First Transcriptome of the Testis-Vas Deferens-Male Accessory Gland and Proteome of the Spermatophore from Dermacentor variabilis (Acari: Ixodidae)

Ticks are important vectors of numerous human diseases and animal diseases. Feeding stimulates spermatogenesis, mating and insemination of male factors that trigger female reproduction. The physiology of male reproduction and its regulation of female development are essentially a black box. Several transcriptomes have catalogued expression of tick genes in the salivary glands, synganglion and midgut but no comprehensive investigation has addressed male reproduction and mating. Consequently, a new global approach using transcriptomics, proteomics, and quantitative gene expression is needed to understand male reproduction and stimulation of female reproduction

Application of Oxygen During Medetomidine and Ketamine Immobilization of Wolverines (Gulo gulo)

chemical immobilization involves risks for study animals. Research indicates that anesthetized Wolverines (Gulo gulo) can develop hypoxemia due to drug-induced physiological changes and altitude. We administered supplemental oxygen intranasally at flow rates between 0.5 and 1.5 l/min to Wolverines immobilized by edetomidine and ketamine between ~2110–2880 m in the Rocky Mountains. Following capture in log box traps, we measured hemoglobin oxygen saturation (SpO2) and rectal temperature before and after application of oxygen using a pulse oximeter and digital thermometer. We determined oxygen flow rates based on the volume required to reach a SpO2 reading over 90%. We observed initial hemoglobin oxygen saturation below 75%, indicating hypoxemia, for all Wolverines handled. Supplemental oxygen reversed the hypoxemia, increasing hemoglobin oxygen saturation to over 90% within 13 min in all cases. We recommend that supplemental oxygen be provided to immobilizedWolverines anesthetized using medetomidine and ketamine to guard against hypoxemia