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Beta-Endorphin Receptors On Equine Lymphocytes: Relationship To Immune Function And Exercise., Jena Gosselink Hamra

LSU Historical Dissertations and Theses

Current evidence suggests that endogenous opioids are released in response to various stressors and that these opioids interact with cells of the immune system, and modulate immune function. However, data substantiating this are conflicting. Therefore, this study endeavored to clarify the role of beta-endorphin (BE) in exercise and immune function. Beta-endorphin exhibited a diurnal rhythm in the horse with peak plasma levels occurring at 0900 hours. Analgesia, tachycardia and mydriasis were also observed at this time, mimicking the effects of morphine in the horse. Therefore, subsequent experiments were performed at 0900 hours during times of increased basal opioid activity. Beta-endorphin …

Assessment Of Athletic Potential And Augmentation Of Performance In Thoroughbred Racehorses., John Daniel Harkins

LSU Historical Dissertations and Theses

The purposes of this dissertation were to (1) determine running abilities of horses on the racetrack, (2) design treadmill standard exercise tests (SETs) to measure exercise variables that correlate with racetrack performance, and (3) assess the influence of training, competition, and ergogenic aids on performance. Run times of 25 Thoroughbreds were determined during solo and competitive track runs of 1200, 1600, and 2000 meters. Cardiac, respiratory, and hematologic variables were later measured during treadmill SETs. Variables were correlated with average run times. Heart rate scores, V$\sb{200}$, plasma lactate values, and maximal oxygen uptake correlated best with performance. Interval and conventional …

Genotypic And Phenotypic Adaptations Of The Southern Oyster Drills, Stramonita Canaliculata And S. Haemastoma Floridana To Salinity., Li-Lian Liu

LSU Historical Dissertations and Theses

Environmental and genetic effects on salinity adaptation in the southern oyster drill were estimated by their salinity-related genotypic (i.e. determined by electrophoresis) and phenotypic (i.e. determined by salinity tolerance and microcalorimetry) variations. The systematics of Stramonita haemastoma were studied using allozyme, radular and shell characteristics to exclude taxonomic differences which might have obscured variations in salinity adaptation. Radular and shell features are not reliable as systematic characteristics. S. h. canaliculata and S. h. floridana are separable using allozyme characteristics. Nei's genetic distance (D = 0.28) and the fixed allelic differences in Fum, LeuAla, Mdh, and 6-Pgdh indicate that the differences …

A Comparative Study Of The Effects Of Sesbania Drummondii On The Hepatic Cytochrome P-450 Monooxygenase Systems Of Chickens And Rats., Marcy Iva Banton

LSU Historical Dissertations and Theses

The effect of an extract of Sesbania drummondii on the hepatic cytochrome P-450 monooxygenase system was evaluated in two experimental models, the White Leghorn chicken and the Sprague-Dawley rat. The cytochrome P-450 monooxygenase systems were compared using studies of catalytic activities and two major enzyme components, cytochrome P-450 and NADPH-cytochrome P-450 reductase. Two "classical" cytochrome P-450 inducers, phenobarbital and $\beta$-naphthoflavone, were used to probe induction mechanisms. S. drummondii induced opposite effects on the hepatic cytochrome P-450 component of chickens versus rats. Cytochrome P-450 specific content was increased 2-fold in chickens but decreased 2-fold in rats. Qualitative differences in microsomal proteins …

Isolation And Physical Mapping Of The Mitochondrial Chromosome From The Zygomycete Mucor Racemosus., Mary Louise Schramke

LSU Historical Dissertations and Theses

Mitochondria were isolated from Mucor racemosus and DNA was purified from these organelles by cesium chloride/ethidium bromide isopycnic centrifugation. Examination of mitochondrial DNA samples with a transmission electron microscope revealed a circular mitochondrial chromosome approximately 63.8 kbp in length. Summation of restriction fragments of mitochondrial DNA separated by agarose gel electrophoresis yielded a comparable value of 63.4 kbp for the size of the intact molecule. Electrophoretic mobility and stoichiometry were determined for restriction fragments generated using nine different restriction enzymes. A physical map was deduced from single and double digestions of mitochondrial DNA with several of the restriction enzymes. The …

