实验性糖尿病新西兰兔主要器官组织的病理学观察

将雄性新西兰兔随机分为:基础饲料组(即对照组:n=15)和高糖高脂饲料组(即实验组:n=15,喂食10％猪油,37％白蔗糖混合53％的基础饲料).共观察12周.于12周实验结束时,全部处死动物,取动物心脏、肝脏、胰腺、肾脏,用1O％福尔马林液固定,常规石蜡包埋切片,H、E染色,光学显微镜下观察并照相.结果表明:动物心肌细胞肥大,并出现灶性坏死,淋巴细胞浸润,心肌细胞间成纤维细胞增生和毛细血管增生,胶原纤维增加;肝细胞有明显脂肪变性,细胞肿胀;肾脏表现有肾小球球囊增大,细胞增多,毛细血管壁增厚,肾小管上皮细胞胞体增大;胰腺组织表现为胰岛分布稀疏,数量减少,胰岛萎缩,胰岛细胞数量减少,成纤维细胞增生.     

长程高脂肪膳食对大鼠空腹血糖及糖耐量的影响

研究了单纯高脂膳食喂养对大鼠空腹血糖(Fasting plasma glucose,FPG)及葡萄糖耐量(Glucose tolerancetest,GTT)的影响,旨在模拟与现代人生活饮食结构及发病情况更为接近的糖调节异常动物模型.取正常SD大鼠100只喂以普通饲料或高脂饲料14mo,动态监测动物体重及空腹血糖的变化,并分别在第5、8、10、14mo时用糖耐量试验观察葡萄糖耐量减退(IGT)的情况.结果显示,高脂喂养第1~14个月过程中,雄性大鼠的体重较普食组均未出现显著增加,而雌性大鼠体重仅在喂养第5~8个月期间较普食组增加了10%~15%;与普食组相比,在喂养高脂膳食第1~5个月中雌雄两性大鼠空腹血糖均显著升高,在喂养第5~10个月中雄性葡萄糖耐量显著减退,但雌性动物则未出现明显的IGT,至第14个月时雄性IGT与普食组的差异消失.研究表明,单纯高脂膳食虽不能诱发糖尿病,但可出现较典型的IFG空腹血糖受损和IGT现象,且以雄性动物造模更为适宜,喂养时间以10mo以内为宜.由于单纯高脂喂养更接近自然人群发病过程,因此,此种模型将为糖调节受损发生机制及其早期干预的研究提供新的动物模型.图2表1参12     

碲化镉量子点对小鼠肝脏超微结构及重要生物酶活性的影响

探讨了碲化镉量子点(cadmium telluride quantum dots,CdTeQDs)对小鼠肝组织超微结构及琥珀酸脱氢酶(succinate dehydrogenase,SDH)和三磷酸腺苷酶(adenosine triphosphatase,ATPase)活性的影响。将20只雄性ICR小鼠随机分成QDs染毒组和对照组,采用尾静脉注射方式进行一次性染毒,染毒组每只小鼠注射2μmol·kg-1体重的CdTeQDs(以Cd~(2+)的摩尔浓度计算)。每5只为一组分别在染毒后的1 d、3 d和7 d处死小鼠,另外5只注射生理盐水作为对照组。取部分肝组织在透射电镜下观察其超微结构变化并使用试剂盒测定肝脏中SDH、Na~+/K~+-ATP酶、Ca~(~(2+))/Mg~(2+)-ATP酶的活性。结果显示CdTeQDs暴露后染毒组小鼠肝细胞胞浆疏松,线粒体出现肿胀、空泡、嵴减少等结构变化,表明肝细胞受到损伤且染毒1 d后损伤最严重;肝脏中染毒组SDH活性与对照组相比显著降低(P0.05);染毒1 d后,Na~+/K~+-ATP酶和Ca~(2+)/Mg~(2+)-ATP酶活性与对照组相比显著升高,随着染毒后时间的延长,其活性呈现下降的变化趋势。单次量注射CdTeQDs能够引起小鼠肝脏损伤,抑制SDH活性,引起ATP酶活性改变,这些症状在暴露时间内呈现恢复趋势。     

