吡草醚原药对大鼠一般生长情况的影响及其慢性肾毒性研究

研究吡草醚原药对大鼠一般生长情况的影响,寻找慢性毒性靶器官以及确定最大无作用剂量(NOAEL)。将初重为40~50 g的SPF级SD大鼠随机分成对照、低、中和高剂量组,160只/组,雌雄各半。各组动物分别给予含有不同浓度吡草醚原药的饲料(0,80,400,2 000 mg·kg-1的饲料),染毒期间不限制摄食饮水,期限为104周。结果显示雌、雄鼠中、高剂量组1~104周的体重、增重、食物利用率与对照组比较,于不同阶段均有不同程度降低,差异有显著性(P0.05或P0.01或P0.001);中、高剂量受试物可导致大鼠血液中尿素氮(BUN)水平升高及胆碱酯酶(Ch E)水平下降,肾脏器系数升高,与对照组比较差异有显著性(P0.05或P0.01或P0.001);病理学检查显示中、高剂量组可引起肾小管上皮细胞变性、肾脏间质炎、慢性进行性肾病等。实验结果表明在本试验条件下,中、高剂量的吡草醚原药可明显影响大鼠的体重增长及食物利用率,对SD大鼠的慢性毒性靶器官是肾脏。     

赤霉酸暴露对SD大鼠青春期发育的影响

赤霉酸是目前国内外使用极其广泛的一种植物生长调节剂,但是针对其发育毒性的数据依然较少。本文探讨了赤霉酸暴露对SD大鼠青春期发育的影响。参考国内外环境内分泌干扰物危害的评价方法,将144只初断乳SD大鼠按体重随机分为4组,分别为对照组和1、10、100 mg·kg-1bw剂量组,采用经口灌胃方式对雄鼠连续染毒28 d,雌鼠连续染毒21 d。暴露结束后检测大鼠的体重、食物利用率、雄鼠包皮分离时间/雌鼠阴道开口时间、血清生化指标、脏器系数及组织病理学的变化。研究结果表明,与对照组相比,仅10和100 mg·kg-1bw剂量组雄鼠的肌酐水平显著升高(P<0.01),100 mg·kg-1bw剂量组雌鼠谷丙转氨酶水平有显著升高(P<0.01)。而与对照组相比,所有剂量组均未观察到大鼠的体重、食物利用率、雄鼠包皮分离时间/雌鼠阴道开口时间、脏器系数等指标有显著性差异的改变(P>0.05),组织病理学结果亦显示大鼠重要器官无损害性改变。因此,在本试验给予的剂量范围内赤霉酸染毒不会对SD大鼠青春期发育产生显著影响。     

十溴联苯醚(BDE 209)暴露对孕期大鼠和胎鼠甲状腺激素干扰效应研究

为探讨孕期十溴联苯醚(BDE 209)暴露对孕期羊水和胎鼠循环甲状腺激素(TH)的影响及其对胎脑发育的损害作用,将24只Wistar雌性大鼠随机分为对照组、BDE 209低剂量组(100 mg·kg-1 bw)和高剂量组(300 mg·kg-1 bw),与雄鼠合笼,经阴道涂片确认受孕后,在孕1 d给予BDE 209经口持续灌胃染毒至孕15 d(GD15)和孕20 d(GD20).在GD15和GD20这2个时间点麻醉母鼠后剥离胎鼠称取体质量;应用酶联免疫吸附剂测定(ELISA)检测GD15、GD20羊水及GD20胎鼠循环TH水平,包括总三碘甲状腺原氨酸(TT3)、血清游离三碘甲腺原氨酸(FT3)、血清总甲状腺素(TT4)、游离甲状腺素(FT4)和促甲状腺激素(TSH)水平;应用实时荧光定量PCR(RT-qPCR)法检测胎脑促甲状激素释放激素(thyrotropin-releasing hormone,Trh)基因相对表达;应用苏木精-伊红染色(HE染色)观察GD20胎脑形态学改变.结果表明:(1)高剂量BDE 209可引起胎鼠体质量异常改变.(2)BDE 209可引起孕期羊水和孕后期胎鼠循环TH水平紊乱,表现为GD15时,BDE 209可引起羊水FT3下降、TT4和TSH增高,但未见统计学意义;低、高剂量BDE 209均可引起羊水FT4水平升高(P<0.05或P<0.01),且具有剂量依赖性.GD20时,与GD15相比,对照组羊水TH水平有所变化,FT3和TT4水平均明显增高,而TSH水平有所降低;低、高剂量BDE 209引起FT3显著降低(P<0.05),FT4在高剂量组升高(P<0.05);低、高剂量BDE 209引起TSH水平显著升高(P<0.05).GD20时,胎鼠血清TH变化与同时期羊水中的基本一致,BDE 209可致胎鼠血清FT3和TT4下降,虽然没有显著性差异,胎鼠血清TSH水平增高,尤其在高剂量组(P<0.05).(3)BDE 209可导致孕育中胎脑Trh基因表达下调(P<0.05),并随着孕期进程而加重.(4)病理学观察发现BDE 209可引起孕末期胎鼠脑细胞结构发生变化,使细胞数量减少,脑组织出现萎缩.综上,孕期BDE 209暴露可影响胚胎大鼠生长发育;引起羊水TH水平紊乱、胚胎大鼠循环TH水平紊乱以及胚胎脑组织Trh基因表达抑制,导致脑组织结构产生病理改变.这些可能是BDE 209致子代发育神经毒性的病理基础.     

