of the Bovidae family are not suitable references when evaluating the biochemical and physiological properties of newborn Saiga antelope. These animals have unique stressors and warrant further study to inform efforts pertaining to their care and the future sustainability of the species.