转Cry1Ie基因玉米和转CP4-剧SPS基因大豆对斑马鱼的生态毒性

为评估转Cry1Ie基因抗虫玉米和转CP4-EPSPS基因耐除草剂大豆对鱼类的生态毒理效应,以斑马鱼(Danio rerro)为受试动物,配制4种分别含有转基因玉米、转基因大豆以及相应非转基因亲本的试验饲料,并以商业饲料为对照,通过98 d喂养实验,调查斑马鱼的摄食、生长、繁殖和抗氧化酶活性,分析不同喂养阶段斑马鱼的组织病理和敏感蛋白mRNA表达水平.结果 表明:抗虫转基因玉米和耐除草剂转基因大豆对斑马鱼的生长表现、肝脏、肠道和性腺的组织病理、产卵量和受精卵孵化率均无显著影响.转基因大豆组斑马鱼肝脏中的超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活性显著高于非转基因大豆组和商业饲料组,且雄鱼显著高于雌鱼(P＜0.05).斑马鱼脏器组织中敏感蛋白mRNA的表达水平,没有随时间呈现明显的规律性变化,喂养时间与组别和性别之间存在显著的交互作用.试验饲料组斑马鱼的生长表现、肝脏中SOD活性以及mRNA表达量与商业饲料组相比有显著差异,可能与饲料的适口性和营养成分上的差异有关.总体上看,转Cry1Ie基因抗虫玉米和转CP4-EPSPS基因耐除草剂大豆对斑马鱼没有明显的生态毒性效应.     

运动对2,3,7,8-四氯二苯并二恶英急性暴露大鼠肝脏抗氧化能力的影响

观察8周中等强度游泳运动对2,3,7,8-四氯二苯并二恶英(2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin,2,3,7,8-TCDD)急性暴露大鼠肝脏氧化应激的影响。以8周龄雄性Sprague Dawley大鼠为研究对象,将大鼠随机分为玉米油静养组(NC组)、玉米油运动组(EC组)、TCDD静养组(NT)和TCDD运动组(ET组)。将TCDD溶于玉米油中,NT和ET组大鼠按照10μg·kg-1(以单位体重计)腹腔注射TCDD,NC和EC组大鼠注射等量玉米油。正式实验开始后,EC和ET组大鼠进行运动(尾部负重5%游泳30min),每周运动5 d,共8周,NC和NT组大鼠不进行任何运动干预。8周后,称重并宰杀大鼠,收集血清和肝组织样本,待测血清天门冬氨酸氨基转移酶(AST)、丙氨酸氨基转移酶(ALT)的活性;肝组织丙二醛(MDA)含量,超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)以及谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(GSH-Px)的活性。将数据进行多因素方差分析,结果表明,染毒可升高大鼠血清AST的活性,增加肝脏MDA的含量,降低肝脏SOD、CAT和GSH-Px的活性;运动可降低大鼠肝脏GSH-Px的活性;染毒后运动可减少肝脏MDA的含量,升高肝脏SOD、CAT和GSH-Px的活性。研究表明,TCDD急性暴露可导致大鼠肝细胞功能受损,导致大鼠肝脏发生氧化应激。8周有氧运动改善TCDD急性暴露诱导的肝细胞损伤,改善肝脏氧化应激,这可能是运动改善TCDD肝毒性的机制之一。     