五氯酚钠对雄性小鼠的生殖毒性作用

为研究五氯酚钠(PCP-Na)对雄性小鼠的生殖毒性作用,将100只昆明雄性小鼠随机分为5组:3个染毒组、1个阴性对照组(蒸馏水)和1个阳性对照组(环磷酰胺40mg·kg-1).以不同剂量(13.44、26.88、53.76mg·kg-1)PCP-Na经口染毒,连续染毒5d,每天1次.染毒结束后第2d和第23d分两批处死动物,检测精子数量、精子畸形率以及睾丸、附睾重量及其脏器系数的变化.结果表明,PCP-Na染毒结束后第2d,与阴性对照组相比,高剂量组(53.76mg·kg-1)精子畸形率显著增加(p<0.05),睾丸、附睾重量及附睾系数显著下降(p<0.05),其他指标无显著变化(p>0.05).中、低剂量组(26.88、13.44mg·kg-1)各检测指标与阴性对照组均无显著性差异(p>0.05);PCP-Na染毒结束后第23d,与阴性对照组相比,高剂量组(53.76mg·kg-1)精子畸形率显著增加、精子密度显著减少、睾丸和附睾重量显著下降(p<0.05),中剂量组(26.88mg·kg-1)附睾重量显著下降(p<0.05),其他指标均无显著变化(p>0.05);PCP-Na引起的精子畸形以头部畸形为主,主要为无定形,其次为无钩形、香蕉形和尾折叠.以上结果提示,在本实验条件下,PCP-Na对雄性小鼠具有明显的生殖毒性.     

丙烯腈诱导的氧化应激对大鼠睾丸NF-κB信号通路的影响

为探索丙烯腈(acrylonitrile,ACN)诱导的氧化应激对大鼠睾丸NF-κB信号通路的影响,将50只SPF级健康SD雄性大鼠按体重随机分为12.5、25、50 mg·kg~(-1)ACN染毒组,50 mg·kg~(-1)ACN+300 mg·kg~(-1)N-乙酰半胱氨酸(N-acetylcysteine,NAC)干预组(NAC干预组),对照组(给予等体积玉米油),每组10只,灌胃,1次/天,6天/周,共90 d。可见光分光光度法检测睾丸组织中超氧化物歧化酶(superoxide dismutase,SOD)、谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(glutathione peroxidase,GSH-Px)、还原型谷胱甘肽/氧化型谷胱甘肽比值(glutathione/oxidized glutathione,GSH/GSSG)、丙二醛(malondialdehyde,MDA)。免疫荧光染色法检测睾丸核因子-κB(nuclear factorκB,NF-κB)激活及核转移。Western Blot检测睾丸p65、IκB蛋白表达。结果显示,低、高剂量染毒组大鼠睾丸GSH/GSSG比值、GSH-Px酶活性与对照组比较降低(P0.05)。中、高剂量染毒组大鼠睾丸MDA含量与对照组比较升高(P0.05)。NAC干预组大鼠睾丸MDA含量与高ACN组比较降低(P0.05);NAC干预组大鼠睾丸GSH/GSSG比值与高ACN组比较升高(P0.05);免疫荧光结果显示,高ACN组大鼠睾丸NF-κB被激活,并转移入细胞核。NAC干预组与高ACN组比较p65蛋白表达及核转移显著减少。Western Blot结果显示,高剂量染毒组大鼠睾丸p65蛋白表达与对照组比较升高(P0.05),IκB蛋白表达与对照组比较降低(P0.05);NAC干预组大鼠睾丸p65蛋白表达与高ACN组比较降低,IκB蛋白表达与高ACN组比较升高,差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。结果表明丙烯腈引起的氧化应激激活了大鼠睾丸生殖细胞NF-κB信号通路。     

