Stereolithographic biomodeling of equine ovary based on 3D serial digitizing device

Junpei KIMURA,Nobunori Kakusho,Kenji Yamazawa,Yuuko Hirano,Yasuo Nambo,Hideo Yokota,Ryutaro Himeno 대한수의학회 2009 JOURNAL OF VETERINARY SCIENCE Vol.10 No.2

The 3D internal structure microscopy (3D-ISM) was applied to the equine ovary, which possesses peculiar structural characteristics. Stereolithography was applied to make a life-sized model by means of data obtained from 3D-ISM. Images from serially sliced surfaces contributed to a successful 3D reconstruction of the equine ovary. Photopolymerized resin models of equine ovaries produced by stereolithography can clearly show the internal structure and spatial localizations in the ovary. The understanding of the spatial relationship between the ovulation fossa and follicles and/or corpora lutea in the equine ovary was a great benefit. The peculiar structure of the equine ovary could be thoroughly observed and understood through this model.

C6, a new monoclonal antibody, reacts with the follicle-associated epithelium of calf ileal Peyer’s patches

Kana Tozaki,Junpei KIMURA,Nobuyuki Ryu,Testuo Nasu,Anton Pernthaner,Wayne R. Hein,Masahiro Yasuda 대한수의학회 2013 JOURNAL OF VETERINARY SCIENCE Vol.14 No.1

The follicle-associated epithelium (FAE) of Peyer’s patches (PPs) contains M cells that are important for reducing mucosal immune responses by transporting antigens into the underlying lymphoid tissue. We generated a monoclonal antibody (C6) that reacted with the FAE of calf ileal PPs, and analyzed the characteristics of C6 using immunohistochemistry and Western blotting. FAE of the ileal PP was stained with C6 during both late fetal developmental and postnatal stages. Neither the villous epithelial cell nor intestinal crypt basal cells were stained at any developmental stage. During the prenatal stages, FAE of the jejunal PP was C6-negative. However, a few C6-positive cells were distributed diffusely in some FAE of the jejunal PPs during the postnatal stages. The protein molecular weight of the antigen recognized by C6 was approximately 45 kDa. These data show that C6 is useful for identifying the FAE in ileal PPs and further suggest that differentiation of the FAE in these areas is independent of external antigens.

Effects of alprazolam on capture stress-related serum cortisol responses in Korean raccoon dogs (Nyctereutes procyonoides koreensis)

Sun-A Kim,이소영,Junpei KIMURA,신남식 대한수의학회 2011 Journal of Veterinary Science Vol.12 No.1

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of alprazolam on the stress that Korean raccoon dogs (Nyctereutes procyonoides koreensis) may experience while caught in a live trap by measuring their serum cortisol response. The animals were placed in a live trap with or without being pretreated with oral doses of alprazolam. In both groups, pre-trap blood samples were initially collected without anesthesia before the animals were positioned in the live trap; then post-trap blood samples were collected after the animals had remained in the live trap for 2 h. Changes in cortisol levels were observed using a chemiluminescent immunoassay. The level of cortisol increased in the control group and decreased in the alprazolam-pretreatment group (p < 0.05). In this study, we demonstrated that alprazolam pretreatment reduced stress during live trap capture.

Cranial morphological homogeneity in two subspecies of water deer in China and Korea

KIM, Yung Kun,KOYABU, Daisuke,LEE, Hang,KIMURA, Junpei The Japanese Society of Veterinary Science 2015 The Journal of veterinary medical science Vol.77 No.11

<P>The water deer (<I>Hydropotes inermis</I>) has conventionally been classified into two subspecies according to geographic distribution and pelage color pattern: <I>H. i. inermis</I> from China and <I>H. i. argyropus</I> from Korea. However, the results of a recent molecular study have called this into question. To further reappraise this classification, we examined morphological variation in craniodental measurements of these 2 subspecies. Results of univariate and multivariate analyses demonstrated that these 2 subspecies are not well-differentiated, suggesting that individuals of the 2 populations share common morphological traits. Despite the distribution of the subspecies at different latitudes, no clear morphocline was detected, suggesting that Bergmann’s rule does not apply in this case. Discriminant analysis indicated that the characteristics of individuals are shared by both populations, suggesting that not all individuals can be assigned to their original population. Results of principal component analysis showed that the two populations shared more than 75% of individuals, congruent with the “75% rule” of subspecies classification. In both the neighbor-joining and unweighted pair group methods with arithmetic mean cluster analyses, specimens of <I>H. i. argyropus</I> and <I>H. i. inermis</I> were highly mixed within the cladograms. These results suggest that the overall morphological variation in the 2 subspecies overlaps considerably and that there is no coherent craniofacial difference between the 2 groups. The present findings combined with prior observations from molecular biogeography point out that the taxonomic division of water deer into 2 subspecies should be revisited.</P>