三氯生暴露加剧高脂饮食诱导的小鼠肠道和肝脏功能损伤

三氯生(triclosan,TCS)在环境中被广泛检出,已成为重要的环境污染物,且TCS暴露能够影响机体的肠道菌群组成和脂类物质代谢过程.为了探讨TCS暴露对高脂饮食(high fat diet,HFD)诱导的肝脏功能损伤的影响及其机制,C57BL/6J小鼠随机分为正常饮食对照组、TCS组、HFD组和HFD+TCS组;首先对TCS组和HFD+TCS组小鼠进行提前一周TCS(10μg·g-1饲料)暴露,然后再同时进行6周的TCS暴露和HFD喂养.实验结束后,利用细菌特征序列对肠道菌群进行绝对定量分析,利用苏木精-伊红染色、实时荧光定量PCR、酶联免疫吸附测定、蛋白免疫印迹和流式细胞术等试验技术检测小鼠肠道和肝脏等生理变化状况.与对照组相比,TCS暴露和高脂饮食均能明显引起肠道菌群中厚壁菌门和拟杆菌门含量降低,同时引起小鼠脾脏中CD8+和CD4+T细胞比例失调,但未导致显著的肠道屏障损伤和脂多糖(lipopolysaccharide,LPS)异位;高脂饮食能够显著提高小鼠血清中丙氨酸氨基转移酶(alanine aminotransferase,ALT)、天门冬氨酸氨基转移酶(aspartate aminotransferase,AST)和甘油三酯(triglyceride,TG)的水平,而单独TCS暴露并没有引起明显的肝脏功能紊乱.与HFD组相比,HFD和TCS协同作用激活了小鼠肝脏中Toll样受体4(toll-like receptor 4,TLR4)炎症通路,造成小鼠肝脏炎症反应,并显著提高了小鼠ALT和AST水平,加剧了高脂饮食对小鼠肝脏功能的损伤.由此可知,TCS暴露通过引起小鼠肠道菌群紊乱和机体免疫响应,加剧高脂饮食诱导的小鼠肠道损伤和肝脏功能紊乱.     

葡多酚对口服乙醇小鼠肝细胞PCNA和Bcl-2表达的影响

为观察葡多酚(GPC)对小鼠乙醇性肝损伤的防护作用,将每天经口灌胃给予4 g·(kg·bw)-1乙醇的小鼠同时分别给予不同剂量的GPC,30 d后处死小鼠;取肝组织用MTT法检测各组小鼠肝细胞的增殖活性,用免疫组化法和图像分析方法检测PCNA和Bcl-2表达水平.结果显示:GPC高剂量组16 h的肝细胞增殖活性为0.4...     

双酚A(BPA)暴露对WHHL家兔糖类和脂类代谢的影响

为利用和人类更为接近的动物模型来研究在高脂血症条件下,BPA暴露是否能促进脂类和糖类代谢异常,并探索潜在的毒性效应机制,选取渡边可遗传高脂血症家兔(WHHL)模型,通过灌胃的方式将其暴露于400μg·kg-1体重的BPA溶液长达12周。在持续暴露第8周,检测了在空腹状态下,家兔血浆中葡萄糖、胰岛素和脂肪含量的变化,并根据所得结果进行了静脉注射胰岛素耐受试验(IVTT)。在暴露第12周,同样对空腹状态下,家兔血浆中的葡萄糖,胰岛素和脂肪含量进行了检测,并测量了血压和心率。然后,将所有的家兔进行解剖,通过苏木精-伊红(HE)及糖原(PAS)染色分别对心脏和肝脏部位的脂肪及糖原蓄积情况进行了病理学切片分析。同时,检测了肝脏中与脂类和糖类代谢相关基因在m RNA水平上的表达变化。结果显示,BPA暴露8周后促使WHHL家兔发生了胰岛素抵抗现象,导致第12周血糖及胰岛素含量升高,同时也促进了高密度脂蛋白胆固醇(HDL-C)、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇(LDL-C)及游离脂肪酸(NEFA)含量的上升。BPA暴露第12周,暴露组WHHL家兔的冠状动脉粥样硬化损伤程度未发生明显增加,但心肌细胞发生了肿胀,胞质中出现了脂肪的蓄积,同时伴随着心律失常。肝脏重量发生增加,肝细胞中同时出现了脂肪和糖原的蓄积现象,相关基因的表达发生了显著上调。研究结果表明,BPA持续暴露可促进WHHL家兔发生脂类和糖类代谢异常,其毒性效应机制可能和胰岛素抵抗及相关基因的异常表达有关。     