孕鼠PFOS暴露对糖皮质激素水平及胎鼠生长发育的影响

为探究孕期全氟辛烷磺酸(PFOS)暴露与母源糖皮质激素(GC)水平、胎鼠生长发育之间的关系,将孕期为12 d(GD12)的24只SD雌性大鼠,随机分为4组给予不同剂量的PFOS(0,5,10,20 mg·kg-1),连续灌胃7 d,在GD19时对孕鼠和胎鼠的体重、胎鼠肝脏系数和肝脏生化指标、孕鼠血清的生化指标和GC水平、胎盘11β-羟基类固醇脱氢酶2(11β-HSD2)的酶学活性和胰岛素样生长因子-1(IGF-1)的mRNA表达水平分别进行检测。结果表明,与对照组相比:PFOS 20 mg·kg-1组,母鼠体重、胎鼠体重和体长显著下降(P0.001);PFOS 20 mg·kg-1组,胎鼠肝脏脏器系数低于对照组(P0.001);PFOS 10 mg·kg-1组,胎鼠肝脏中的酶活性(ALT、AST和ALP等)显著升高(P0.001);PFOS 20 mg·kg-1组,孕鼠血清GC水平升高(P0.05);胎盘IGF-1的mRNA表达水平随PFOS剂量升高而降低;胎盘11β-HSD2的活性随PFOS剂量升高而降低。研究表明,孕期暴露PFOS可以导致胎鼠肝脏毒性,降低胎盘11β-HSD2氧化活性导致GC浓度升高,进而影响胎鼠的生长发育。     

MDMA(3,4亚甲基二氧甲基苯丙胺)对小鼠睾丸细胞微核率及染色体畸变率的影响

通过连续20 d对雄性小鼠灌胃染毒3,4-亚甲基二氧基甲基苯丙胺(3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine,MDMA)后,探究MDMA对雄性小鼠睾丸组织细胞微核率及染色体畸变率的影响.将雄性小鼠随机分为MDMA低(5.0mg/kg)、中(10.0mg/kg)、高(20.0 mg/kg)三个染毒剂量组,采用生理盐水做阴性对照,每日染毒1次.于末次给药后第二天,取小鼠睾丸组织细胞,采用常规微核(micronucleus,MN)试验,检测小鼠睾丸细胞微核率的改变;同时采用染色体畸变试验(chromosomal aberration test)探究MDMA对小鼠睾丸细胞染色体畸变率的影响.微核试验结果表明MDMA中、低剂量组小鼠睾丸细胞微核率与阴性对照组比较差异无显著性(P0.05),而高剂量与低剂量组小鼠睾丸细胞微核率及阴性对照组比较,差异均有显著性(P0.01).染色体畸变试验结果中,MDM高、中剂量组染色体畸变率分别与阴性对照组比较差异有显著性(P0.05),剂量组之间染色体畸变率差异也有显著性(P0.05).结论通过微核试验与染色体畸变试验结果同时得出:在该实验剂量内MDMA高剂量组能诱导小鼠睾丸组织细胞微核率增加,高剂量组及中剂量组可以使小鼠睾丸细胞染色体畸变率增高,说明其对雄性小鼠睾丸遗传物质有一定的损伤效应.图4,表2,参10.     

