Parasitism among individuals in a population often varies more than expected by chance only, leading to parasite aggregation, which is a parameter of paramount importance in parasite population dynamics and particularly in vector-borne epidemiology. However, the origin of this phenomenon is yet not fully elucidated. An increasing body of literature has demonstrated that individuals vary consistently in their behaviour, which is referred to as animal personality. Such behavioural variation could potentially lead to different encounter rates with parasites. To test this hypothesis, the relationship between personality and burden with ticks (Ixodes spp.) in the bank vole, Myodes glareolus (Schreber), was assessed. Wild rodents (eight females and 18 males) were live-trapped, identified, sexed, weighted, and inspected for ticks. Behavioural profiling was then performed using standardised tests measuring activity/exploration and boldness with a combination of automatically and manually recorded behavioural variables summarised using multivariate analyses. The resulting personality descriptors and questing tick variables were used as explanatory variables in negative binomial generalised linear models of tick burden and Bayesian simulations were performed to better estimate coefficients. Tick burden was associated to body mass and sex, but not to personality descriptors, which was mainly associated to activity/exploration. These results are discussed regarding the complex relationships among individual personality, physiological status, space use and health status.

• Keywords
• Behavioural profiling, parasite aggregation, small mammals, video analyses,
• MeSH
• Arvicolinae parasitology   MeSH
• Bayes Theorem MeSH
• Tick Infestations * epidemiology   parasitology   veterinary   MeSH
• Ixodes * physiology   MeSH
• Personality MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Check Tag
• Male MeSH
• Female MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH

Altered copy number of certain highly repetitive regions of the genome, such as satellite DNA within heterochromatin and ribosomal RNA loci (rDNA), is hypothesized to help safeguard the genome against damage derived from external stressors. We quantified copy number of the 18S rDNA and a pericentromeric satellite DNA (Msat-160) in bank voles (Myodes glareolus) inhabiting the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone (CEZ), an area that is contaminated by radionuclides and where organisms are exposed to elevated levels of ionizing radiation. We found a significant increase in 18S rDNA and Msat-160 content in the genomes of bank voles from contaminated locations within the CEZ compared with animals from uncontaminated locations. Moreover, 18S rDNA and Msat-160 copy number were positively correlated in the genomes of bank voles from uncontaminated, but not in the genomes of animals inhabiting contaminated, areas. These results show the capacity for local-scale geographic variation in genome architecture and are consistent with the genomic safeguard hypothesis. Disruption of cellular processes related to genomic stability appears to be a hallmark effect in bank voles inhabiting areas contaminated by radionuclides.

• Keywords
• anthropogenic disturbance, chernobyl, copy number, ionizing radiation, myodes glareolus, rDNA,
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH

BACKGROUND: Chemical communication in mammals involves globular lipocalins that protect and transport pheromones during their passage out of the body. Efficient communication via this protein - pheromone complex is essential for triggering multiple responses including aggression, mate choice, copulatory behaviour, and onset and synchronization of oestrus. The roles of lipocalins in communication were studied in many organisms and especially in mice (i.e. Mus musculus domesticus) which excrete Major Urinary Proteins (Mup) in excessive amounts in saliva and urine. Other mammals, however, often lack the genes for Mups or their expression is very low. Therefore, we aimed at characterization of candidate lipocalins in Myodes glareolus which are potentially linked to chemical communication. One of them is Aphrodisin which is a unique lipocalin that was previously described from hamster vaginal discharge and is known to carry pheromones stimulating copulatory behaviour in males. RESULTS: Here we show that Aphrodisin-like proteins exist in other species, belong to a group of Odorant Binding Proteins (Obp), and contrary to the expression of Aphrodisin only in hamster genital tract and parotid glands of females, we have detected these transcripts in both sexes of M. glareolus with the expression confirmed in various tissues including prostate, prepucial and salivary glands, liver and uterus. On the level of mRNA, we have detected three different gene variants. To assess their relevance for chemical communication we investigated the occurrence of particular proteins in saliva, urine and vaginal discharge. On the protein level we confirmed the presence of Obp2 and Obp3 in both saliva and urine. Appropriate bands in the range of 17-20 kDa from vaginal discharge were, however, beyond the MS detection limits. CONCLUSION: Our results demonstrate that three novel Obps (Obp1, Obp2, and Obp3) are predominant lipocalins in Myodes urine and saliva. On the protein level we have detected further variants and thus we assume that similarly as Major Urinary Proteins in mice, these proteins may be important in chemical communication in this Cricetid rodent.