内质网应激在PFOS致大鼠肝损伤中的作用

通过全氟辛烷磺酸(PFOS)28 d大鼠经口染毒评价PFOS肝损伤效应,探讨内质网应激在PFOS毒效应中的作用。Wistar大鼠随机分组,分别以0 mg·kg~(-1)、5 mg·kg~(-1)和10 mg·kg~(-1)PFOS灌胃染毒28 d。HE染色观察大鼠肝脏形态改变。ELISA法测定各组丙氨酸转氨酶(ALT)、天门冬氨酸转氨酶(AST)、碱性磷酸酶(ALP)和淀粉酶(AMY)含量变化。紫外分光光度法测定肝组织匀浆中丙二醛(MDA)、超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(GSH-Px)活性变化。RT-PCR检测肝脏内质网应激标志蛋白表达水平。结果表明,PFOS造成大鼠体重降低、肝重增高(P0.05),组织切片显示肝细胞出现脂质沉积。PFOS不同剂量组大鼠ALT随暴露浓度增加,分别为(50.96±10.02)U·L~(-1)、(71.73±11.55)U·L~(-1),显著高于对照组(P0.05),AST、ALP含量与对照组相比显著上升(P0.05),高剂量组AMY水平为(833.46±63.05)U·L~(-1),与对照组相比显著降低(P0.05)。GSH-Px和SOD水平随PFOS浓度增加出现了显著降低(P0.05),而MDA水平显著升高(P0.05)。内质网应激标志蛋白表达均较对照组显著上升(P0.05)。以上结果说明PFOS可导致大鼠肝细胞损伤,其机制可能与内质网应激调控有关。     

水胺硫磷亚急性暴露对小鼠肝脏氧化应激的影响

为探讨水胺硫磷对小鼠肝脏损伤作用机制,设置0.11、1.08、2.16 mg·kg-13个低、中、高不同剂量组,以灌胃方式对昆明种小鼠进行染毒7 d后,测定小鼠肝脏组织超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)和谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(GSH-Px)2种抗氧化酶的活性,以及抗氧化物质谷胱甘肽(GSH)和膜脂质过氧化物丙二醛(MDA)含量,同时观察肝脏的组织学变化。结果表明,除低剂量组外,中、高剂量组小鼠肝脏SOD和GSH-Px活性与对照组相比均受到显著抑制(P0.05),GSH的含量与对照组相比显著下降(P0.05),MDA含量与对照组相比却呈显著上升趋势(P0.01),同时各指标的变化均呈一定的剂量-效应关系。组织学观察显示中、高剂量组肝细胞出现明显水肿和坏死,肝窦狭窄甚至闭塞。结果表明氧化损伤可能是水胺硫磷致小鼠肝脏毒性损伤的作用机制之一。     

Effect of hydrogen sulfide in comparison to atorvastatin on endothelial damage in cholesterol-fed rabbits

Hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) is an endogenous gaseous molecule, functioning as a physiological regulator. This study aimed to investigate the role of H₂S in atherosclerosis. Rabbits receiving high cholesterol were given atorvastatin (10 mg/kg/day, orally) or sodium sulfide (1.1 mg/kg/day, intramuscular) 2 weeks after commencement of high-cholesterol diet and continued for 4 weeks. Serum lipid profiles, lipid peroxidation indexed as malondialdehyde, glutathione, superoxide dismutase, the vascular adhesion molecule-1, and aortic vascular endothelial growth factor were determined. Rabbits receiving a high-cholesterol diet showed elevated levels of total serum cholesterol, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, malondialdehyde and vascular adhesion molecule-1, and aortic vascular endothelial growth factor expression and lower levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, glutathione, and superoxide dismutase. Treatment with atorvastatin and sodium sulfide has beneficial effects on serum lipid profile, oxidative damage, vascular adhesion molecule-1, and aortic expression of vascular endothelial growth factor.     