三(1,3-二氯-2-丙基)磷酸酯对大鼠的神经毒性效应

考察三(1,3-二氯-2-丙基)磷酸酯(TDCPP)对大鼠神经系统的毒性效应及其毒性机制,为有机磷阻燃剂(OPFRs)对哺乳动物神经毒性及其临床防治提供基础数据和科学依据。以Sprague-Dawley (SD)大鼠为受试生物,将TDCPP溶于橄榄油配制不同染毒剂量(125、250和500 mg·kg~(-1)·d~(-1))进行灌胃处理,溶剂对照组以相同体积的橄榄油进行灌胃,空白对照组不做任何处理,染毒周期为12周。结果表明,溶剂对照组和空白对照组的各项检测指标均无显著性差别(P0.05)。TDCPP染毒组与对照组之间的差异主要表现为(1)体重变化:染毒期间,TDCPP处理组大鼠的体重与对照组相比有下降的趋势,在第12周中剂量染毒组和高剂量染毒组大鼠体重均显著性低于对照组(P0.05);(2)行为学实验:Morris水迷宫实验结果表明,高剂量的TDCPP对大鼠的空间学习记忆能力造成影响,主要表现为在定位航行实验中,高剂量染毒组大鼠的逃避潜伏期显著性高于对照组和低剂量染毒组(P0.05),而在空间探索实验中,高剂量染毒组大鼠在目标象限停留时间显著性低于对照组(P0.05);(3)生化指标检测:各组间纹状体内多巴胺(DA)含量并无显著性差异(P 0.05),染毒组乙酰胆碱酯酶(ACh E)活性与对照组相比显著性降低(P0.01)且具有剂量依赖性,高剂量染毒组超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活性显著性降低,高剂量和中剂量染毒组谷胱甘肽(GSH)含量显著性降低(P0.05),这表明TDCPP对大鼠脑组织造成了氧化损伤,TDCPP染毒组脑组织的炎症因子(TNF-α)水平均高于对照组,且中剂量与高剂量染毒组TNF-α含量显著性高于对照组(P0.05),揭示TDCPP能引起大鼠脑部的炎症反应,对脑组织造成损伤;(4)纹状体超微结构:电镜结果表明,TDCPP可导致纹状体细胞受到损伤,主要表现为细胞核固缩、线粒体损伤和突触间隙减小。研究表明,TDCPP可引起大鼠体重明显下降,导致大鼠神经细胞损伤,行为改变,抑制ACh E、SOD活性及GSH含量,使炎症介质增高,引起大鼠脑组织的氧化损伤和炎症反应。     

内质网应激在不同钙水平下对母鼠氟暴露后仔鼠脑海马细胞的作用

为探讨内质网应激在不同饲料钙水平下对母鼠氟暴露后仔鼠脑海马细胞的作用,选用SD雌性大鼠75只,雄性大鼠25只,雌鼠随机分为对照组(DZ)、染氟组(RF)、低钙组(LG)、染氟低钙组(LF)和染氟高钙组(HF)。雌鼠染毒3个月,交配产仔,检测胎鼠与14日龄、28日龄仔鼠脑海马内质网应激伴侣分子BIP、CHOP和CRT蛋白表达水平。结果显示,与DZ组比,胎鼠、14日龄仔鼠RF组、LF组BIP、CHOP和CRT蛋白表达均显著升高,差异具有统计学意义(P 0.01),HF组BIP、CHOP和CRT蛋白表达均升高,差异具有统计学意义(P 0.05),28日龄仔鼠RF组BIP、CHOP蛋白表达显著升高,差异具有统计学意义(P 0.01),CRT蛋白表达升高,差异具有统计学意义(P 0.05),LF组BIP、CHOP和CRT蛋白表达均显著升高,差异具有统计学意义(P 0.01),HF组BIP、CHOP和CRT蛋白表达均显著升高,差异具有统计学意义(P 0.05)。与RF组比,胎鼠与14日龄、28日龄仔鼠LF组BIP、CHOP和CRT蛋白表达水平升高,差异具有统计学意义(P 0.01),胎鼠、14日龄仔鼠HF组BIP、CHOP和CRT蛋白表达水平下降,差异具有统计学意义(P 0.05),28日龄仔鼠BIP、CHOP蛋白表达水平下降,差异具有统计学意义(P 0.05)。研究表明,内质网应激可能参与了母鼠氟暴露致仔鼠脑损伤,高钙饲料可缓解母鼠氟暴露致仔鼠脑海马神经细胞的损伤,低钙饲料则进一步加剧了母鼠氟暴露致仔鼠脑海马神经细胞损伤。     

丙烯腈暴露对大鼠脑组织损伤及iNOS/p38 MAPK信号通路关键蛋白表达的影响

通过探究iNOS/p38 MAPK信号通路在丙烯腈(acrylonitrile,ACN)诱导脑组织损伤中的作用,为进一步研究ACN的神经毒性作用提供依据。选取50只SPF级健康成年雄性SD大鼠,随机分为5组,每组10只。适应性饲养一周后,以12.5、25.0、50.0 mg·kg~(-1)ACN对大鼠进行灌胃染毒,对照组给予玉米油,另设NAC组(300.0 mg·kg~(-1)NAC+50.0 mg·kg~(-1)ACN),1次·天~(-1),6天·周~(-1),共染毒13周。次日称重并处死大鼠,测定大鼠脑组织NO含量、总NOS水平及iNOS、p-p38和p38蛋白表达水平。结果显示,ACN各剂量组大鼠脑组织脏器系数与对照组比较均显著降低(P0.05),高剂量组大鼠脑脏器系数与NAC组比较降低(P0.05)。高剂量组NO含量和总NOS水平显著高于对照组,与NAC组比较,高剂量组NO含量降低(P0.05),总NOS水平升高(P0.05)。Western blot结果显示,ACN高剂量组大鼠脑组织iNOS、p-p38蛋白表达水平和p-p38/p38比值显著高于对照组和NAC组(P0.05)。ACN可激活iNOS/p38MAPK信号通路,这可能是ACN致大鼠脑组织损伤的机制之一。     

