丙酸睾酮对小鼠睾丸NT-3和NT-4表达的影响

以30日龄雄性小鼠为研究对象,用丙酸睾酮分别处理小鼠6,12,24 h后收集睾丸,提取睾丸总RNA和总蛋白,通过实时荧光定量和Western-Blot方法探究了雄激素对睾丸中神经营养因子NT-3及NT-4表达的影响。荧光定量结果表明:丙酸睾酮处理小鼠,12 h组和24 h组NT-3及NT-4的表达显著升高,其他各组间无显著差异。Western-Blot结果与荧光定量结果一致。说明丙酸睾酮能够调节小鼠睾丸中NT-3和NT-4的表达。     

大肠埃希菌和金黄色葡萄球菌对奶牛睾丸间质细胞炎症反应和睾酮分泌的影响

探讨不同数量大肠埃希菌(E.coli)和金黄色葡萄球菌(S.aureus)对奶牛睾丸间质细胞(LCs)炎性因子、类固醇合成快速调节蛋白(StAR)以及睾酮(T)分泌的影响。通过体外培养LCs,选取生长状态良好的第3代LCs进行试验。根据E.coli和S.aureus作用数量,试验各分为6组,即用不同数量的E.coli(0、10~4、10~5、10~6、10~7、10~8 CFU/mL)和不同数量的S.aureus(0、10~4、10~5、10~6、10~7、10~8 CFU/mL)感染LCs。通过实时荧光定量PCR检测相关炎性因子和StAR mRNA表达的变化;用牛睾酮(T)酶联免疫分析(ELISA)试剂盒检测睾酮分泌水平的变化。结果表明,E.coli数量为10~8 CFU/mL和S.aureus数量为10~7 CFU/mL时,IL-6和IL-1βmRNA的表达量最高,与其他组相比较增加极显著(P<0.01);E.coli数量为10~4、10~5、10~6、10~7、10~8 CFU/mL时感染LCs后,StAR mRNA表达量显著低于对照组(P<0.05);S.aureus浓度为10~6、10~7和10~8 CFU/mL时,StAR mRNA的表达量显著低于对照组(P<0.05);分别用E.coli和S.aureus感染LCs 12 h,睾酮分泌量与对照组相比无显著变化(P>0.05)。结果表明,LCs被E.coli和S.aureus感染12 h,能引起LCs的炎症反应,同时抑制StAR mRNA的表达,但对睾酮的分泌无显著影响。     

Bilateral antler sequestration above the coronet in a red deer (Cervus elaphus) stag—Insights into the process of antler casting

This paper reports a case of delayed velvet shedding and bilateral premature antler casting above the coronets in a young adult red deer stag from Germany. Based on the established role of testosterone in the control of the antler cycle, the antler abnormality is considered to have been the result of a (temporary) androgen deficiency. The basal surfaces (separation planes or seals) of the cast antlers were markedly concave. Scanning electron microscopy revealed that the separation plane was densely covered with Howship's lacunae, denoting intense osteoclastic activity along the border between the proximal (living) and distal (dead) antler portions. Our observations and those of previous studies indicate that antler casting does not occur at a pre-determined separation plane, but along the border between living and dead bone, regardless of the position of this border within the cranial appendages. This is a major difference to autotomy of (living) appendages at fixed breakage planes, as it occurs for instance in lizard tails.     

Effect of body condition score on the testicular biometrical measures,semen characteristics and testosterone level in jackass

This study was undertaken to evaluate the effect of body condition score (BCS) on testicle and epididymis biometrics, semen characteristics and testosterone level in Egyptian Jack. This study was conducted on 50 mature Jacks divided according to their body condition score into four groups: Poor (G1), moderate (G2), good (G3) and fat (G4). The complete testis was collected immediately after execution in the Giza Zoo abattoir; then, the epididymis was carefully dissected at the testicular junction. Biometrical measures including length, weight and volume were determined for the right and left testis and epididymis. Also, epididymal sperm was collected from all examined animas and evaluated for sperm concentration, progressive motility, viability and sperm abnormalities. Serum samples were collected for determination of total testosterone level. Results showed that the body condition score of the examined animal affects their biometrical measure of testicles and epididymis. There is a significant decrease (p < .05) in biometrical measures for the testicles and epididymis, sperm concentration, motility, viability and testosterone level in poor BCS animals (G1). The highest values were recorded in Good BCS (G3) Jacks. Conclusion: Jacks with good BCS (G3) should be selected for breeding activity in donkey.     

Methallibure-induced inhibition of hypothalamo-hypophyseal-ovarian activity in the catfish Heteropneustes fossilis involves changes in hypothalamic monoamine activity

Administration of Methallibure, a non-steroidal gonadotropin (GTH) inhibitor 20 g g–1 body weight; i.p., daily for 10 days, to prespawning phase female Heteropneustes fossilis inhibited the brain-pituitary-ovarian axis as indicated by significant reductions in plasma and pituitary levels of GTH-II, and plasma levels of 17-estradiol (E2) and testosterone. Concurrently, the treatment resulted in significant reductions in the hypothalamic content of serotonin, noradrenaline (and adrenaline) that stimulate, and a significant elevation of dopamine that inhibits GTH-II release in this species. Activities of the monoamine degrading enzymes, monoamine oxidase and catechol-O-methyltransferase were significantly increased, while that of the synthesizing enzymes, dopamine--hydroxylase and phenylethanolamine-N-methyltransferase were significantly decreased. These results suggest that the mechanism of inhibition of GTH-II secretion includes, among others, differential actions of the drug on hypothalamic monoamine metabolism.     