Diet composition and feeding intensity of horse mackerel,<Emphasis Type="Italic"> Trachurus trachurus</Emphasis> (Osteichthyes: Carangidae) in the eastern Adriatic

Diet composition and feeding intensity of the horse mackerel, Trachurus trachurus, collected in the eastern Adriatic Sea, were examined. Stomach contents of 1,200 specimens, taken at monthly intervals (January–December 1996), were analyzed. The stomachs contents consisted of five major prey groups: Crustacea (Euphausiacea, Mysidacea, Decapoda), Cephalopoda and Teleostei. Euphausiacea constituted the most important food resource by weight, number and frequency occurrence. Teleosts were the second most important food category, while mysids, decapods and cephalopods were occasional food. There was little seasonal variation in diet. Euphausiids were dominant prey during all seasons, and were especially abundant from spring and autumn. Feeding intensity of horse mackerel varied during the year. The lowest intensity of feeding was recorded in winter (February, March) and early spring (April) during the lower sea temperature as well as at the time of intensive spawning. Feeding activity increased upon spawning period (May and June) and was also higher during summer. Feeding intensity and diet composition changed during the diurnal cycle. The highest feeding intensity was recorded at night and during early morning hours. Euphausiids, mysids and a greater part of teleosts dominated night and morning diet, while decapods and cephalopods were most frequently in the daily and evening diet.Communicated by O. Kinne, Oldendorf/Luhe     

Chronic mixture toxicity study of Clophen A60 and diethyl phthalate in male rats

Chemical mixtures are an important area of research as individuals are exposed to low doses of persistent chemical agents known as environmental pollutants throughout their life time. Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and diethyl phthalate (DEP) are ubiquitous environmental pollutants that could be present in the same environmental compartment; hence organisms may get simultaneously exposed to both. Therefore, a study was undertaken to see whether PCB and DEP together show interactive chronic mixture toxicity in male Wistar rats. Healthy male Wistar rats weighing 70–100?g were randomly assigned to four groups of six each. Control rats were fed on normal diet and water ad libitum. Oil control rats were maintained on a normal diet mixed with corn oil. Rats were given Clophen A60 (PCB) and DEP dissolved individually in corn oil mixed with the diet at 50?mg?kg^?1 of the diet/day, as well as a mixture in corn oil mixed with the diet both at 50?mg?kg^?1 of the diet/day. After 150 days of treatment animals were sacrificed and enzymes and other biochemical parameters in the serum and liver were assessed. Liver weight to body weight ratio showed a significant increase in Clophen A60 and in Clophen A60?+?DEP treated rats. In the DEP, Clophen A60 and Clophen A60?+?DEP treated groups there was significant increase in liver and serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and acid phosphatase (ACP) activity. Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) was significantly increased in the liver and serum of DEP treated rats only. Cholesterol levels were significantly increased only in the serum and the liver of DEP treated rats. Triglyceride levels were significantly increased in the serum of treated rats and only in the liver of Clophen A60 and Clophen A60?+?DEP treated rats. Liver glycogen levels were significantly increased in DEP and Clophen A60?+?DEP treated rats. In all treated animals, there was a significant decrease in liver glutathione reductase (GR). Histology of liver showed severe vacuolations, fatty degeneration and loss of hepatic architecture in Clophen A60 and Clophen A60?+?DEP treated rats, whereas in DEP treated rats only loss of hepatic architecture and granular deposits in the hepatocytes was predominant with mild vacuolations of centrilobular and periportal area. It is evident from this study of mixture toxicity of Clophen A60 and DEP that there is no significantly enhanced toxicity due to the interaction of these two compounds. On the other hand, to some extent there is alleviation in toxicity as evidenced by enzyme ACP and AST levels in the liver. The hepatocellular damage and biliary congestion caused by these two compounds, which can be confirmed by significantly increased liver weights and elevated serum and liver enzyme levels as well as histology, was almost the same between individual and mixture treated group.     

A correlative study on liver glycogen and endosulfan toxicity in Heteropneustes fossilis (Bloch.)

The biochemical tests were conducted to find out the relationship between liver glycogen and endosulfan toxicity on a catfish, Heteropneustes fossilis (Bloch.) using 0.00075, 0.00050 and 0.000375 ppm concentrations for 15, 30, 45 and 60 days of exposure periods. The quantity of liver glycogen showed decreasing trend as concentration of toxicant increased. The depletion in glycogen contents is greatly affiliated to cellular damage in hepatic cells.     

