Supportive effects of human AGM region and fetal liver stromal cells on differentiation of murine embryonic stem cells into hematopoietic stem cells and in vivo hematopoietic reconstitution

AIM: To investigate the differentiation of murine embryonic stem cells (ESCs) into hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) by the supportive effects of human aorta-gonad-mesonephros (AGM) region and fetal liver (FL) stromal cells.METHODS: E14 ESCs were induced into embryoid body (EB) first. Then the cells from EB were further co-cultured with human AGM region and FL stromal cells in non-contact system. On day 6, the cells derived from EB were collected for Sca-1⁺c-Kit⁺ cell analysis by flow cytometry, colony forming unit (CFU) assay and teratoma formation checking. BALB/c female mice conditioned with lethal dose of γ-ray irradiation were transplanted with EB cells from different culture systems. The survival rates, engraftment of donor cells, reconstitution of hematopoietic were monitored.RESULTS: Sca-1⁺c-Kit⁺ cells in EB cells co-cultured with human AGM region and FL stromal cells had the value of (21.96±2.54)%, and the total CFU was as (520±52)/10⁵ cells, which were statistically greater than those in EB cells only cultured with human AGM region stromal cells (P＜0.05). No teratoma was found in NOD-SCID mice after subcutaneous injection of EB cells co-cultured with human AGM region and FL stromal cells. In BALB/c female mice transplanted of EB cells co-cultured with human AGM region and FL stromal cells, the survival rate was 77.8%, and the peripheral blood cell count was obviously improved on day 14. PCR results showed the recipients all had sry gene copies from donor in bone marrow. The recipient mice transplanted with EB cells only cultured with human AGM region stromal cells all died within 15 days.CONCLUSION: Stromal cells from human AGM region and FL enhance the directed differentiation of ESCs into HSCs which can reconstruct hematopoiesis in vivo.     

Low reproductive success of leatherback turtles, Dermochelys coriacea, is due to high embryonic mortality

We examined the mechanism responsible for low reproductive success in leatherback turtles (Dermochelys coriacea) at Playa Grande, Costa Rica: low egg fertilization versus high rates of embryonic death. Leatherbacks at this beach had a high rate of fertility (=93.3%±2.5%, n=819). We incubated 10 eggs from every clutch encountered of 19 females during 3 months of the 1998-1999 nesting season. Fertility rate of some females decreased during the nesting season, but overall was high. Detection of fertility was difficult using standard methods because fertility rates cannot be determined accurately from nests excavated after hatching because of egg decomposition. Removal and incubation of eggs from nests provided a better estimate. Embryonic death, particularly in the beginning of incubation before embryos are visible to the unaided eye, was the cause of low hatching success in this population. Hatching success increased with increasing fertility and differed between females, with some mothers having 71-81% success and others 23-32%. Embryonic death and not low egg fertility drives poor recruitment at Playa Grande. Improved conservation of this species at Playa Grande will require a better understanding of the mechanism behind embryonic death.     