中华鲟早期发育中17β-雌二醇和睾酮水平变化的初步观察

采用放射免疫分析测定法(RIA)对人工繁殖的中华鲟(Acipenser sinensis)早期发育阶段中17β-雌二醇(17β-estradiol,E2)和睾酮(testosterone,T)的整体水平进行了测定。实验共测定了4批次(分别来自4尾雌鲟)受精卵及仔鱼的E2和T水平,结果表明:中华鲟胚胎发育期间E2水平在小范围内波动,T水平除胚胎发育早期出现上升外总体呈下降趋势;仔鱼出膜后E2水平开始逐渐上升,T水平是先降低后又逐渐升高。其中第1批次的测定结果(单位为pg/gtissue)为:胚胎发育期间E2水平在1.37~7.38之间波动,仔鱼出膜后3d为5.21,出膜后9d为37.26;胚胎发育期间T水平最低为293.58,最高为1420.41,仔鱼出膜后4d为117.96,出膜后7d为27.25,出膜后9d为148.48。对于仔鱼出膜后体内高水平的E2和T的来源,推测其可能与仔鱼自身合成性类固醇激素有关。另外,本实验中还发现,质量较差的卵子T水平明显低于质量较好者。     

Seasonal changes of hormones and muscle enzymes in adult lacustrine masu (Oncorhynchus masou) and sockeye salmon (O. nerka)

The upstream migration of adult anadromous fishes is characterized by physiological changes in responses to reproductive and energetic challenges. This study analyzed the physiological responses of lake-resident anadromous masu salmon (Oncorhynchus masou) and sockeye salmon (O. nerka) to migration in order to determine if these fish might serve as a suitable model for ocean-running populations and to differentiate between physiological responses to reproduction and to exercise-linked aspects of migration. Reproductive (estradiol, testosterone, 11-ketotestosterone, 17α,20β-dihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one) and metabolically-linked (thyroxine, triiodothyronine) hormones showed similar patterns to ocean-running anadromous populations. White muscle pyruvate kinase, lactate dehydrogenase and malate dehydrogenase decreased with the onset of spawning season while white muscle citrate synthase, β-hydroxyacetyl CoA dehydrogenase, phosphofructokinase and glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase did not, suggesting that the former group of enzymes are responding to reproductive or food intake signals while the second group, which typically change during anadromous migration, may be responding to exercise-linked aspects of migration. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

The influence of reproductive status on the stimulatory action of N-methyl-D,L-aspartate on growth hormone secretion, in vitro in rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss

The glutamate agonist, N-methyl-D,L-aspartate (NMA) stimulates the secretion of growth hormone (GH) from pituitary fragments in vitro and increases plasma GH levels in vivo in rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss (Flett et al. 1994; Holloway and Leatherland 1997a,b); however gonadal steroid hormones appear to modulate this response in experimental situations. This study examines whether steroid hormones also modulate the GH-regulatory actions of NMA during the normal reproductive cycle of rainbow trout by examining the relationship between the stage of sexual maturation and the pituitary release of GH in vitro in response to an NMA (10^-8 M) challenge. NMA had no effect on mean GH release from the pituitary glands of fish that were immature (GSI <1.0), from males during early development (GSI 1.0-3.0), or from sexually mature males (with free running milt) and females (ovulated). However, NMA significantly increased GH release from pituitary glands taken from females during the early stages of gonadal growth (GSI 1.0-9.0) and from males and females sampled during the later stages of gonadal growth (males GSI 3.01-6.0; females GSI 9.01-15.0). The GH-stimulatory action of NMA in males and females progressed to a maximum effect during the late stages of gonadal growth, and disappeared in ovulated females and free running males. Moreover, in female fish, the maximal GH release in response to the NMA challenge is positively correlated with plasma 17β-estradiol levels; no such correlation was evident for plasma testosterone levels in males. Changes in the GH response to NMA during maturation while gonadal steroid levels fluctuate provides further evidence to suggest that the effects of NMA on GH secretion are intimately linked to endogenous gonadal steroid hormone levels. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Effects of hemi-castration on plasma steroid levels in two teleost fishes; the three-spined stickleback, Gasterosteus aculeatus, and the Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar

In order to study the possible homeostatic regulation of gonadal steroids in fishes, plasma steroid levels were measured in hemi-castrated and sham-operated nesting male three-spined sticklebacks, Gasterosteus aculeatus, and in mature 2-year old male Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar. Hemi-castration significantly suppressed androgen levels in both species. In sticklebacks, plasma levels of 11-ketotestosterone (11KT) were 56% and levels of testosterone (T) 55% of those found in sham-operated males. In hemi-castrated salmon the levels of 11KT were 63%, and the levels of T were 75% of the levels in sham-operated males. In contrast, levels of 17α,20β-dihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one (17,20-P) in salmon (not measured in sticklebacks) were not different between hemi-castrated and sham-operated males. The results suggest that, although levels of the steroid 17,20-P were compensated in hemi-castrated salmon, the androgen levels in fish males in full spawning condition are not closely regulated by negative feedbacks. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.