What is the taxonomic status of East Asian otter species based on molecular evidence?: focus on the position of the Japanese otter holotype specimen from museum

박한찬,Nozomi Kurihara,김경석,민미숙,한성용,이항,Junpei KIMURA 한국통합생물학회 2019 Animal cells and systems Vol.23 No.3

The Japanese otter (Lutra nippon), once inhabited in most islands of Japan, is now considered as an extinct species. Although the Japanese otter is regarded as a distinct species from the Eurasian otter (L. lutra), its phylogeny and taxonomic status are based on limited information on morphological and genetic data, and thus further clarification is required. Here, we assessed the phylogenetic relationship among the genus Lutra and taxonomic status of L. nippon by using the complete sequences of cytochrome b gene of its holotype. The present phylogenic trees supported that the genus Lutra specimens largely formed monophyletic group, with L. sumatrana as a basal to other Lutra species. Within Lutra species, L. nippon was distantly related with L. lutra. The European otter population of L. l. lutra were clustered together with its subspecies, L. l. chinensis rather than the same subspecies, Korean otter population. The discrepancy between the genetic data and traditional taxonomy justifies the necessity of reexamination of the current subspecific classification system of Eurasian otters. Level of genetic divergence between the holotype of L. nippon and L. lutra was two to three-fold lower than those among the other sister species of the Lutrinae. Based on the level of divergence between the L. nippon and L. lutra, and insufficient evidence of morphological difference between them, it is suggested that designation of Japanese otter as a separate species from L. lutra will be reconsidered.

Comparison of fecal microbiota of three captive carnivore species inhabiting Korea

AN, Choa,OKAMOTO, Yumiko,XU, Siyu,EO, Kyung Yeon,KIMURA, Junpei,YAMAMOTO, Naomichi JAPANESE SOCIETY OF VETERINARY SCIENCE 2017 The Journal of veterinary medical science Vol.79 No.3

<P>This study aimed at characterizing fecal microbiota of three captive carnivore species of leopard cats <I>Prionailurus bengalensis</I>, Eurasian otters <I>Lutra lutra</I> and raccoon dogs <I>Nyctereutes procyonoides</I>. We used DNA barcoding sequencing to analyze 16S rRNA genes of uncultured bacteria in the feces collected in the Seoul Zoo. The sequencing analyses revealed that: 1) Firmicutes was the most dominant phylum for all three animals; 2) bacterial genus-rank compositions were distinct across species of the animals; and 3) bacterial community memberships were different across species of the studied animals. We expect such baseline information is useful for better understanding of these endangered species and future management of their health in zoos.</P>

Infectivity of <i>Cryptosporidium andersoni</i> and <i>Cryptosporidium muris</i> to Normal and Immunosuppressive Cynomolgus Monkeys

MASUNO, Koichi,FUKUDA, Yasuhiro,KUBO, Masahito,IKARASHI, Ryo,KURAISHI, Takeshi,HATTORI, Shosaku,KIMURA, Junpei,KAI, Chieko,YANAI, Tokuma,NAKAI, Yutaka The Japanese Society of Veterinary Science 2014 The Journal of veterinary medical science Vol.76 No.2

<P><B>ABSTRACT</B></P><P><I>Cryptosporidium andersoni</I> and <I>Cryptosporidium muris</I> infections have been found in the mice and/or cattle. The oocysts of <I>C. andersoni</I> and <I>C. muris</I> have been sporadically detected in human feces, but the infectious capacity and features have been unknown, because of the scarcity of reports involving human infections. To assess the infectivity and the clinical and pathological features of <I>C. andersoni</I> and <I>C. muris</I> in primates, an experimental infectious study was conducted using cynomolgus monkeys. The monkeys were orally inoculated with oocysts of two different <I>C. andersoni</I> Kawatabi types and <I>C. muris</I> RN-66 under normal and immunosuppressive conditions. The feces of the monkeys were monitored for about 40 days after the administration of oocysts using the flotation method, but no shedding oocysts were observed under either both normal or immunosuppressive conditions. Gross and histopathological examinations were performed on the immunosuppressive monkeys, but these revealed no evidence of <I>Cryptosporidium</I> infections, even though the monkeys were subjected to immunosuppressive conditions. It is hypothesized that <I>C. andersoni</I> and <I>C. muris</I> pose little danger of infection in primates even under immunosuppressive conditions.</P>

