Effects of melatonin,p-chlorophenylalanine,and α-methylparatyrosine on plasma gonadotropin level and ovarian activity in the catfish,Heteropneustes fossilis: A study correlating changes in hypothalamic monoamines

The effects of (ip, 10 injections over 20 days) of melatonin (75 0">g 100 g^013;1 BW), the serotonin (5-HT)-synthesis blocker, para-cholorophenylalanine (p-CPA, 10 mg 100g^{013;1 BW}) and the catecholamine-synthesis blocker, 0">-methylparatyrosine (0">-MPT, 10 mg 100 g^013;1 BW) on gonadotropin (GTH) secretion and ovarian activity were studied in ^{Heteropneustes fossilis} during late preparatory to early prespawning (April013;May). The treatments resulted in significant reductions of plasma GTH and estradiol-170"> levels, the gonadosomatic index, frequency distribution of vitellogenic and postvitellogenic oocytes, and ovarian and serum ³²p-labelled alkali-labile phosphoprotein (a marker of vitellogenic activity). Most of the oocytes were nonvitellogenic or had undergone atretic changes. The hepatic ³²-phosphoprotein content increased significantly over the saline control value. The effects were similar and pronounced in the p-CPA and melatonin-treated groups but were moderate in the 0">-MPT-treated group. Hypothalamic 5-HT content and turnover were significantly inhibited in the p-CPA and melatonin-treated groups but the content and turnover of catecholamines were not. The 0">-MPT treatment decreased significantly the content and turnover of dopamine (DA), noradrenaline (NA), and adrenaline (A) but did not influence the 5-HT content or turnover. These results suggest that 5-HT, NA and A are stimulatory to GTH secretion and that melatonin may act on the serotonergic system to inhibit the pituitary-gonadal axis.to whom correspondence should be addressed.A part of the results was presented at the International Workshop on Pineal gland: Its molecular signals and published as an abstract in Neuroendocrinol. Lett. 14: 399 pp., 1992.     

The effects of hypoxia,in vivo,on red blood cell β-adrenoceptors in the rainbow trout,Oncorhynchus mykiss

Rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss, were exposed to 48h of environmental hypoxia (water partial pressure of oxygen = 8.0 kPa) at either 5 or 15°C. Blood was sampled during hypoxia via a dorsal aorta cannula to measure arterial blood partial pressure of oxygen and plasma catecholamine concentrations. After 48h, the number (B_max) and dissociation constant (K_d) of red blood cell surface 03r7873r437/xxlarge946.gif" alt="beta" align="MIDDLE" BORDER="0">-adrenoceptors were determined using a radioligand-displacement binding assay. At 5°C, plasma catecholamine levels were elevated at 24h whereas at 15°C, levels were elevated at 48h. At either temperature, following 48h of hypoxia, there was no change in B_max or K_d of red blood cell surface 03r7873r437/xxlarge946.gif" alt="beta" align="MIDDLE" BORDER="0">-adrenoceptors, compared to normoxic control fish. This study demonstrates that chronic exposure to moderate hypoxia does not affect the number or affinity of cell surface 03r7873r437/xxlarge946.gif" alt="beta" align="MIDDLE" BORDER="0">-adrenoceptors on trout red blood cells.     

Temporal changes in plasma thyroid hormone,growth hormone and free fatty acid concentrations,and hepatic 5′-monodeiodinase activity,lipid and protein content during chronic fasting and re-feeding in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