Biochemical Characterization And Gene Mapping Of The Channel Catfish Herpesvirus (Ccv)-Encoded Thymidine Kinase, A Selectable Site For Homologous Recombination., Larry Allen Hanson

LSU Historical Dissertations and Theses

The channel catfish herpesvirus (CCV) encodes a thymidine kinase (Tk) which is biochemically distinguishable from it's host, the channel catfish ovary (CCO), and other herpesvirus Tk's. Tk deficient CCO cells (CCOBr) were developed by propagating CCO cells in increasing concentrations of 5-bromo-2$\sp\prime$-deoxyuridine (BUdR). CCV infection produced high Tk activity in these Tk deficient cells. This activity was compared to CCO-Tk in ATP and CTP phosphate donor assays, nucleoside substrate-competition and dTTP feedback inhibition assays. The viral Tk was more competitively inhibited by deoxypurines than cellular Tk and showed less dTTP mediated feedback inhibition. CCO-Tk utilized lower concentrations of ATP more …

The Use Of Cell Culture Systems To Improve Bovine Embryo Viability In Vitro., Stephen Harry Pool

LSU Historical Dissertations and Theses

Growth characteristics for fetal bovine uterine fibroblast cells (FBUFC) and frozen-thawed bovine (b) and caprine (g) trophoblastic vesicles (TV) were similar in (A) Ham's F-10 (HF-10), (B) MEM (with Earle's salts), (C) RPMI-1640 and (D) Menezo's B$\sb2$ (B$\sb2$), each supplemented with 10% FCS and Ab-Am (Experiment (Exp) I). Cell numbers declined initially but increased linearly thereafter for 5 days. The bTV and gTV that survived freezing had similar viability across time and Treatments (Trt). Exp II compared the (A) bTV, (B) FBUFC monolayer and (C) bTV-monolayer co-culture systems to (D) HF-10 alone for culture of 8- to 32-cell bovine embryos. …

Identification Of Vibrio Anguillarum And Vibrio Ordalii By A Monoclonal Antibody Coagglutination Assay., Zhongshi Wang

LSU Historical Dissertations and Theses

Vibrio anguillarum exhibits species-specific antigens on the protein core of the polar flagellum (H) and H-determinants which are expressed by heterologous Vibrio species. Monoclonal antibody (MAb) which reacted with flagella core protein by ELISA were affinity purified from protein A-sepharose. Staphylococcus aureus Cowan 1 cells armed with anti-H MAb coagglutinated each of the 10 V. anguillarum O-antigen serovars within 1 to 2 minutes, as well as V. ordalii isolates. These findings suggest these two vibrios express similar if not identical species-specific H-determinants. The anti-H reagent did not coagglutinate 20 heterologous Vibrio species. MAb generated against LPS, extracted from V. anguillarum …

Molecular Cloning And Characterization Of The Rhodobacter Capsulatushema Gene., Maureen Smith Wright

LSU Historical Dissertations and Theses

The first step in the common tetrapyrrole pathway in Rhodobacter capsulatus is the condensation of glycine with succinyl CoA to form 5-aminolevulinate which is then used in the synthesis of bacteriochlorophyll, heme, vitamin B-12, and siroheme. To isolate mutants unable to form 5-aminolevulinate, as a first step in studying regulation of the tetrapyrrole pathway, R. capsulatus was mated with E. coli carrying plasmid pSUP2021. pSUP2021 carries transposon Tn5 and is incapable of replicating in R. capsulatus making it an ideal vector for transposon mutagenesis. One colony was found which requires 5-aminolevulinate for growth. This mutant strain, designated AJB529, has a …

Brugia Pahangi: Effects Of Maternal Filariasis On The Responses Of Their Progeny To Homologous Infection., Stephen Carl Bosshardt