Do female roe deer in good condition produce more sons than daughters

In polygynous roe deer Capreolus capreolus, males are only slightly heavier than females and the overall sex ratio at birth is close to unity. We studied offspring sex ratio and litter size (range 1–4, n = 74) of culled females, in utero, which provided an opportunity to examine responses of sex ratio to maternal condition. Male embryos were heavier than their sisters, and male fawns (9 months old) heavier than female fawns, suggesting a higher growth rate in males. There was no evidence for differential mortality between the sexes from birth to 9 months old. Heavier adult females produced larger embryos than lighter, or primiparous females. The overall sex ratio of embryos did not differ from unity, but adult does had more male embryos (55%) than primiparous does (32%), and the proportion of male embryos in a litter increased with the mother's body mass. Litter size also tended to increase with maternal age and body mass. We argue that this pattern reflects adaptive variation in offspring sex ratio.     

Tertiary-butyl acetate metabolism,toxicity, and human health considerations

Tertiary-butyl acetate (TBAC) (CAS No. 540-88-5) is an organic solvent with a potential for occupational and environmental exposure as a result of its use in industrial coatings, adhesives, inks, and degreasers. The objective of these studies was to extend the toxicological database upon which health hazard and risk assessments of TBAC can be made. The metabolism of TBAC was studied in rats exposed by inhalation for 6?h to concentrations of 100 or 1000?ppm. There was an evidence of partial saturation of TBAC absorption and metabolism at some concentration below 1000?ppm. Approximately 5% of the low dose and 26% of the high dose was expired without change within 12?h, while the retained material was rapidly metabolised and excreted, mostly in the urine, within 24?h. Very little radioactivity remained in the tissues after day 7. The metabolism of TBAC appears to follow two major routes: hydroxylation of the tertiary-butyl moiety to form 2-hydroxymethylisopropyl acetate and ester hydrolysis to form tertiary-butyl alcohol (TBA). A minor route involves oxidation of the acetate moiety. Based on the proportion of metabolites that can clearly be assigned to one or the other major pathway, hydroxylation of the tertiary-butyl moiety prevails at 100?ppm, while hydrolysis of the ester bond predominates at 1000?ppm.

Based on nose-only inhalation exposure of rats to TBAC for 6?h, the LC50 for males and females combined is approximately 4200?ppm. Clinical signs included exaggerated breathing, staggering, tremors, and lethargy approximately 1?h after the exposure, but all surviving rats appeared normal from 24?h until the end of the 14?day observation period. An LC₅₀ was not identified for mice. After exposure of whole body for 6?h to 3000?ppm, the highest concentration tested, all mice were prostrate for most of the exposure time, but there were no deaths.

Groups of five male and five female Sprague-Dawley rats were exposed nose-only to 0, 100, 400, or 1600?ppm TBAC 6?h?day^?1 5 days?wk^?1 for 2?weeks. There were no effects on body weight, feed or water consumption, or necropsy findings. Male rats exposed to 1600?ppm had increased liver weights and hypertrophy of centrilobular hepatocytes. An increased proportion of cortical tubule cells with hyaline droplet accumulation was observed in all treated groups of males. Groups of five male and five female CD-1 mice were exposed whole body to 0, 190, 375, 750, or 1500?ppm TBAC 6?h?day^?1 for 14 consecutive days. There were no effects on body weight, feed consumption, or necropsy findings. Liver weights were increased in female mice at 750 and 1500?ppm. Minimal hypertrophy of centrilobular hepatocytes was found in female mice at 375, 750, and 1500?ppm and in male mice at 1500?ppm TBAC.

TBAC did not induce gene mutations in bacterial tests with strains of S. typhimurium and E. coli. Further, there was no evidence of clastogenic activity from tests either for the induction of chromosomal aberrations in human lymphocytes in vitro in the presence or absence of S9 mix or for the induction of micronuclei in bone marrow cells of rats exposed by inhalation for 6?h to 1600?ppm TBAC.