• MeSH
• Electrophoresis, Gel, Two-Dimensional MeSH
• Arvicolinae genetics   MeSH
• Pheromones genetics   MeSH
• Lipocalins genetics   metabolism   MeSH
• Urine chemistry   MeSH
• Molecular Sequence Data MeSH
• Proteins genetics   MeSH
• Receptors, Odorant genetics   metabolism   MeSH
• Amino Acid Sequence MeSH
• Sequence Alignment MeSH
• Saliva chemistry   MeSH
• Spectrometry, Mass, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionization MeSH
• Gene Expression Profiling MeSH
• Tandem Mass Spectrometry MeSH
• Vagina chemistry   metabolism   MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Check Tag
• Male MeSH
• Female MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
• Names of Substances
• aphrodisin protein, Mesocricetus auratus MeSH Browser
• Pheromones MeSH
• Lipocalins MeSH
• odorant-binding protein MeSH Browser
• Proteins MeSH
• Receptors, Odorant MeSH

Coccidia of the genus Isospora, their origin, taxonomy, and host specificity have been discussed for many years. The crucial point in question being the division of the genus, based on distinct evolutionary history and the presence/absence of the Stieda body, into the genera Isospora (Eimeriidae) parasitizing mainly birds and reptiles, and Cystoisospora (Sarcocystidae) parasitizing mammals. The description of the majority of Isospora species from rodents is based solely on the oocysts found in their faeces. Some of them have been described with the presence of the Stieda body, some without it, and, simultaneously, for all the described species the molecular data are entirely lacking. This study reveals the origin of isosporan oocysts found in faeces of bank voles based on morphological analyses, phylogenetic analyses, and experimental infections. Morphological analyses showed the presence of the Stieda body complex on sporocysts. Phylogenetic analyses demonstrated close phylogenetic relationships between Isospora from bank voles and avian isosporans. Experimental inoculations of bank voles with sporulated oocysts of Isospora did not result in the production of unsporulated oocysts. Hence, these organisms should be considered pseudoparasites of the bank voles/rodents (probably originating from avian Isospora species).

• Keywords
• Cystoisospora, Isospora, coccidian, pseudoparasite., rodent, vole,
• MeSH
• Arvicolinae parasitology   MeSH
• Feces parasitology   MeSH
• Phylogeny MeSH
• Isospora cytology   isolation & purification   physiology   MeSH
• Oocysts cytology   isolation & purification   physiology   MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Check Tag
• Male MeSH
• Female MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
• Geographicals
• Czech Republic MeSH

Spermatological characters of the liver fluke Mediogonimus jourdanei Mas-Coma et Rocamora, 1978 were studied by means of transmission and scanning electron microscopy. Spermiogenesis begins with the formation of the differentiation zone containing two centrioles associated with striated rootlets and an intercentriolar body. These two centrioles originate two free flagella that undergo a 90 degrees rotation before fusing with the median cytoplasmic process. Both nuclear and mitochondrial migrations toward the median cytoplasmic process occur before the proximodistal fusion of flagella. Finally, the constriction of the ring of arched membranes gives rise to the young spermatozoon. The mature sperm of M. jourdanei measures about 260 microm and presents two axonemes of different lengths with the typical pattern of the Trepaxonemata, two bundles of parallel cortical microtubules, one mitochondrion, a nucleus and granules of glycogen. An analysis of all the microphalloidean species studied to date emphasised some differences in certain characters found in Maritrema linguilla Jägerskiöld, 1908 and Ganeo tigrinum Mehra et Negi, 1928 in comparison to those in the remaining microphalloideans. The presence and variability of such ultrastructural characters according to family, superfamily or order have led several authors to propose their use in the analysis of trematode relationships and phylogeny. Therefore, apart from producing new data on the family Prosthogonimidae, the present study also compares the spermatological organization of M jourdanei with other available ultrastructural studies focusing on the Microphalloidea.

