Impact of Agricultural Chemicals on Wetland Habitats and Associated Biota with Special Reference to Migratory Birds: A Selected and Annotated Bibliography

This bibliography documents the impact of pesticides and other agricultural chemicals on northern prairie wetlands and the migratory birds using the wetlands. It also recommends various practices or techniques which could mitigate, ameliorate, or prevent such impacts. Such a subject covers a variety of topics. Included are papers from basic laboratory research to determine the acute, and sometimes chronic, toxicity of a variety of chemical pesticides. Also included are papers covering alternative pest control and agricultural methods and various bioassay techniques

The Impact of Phorate on the Genetic Diversity of Wetland Aquatic Invertebraes

Impacts of the insecticide phorate on the genetic diversity of wetland invertebrates were investigated using field and laboratory studies in 1991. Electrophoretic methods were evaluated for revealing the impact of insecticides. Objectives were to determine the ability of electrophoresis to reveal the impact of phorate on invertebrates and to determine the influence of phorate on the genetic diversity in two common invertebrates. Amphipods, Hyallela azteca and mayflies, Callibaetis ferrugineus (Walsh) were placed in constructed mesocosms in wetlands and were exposed to varying amounts of phorate. Survivors and individuals from the parent population were genetically tested using cellulose acetate electrophoresis techniques. Allele frequencies were calculated for invertebrates in treatments and invertebrates from populations not exposed to phorate. Mortality of test invertebrates was significantly greater in phorate treatments than in controls (F = 5.97, P = 0.019). Chi-square analysis revealed differences in allele frequencies between the untreated populations and individuals of both species treated with phorate cx2 \u3e 8.5; df = 1,2; p \u3c 0.05). In addition, phorate appeared to eliminate, or reduce the frequency of certain genotypes in both species. Results indicate phorate selected against sensitive individuals and electrophoresis was effective at detecting differences between untreated populations and invertebrates that survived treatments. Genetic techniques should enable wetland scientists to detect the effects of pollution on invertebrate populations by monitoring genetic composition

Intersexuality in a crab-eating fox (Cerdocyon thous)

Intersexuality is a reproductive pathology that has been described in wild animals in recent years. However, its occurrence and consequences remain obscure and therefore all aspects of this reproductive disorder deserve attention. The aim of this study is to report a case of intersexuality with probable absence of gonadal tissue in the crab-eating fox (Cerdocyon thous) native to Brazil. The animal has male external genitalia, but its prepuce and penis were both hypoplastic. Because of a clinical suspicion of bilateral cryptorchidism, a laparotomy was performed and the absence of prostate and gonads were revealed. The procedure also revealed vas deferentia, extending laterally from the each side of the bladder basis to the right and left abdominal wall muscles. The animal died one month later, and post mortem examination confirmed the absence of prostatic and gonadal tissues. Muscular structures similar to uterine horns and cervix were founded macroscopically and confirmed by optic microscopy. In addition, post mortem findings corroborate with penis hypoplasia, since penile bone presence was observed. The vasa deferentia had a normal tissue structure, although hypoplastic. In conclusion, the case of a crab-eating fox (Cerdocyon thous) reported here represents a proved intersexual animal with probable absence of gonadal tissue.A intersexualidade é uma das patologias reprodutivas, hereditária e/ou congênita, que têm sido mais reportada em animais selvagens nos últimos anos. Entretanto, suas ocorrências e conseqüências permanecem obscuras, sendo que todos os aspectos relacionados a este distúrbio reprodutivo merecem atenção. O objetivo deste estudo foi relatar um caso de intersexualidade com provável ausência de tecido gonadal em uma raposa (Cerdocyon thous) do Brasil. O animal apresentava sexo fenotípico masculino, mas seu prepúcio e pênis eram pequenos. Devido a uma suspeita clínica de criptorquidismo bilateral, foi realizada uma laparotomia, sendo, no procedimento cirúrgico, revelada a ausência de próstata e gônadas. Os ductos deferentes foram localizados lateralmente à bexiga, entendendo-se desde a sua base, inserindo-se na musculatura da parede abdominal direita e esquerda. Um mês após, o animal morreu e os achados necroscópicos confirmaram a ausência de tecidos prostático e gonadal. Entretanto, uma estrutura muscular histologicamente semelhante a cornos e cérvix uterinos foram encontradas. Além disso, pelo mesmo método, ratificou-se a ausência de próstata e o pênis exibiu aspecto normal contendo osso peniano. Os ductos deferentes apresentaram estrutura tecidual normal, porém hipoplásicos. Concluiu-se que o caso reportado no presente trabalho representa um exemplo de intersexualidade com provável ausência de tecido gonadal em um animal da espécie Cerdocyon thous

Discovery of Orally Bioavailable Selective Inhibitors of the Sodium-Phosphate Cotransporter NaPi2a (SLC34A1)

Sodium-phosphate cotransporter 2a, or NaPi2a (SLC34A1), is a solute-carrier (SLC) transporter located in the kidney proximal tubule that reabsorbs glomerular-filtered phosphate. Inhibition of NaPi2a may enhance urinary phosphate excretion and correct maladaptive mineral and hormonal derangements associated with increased cardiovascular risk in chronic kidney disease–mineral and bone disorder (CKD-MBD). To date, only nonselective NaPi inhibitors have been described. Herein, we detail the discovery of the first series of selective NaPi2a inhibitors, resulting from optimization of a high-throughput screening hit. The oral PK profile of inhibitor PF-06869206 (<b>6f</b>) in rodents allows for the exploration of the pharmacology of selective NaPi2a inhibition