These results are relevant to human health risk assessment and are discussed in the context of previous studies. The weight of the scientific evidence supports the conclusion that TBAC has lower acute toxicity than previously suggested, that it is rapidly excreted when inhaled, and that neither TBAC nor its TBA metabolite are genotoxic or potential human carcinogens.     

氯化镉对斑马鱼胚胎的发育毒性

为探讨重金属Cd对斑马鱼胚胎发育的毒性效应,将受精1h后(1hpf)的斑马鱼胚胎暴露于不同浓度的CdCl2溶液中,观察CdCl2处理对胚胎死亡、孵化及幼鱼畸形的影响。采用吖啶橙(AO)染色,定性观察胚胎细胞凋亡情况;以活性氧(ROS)荧光探针DCFH-DA染色法检测胚胎ROS水平,TBA比色法测定胚胎脂质过氧化水平,DTNB比色法测定还原型谷胱甘肽(GSH)和氧化型谷胱甘肽(GSSG)水平。结果表明,10.0～30.0mg·L-1CdCl2浓度依赖性地诱导斑马鱼胚胎死亡和幼鱼畸形,胚胎孵化率亦降低。CdCl2处理引起斑马鱼胚胎心脏水肿,尾部弯曲和胚胎发育阻滞。胚胎半数致死浓度(LC50)为18.9mg·L-1,R2=0.973,幼鱼半数致畸浓度(EC50)为13.7mg·L-1,R2=0.967。20.0mg·L-1CdCl2处理组ROS水平、MDA含量明显升高,GSH/GSSG比值明显降低(P<0.01)。20mg·L-1CdCl2处理后,胚胎头部和尾部可见大量细胞凋亡。10mg·L-1N-乙酰半胱氨酸(NAC)与20mg·L-1CdCl2共同处理组斑马鱼胚胎的死亡率和畸形率明显降低,孵化率明显升高,ROS水平、MDA含量以及GSH/GSSG比值趋于正常。以上结果说明,CdCl2暴露对斑马鱼胚胎发育的毒性效应可能与CdCl2诱导的氧化应激相关。     

Gender-based comparative toxicity of di-ethyl phthalate in Wistar rats

In recent years, the exposure of humans to phthalate esters through environmental contamination has increased. One among them is di-ethyl phthalate (DEP), which is used as a plastisizer for cellulose ester plastic films and sheets, solid rocket propellants, molded and extruded articles, as a component in insecticide sprays and various other substances, as well as in industrial applications. Release into the environment occurs primarily as a result of production and manufacturing of DEP and during the use and disposal of products containing DEP. Therefore, a study was undertaken to evaluate gender-specific toxicity of DEP in Wistar rats. Rats of both sexes, weighing 125–130?g, were administered 50?ppm (w/v) DEP in water ad libitum for a period of 180 days and were given normal diet. Control animals received normal diet and water ad libitum. During the treatment, rats were weighed every week and water consumption per day was measured. After the completion of treatment, liver weight?:?body weight^?1 ratio, liver weight, body weight^?1, liver and serum enzymes, and other biochemical parameters of liver and serum were assessed. It was observed that there was no significant change in body weight^?1, liver weight, liver weight?: body weight^?1 ratio, and water consumption in both sexes. There were significant increases in liver acid phosphatase (ACP) activity and kidney glutathione levels, and nonsignificant changes in liver alkaline phosphatase (ALP), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), succinate dehydrogenase (SDH), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activities in DEP-treated male rats, whereas in DEP-treated female rats the liver showed significant decrease in ALP and SDH and nonsignificant changes in AST, ALT, and LDH activities. Serum ACP and LDH levels in DEP-treated male rats were significantly decreased, and in the case of DEP-treated female rats, only serum LDH levels were significantly decreased. There was no significant change in serum ALP, AST, and SDH levels in DEP-treated male and female rats as compared to control rats. Histology of the livers of both male and female rats showed loss of hepatic architecture, degenerative changes in hepatocytes, and vacuolation in hepatocytes in both the centrilobular and periportal areas. It can be concluded from this study that prolonged exposure to DEP at 50?ppm levels can be harmful to animals and humans. This is evident from the present study as certain significant changes in enzyme activities in the liver, serum, and histological alterations in liver were observed.     