LSU Historical Dissertations and Theses

The effects of in utero and neonatal exposure to maternal Brugia pahangi infections on the development of homologous infections, immune responses, and pathologic lesions was studied in age-matched progeny of infected and uninfected female jirds. High IgG antibody titers to B. pahangi antigens were present in the sera of progeny from infected mothers. These neonatal titers to homologous antigens were shown to be of maternal origin, and did not alter the cellular responses of uninfected progeny as measured by in vitro antigen-stimulated blastogenesis and in vivo pulmonary granulomatous inflammatory responses to antigen-coated beads. Studies were conducted to measure age-related differences …

Genetic Comparisons And Systematic Studies Of Termites (Isoptera)., Amy Kathryn Korman

LSU Historical Dissertations and Theses

Eusociality has evolved in only two insect orders: the Isoptera and Hymenoptera. While hymenopteran genetics has been the subject of intensive study, genetic information on termites is conspicuously lacking. The purpose of this dissertation was to utilize starch gel electrophoresis in genetic studies of termites. Chapter I consists of electrophoretic methods and a study of genetic variability among four families of termites. Although some representative species/colonies demonstrated low levels of variation, the ranges of polymorphic loci and gene diversity were within levels generally observed for the class Insecta. Levels of genetic variation exhibited by termites were higher than those values …

The Socioeconomic Aspects Of Beef Cattle Production In Louisiana., Emmanuel Kagaba Nzabanita

LSU Historical Dissertations and Theses

This study was divided into: (1) a descriptive study of the farm resources, management practices, veterinary services utilization, and socio-psychological characteristics of Louisiana ranchers in relation to beef cattle performance, (b) a classification of the ranchers according to their utilization of veterinary services with the objective of identifying producer characteristics that are associated with frequent, moderate, and non-use of veterinary services, and (c) identification of factors associated with continuing or ending beef cattle production. The intensity of management, herd health and veterinary services utilization was quantified by scoring and ranking indicator variables that defined these composite variables. Most ranchers had …

Seasonal And Daily Variations In Plasma Hormone Concentrations Of The Gulf Killifish, Fundulus Grandis., Arnil Cabading Emata

LSU Historical Dissertations and Theses

Circadian rhythms of hormone secretion and responsiveness to hormones were examined in the gulf killifish. The findings provide additional information to support the hypothesis that reproductive, metabolic and behavioral activities are regulated in part by a temporal interaction of circadian rhythms. These findings include: (1) Daily injections of drugs that influence serotonergic (5-hydroxytryptophan, 5-HTP) and dopaminergic (dihydroxyphenylalanine, DOPA) activities induce conditions appropriate to either summer or winter, and can determine the manner in which a fish reacts reproductively and metabolically to water temperature, the main environmental determinant. (2) Tryptophan-enriched diets stimulated increases in plasma triiodothyronine and somatomedin-C levels, dramatically stimulated …

Ribosomal Rna And The Early Evolution Of Flowering Plants., Robert Keith Hamby

LSU Historical Dissertations and Theses

Since the end of the last century, the predominant theories of the early radiation of the angiosperms have been that the earliest flowering plants were most similar to the present-day Magnoliidae (sensu Takhtajan, 1969). This position has been adopted by many, though there are some who suggest that the base of angiosperm radiation lies within the monocots (Burger, 1981) or a combination of monocots and dicots (Burger, 1977; Donoghue and Doyle, 1989a, 1989b). Many different ancestors to the angiosperms themselves have been proposed including, at one time or another, most of the extant gymnosperms, extinct gymnosperms and the extinct seed …

Biology Of The Twospotted Spider Mite, Tetranychus Urticae (Acari:Tetranychidae) On Several Genotypes Of Soybean And Effects On A Predator Mite, Phytoseiulus Persimilis (Acari:Phytoseiidae)., Jo Ann Canal Wheatley

