植物线粒体基因转录水平表达研究方法的建立

以茎瘤芥雄性不育系为材料,在已有文献的基础上,对常规方法进行改进,使植物线粒体分离、线粒体切片观察、线粒体RNA提取、反转录方法、PCR扩增、northern杂交等方法系统化,建立了一整套比较有效的适合于植物线粒体基因转录水平表达分析的方法.图4参12     

Social stimulation,nuptial colouration,androgens and immunocompetence in a sexual dimorphic cichlid fish

The nature of the costs maintaining honesty of sexual signalling in inter- and intrasexual interactions remains a contentious issue. For carotenoid-based colour ornaments, it has been hypothesized that the honesty of the signal is enforced when carotenoid allocation to colour expression is traded off against carotenoid availability for immunocompetence. In addition, honesty is enforced if androgens required for colour expression are immunosuppressive. We tested whether there is a trade-off between colour expression and immunocompetence in a lek-breeding haplochromine cichlid fish, Pundamilia nyererei, from Lake Victoria with a carotenoid-based nuptial dress. First, we showed that expression of red nuptial colouration and social rank in a group were positively correlated. We then successfully manipulated the level of colour advertisement by socially stimulating individually housed males with a rival male: Stimulated males developed larger areas of red nuptial colouration and had higher levels of circulating 11-ketotestosterone (11-KT) than non-stimulated males. We subsequently tested the humoral immune response to a novel antigen (sheep red blood cells). There was no overall significant effect of social stimulation on antibody production, but in the stimulated males, the degree of red colouration and the antibody response were negatively correlated. This significant interaction between colour and treatment thus shows that the negative correlation between colouration and antibody production is dependent on the (manipulated) social environment. This study provides correlational and experimental evidence for a trade-off between expression of a sexual trait and one component of immune function in fish. We found no evidence for a direct effect of 11-KT on antibody production, and we discuss alternative mechanisms that could mediate the trade-off.     

The use of the tergal gland defensive secretion in male intrasexual aggression of the rove beetle,Aleochara curtula (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae), measured by closed-loop-stripping-analyses and tandem bioassay — mass fragmentography

Summary 2-methyl-1,4-benzoquinone as a target compound of the tergal gland secretion of the rove beetle,Aleochara curtula, was quantified from the reservoirs of individual beetles. Males store less secretion than females, and they evaporate more of the secretion as measured by adsorption from the air (closed-loop-stripping-analysis). The amount of emitted quinone is increased during aggressive interactions of rival males. The pulsed emission of the secretion during aggression is demonstrated by a novel technique combining observation of behavior with the on-line measurement of target fragment ions by mass-spectrometry (tandem bioassay — mass fragmentography). The emission of the secretion is used as a weapon in combats between males and may result in the repulsion of subordinate males from the mating site, but may also serve to mimic females chemically in order to avoid aggressive encounters.     

饲养雄性棘胸蛙生理常数及精巢的年周期变化

研究了饲养雄性棘胸蛙 4项生理常数以及精巢的年周期变化 .结果表明 :肥满度、躯体肥满度、肝系数、脂肪体系数的年周期变化明显 ,与生殖周期密切相关 ,最小值都出现于蛙的两次繁殖高峰期 .精巢周期开始于 9月份后期 ,冬眠期间 (10月至翌年 3月 )生精活动比较平缓 ,但并未停滞 ,4月份生精活动活跃 ,5月份达到高峰 ;第二次生精活动开始于 6月份 ,8月份达到高峰期 .图 4图版 1表 2参 14     

Populations of Pecos pupfish (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Cyprinodon pecosensis</Emphasis>) differ in their susceptibility to hybridization with sheepshead minnow (<Emphasis Type="Italic">C. variegatus</Emphasis>)