Temporal changes in growth, plasma thyroid hormone, cortisol, growth hormone (GH) and non-esterified fatty acid (NEFA) concentrations, hepatic T₃ content and hepatic 5001/xxlarge8242.gif" alt="prime" align="BASELINE" BORDER="0">-monodeiodinase activity were measured in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) subjected to a sustained fast for up to eight weeks, and during a four-week re-feeding period. The purpose of the study was to examine aspects of the endocrine control of energy partitioning processes characteristic of short-term (acute; fasting) and long-term (chronic; starvation) food-deprivation states in fish, and to explore the role of the thyroid hormones, cortisol and GH in the energy repartitioning that takes place during an acute anabolic (re-feeding) state following chronic food deprivation.Differences in growth rate between fed and fasted groups were evident after two weeks, but significant weight loss by the fasted groups was not evident until between four and six weeks into the fast. Hepatosomatic indices (HSIs) were significantly reduced in the fasted fish within seven days, and as early as two days in one study; recovery of the HSI in fasted fish was evident within three days of re-feeding. Liver protein content (expressed as % wet weight) was consistently depressed in the fasted fish in only one of the three studies. Liver total lipid content (expressed as % wet weight) was depressed in the fasted fish within two days of food deprivation. Because of the rapid and sustained decrease in the HSI of fasted fish, the hepatic total protein and lipid reserves, when considered on a body weight basis, were markedly lowered within the first few days of the fast. Plasma GH concentrations exhibited a bi-modal pattern of change, with a transient fall in levels, followed by a sustained increase in fasted fish. The indicators of interrenal activity were suggestive of a depressed pituitary-interrenal axis in fasted animals; plasma cortisol levels were elevated to levels of fed animals within one day of re-feeding. The indicators of thyroid hormone economy (plasma thyroid hormone levels, liver triiodothyronine content, hepatic 5001/xxlarge8242.gif" alt="prime" align="BASELINE" BORDER="0">-monodeiodinase (MD) activity, thyroid epithelial cell height) were similarly indicative of a depressed pituitary-thyroid axis in fasted animals, with recovery to levels of the fed animals within one week. Despite the compensatory changes in accumulation of reserves (as indicated by a compensatory increase in HSI), there were no apparent compensatory changes in any of the endocrine parameters evident during the re-feeding period.     

Endocrine stress response and abnormal development in carp (Cyprinus carpio) larvae after exposure of the embryos to PCB 126

To investigate whether PCB 126 exposure duringembryonic development induces an endocrine stressresponse in larval carp, eggs were exposed,containing 0.01% ethanol (vehicle-control), 10^-11,immediately after fertilization, for 48 h to water10^-10 or 10^-9 mol l^-1 PCB in 0.01% ethanol. Eggsincubated in water served as controls. After transferto PCB-free water, mortality, the incidence ofyolk-sac and pe-ricardial oedema, wet and dry weight,rate of skin pigmentation, and whole-body contents ofthe stress hormones ACTH, 0">-MSH and cortisol weredetermined at 48, 96, 144, 168, 192 and 216 hpost-fertilization. Except for the dry weight, allparameters of animals exposed to 10^-10 and 10^-9 moll^-1 PCB increased in a concentration-related manner.However, these changes became evident only at 144 hpost-fertilization, i.e. after resorption of theyolk-sac. Swelling of the yolk sac and pericardiumoccurred, and whole-body ACTH, 0">-MSH and cortisollevels increased. Although animals exposed to 10^-10and 10^-9 mol l^-1 PCB displayed stable but elevatedwhole-body ACTH and 0">-MSH levels until 216 h,whole-body cortisol concentrations gradually decreasedfrom 168 h post-fertilization, and were significantlybelow control values at 216 h post-fertilization.Exposure of the carp embryos to 10^-11 mol l^-1 PCB only increased whole-body 0">-MSH levels. Increased whole-body ACTH and cortisol levels indicate that PCBinduces a stress response in carp larvae, possiblymediated by a disturbed hydromineral balance (oedema).We further suggest that the PCB-stimulated bodypigmentation is mediated by a stimulation of 0">-MSHsecretion.     

纳米Fe0降解溶液中3，3′，4，4′-四氯联苯及其产物分析

采用振荡培养实验研究了纳米Fe0对溶液中3,3′,4,4′-四氯联苯（PCB77）的降解情况,结果表明, PCB77起始浓度为5mg/L、溶液初始pH值为6.8,反应64 h后,纳米Fe0投加量为10.0g/L时,PCB77残留浓度最低,残留率仅为29.3%;纳米Si0投加量为0.5g/L时,PCB77残留浓度最低,残留率为67%;纳米Si0投加量为1.0g/L,即纳米Si0：纳米Fe0=1∶10时,PCB77残留浓度最低,残留率仅为22.2%。溶液中PCB77降解产物中除联苯外未发现其他降解产物,可能是PCB77在纳米Fe0表面连续脱氯的原因造成的。     

