Abstract-Ghrelin, an endogenous ligand for the growth hormone secretagogues, was originally isolated from rat stomach.It stimulates the release of growth hormone from primary pituitary cell cultures. We investigated the plasma concentration of ghrelin peptide in 16 nonpregnant women, 18 normal pregnant women, 20 patients with pregnancyinduced hypertension, and 10 postpartum women. The plasma concentration of ghrelin in nonpregnant women was 239.5Ϯ16.9 fmol/mL. The plasma concentration of ghrelin in normal pregnant women at the third trimester was 127.1Ϯ5.6 fmol/mL. There was negative correlation between plasma ghrelin concentration and systemic blood pressure in normal pregnant women (systolic: rϭϪ0.564, PϽ0.05; diastolic: rϭϪ0.610, PϽ0.01). Pregnant women with pregnancy-induced hypertension (177.9Ϯ14.6 fmol/mL, PϽ0.05) also had significantly higher levels of ghrelin compared with those of normal pregnant women. In addition, there was a significant correlation between plasma ghrelin levels and systemic blood pressure (systolic: rϭϪ0.482, PϽ0.05; diastolic: rϭϪ0.466, PϽ0.05

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Cryptosporidium is a significant pathogen in humans and animals. Cases of infection by Cryptosporidium parvum, Cryptosporidium meleagridis, and Cryptosporidium baileyi with zoonotic potential have also been reported in domestic birds, and recent studies indicate the presence of new host-adapted species or genotypes in birds. It is generally difficult to discriminate accurately among Cryptosporidium species and genotypes by light microscopy because of the morphological similarity of their oocysts. Although C. parvum and Cryptosporidium hominis are the primary Cryptosporidium species associated with infection in humans, recent studies have shown C. meleagridis to be a significant cause of cryptosporidiosis in both immunocompetent and immunocompromised individuals. Moreover, genetic variation among C. meleagridis isolates from humans and birds has been reported. Therefore, accurate identification of Cryptosporidium parasites using molecular methodologies is important to assess genetic diversity and to elucidate the transmission dynamics of Cryptosporidium parasites. In Japan, the cockatiel is a popular companion sold in many pet shops, but to the best of our knowledge only 11 Cryptosporidium isolates from cockatiels have been identified molecularly. In the present study, we identified five isolates from cockatiels by multilocus (18S ribosomal RNA, actin, Cryptosporidium oocyst wall protein, 70-kDa heat shock protein, and 60-kDa glycoprotein precursor) sequence and phylogenetic analyses. Analyses identified three new genotypes in C. meleagridis, avian genotype III, and a new avian genotype V.

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