LSU Historical Dissertations and Theses

In a laboratory experiment with five genotypes of soybean, Glycine max (L.) Merrill, developmental time and fecundity of Tetranychus urticae Koch was measured. Developmental time for virgin females on leaf disks was shortest on Plant Introduction (PI) 227687, 'DSR 352,' and 'Williams.' There were no differences in development time for male mites due to genotype. Females laid more eggs per day on PI 227687 and more total eggs on PI 227687 and 'DSR 352' than on 'Williams,' 'Clark,' and 'Davis.' Life tables were constructed for mite cohorts on each soybean genotype. Values for r, intrinsic rate of increase, ranged from …

The Introduction Of A Gene Encoding A Novel Peptide Into Plants To Increase Plant Bacterial Resistance., Pablito Garcia Nagpala

LSU Historical Dissertations and Theses

A 38 amino acid long peptide, Shiva-1, was designed and chemically synthesized in our laboratory. Shiva-1 has only 46% amino acid homology with the naturally occurring lytic peptide from Hyalophora cecropia, known as Cecropin B. However, hydrophobic properties and charge density of the natural molecule were conserved at 100% in the synthetic peptide. This novel peptide was shown to be capable of killing a number of different species of plant pathogenic bacteria at nanomolar concentrations. Comparative studies show that Shiva-1 is more effective in this bacteriolytic activity than Cecropin B. The gene for Shiva-1 was chemically synthesized and cloned into …

Semilunar Spawning In Killifish, Fundulus Grandis., Shyh-Min Hsiao

LSU Historical Dissertations and Theses

Gulf killifish, Fundulus grandis, spawned daily in aquaria exposed to 12-hr daylengths and 21 to 28$\sp\circ$C temperatures. The number of eggs spawned varied daily producing a peak about every 13.7 days. Ovarian studies indicate that increased maturation of peripheral germinal-vesicle oocytes in preparation for spawning begins five days before the semilunar spawning peak. There is an increase in numbers of hydrated oocytes and ovulated eggs reaching a maximum on or a day before peak spawning. Semilunar spawning cycles of F. grandis are expressions of an endogenous rhythm. Although a specific phase of the semilunar cycle is maintained with respect to …

The Design And Expression Of A Synthetic Gene Encoding A Novel Polypeptide To Enhance The Quality Of Plant Protein., Jaeho Kim

LSU Historical Dissertations and Theses

A novel protein (HEAAE II, High Essential Amino Acid Encoding Protein), rich in essential amino acids (75% of total), was designed and constructed in our laboratory. The monomeric form of the protein consists of 20 amino acid residues with four additional amino acids comprising a potential $\beta$-turn. Circular dichroism and size exclusion analysis demonstrated, that the monomer exists in a stable $\alpha$-helical conformation that self-aggregates in aqueous solution to form higher ordered multimeric structures, which are very reminiscent of natural plant storage proteins. The DNA encoding this amino acid sequence was synthesized, and from this monomeric gene fragment, the tetrameric …

Evaluation Of Aeromonas Hydrophila Virulence Factors: Role In Natural Epizootics And Their Use As Potential Immunogens., Larisa Ann Ford

LSU Historical Dissertations and Theses

Aeromonas hydrophila and A. sobria have been identified as major causes of mortalities among commercially raised channel catfish and are the cause of septicemic diseases in a wide variety of other animals. At present, antibiotic therapy is the only prescribed treatment for Motile Aeromonad Septicemia (HAS) in channel catfish. Antibiotic treatment, however, is expensive and often not effective due to the development of resistance in the bacterial strains. Development of immunoprophylatic methods for the prevention of HAS would be of value and use to the commercial catfish industry. Several studies have demonstrated that whole cell vaccine preparations do not confer …

Environmental And Economic Influences On The Oyster Fishery Of Lower Barataria Bay, Louisiana., Earl Joseph Melancon Jr