鹅肌球蛋白重链1基因MyHC1全长cDNA克隆、序列及胚胎期表达特征分析

肌球蛋白是组成肌原纤维粗丝的主要成分,在肌肉生长发育和运动收缩过程起重要作用。本研究采用反转录PCR和快速扩增cDNA末端(rapid amplification cDNA ends,RACE)方法,从太湖鹅(Anser anser)肌肉中克隆到肌球蛋白重链1基因(myosin heavy chain 1,MyHC1)的全长cDNA,并运用生物信息学的方法对其进行分析,实时荧光定量PCR(Real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR,qRT-PCR)检测MyHC1基因在鹅胚胎期的表达情况。研究结果表明,鹅MyHC1基因(Gen Bank登录号:KM675469)cDNA全长6028 bp,包含5 823 bp的开放性阅读框,57 bp的5’端非编码区和148 bp的3’端非编码区,共编码1 940个氨基酸。经预测,鹅MyHC1基因编码的蛋白质由31 478个原子组成,分子式为C9746H15817N2753O3096S66,相对分子质量为223 kD,等电点为5.62,平均亲水性为-0.786,属于不稳定亲水蛋白。在线预测鹅和鸡(Gallus gallus)的MyHC1蛋白质三维结构呈高度相似,由多螺旋和折叠片聚集成球状头部,并带有长纤维状α-螺旋尾部。鹅MyHC1的编码区(coding sequence,CDS)序列与鸡的同源性最高,为92.86%,与哺乳类同源性多数在84%左右,与两栖类同源性相对较低。鹅与鸡氨基酸同源性最高,为96.45%,与哺乳类的同源性多数在90%左右,与非洲爪蛙(Xenopus laevis)同源性较低,为78.13%。系统进化树分析表明,哺乳动物形成一个大分支,两栖类自成一支,鹅和红原鸡聚成一支,分子进化地位的关系最近,验证了鹅和鸡属于近缘物种。qRT-PCR检测到MyHC1基因在胚胎期第7天开始表达,以后表达量逐渐升高,在15d表达量达到高峰后下降,25d之后逐渐趋于平稳,表明,MyHC1基因在鹅胚胎期mRNA水平的表达量呈先上升再下降的趋势。本研究首次获得了鹅MyHC1的全长cDNA序列、分子的结构特点和表达特征,显示该基因在鹅肌肉生长发育过程起重要作用,为该基因的功能及鹅肉质性状研究提供了基础资料。     

细胞外环境中分化抑制物对动物胚胎干细胞克隆率的影响

介绍了饲养层、条件培养基、分化抑制因子对哺乳动物胚胎干细胞分离与克隆的影响，并探讨了白血病抑制因子影响胚胎干细胞克隆的机理。     

软体动物胚胎发育的温度效应研究进展

软体动物具有重要的经济价值和药用价值。对软体动物胚胎发育速率、胚胎不同阶段生长发育的温度效应及胚胎发育的温度适应性和耐受力等研究进行了综述,以期为软体动物的保护及养殖提供科学依据。     

Factors Influencing the Frequency of Pregnancy Loss among Thoroughbred Mares in Hidaka,Japan

Pregnancy loss in mares is thought to be a main problem associated with reproductive efficiency. To clarify the situation of pregnancy loss in Thoroughbred mares in Japan, the occurrence of pregnancy loss before and after 35 days of gestation was investigated with 1,476 Thoroughbred mares in Hidaka, Japan, from 2007 to 2009. Pregnancy loss on days 17-35 was determined by ultrasound examination between 17 and 35 days after the last mating. Follow-up surveys were conducted between 35 days and foaling to determine pregnancy loss on day 35 until foaling in 843 of these mares. Using multiple logistic regression analysis, we assessed the influence of mare age, reproductive status, twin pregnancy reduction, body condition score (BCS), estrus type in foaling mares (foal heat or not), progesterone therapy, and endometrial cysts on pregnancy loss rates on days 17-35 and on day 35 until foaling in this population of mares. The pregnancy loss rates on days 17-35 and on day 35 until foaling were 5.8% and 8.7%, respectively. The overall pregnancy loss rate (day 17 until foaling, including parturient losses) was 14.7%. Risk factors for pregnancy loss included decrease in BCS between 17 and 35 days, <5 BCS at day 35, mating during foal heat, and endometrial cysts. In all, 14.7% of pregnancies were lost between day 17 and birth, contributing significantly to reduced reproductive efficiency in Thoroughbred mares in Japan. These observations indicate that mares should be maintained at high BCS and should be prevented from mating in foal heat to decrease the pregnancy loss rates.     