• MeSH
• Arvicolinae parasitology   MeSH
• Fasciola hepatica classification   growth & development   isolation & purification   MeSH
• Fascioliasis parasitology   veterinary   MeSH
• Phylogeny MeSH
• Rodent Diseases parasitology   MeSH
• Spermatogenesis * MeSH
• Spermatozoa classification   growth & development   MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Check Tag
• Male MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH

The major histocompatibility complex (MHC) plays a central role in the adaptive immune response and is the most polymorphic gene family in vertebrates. Although high-throughput sequencing has increasingly been used for genotyping families of co-amplifying MHC genes, its potential to facilitate early steps in the characterisation of MHC variation in nonmodel organism has not been fully explored. In this study we evaluated the usefulness of de novo transcriptome assembly in characterisation of MHC sequence diversity. We found that although de novo transcriptome assembly of MHC I genes does not reconstruct sequences of individual alleles, it does allow the identification of conserved regions for PCR primer design. Using the newly designed primers, we characterised MHC I sequences in the bank vole. Phylogenetic analysis of the partial MHC I coding sequence (2-4 exons) of the bank vole revealed a lack of orthology to MHC I of other Cricetidae, consistent with the high gene turnover of this region. The diversity of expressed alleles was characterised using ultra-deep sequencing of the third exon that codes for the peptide-binding region of the MHC molecule. High allelic diversity was demonstrated, with 72 alleles found in 29 individuals. Interindividual variation in the number of expressed loci was found, with the number of alleles per individual ranging from 5 to 14. Strong signatures of positive selection were found for 8 amino acid sites, most of which are inferred to bind antigens in human MHC, indicating conservation of structure despite rapid sequence evolution.

• MeSH
• Alleles MeSH
• Arvicolinae genetics   MeSH
• DNA Primers MeSH
• Exons MeSH
• Phylogeny MeSH
• Genetic Variation MeSH
• Genotype MeSH
• Genes, MHC Class I * MeSH
• Major Histocompatibility Complex genetics   MeSH
• Multigene Family MeSH
• Mice MeSH
• Transcriptome * MeSH
• High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Check Tag
• Mice MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
• Names of Substances
• DNA Primers MeSH

Ticks represent the primary vectors of several serious diseases, including the Lyme disease caused by Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (Bbsl). In this study two dominant ectoparasitic groups of arthropods (Mesostigmata, Siphonaptera) were investigated for the presence of borrelian DNA in order to determine their potential role of vectors (or carriers) of this bacterium. All individuals (235) were collected from wild-living rodents obtained in three localities in the Czech Republic (Bažantula, Baba and Křižovice). The majority of parasites were members of the families Parasitidae and Dermanyssidae (Mesostigmata) and families Hystrichopsyllidae and Ceratophyllidae (Siphonaptera). The rodent host species was almost exclusively the yellow-necked mouse (Apodemus flavicollis). Bbsl was detected by the PCR method in the following ectoparasite species: Euryparasitus emarginatus (1), Eulaelaps stabularis (1), Haemogamassus nidi (1), Laelaps agilis (5), Myonyssus gigas (1) (Mesostigmata) and Ctenophthalmus agyrtes (1), C. solutus (3) (Siphonaptera).

• MeSH
• Acari microbiology   MeSH
• Arvicolinae parasitology   MeSH
• Borrelia burgdorferi Group genetics   isolation & purification   MeSH
• Arthropod Vectors * MeSH
• DNA, Bacterial genetics   isolation & purification   MeSH
• Murinae parasitology   MeSH
• Polymerase Chain Reaction MeSH
• Siphonaptera microbiology   MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Check Tag
• Animals MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
• Geographicals
• Czech Republic MeSH
• Names of Substances
• DNA, Bacterial MeSH

Relatively little information exists on the effects of mercury on terrestrial wildlife populations. We analyzed 38 free-living small rodent females (Myodes glareolus, Microtus agrestris, and Apodemus flavicolis), of which 11 were pregnant, for total mercury concentrations in combined liver and kidney samples. Using a single-purpose atomic absorption spectrometer for mercury determination, the measured mercury values ranged from 0.006 to 0.079 mg/kg. Pregnant females had significantly (P<0.041) higher mercury levels in liver and kidney than did nonpregnant females. Our results suggest that during mercury biomonitoring studies it is necessary to consider the pregnancy of the analyzed animals.