The importance of sexual selection in hybridization between species that evolved in allopatry is poorly understood. Even less is known about differences between populations in their resistance or susceptibility to genetic introgression with a congener. Here we examine behavioral differences between populations of the native Pecos pupfish (Cyprinodon pecosensis) and their potential effects in facilitating or retarding hybridization with an introduced congener, the sheepshead minnow (C. variegatus). We quantified competitive interactions, establishment of territories, and mating success of several naturally occurring C. pecosensis populations and an artificially created laboratory population (control) against C. variegatus. Experiments were conducted in large outdoor tanks during the summer months when high temperatures favor breeding activity in pupfish. C. pecosensis populations differed in agonistic behavior, territoriality, and in mating success when competing against C. variegatus. Differences in the competitive ability of males from different C. pecosensis populations suggest that the rate of introgression with C. variegatus may vary, depending on the population of C. pecosensis it comes in contact with. Our results suggest that large, stable C. pecosensis populations may be relatively resistant to hybridization with C. variegatus. Interpopulation variation in male behavior, shaped by sexual selection, may be important in determining the incidence and rate of hybridization between the two congeners. Experimental studies are a powerful tool in elucidating behavioral processes, such as the action of intrasexual selection, that facilitate or retard the coalescence of lineages through initial hybridization and subsequent genetic introgression after secondary contact between allopatric species.Communicated by M. Abrahams     

经饮水亚慢性铝染毒对大鼠血铁及相关蛋白水平的影响

为了探讨慢性铝暴露对大鼠铁代谢的影响,将100只4周龄清洁级雄性Wistar大鼠随机均分成摄铝组(430mg·L-1,以Al3+计)与对照组(蒸馏水),饮水染铝,每隔30d处死染铝大鼠和对照大鼠各10只,实验周期为150d.同时,在不同时间点(30d、60d、90d、120d、150d)测量大鼠体重,并进行协方差分析.最后,用火焰原子吸收分光光度法、固相竞争ELISA和比色法检测血浆Al、Fe、转铁蛋白(TF)、可溶性转铁蛋白受体(sTfR)含量及总铁结合力(TIBC).结果表明,在摄铝前期(90d前),染铝对大鼠体重无显著影响,而后期(120d后)染铝对大鼠体重抑制作用较大.在实验周期内,各时间点间对照组血浆中各指标均无显著差异,摄铝组随着时间的延长各指标变化较大.各时间点摄铝组血浆中Al含量及Al/Fe均显著高于对照组(p0.01);30d时摄铝组血浆中Fe含量与对照组相比无显著差异(p0.05),60、90、120d时均显著低于对照组(p0.01),150d时显著高于对照组(p0.01);30、60d时摄铝组血浆TF含量与对照组相比无显著差异(p0.05),90d后显著高于对照组(p0.05;p0.01);30、60d时摄铝组TIBC与对照组相比无显著差异(p0.05),其后各时间点均显著高于对照组(p0.01);30d时摄铝组sTfR含量与对照组相比无显著差异(p0.05),其后各时间点均显著低于对照组(p0.01).由此可见,铝可干扰大鼠体内铁的代谢,影响铁的生物学作用.     

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。     

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.     

Immunoprotective effect of curcumin on cypermethrin-induced toxicity in rats

Immunotoxicological effects of cypermethrin and their reversal by curcumin following oral administration were evaluated in rats. Mature male Wistar rats were orally administered cypermethrin (25?mg?kg^?1 body wt), curcumin (100?mg?kg^?1 body wt) or both daily for 4 weeks. At the end of fourth week, hematological, serum biochemical, and immunological parameters were studied. Subchronic exposure to cypermethrin significantly reduced body weight, total leukocyte count, lymphocyte count, serum total protein, serum albumin, serum globulin, antibody titer against sheep red blood cells, and cell-mediated immunity. Concomitant curcumin administration restored the changes in the body weight, hematological parameters, and serum biochemical indices and significantly increased the antibody titer, and cell mediated immunity. These results suggest that concurrent curcumin treatment has a beneficial role in mitigating immunotoxicological and other adverse effects of cypermethrin.     

Testicular damage after chronic exposure to carbendazim in male goats

The present investigation was aimed to determine the effect of chronic exposure of carbendazim on cellular changes in testes of male goats. The goats were randomly divided into two groups, control and treatment (N?=?7 each). The treatment group was exposed to carbendazim at the dose rate of 50?mg?kg^?1 body weight per day orally, once daily for 180 consecutive days. Testes were removed from control and experimental animals surgically on the 90th, 120th, and 180th day. On the 180th day of the treatment, a maximum number of seminiferous tubules became atrophic, and vacuolization of germinal epithelium, and sloughing of the germinal epithelium and sertoli cells was more marked as compared to days 90 and 120. Some of the seminiferous tubules were devoid of germinal cells. These pathological findings were supported by ultrathin and electron microscopic examination. On the basis of the present investigation it could be concluded that chronic exposure of carbendazim in male goats did not allow proper maturation of testis.