A review of the distribution, ecology and population dynamics of age-0 walleye pollock in the Gulf of Alaska

This review paper synthesizes published research and unpublished data on the abundance and distribution patterns, ecology and population dynamics of walleye pollock ( Theragra chalcogramma ) during their first year of life (age-0) in the Gulf of Alaska. Distribution patterns have been described using mainly trawl catches, but recently, acoustic methodology has been employed, especially in examining vertical distributions. Although age-0 pollock are found throughout the Gulf, the highest catches occurred west of Kodiak Island. Pollock are pelagic for at least their first 6 months of life but show an ontogenetic increase in depth distribution superimposed on a pronounced diel vertical migration at a larger size. Daily growth rates are variable depending on year, season and area, and growth generally ceases during the winter. The diet of age-0 pollock shifts from mainly copepods in early juveniles to euphausiids by fall, with epibenthic organisms becoming important during the winter months. Feeding occurs mainly at night in surface waters. Age-0 pollock are most frequently associated with gelatinous zooplankton (medusae) and older pollock. Many predators on age-0 pollock have been identified; the most important are arrowtooth flounder ( Atheresthes stomias ), adult pollock, puffins ( Fratercula spp.), murres ( Una spp.), harbor seals ( Phoca vitulina richardsi ) and Steller sea lions ( Eumetopiasjubatus ). Modelling provides some insight into the population dynamics of these juveniles and environmental conditions which interannually affect their survival. These results are discussed relative to the importance of age-0 pollock in the recruitment of this species and to their role in the pelagic ecosystem.     

Effects of modulatory agents on neurally-mediated responses of trout intestinal smooth musclein vitro

Mediators and mechanisms responsible for the inhibitory modulation of trout intestinal smooth muscle were examined using a series of putative mediators and substances known to modulate neurotransmission in mammalian systems. Frequency response relationships to transmural stimulation and concentration response relationships to 5-hydroxytryptamine, carbachol, and substance P were established on paired segments of rainbow trout intestinein vitro in the presence and absence of putative modulatory agents. Modulation of neurally-mediated contractions of trout intestine was achieved with dibutyryl cyclic AMP and forskolin, agents that increase intracellular levels of cyclic AMP. The effect appears to be at the level of the smooth muscle, since the adenylate cyclase activator, forskolin, inhibited muscarinic and serotoninergic contractions as well as transmurally stimulated contractions. Substance P-induced contractions were unaffected by forskolin. The endogenous agonists/neurotransmitters which would increase cyclic AMP levels in rainbow trout intestinal smooth muscle are as yet unknown. The effects do not appear to be modulated by vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), calcitonin, calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), or agents that activate 0">-adrenoceptors. Prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂) and 0">₂-adrenergenic agonists are possible agents which will decrease contractility of the smooth muscle. They were only active in the proximal intestine and on transmurally stimulated contractions. The effects of both PGE₂ and 0">₂-agonists appear to be prejunctional, decreasing release of contractile neurotransmitters in the enteric nervous system.     

Effects of steroid hormones on immunoglobulin M (IgM) in rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss

The immunosuppressive effects of steroid hormones were evaluated as the response against implanted steroid hormones, cortisol (F), testosterone (T), estradiol-170"> (E2), and 11- ketotestosterone (11-KT), in juvenile rainbow trout. In long term experiments (5 weeks), fish were given a single intraperitoneal implant of F or T. A clear suppressive effect of plasma IgM levels with F and T was not necessarily obtained, although mucus IgM levels were reduced corresponding to the elevated plasma steroid hormone levels. In short term experiments (1 week), intraperitoneal implantation of T, 11-KT and E2 suppressed plasma and mucus IgM levels, although the effects were not dose-dependent. When administered through diet, F and T caused a suppression of plasma IgM levels; F administration at both high and low dosages caused a significant decrease in plasma IgM levels, while only a high dose of T caused the suppression. These results suggest that sex steroid hormones, as well as F, have immunosuppressive functions in rainbow trout.     

