In vivo gonadotropic effects of recombinant Japanese eel follicle-stimulating hormone

Recombinant Japanese eel follicle-stimulating hormone (rjeFSH) produced by methylotrophic yeast was subjected to in vivo bioassay to assess its gonadotropic activities and availability to artificially induce maturation of this species. Intramuscular injections of rjeFSH into male eels at doses of 0.1 and 1.0 U/g body weight were repeated 3 times during 12 days. The rjeFSH significantly increased plasma 11-ketotestosterone levels, and induced both testicular growth and spermatogenesis in a dose-dependent manner. These results demonstrate that rjeFSH is effective in promoting male eel gamatogenesis in vivo. Instead of scarce native eel FSH, abundant recombinant eel FSH is now ready for future application to maturation induction of Japanese eel.     

Cadmium contamination of soils and rice plants caused by zinc mining

Characteristics of heavy metal contamination in paddy soils were discussed with respect to the soil and field conditions influencing the metal contents in rice.

1. In contaminated areas along the Kuzuryu River, the heavy metal contents of rice (expressed as the average of each area) were largely related to contents of paddy soils in 0.1 N HCl soluble forms as well as in total contents. A correlation was also found for the ratio of Cd to Zn in their soluble forms in the soil.

2. Within a given contaminated field plot, the heavy metal contents were not uniform, i.e: they were high around the irrigation inlet and decreased towards the outlet. However, these changes seemed to alter the Cd rice level much less than expected.

3. Soil pH and exchangeable Ca were negatively correlated with the Cd content of rice at a highly significant level. An un-drained field condition with a low soil Eh remarkably lowered the Cd content, particularly during rainy weather after the heading of the plant.

4. Based on a comparison of the extractable heavy metal contents in the waste ores and their contaminated soils, sulfide minerals derived from the mining appeared to be weathered more rapidly in the soil. With some extraction methods, the Cd origin was distinguished as the solubility of the metal in the soil among the waste products from the zinc mining and refinery.     

Uterine and ovarian blood flow in a Holstein Friesian cow with aplasia of one uterine horn

The ovarian dynamics and uterine and ovarian blood flows of a 6-year-old (2 parturitions) Holstein Friesian cow with right uterine horn aplasia were observed during two estrous cycles. In one estrous cycle, a corpus luteum (CL) formed in the right ovary, but regression of the CL and subsequent ovulation were not observed. In the other estrous cycle, a CL formed in the left ovary and delayed regression of the CL and subsequent ovulation were observed. The blood velocity of the right uterine artery was lower than that of the left uterine artery throughout both estrous cycles when a CL formed in either the right and left ovary. The blood velocities of the right and left ovarian arteries were unaffected by right uterine horn aplasia and changed depending on the presence of a CL. These results indicated that the blood flow of the right uterine artery was very weak and that aplasia of one uterine horn affects the estrous cycle, especially CL regression.     

Analysis of uteroplacental-specific molecules and their functions during implantation and placentation in the bovine

In cattle, the mechanisms underlying implantation and placental development are still unclear. Synepitheliochorial placentation in cattle is noninvasive, and thus generates limited interest in terms of degradation and remodeling of endometrial tissues. The overall purpose of this study was three-fold: (1) to examine the gene circuitry around the implantation window, (2) to understand development of the placenta during the peri-implantation period by using a uteroplacental cDNA microarray, and (3) to study the roles of molecules involved in endometrial remodeling. Bovine trophoblastic binucleate cell-specific molecules, such as pregnancy-associated glycoproteins (PAGs), placental lactogen (PL), and prolactin-related proteins (PRPs), were markedly expressed in binucleate cells (BNCs) around implantation. The expression of PRP-1 was specific to the caruncular (CAR) area of the gravid uterine horn. Gelatinases (MMP-2 and -9) in association with heparanase may be central to endometrial remodeling. In situ hybridization analyses of PAGs, PRPs, PL, and heparanase suggested that BNCs expressed these molecules simultaneously. Future studies will further investigate the specific roles of these molecules in placentogenesis. The uteroplacental cDNA microarray presented cascades of molecular signatures not only for the endometrium but also for the intricate dialogue at the level of the feto-maternal interface in cattle. Placentome morphogenesis potentially parallels the dynamic multigenic circuitry and regulates the cell cycle in the endometrium. The roles of BNCs and their secreted molecules remain an enigma, particularly with regard to the adhesion process and endometrial remodeling, which is the focus of this study.     

Chromatographic and immunological identification of gonadotropin-releasing hormone in five marine teleosts

Brain extracts from bluefin tuna, Thunnus thynnus, red seabream, Pagrus major, black seabream, Acanthopagrus schlegeli, red spotted grouper, Epinephelus akaara and Japanese flounder, Paralichthys olivaceus, were analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and specific radioimmunoassays. Immunoreactive material co-eluting from HPLC with salmon gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) and chicken GnRH-II, respectively, was found in all five species. In addition, a GnRH immunoreactive fraction showing the same HPLC retention time as lamprey GnRH-I was detected in the brain extracts of all species examined when using an unspecific radioimmunoassay which detects several GnRH forms, including lamprey GnRH-I. In the Japanese flounder brain extract, a fourth GnRH immunoreactive fraction was detected with the unspecific radioimmunoassay which did not co-elute with any of the six synthetic GnRH standards used in the present study.     

Growth response ofMelaleuca cajuputi to flooding in a tropical peat swamp

We investigated the growth response ofMelaleuca cajuputi Powell to flooding at 3 sites in a tropical swamp in southern Thailand. The relative growth rate (RGR) in height tended to be higher where the water level was higher. The maximumRGR in height was achieved during the flood period at the 2 sites where water levels were higher than at the other site. The height growth ofM. cajuputi was not reduced by flooding, but enhanced. No decline in growth due to post-anoxic injury was observed after flooding.Melaleuca cajuputi may have mechanisms to tolerate rhizospheric oxygen deficiency and to avoid post-anoxic injury. This study was supported by a Grant-in-Aid for Basic Research (No. 09NP0901) from the Ministry of Education, Science, Sports, and Culture of Japan.