• Keywords
• Apodemus flavicolis, Microtus agrestris, Myodes glareolus, mercury, pregnancy,
• MeSH
• Arvicolinae MeSH
• Animals, Wild MeSH
• Rodentia MeSH
• Liver chemistry   metabolism   MeSH
• Environmental Pollutants analysis   MeSH
• Kidney chemistry   metabolism   MeSH
• Murinae MeSH
• Mercury * analysis   MeSH
• Pregnancy MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Check Tag
• Pregnancy MeSH
• Female MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Names of Substances
• Environmental Pollutants MeSH
• Mercury * MeSH

Porcine myogenic differentiation genes (MYOD) family play a key role in growth and muscle development and are therefore considered as candidate genes for meat production traits. The objective of the study was to investigate the polymorphisms at four loci belonging to the MYOD genes family and analyse their associations with variation in meat production traits in Czech pig breeds. To verify the associations between the polymorphisms and the selected meat traits, altogether 254 pigs, including full- and half-sibs, of Large White and Landrace breeds were tested. The studied meat characteristics were weight of neck, loin, shoulder and ham, lean meat content (LMC), backfat thickness, intramuscular fat (IMF), remission, dry matter content and test daily gain. Statistically significant associations were observed between MYOG gene and fat and neck weight, and between MYF5 gene and IMF and LMC. High significant differences were observed between genotypes AA and AB of MYOD1 in IMF and between genotypes AB and BB of MYF5 in loin weight.

• MeSH
• Breeding methods   MeSH
• Phenotype * MeSH
• Genotype MeSH
• Meat * MeSH
• MyoD Protein genetics   MeSH
• Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length MeSH
• Body Composition MeSH
• Sus scrofa genetics   growth & development   MeSH
• Body Weights and Measures MeSH
• Muscle Development genetics   MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Check Tag
• Animals MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
• Comparative Study MeSH
• Geographicals
• Czech Republic MeSH
• Names of Substances
• MyoD Protein MeSH

c-Myb, known to play a central role in hematopoiesis, is also an important factor involved in myogenesis. Here, we found that the c-myb gene is expressed in proliferating C2C12 myoblasts and turned off in differentiating cells. Detailed analysis of c-myb RNAs revealed that the cell density is the essential factor determining c-myb expression. Both c-myb and its alternatively spliced form c-mybE9A RNAs are down-regulated in confluent cells. Constitutive expression of exogenous c-myb in C2C12 cells inhibits their terminal differentiation. It is shown that the c-Myb protein physically interacts with MyoD, the key regulator of myogenesis, and inhibits MyoD-dependent transcription. The interaction domains are the DNA binding domain of c-Myb and the bHLH motif of MyoD. Our data suggest that in proliferating cells c-Myb binds MyoD and inhibits its transcriptional activity until cell-cell contacts are established and c-myb expression is switched off. Thus, the c-Myb protein may be one of factors ensuring that proliferating myoblasts remain undifferentiated.

• MeSH
• Cell Differentiation physiology   MeSH
• Cell Line MeSH
• Myoblasts cytology   metabolism   MeSH
• MyoD Protein antagonists & inhibitors   metabolism   MeSH
• Myogenic Regulatory Factors biosynthesis   genetics   MeSH
• Mice, Inbred C3H MeSH
• Mice MeSH
• Cell Count MeSH
• Promoter Regions, Genetic MeSH
• Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myb biosynthesis   genetics   physiology   MeSH
• Protein Binding MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Check Tag
• Mice MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
• Names of Substances
• MyoD Protein MeSH
• myogenic factor 6 MeSH Browser
• Myogenic Regulatory Factors MeSH
• Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myb MeSH