Introduction
In
recent years there has been a renewed interest in the use of marsupials as
unique models for biomedical research (Tyndale-Biscoe and Janssens 1988;
Saunders and Hinds 1997). Of these the North American opossum
(Didelphis virginiana) has received more scientific scrutiny than
any other marsupial to date. Didelphis has long been a popular
animal model among gastroenterologists (Krause and Cutts 1992) and
numerous studies concerned with its reproductive biology (Hartman 1952),
early embryology (Hartman 1916, 1919; McCrady 1938),
histogenesis/organogenesis (Krause 1998a, 1998b), developmental
neurobiology (Martin and Wang 1997) and spinal cord regeneration (Wang et
al. 1998a, 1998b; Martin et al. 2000) have been published. In addition,
Didelphis virginiana has played a pivotal role not only in predicting
the existence of a newly discovered family of guanylyl cyclase stimulating
peptides (guanylin, uroguanylin, and lymphoguanylin) but also was the
animal model used in the initial discovery, isolation and purification of
the most recent members of this family of peptides, uroguanylin and
lymphoguanylin (Krause et al.1998, Forte et al. 1999, 2000). Recently, a
small protein known as lethal toxin neutralizing factor (LTNF) was
isolated from opossum serum. This factor has been shown to be a potent
antidote for several animal, plant, and bacterial toxins. An effective,
synthetic form of LTNF has been made so that this peptide can be made in
abundance without depending upon the natural source, opossum serum. It is
believed that the synthetic form of LTNF may become a universal therapy
against animal, plant and bacterial toxins ( Lipps 1999, Lipps
2000).
The purpose of this literature survey is to
provide an introduction into the literature with regard to the biology of
Didelphis virginiana and to gather together a variety of studies
that have focused on this particular species. Although numerous studies
have been published on Didelphis, these are scattered throughout a
very diverse literature with regard both to discipline and time. The
primary aim is to gather these references under one cover as a desk
reference for those interested either in using Didelphis as a
biomedical model for study or in the biology and natural history of this
North American marsupial. The bibliography cites the primary references
and serves as a guide into the diverse literature where specific topics
with regard to Didelphis virginiana are most likely to be
encountered. The reference list has been restricted as much as possible
to Didelphis virginiana although some confusion does exist
in the early literature with regards as to which actual species was used
in some studies. According to Gardner (1973), the genus Didelphis
contains three distinct species: Didelphis virginiana of North and
Central America; Didelphis marsupialis of Central and South
America; and Didelphis albiventris of the highlands in South
America. Prior to this work, the North American opossum was commonly
referred to as either Didelphis marsupialis or Didelphis
virginiana. The references cited in this survey are restricted as much
as possible to the North American or Virginia opossum, Didelphis
virginiana. The earliest reference is Tyson 1698, the latest includes
a few references published in 2001. The references have been organized
under 43 subheadings to aid the reader in finding specific references with
regard to general areas or topics of interest. In addition to published
accounts on the husbandry of Didelphis, videotape also is available
on its husbandry and care as well as the establishment of a
temporary-breeding colony for the North American opossum (Krause
1999).
References
Forte LR, Eber SL, Fan X, London
RM, Wang Y, Rowland LM, Chin DT, Freeman RH, Krause WJ (1999)
Lymphoguanylin: Cloning and characterization of a unique member of the
guanylin peptide family. Endocrinology 140:
1800-1806
Forte LR, London RM, Krause WJ, Freeman RH (2000) Mechanisms of
guanylin action via cyclic GMP in the kidney. Annu Rev Physiol 62:
673-695
Gardner
AL (1973) The systematics of the genus Didelphis
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Tech Univ, Lubbock, TX, 4: 1-81
Hartman CG (1916) Studies in the
development of the opossum Didelphys virginiana L. I. History of
early cleavage. II. Formation of the blastocyst. J Morphol
27:1-83
Hartman CG (1919) Studies in the
development of the opossum Didelphys virginiana L. III. Description
of new material on maturation, cleavage and entoderm formation. IV. The
bilaminar blastocyst. J Morphol 32:1-142
Hartman
CG (1952) Possums. University of Texas Press, Austin, TX, pp
1-147
Krause WJ (1998a) A review of histogenesis/organogenesis in the
developing North American opossum (Didelphis virginiana). Adv Anat
Embryol Cell Biol Vol I. 143:1-143
Krause
WJ (1998b) A review of histogenesis/organogenesis in the developing North
American opossum (Didelphis virginiana). Adv Anat Embryol Cell
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Krause WJ, Cutts JH (1992) Development
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Krause WJ, London RM, Freeman RH,
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Krause
WJ (1999) Tips on the husbandry and establishment of a temporary breeding
colony for the North American opossum (Didelphis virginiana).
Videotape presentation. Housed in the Animal Welfare Information Center
Audio-Visual Series, National Agricultural Library Collection, U.S.
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Lipps BV
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Martin GF, Terman JR, Wang XM
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Wang XM, Terman JR, Martin GF (1998b)
Regeneration of supraspinal axons after transection of the thoracic spinal
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398: 83-97
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