The Relationship Between the Positive Identification of the Embryo Proper in Equine Pregnancies Aged 18-28 Days and its Future Viability: A Field Study

Early embryonic loss (EEL) negatively affects the reproductive efficiency of equine reproduction. A sign of future EEL is when the embryo proper (EP) fails to develop within the embryonic vesicle after 30 days of gestation. The earlier the identification of impending EEL, the earlier the mare can be rebred to allow a second chance of pregnancy. The objectives of this study were to determine the percentage of embryonic vesicles with a visible EP at 18-28 days of gestation and to study the association between the presence/absence of the EP at different days of gestation and the future viability of the pregnancy. A total of 1,256 pregnancies were identified and followed by transrectal B-mode ultrasonography 12-45 days post ovulation in mares of the same Thoroughbred farm. The identification of the EP was attempted once during days 18-28. Pregnancy reconfirmation was performed on days 35-45. The percentage of vesicles with an EP increased gradually from days 18 (2.8%) to 21 (86.9%) (P < .05). From day 20 onward, the EEL rate of mares with vesicles without an EP was significantly higher (P < .05) than that of vesicles with a positive identification of an EP. In conclusion, the EP of the equine vesicle can be identified reliably with B-mode ultrasonography in the majority of mares (>71%) on day 20 of gestation. The lack of a positive identification of an EP from day 20 onward is associated with a higher EEL rate.     

Isoenzyme studies on Theileria (Protozoa,Sporozoa). Enzyme activity associated with the erythrocytic stage

Summary

Bovine blood containing piroplasms of Theileria parva, as well as non‐injected blood, was lysed and subjected to iso‐electric focussing.

Staining for 13 different enzymes revealed parasite‐associated bands of glucose phosphate isomerase (GPI) activity, not of any of the other enzymes. There were no variations between individual donor animals in the host cell GPI bands and these bands did not interfere with the recognition of the parasite‐associated bands, so that purification of the piroplasms was unnecessary. Blood from cattle infected with T. mutans also gave parasite‐associated bands of GPI, but no such bands were seen in zymograms of blood from cattle infected with a Theileria sp. from Japan. Depending on the level of parasitaemia, up to four parasite‐associated bands were found in one strain of T. parva and up to three in two other strains. Among the disadvantages of using piroplasm material for the study of isoenzymes of T. parva is the fact that animals often die before their parasitaemia is sufficiently high, and that some strains never give rise to a high parasitaemia.     

Some Factors Affecting the Rate of Pregnancy after Embryo Transfer Derived from the Brazilian Jumper Horse Breed

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of certain embryo transfer parameters on the pregnancy rate after equine embryo transfer of the Brazilian Jumper Horse breed. The size, embryonic development stage, embryo quality, and synchronization of ovulation between the donor (n = 120) and recipient (n = 420) were evaluated in 396 embryos. Embryo recovery was performed on Day 6-9 after ovulation (Day 0 = day of ovulation). The recipient mares were chosen on the day of embryo recovery, and the transfers were performed that same day. The embryo size (diameter including envelopes; n = 396) ranged from 150 to 3000 μm; 67.1% measured between 400 and 1199 μm. The embryo size (400-1199 μm vs. ≤399 μm); stage of development (n = 396; blastocyst and expanded blastocyst versus compact morula and early blastocyst); quality (n = 396; grade 1 [excellent]), 2 [good], or 3 [poor]); and synchronization of ovulation between the donor and recipient (0, 1, 2, 3, and 4 days versus −1, 5, and 6 days, respectively) all affected pregnancy rate (P < .05). The pregnancy rate did not differ significantly among transfers performed on Days 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4. In conclusion, embryos measuring 400-1199 μm produced higher pregnancy rates in recipients than embryos measuring 150-399 μm, and blastocysts and expanded blastocysts produced pregnancy more efficiently than morulae and early blastocysts. The embryo quality also affected the pregnancy rate. Synchronization of donor and recipient ovulation to Days 0-4 improved the efficiency of embryo transplant.     

东北地区白斑狗鱼人工繁殖技术的研究

在长春地区进行了白斑狗鱼的人工繁殖,并对白斑狗鱼胚胎发育及卵黄囊期仔鱼的发育情况进行了研究.结果表明,白斑狗鱼卵呈圆球形,金黄色,多油球,卵径为1.9～2.2 mm.白斑狗鱼受精卵在水温10～14℃下经188 h孵化出膜,有效积温为2244℃·h;在水温12～14℃下卵黄囊期需10 d,有效积温为120 ～ 140℃·h.受精率达73.3％,孵化率为48.5％.