Potential hepatoprotective effects of vitamin E and Nigella sativa oil on hepatotoxicity induced by chronic exposure to malathion in human and male albino rats

Malathion is an organophosphorus (OP) insecticide and has a wide range of use in agriculture, veterinary medicine, and public health. Malathion and other OP insecticides produce hepatotoxic effects. The objective of the present study was to investigate the protective effects of Nigella sativa oil and α-tocopherol (vitamin E) on the hepatotoxicity induced by malathion on workers involved in the formulation of pesticides, chronically exposed to malathion, and in male albino rats orally administrated malathion. This study was conducted on both human and experimental animals, the human study was conducted on 30 control subjects working as administrators and 45 subjects working in formulation of pesticides and exposed to malathion (≥3 years), all were males with age ranges from 30 to 60 years. The 45 males working in pesticides formulation were classified into three groups; (1) 15 workers exposed to pesticides (2) 15 workers exposed to pesticides and received vitamin (E), in a dose of 10 mg kg?1 day^?1 orally for 60 days, and (3) 15 workers exposed to pesticides and received 100 mg kg^?1 day^?1 of N. sativa oil for 60 days. The animal experiment was conducted on 40 adult male albino rats weighing 150–200 g. They were divided into four groups (10 rats in each group). First group served as the control group, the second group received malathion in a dose of 50 mg kg^?1 orally per day for 60 days, the third group received malathion (in the same dose and route of administration) and vitamin E in a dose of 10 mg kg^?1 day^?1 orally for 60 days, and the fourth group received malathion (in the same dose and route of administration) and N. sativa oil in a dose of 100 mg kg^?1 day^?1 orally for 60 days. Liver function tests (alanine aminotransferase [ALT], aspartate aminotransferase [AST], serum alkaline phosphatase [ALP], albumin, globulin, albumin/globulin ratio, and total proteins), antioxidant enzymes (catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and total glutathione peroxidase (GPx)), and lipid peroxidation [MDA] were analyzed in both human and animal experiments. The results of both human and animal study revealed that, exposure to malathion produced significant increases in AST, ALT, and lipid peroxidation. There were significant decrease in albumin, albumin/globulin ratio, total protein, and antioxidant enzymes. There was no significant change in ALP. In addition exposed workers showed significant decreases in serum globulin. Nigella sativa oil or vitamin E administration showed significant improvement of liver function tests, lipid peroxidation, and antioxidant enzymes impairment induced by malathion. Thus, dietary supplement, N. sativa oil, or vitamin E may represent a potential therapeutic agent in reducing malathion-induced hepatotoxicity.     

Combined effects of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo- p -dioxin and polychlorinated biphenyl congeners in rats

The objective of this work was to evaluate potential interactions between 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) and polychlorinated biphenyls congeners (PCBs) in rats. Groups of five adult female rats were given 0, 2.5, 25, 250, or 1000?ng TCDD/kg body weight/day or TCDD in combination with a mixture of PCB congeners at a concentration of 2 or 20?µg?kg^?1 body weight/day by gavage for 28 days. After the 28-day treatment period, the rats were killed for the analysis of biochemical, liver enzyme activities, and hematological and pathological end points. Growth suppression, increased absolute and relative liver weights, and decreased thymic weight were observed in the 1000?ng TCDD group alone, or the groups receiving a mixture of 1000?ng TCDD and 2 and 20?µg PCBs. TCDD-increased liver and thymic weights were not altered by PCBs; however, growth suppression was more pronounced in animals receiving 1000?ng TCDD and 2?µg PCBs. Increased hepatic microsomal methoxy resorufin-O-demethylase and ethoxy resorufin-O-deethylase activities occurred in 250 and 1000?ng?kg^?1 TCDD-treated animals, which were antagonized by PCBs. Effects of 250?ng TCDD on serum cholesterol and liver uridine diphosphate glucuronosyl transferase activity were reduced by 20?µg PCBs. Treatment with 1000?ng TCDD increased serum albumin, decreased liver vitamin A, increased kidney vitamin A, and liver microsomal glutathione-S-transferase activity, which were not affected by PCBs. Decreased hemoglobin, platelet, packet cell volume, and red cell indices were observed in TCDD-treated rats, but no interactive effects were seen. Histopathological evaluation revealed that liver, thyroid, and thymus were the target organs, but the effects of co-exposure to PCBs and TCDD were variable. These results indicate that the mixture effects of PCBs and TCDD may be additive, synergistic, or antagonistic depending on the dose level and end points measured.     