Increased docosahexaenoic acid levels in total and polar lipid of European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) postlarvae fed vegetable or animal phospholipids

A 6-week feeding trial was conducted with 44-d-old European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax L.) in order to examine the effect of various dietary phospholipid (PL) sources on the incorporation of n-3 highly unsaturated fatty acids (HUFA) in tissue lipids. From weaning onwards the fish received diets prepared by coating different lipid fractions (7.5% diet) on an extruded basal diet (92.5% diet). The two PL-free control diets contained 0.5 and 2% of an emulsifier blend, respectively. Seven other diets contained 2% PL, differing by their purity and origin (vegetable or animal). All diets were rendered isolipidic by the addition of hydrogenated coconut oil. Feeding the PL-supplemented diets, except the diet containing hydrolyzed soybean PL (lyso PL), resulted in a higher survival and a 10 to 30% better growth as compared to the PL-free diets. No difference according to the PL origin was observed. The sea bass final lipid content increased with increasing body weight. Also the lipid class composition of the fish was clearly correlated with the final weight gain. Total neutral lipid increased from 51% of total lipid (initial fish) to 76% for fish fed the PL-free diets, and up to 88% for fish fed the sunflower PL. Weaning the fish on the experimental diets induced important changes in their fatty acid profiles characterized by a decrease in 18:3n-3, 20:5n-3 and 20:4n-6 and an increase in saturated fatty acids and 22:6n-3 (DHA). According to the fatty acid composition of both total and polar lipid, the weaned fish could be divided into three groups reflecting the dietary fatty acids: a group fed the vegetable PL, a group fed the animal PL and a PL-deprived group. An effect of dietary PL on the incorporation of dietary n-3 HUFA, more particularly DHA, was noticed. For a similar supply of DHA through the neutral lipids in the diet, fish fed PL-supplemented diets (except for the lyso PL diet) had 10 to 25% higher DHA levels in total and polar lipid than PL-deprived fish. This PL effect was already clear at the end of the weaning and was not related to the presence of n-3 HUFA in the PL source, as suspected in a previous study when feeding egg yolk PL. A better incorporation of DHA was not obtained by replacing the PL by an emulsifier or by lyso PL with higher emulsifying properties. Present results confirm a role of dietary PL in the absorption of dietary neutral lipids, by a mechanism other than emulsification. Received: 27 May 1997 / Accepted: 30 June 1997     

稻米来源镉对生长期猪的生长特性及不同脏器组织镉蓄积的影响

环境中的镉污染对动植物及人类都带来了极大的危害。目前,多数镉毒理研究关注其无机状态,而来源于稻米的有机态镉的毒害作用报道较少。为评估稻米来源镉对生长期猪的毒性作用,选用初始体重为30 kg左右的健康生长猪28头,随机分为体重无明显差异的2组,即对照组与稻米来源镉组(试验组),研究稻米来源镉对生长期猪(生长及育肥全阶段)的生长特性及不同脏器组织镉蓄积的影响。结果表明,在生长及育肥阶段,试验组与对照组相比:1)生长特性无显著差异(P0.05);2)育肥期组织游离氨基酸含量,除肌肉中的赖氨酸显著降低外(P0.05),血浆、肝脏、肾脏及肌肉中其他游离氨基酸水平均无显著差异(P0.05);3)心脏、肝脏、脾脏、肾脏、肺脏、胃、小肠、大肠、骨骼中镉蓄积量显著增高(P0.05),而肌肉、血液中无显著差异(P0.05),脂肪、皮中未检出镉。日粮使用大比例镉超标稻米后镉在各脏器和组织中的蓄积规律为肾脏肝脏小肠脾肺大肠胃血液骨头心腿肌背肌脂肪、皮。由此可见,镉超标稻米对生长期猪的生长特性未产生显著的影响,稻米来源镉主要蓄积于肝脏和肾脏,而主流食用组织肌肉和血液中镉的蓄积量较少。     

Effect of caffeine, norfloxacin and nimesulide on heartbeat and VEGF expression of zebrafish larvae