Binding characteristics and regulation of the 17,20β,21-trihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one (20β-S) receptor on testicular and sperm plasma membranes of spotted seatrout (Cynoscion nebulosus)

The binding characteristics of 17,200764371u22348/xxlarge946.gif" alt="beta" align="MIDDLE" BORDER="0">,21-trihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one (200764371u22348/xxlarge946.gif" alt="beta" align="MIDDLE" BORDER="0">-S) to plasma membranes prepared from the testes and sperm of spotted seatrout (Cynoscion nebulosus) were investigated using a filtration method to retain the bound 200764371u22348/xxlarge946.gif" alt="beta" align="MIDDLE" BORDER="0">-S. A single class of high affinity (K_d = 17.9 nM), low capacity (B_max = 0.072 nM g^-1 testes) binding sites was identified by saturation and Scatchard analyses on testicular membranes of spermiating spotted seatrout. A corresponding receptor (K_d = 22.17 nM, B_max = 0.00261 nM ml^-1 milt) was also detected in spermatozoan membrane preparations. The rates of 200764371u22348/xxlarge946.gif" alt="beta" align="MIDDLE" BORDER="0">-S association and dissociation were rapid, both had T_halfs of less than 1 min. Competition studies indicated that the receptor was highly specific for 200764371u22348/xxlarge946.gif" alt="beta" align="MIDDLE" BORDER="0">-S. 17,200764371u22348/xxlarge946.gif" alt="beta" align="MIDDLE" BORDER="0">-dihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one, which had the highest affinity of the other steroids tested, had a relative binding affinity (RBA) of 14.3%. Progesterone, 11-deoxycortisol and testosterone competed with an order of magnitude less affinity (RBA's of 7.4, 1.8 and 1.1%, respectively). Estradiol displayed low affinity for the receptor (RBA = 0.4%) and cortisol did not cause any displacement at 1000-fold excess concentration. Specific 200764371u22348/xxlarge946.gif" alt="beta" align="MIDDLE" BORDER="0">-S receptor binding was detected in plasma membranes from testes of both spermiating and non-spermiating seatrout and on spermatozoa. Prolonged incubation of testicular fragments from a spermiating fish with gonadotropin (15 IU ml^-1 human chorionic gonadotropin) or forskolin (10 µM) caused a 2013;3 fold increase in membrane receptor binding. Previous studies have shown that gonadotropin-induced upregulation of the 200764371u22348/xxlarge946.gif" alt="beta" align="MIDDLE" BORDER="0">-S plasma membrane receptor in seatrout ovaries is required for the oocytes to become responsive to 200764371u22348/xxlarge946.gif" alt="beta" align="MIDDLE" BORDER="0">-S and undergo final maturation. The existence of a 200764371u22348/xxlarge946.gif" alt="beta" align="MIDDLE" BORDER="0">-S membrane receptor on sperm and its upregulation in the testes by gonadotropin raises the possibility that final maturation of spermatozoa in male seatrout may be regulated by a similar mechanism.     

Variation for plant characters and for performance of softwood cuttings of Rosa canina ‘Inermis’ seedlings

Summary Thirty, one-season-old Rosa canina 02/xxlarge8216.gif" alt="lsquo" align="BASELINE" BORDER="0">Inermis02/xxlarge8217.gif" alt="rsquo" align="BASELINE" BORDER="0"> seedlings (8013;12 mm in diameter) were grown in the greenhouse. After 5 months, single-node softwood cuttings were made of each plant. Analysis of variance demonstrated marked differences between the internode length, number of leaflets per leaf and the leaf area of the original seedling, and between the time of axillary bud-break, axillary sprout length and weight of adventitious roots of their 23-day-old cuttings. Clonal root weight of cuttings was highly significantly correlated with: number of leaflets per leaf (r=013;0.65), leaf area (r=+0.65), and days to axillary bud-break (r=+0.62). The origin of heterogeneity among 02/xxlarge8216.gif" alt="lsquo" align="BASELINE" BORDER="0">Inermis02/xxlarge8217.gif" alt="rsquo" align="BASELINE" BORDER="0"> seedling rootstocks, its probable effect on the flower production of cut roses and its possible use in the selection for clonal rootstocks are discussed.