LSU Historical Dissertations and Theses

A three year study, 1982-85, of eight oystermen bedding on 19 leases in lower Barataria Bay was designed to determine lease production, fuel, labor and energy inputs and the expenses to operate. The data was then incorporated into a bioeconomic model of the lower Bay. Commercial yield ratios (sacks harvested:sacks bedded) per lease ranged from 0.03$-$1.68:1. The two lowest lease yields were the result of vandalism and poaching, respectively. A multiple linear equation developed from the data predicts that as salinity and water temperature increase, lease yields decrease. Utilization of the Bay's bedding leases are dependent on seed obtained from …

The Foraging Behavior, Habitat Use, And Diet Of Arctic Foxes (Alopex Lagopus) In A Goose Nesting Area Near Kokechik Bay, Alaska, Alice Allgood Stickney

Biological Sciences

The foraging behavior, habitat use, and diet of arctic foxes were observed in a goose nesting area near Kokechik Bay, Alaska during the summers of 1985 and 1986. The foraging patterns of arctic foxes changed after birds started nesting in the study area, adding an abundant egg resource to a previously limited prey base. The duration of search bouts decreased and success rate increased, yielding an increased prey capture rate. Over 80% of the eggs taken by foxes during the nesting stage were cached, rather than eaten immediately. Differences in search patterns among foxes were probably related to the different …

The Effect Of Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetes And Thyroid Hormone Alterations On Skeletal Muscle Contractile, Histochemical And Biochemical Properties, Carol Dawn Rodgers

Digitized Theses

The purpose of this study was to examine the role of diabetes-associated hypothyroidism in changes in plantaris muscle contractile, histochemical and biochemical properties. Three experiments were designed to examine this relationship. Experiment I evaluated the time course of diabetes-associated hypothyroidism and examined the effect of daily triiodothyronine (T3) supplementation on serum T3 and thyroxine (T4) levels in the diabetic rat. The effects of diabetes and diabetes in conjunction with T3 supplementation on plantaris muscle contractile, histochemical and biochemical properties were examined in Experiments II and III respectively.;The results of Experiment I indicated that T3 levels exhibited a transient change after …

Intratesticular Factors Which Mediate The Effects Of Germ Cell Disruption On Leydig Cell Function In The Rat, Gwenderlyn Frances Jansz

Digitized Theses

Treatment in utero with busulfan or irradiation, resulted in adult rats with decreased serum androgen and increase serum lutenizing hormone (LH). Leydig cells (LC) from lesioned rats had increased in vitro androgen production (AP) and increased hCG binding per LC. Serum androgen was decreased, yet AP per LC was increased. Possibly, spermatogenic disruption resulted in gonads with decreased number of LC which had increased LH responsiveness.;To distinguish whether the effects of spermatogenic disruption on LC were due to local or systemic modulation, disruption of spermatogenesis by efferent duct ligation or cryptorchidism was done as unilateral or bilateral treatments. LH stimulated …

The Effect Of Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide On Pulsatile Lutenizing Hormone Release In The Ovariectomized Rat, Katherine Margaret Stobie

Digitized Theses

Vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) affects the secretion of several pituitary hormones including LH.;The initial objective was to study in greater detail the action of VIP on pulsatile LH secretion.;Ovariectomized rats were used in this study and peptide solutions were infused into the third cerebral ventricle. Venous blood was sampled every 5 min and assayed for LH.;VIP (3.5 nmole/h) lowered the mean LH levels and the pulse frequency but had no effect on pulse amplitude.;To determine whether VIP acts within the brain or at the pituitary GnRH was injected intravenously after infusion of either VIP or saline. The amplitude of the …

Control Of Saccadic Eye Movements In Three-Dimensions, Douglas Blair Tweed

Digitized Theses

This study develops and tests a mathematical model for the neural circuits controlling saccades, the rapid eye movements that shift the direction of gaze. These movements are three-dimensional eye rotations, but current models for their control are based on the mathematical properties of one-dimensional rotations. Surprisingly, the properties of three-dimensional rotations are very different, and so one-dimensional concepts often do not apply to real eye movements. Thus, a key hypothesis of current models--that the brain computes eye position by integrating eye velocity signals--is incorrect because in three dimensions the integral of velocity is not position. This thesis describes a simple …

The Dynamics Of A Nudibranch-Hydroid Predator-Prey Association: Cuthona Nana And Hydractinia Echinata, Nadine C. Folino

Doctoral Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to document the biological interactions in a predator-prey relationship involving a nudibranch and hydroid, respectively. The predator is a hermaphroditic opisthobranch mollusc with direct development, Cuthona nana. Cuthona nana feeds specifically on the colonial hydroid Hydractinia echinata.