The use of pharmaceuticals during pregnancy may causes abnormalities to the embryo. Sometime the drug also effect to the new born if the drug transferred through lactation. We have used zebrafish model to see the effect of some pharmaceuticals on embryos and larvae. Three drugs, caffeine, norfloxacin and nimesulide, were used for this study to see the effect mainly the hatching rate of eggs, heart beat rate and the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression of the larvae. VEGF is an important signaling protein that involved generating the new blood vessels during embryonic development. We have used 10, 20, 50, 100 microg ml(-1) concentrations of all the drugs to see the effect. No significant mortality or malformations were observed in zebrafish embryos. Hatching was stared from 60 hr. In control group, 91% hatching rate was observed. Lowest hatching rate was observed using highest concentration of norfloxacin (100 microg ml(-1)) and nimesulide (100 microg ml(-1)) i.e. 55 and 56% respectively. In control group, 110 to 115 heart beat rate was counted per minute. Significantly higher heart beat was observed in caffeine treated group which is 125 to 140 min(-1) Lower heart beat was noted in nimesulide treated group which is 100 min(-1). We have tried to observe the possible effect of VEGF of the larvae by these three drugs. Expression of VEGF was very low in caffeine treated group. Almost no VGF expression was observe in 100 microg ml(-1) caffeine treated group. These studies suggest that there is a possibility that high dosage of caffeine can harm the unborn baby or new born babies, if the mothers use caffeine.     

Effect of diet on growth rate and reproductive fitness of Turbo sarmaticus (Mollusca: Vetigastropoda: Turbinidae)

Experiments were conducted to determine the effect of four algal diets (Corallina spp., Gelidium pristoides, Ulva rigida and an equal volume mixture of these seaweeds) on growth and reproduction of the South African gastropod Turbo sarmaticus Linnaeus, 1758. The best growth rate of juveniles (up to 13.8 mm shell length and 34.26 g wet body weight increase in 12 months), reproductive fitness of mature specimens (gonad index up to 33%) and energy reserves (up to 4.76 mg glycogen/100 mg foot tissue) were achieved when T. sarmaticus was fed U. rigida or a mixed diet. In addition, the gonad index of individuals fed these diets was almost twice that of similar-sized field specimens. Juveniles fed Corallina spp. only, grew very little (only 2.4 mm shell length and 4.23 g wet body weight increase in 12 months). The reproductive fitness of adults fed on such a diet was also poor (gonad index <4.5%) and energy reserves were low (<3.5 mg glycogen/100 mg foot tissue). Along the southeastern coast of South Africa, T. sarmaticus has a distinct reproductive cycle with gametogenesis occurring from March/April until August/September, whilst maturity (gonad index = 15%) was maintained until December, after which spawning occurred until March. Received: 6 July 1998 / Accepted: 8 March 1999     

Ontogenic variations in fatty acid and alcohol composition of the pelagic amphipod <Emphasis Type="Italic">Themisto libellula</Emphasis> in Kongsfjorden (Svalbard)

The fatty acid and alcohol composition of the pelagic amphipod, Themisto libellula, was monitored during the 5 first months of its life cycle (4–20 mm length) in an Arctic fjord, Kongsfjorden, Svalbard. Fatty acids of the three major lipid classes, polar lipids (PL), triacylglycerol (TAG), and wax esters (WE), were analyzed to highlight ontogenic changes in their diet and metabolism. The PL composition of T. libellula did not show any strong variations along their growth except during the first month where an important increase of 20:5(n-3) (EPA) and 22:6(n-3) (DHA) was observed. The TAG composition revealed a clear gradient corresponding to a diet shift from omnivorous juveniles toward carnivorous sub-adults and adults. Indeed, fatty acid trophic markers of diatoms were dominant in the juveniles, whereas 20:1(n-9) and 22:1(n-11), the Calanus sp. trophic markers, overwhelmed in the older stages. The WE composition highlighted the same general trend, however, differences were found with the TAG and are discussed as a result of differences in turnover rates and assimilation pathways between the two lipid classes.