Provisioning behavior and the estimation of investment ratios in a solitary bee,Calliopsis (Hypomacrotera) persimilis (Cockerell) (Hymenoptera: Andrenidae)

Summary One aspect of behavioral ecology that has received considerable attention, especially by students of social insects, is the relative amount of energy invested by parents in the rearing of male versus female offspring. Sexual selection theory makes predictions about how individuals should allocate their total investment in the sexes. To test these predictions we must accurately quantify the relative cost incurred by a parent in the production of an average individual of either sex. Body weight ratios are the most common estimate of cost ratio, but the correspondence between offspring body weight and energetic investment on the part of the parent has rarely been determined. Calliopsis (Hypomacrotera) persimilis is a solitary, ground-nesting bee whose natural history makes it particularly convenient for studies of investment patterns and foraging behavior. Each day females construct and provision from 1 to 6 cells in linear, closely-spaced series. Each cell is provisioned with pollen from Physalis Wrightii flowers, which is collected on two or three foraging trips. However, the temporal sequence in which two- and three-trip foraging bouts occur is not random. Females invariably begin each day provisioning cells with three trips worth of pollen and usually switch to provisioning the latter cells of the day with just two trips worth of pollen. The sex of the offspring within the same co-linear series of cells also varies non-randomly — female offspring predominate in the first cells of each series and male offspring in the latter cells. The correspondence between the number of foraging trips to provision a cell, the total time spent foraging, and offspring sex was determined for 36 cells. The data indicate a close, though not absolute, relationship between the number of foraging trips and the sex of the offspring: males usually received two trips of pollen, though some received three, whereas female offspring invariably received three trips worth of pollen. A number of potential estimates of the relative cost of female and male offspring production were calculated. Estimates of the cost ratio based on the amount of time spent foraging, adult dry body weight, and pollen ball dry weight all give similar values. Female offspring receive an energetic investment of from 1.3 to 1.5 times that of males. These results support the use of adult dry body weight ratios in the estimation of cost ratios.     

Adaptive host choice and avoidance of superparasitism in the spawning decisions of bitterling (Rhodeus sericeus)

Choice of a site for oviposition can have fitness consequences. We investigated the consequences of female oviposition decisions for offspring survival using the bitterling, Rhodeus sericeus, a freshwater fish that spawns inside living unionid mussels. A field survey of nine bitterling populations in the Czech Republic revealed a significantly lower rate of release of juvenile bitterling from Anodonta cygnea compared to three other mussel species. A field experiment demonstrated that female bitterling show highly significant preferences for spawning in A. anatina, Unio pictorum, and U. tumidus. Within a species, female bitterling avoided mussels containing high numbers of bitterling embryos. Mortality rates of bitterling embryos in mussels were strongly density dependent and the strength of density dependence varied significantly among mussel species. Female preferences for mussels matched survival rates of embryos within mussels and females distributed their eggs among mussels such that embryo mortalities conformed to the predictions of an ideal free distribution model. Thus, female oviposition choice is adaptive and minimizes individual embryo mortality. Received: 6 October 1999 / Received in revised form: 7 January 2000 / Accepted: 13 March 2000     

Sex pheromone of the large aspen tortrix, Choristoneura conflictana(Lepidoptera: Tortricidae)

Summary. Three components that elicited antennal response from male Choristoneura conflictana were found from female gland extracts analyzed using a coupled gas chromatographic-electroantennographic detector system. The main component in gland extracts was (Z)-11-tetradecenal (Z11-14:Ald). Two minor components also elicited antennal response: (E)11-tetradecenal (E11-14:Ald) and (Z)-11- tetradecen-1-ol (Z11-14:OH). Analysis of effluvia indicated that calling virgin females release mostly Z11-14:Ald and trace amounts of Z11-14:OH. Field and wind tunnel behavioral studies showed that Z11-14:Ald alone attracted male moths in a dose response pattern. Tests comparing male response to blends of components detected in gland extracts showed that addition of 1.8% of E11-14:Ald to Z11-14:Ald did not influence male moths in the wind tunnel, but resulted in significantly lower trap captures in the field. The threecomponent blend [Z11-14:Ald (100), E11-14:Ald (1.8), Z11-14:OH (11)], was less attractive than Z11-14:Ald alone in both field and wind tunnel studies. Traps baited with two virgin female moths were equally attractive to males as traps baited with the three-component synthetic blend but less attractive than traps baited with Z11-14:Ald alone. Field tests of various blends of the two components (Z11-14:Ald, Z11-14:OH) detected in the females’ effluvia showed that the addition of 1–10% Z11-14:OH to Z11-14:Ald did not affect the males’ response to Z11-14:Ald. Our data demonstrate that female C. conflictana release sex pheromone components in a different ratio than they are stored in the pheromone gland. The sex pheromone is comprised of a single component, Z11-14:Ald, that can be used to monitor mated and virgin male C. conflictana throughout their flight period.