Population patterns of predator and prey were documented by collecting hermit crabs with hydroid-covered shells. Results indicate a subannual life cycle for C. nana with juveniles and egg masses present throughout the year. Hydractinia echinata colonies reproduce in the spring and are more abundant in late summer and early fall.

Field and laboratory observations indicate that adult …

Pathogenesis, Pathology And Chemotherapy Of Experimental Legionella Pneumophila Infection, Arthur O. Tzianabos

Doctoral Dissertations

Legionella pneumophila is the causative agent of a severe, often fatal pneumonic illness known as Legionnaires' disease. The mechanisms by which L. pneumophila attaches to U937 (transformed human-like fibroblasts) were investigated. Experimental parameters for adherence assays were established prior to blocking studies designed to identify microbial adhesins and/or eukaryotic receptors that mediate bacterial attachment to target cells. Results from these studies indicated that a lectin-like component(s) associated with L. pneumophila may be responsible, at least in part, for microbial adherence to these eukaryotic host cells. Erythromycin is the drug of choice for the treatment of clinical legionellosis; however, difficulties with …

Isozyme And Quantitative Trait Variation Within And Among Natural Populations Of The Wild Soybean, Glycine Soja (Sieb & Zucc), Carol Jean Bult

Doctoral Dissertations

Isozymes and quantitative traits were used to explore the organization of genetic variation within and among seven natural populations of the wild soybean, Glycine soja, from Mishima, Japan. Seed enzymes were separated by horizontal starch and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. One-hundred and eleven individuals were scored for their genotypes at 48 gene loci resolved from 20 enzyme systems and one seed protein. Fifteen of the isozyme gene loci were polymorphic. The values for average polymorphism per locus (using the 99% criterion), average number of alleles per locus, and the proportion of heterozygotes observed were 0.140, 1.14 and 0.002, respectively. The average …

Lipopolysaccharide Serotyping Of Vibrio Vulnificus., Stephen Jeffrey Martin

LSU Historical Dissertations and Theses

Current schemes used to serotype Vibrio vulnificus are based on direct bacterial agglutination using polyclonal rabbit antisera. During the course of serotyping Louisiana V. vulnificus isolates we failed to observe a reproducible agglutination profile for these isolates. The major obstacle in producing serovar specific sera has been the failure to produce high titered anti-LPS sera in rabbits. Anti-LPS serum from rabbits immunized with formalin-killed, heat-killed, or acetone dried whole cell vaccines and LPS-carrier conjugates uniformly produced titers $\leq 320$. Separation of anti-LPS activity from whole sera by affinity chromatography also yielded low titered antisera. A typing system predicated on the …

Mastitis In Unbred And Primigravid Dairy Heifers., Pedro Trinidad

LSU Historical Dissertations and Theses

Prevalence of mastitis and efficacy of intramammary treatment were determined in unbred and primigravid heifers (n = 116) from 4 dairy herds. Of 97 heifers from which secretion samples were obtained, intramammary infections were detected in 96.9% of animals and 74.6% of quarters. Clinical symptoms were observed in 29% of heifers. Staphylococcus aureus infections were detected in 37.1% of animals. Teat canal colonizations were confirmed in 93.1% of heifers and 70.7% of quarters. The most common isolates from mammary glands were Staphylococcus chromogenes, Staphylococcus hyicus, and Staphylococcus aureus. Average somatic cell counts in secretion from infected and uninfected quarters were …