Development and characterization of nine microsatellite loci from the Korean hare (Lepus coreanus) and genetic diversity in South Korea

김상인,민미숙,김경석,이항,안정화,최성경,이윤선,박한찬,Junpei KIMURA 한국통합생물학회 2012 Animal cells and systems Vol.16 No.3

The Korean hare, Lepus coreanus, is an important mammal in ecosystem food chains, and is distributed across the entire Korean peninsula and northeastern China. Polymorphic microsatellite loci were developed using the biotinenrichment technique for use in population genetics studies. Five trinucleotide and four dinucleotide microsatellite loci were selected and tested on 22 Korean hare specimens collected from Gangwon Province and Gyeongsangbuk Province in South Korea. The number of alleles across the two sampling regions ranged from three to nine with a mean of 6.1. Mean observed and expected heterozygosities and polymorphic information content were 0.540, 0.627and 0.579, respectively. Only one locus, Lc06, showed departure from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium after applying the Bonferroni correction. Four microsatellites, Lc01, Lc03, Lc12, and Lc19, satisfied the criteria to serve as a core set of markers recommended for population genetics studies. These new microsatellite markers will be widely applicable to future genetic studies for management and conservation of the Korean hare and related species, including assessment of the genetic diversity and population structure of L. coreanus.

Hypodectes propus (Acarina: Hypoderatidae) in a rufous turtle dove,Streptopelia orientalis (Aves: Columbiformes), in Japan

Khaled Mohamed El-Dakhly,El-Shaymaa El-Nahass,Kosei Inui,Junpei KIMURA,Hiroki Sakai,Tokuma Yanai 대한수의학회 2013 Journal of Veterinary Science Vol.14 No.4

An adult male rufous turtle dove, Streptopelia (S.) orientalis (Aves: Columbiformes), was found dead in Yorii-machi Town, Osato District 369-1217, Saitama Prefecture, Japan,and subjected to necropsy. A large number of immobile hypopi (deutonymphs) of the hypoderatid mite, Hypodectes (H.) propus (Acarina: Hypoderatidae), were found individually encapsulated subcutaneously primarily in the adipose tissue. The mites were 1.43 mm in length and 0.44 mm in width on average, and had provoked mild inflammatory reactions that predominantly manifested as foamy macrophages and lymphoplasmocytes. PCR analysis using ribosomal DNA extracted from paraffin-blocked tissues produced a 240 bp band specific for hypoderatids. Based on the morphological features (distinct coxal apodemes,especially in the anterior portion) and PCR-based findings,the hypopi were identified as H. propus. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case describing the subcutaneous mite H. propus in a rufous turtle dove, S. orientalis, in Japan. This study also highlights the use of paraffin blocks as a source of tissue DNA for molecular evaluation.

Subspecific Status of the Korean Tiger Inferred by Ancient DNA Analysis

Mu-Yeong Lee,Jee Yun Hyun,Seo-Jin Lee,Junghwa An,Eunok Lee,Mi-Sook Min,Junpei Kimura,Shin-ichiro Kawada,Nozomi Kurihara,Shu-Jin Luo,Stephen J. O’Brien,Warren E. Johnson,Hang Lee 한국동물분류학회 2012 Animal Systematics, Evolution and Diversity Vol.28 No.1

The tiger population that once inhabited the Korean peninsula was initially considered a unique subspecies (Panthera tigris coreensis), distinct from the Amur tiger of the Russian Far East (P. t. altaica). However, in the following decades, the population of P. t. coreensis was classified as P. t. altaica and hence forth the two populations have been considered the same subspecies. From an ecological point of view, the classification of the Korean tiger population as P. t. altaica is a plausible conclusion. Historically, there were no major dispersal barriers between the Korean peninsula and the habitat of Amur tigers in Far Eastern Russia and northeastern China that might prevent gene flow, especially for a large carnivore with long-distance dispersal abilities. However, there has yet to be a genetic study to confirm the subspecific status of the Korean tiger. Bone samples from four tigers originally caught in the Korean peninsula were collected from two museums in Japan and the United States. Eight mitochondrial gene fragments were sequenced and compared to previously published tiger subspecies’ mtDNA sequences to assess the phylogenetic relationship of the Korean tiger. Three individuals shared an identical haplotype with the Amur tigers. One specimen grouped with Malayan tigers, perhaps due to misidentification or mislabeling of the sample. Our results support the conclusion that the Korean tiger should be classified as P. t. altaica, which has important implications for the conservation and reintroduction of Korean tigers.