Relationship of climatic conditions to fecal corticosterone levels of captive cheetahs reared in Japan

To assess the stress level of cheetahs reared in Japan and to identify the prime components of the climatic conditions that affect their thermal stress, fecal corticosterone was monitored for 8 months from May to the following January. A total of 203 fecal samples were gathered in the morning from seven adult cheetahs that were kept at a zoological garden in Wakayama, Japan. Cheetahs were on exhibit singly or together with a harmonious conspecific during the day, but housed singly at night. Although the monthly fluctuation in corticosterone concentrations was not significant, the concentrations were relatively low during the summer season. Individual differences among cheetahs and the interaction effect between individual and month on the corticosterone concentrations were significant. Whereas the corticosterone concentrations negatively correlated with air temperature, they were positively correlated with the amount of rainfall. The highest air temperature and the amount of rainfall were extracted as the prime factors affecting corticosterone concentrations. These results suggest that cheetahs reared in Japan are somewhat subjected to thermal stress, particularly on cooler and/or rainy days.     

Oxidative stress inducers potentiate 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin-mediated pre-cardiac edema in larval zebrafish

We reported the involvement of oxidative stress and prostaglandins including thromboxane and prostacyclin in pre-cardiac edema (early edema) caused by 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD). While the involvement of oxidative stress in TCDD-induced toxicity has been frequently reported, the mechanism of its action is still unclear. In the present study, oxidative stress inducers including paraquat, hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) and rotenone augmented early edema (edema) induced by a low concentration of TCDD (0.1 ppb) at 55 hr post fertilization (hpf), while each of them alone did not cause edema. Edema caused by TCDD plus oxidative stress inducers was almost abolished by antioxidants, an antagonist for thromboxane receptor (ICI-192,605) and an agonist for prostacyclin receptor (beraprost), suggesting that the site of action of these inducers was in the regular signaling pathway after activation of aryl hydrocarbon receptor type 2 (AHR2) by TCDD. Oxidative stress inducers also enhanced edema caused by an agonist for the thromboxane receptor (U46619), and the enhancement was also inhibited by antioxidants. Sulforaphane and auranofin, activators of Nrf2 that is a master regulator of anti-oxidative response, did not affect U46619-evoked edema but almost abolished TCDD-induced edema and potentiation by paraquat in both TCDD- and U46619-induced edema. Taken together, the results suggest that oxidative stress augments pre-cardiac edema caused by TCDD via activation of thromboxane receptor-mediated signaling in developing zebrafish. As paraquat and other oxidative stress inducers used also are environmental pollutants, interaction between dioxin-like compounds and exogenous source of oxidative stress should also be considered.     

松嫩草地羊草种子发育进程、休眠特性及与盐碱耐性关系的研究

羊草(Leymus chinensis)是禾本科赖草属根茎型优质禾草,不但营养价值高、适口性好,而且具有较强的耐旱、耐寒和耐盐碱性。羊草既是东北松嫩平原的优势种,也是干旱与半干旱地区建植人工草地的优良草种。近年来,随着畜牧业的发展及生态环境治理力度的加大,人工羊草草地不断建植,为此,人们对羊草种子的需求量与品质的要求也越来越高。本文通过研究羊草种子的发育进程、休眠特性及与盐碱耐性的关系,一方面明确羊草种子的最适宜收获时间,为农业生产上收获高品质羊草种子提供科学依据,另一方面挖掘羊草种子的发芽潜能、深入解析抗逆机理,为提高其利用率及抗逆新品种的选育提供理论基础。主要研究结果与结论如下:(1)通过对羊草种子发育动态的研究结果表明,羊草种子在发育过程中,随着成熟度的不断提高,种子的颜色由绿色变为浅绿色,再变成黄色,最后变为棕黑色。种子千粒重不断增加,在盛花后33 d达到最大值,之后趋于恒定。含水量与种子浸出液电导率则呈下降趋势,含水量在盛花后36 d达到最小值,而2个试验年份电导率值有所差异,分别在盛花后27和30 d达到最小值。标准发芽试验结果显示,羊草种子在盛花后39 d发芽率最高,此时种子的开始发芽时间、50%种子发芽时间、发芽势等指标均为最优。尽管加速老化试验的发芽指标与标准发芽试验略有差异,但是盛花后39 d的种子同样具有最强的抗老化能力。上述试验结果表明,盛花后39 d羊草种子活力最高,品质最佳,是种子最适宜的收获时间。 (2)不同成熟度的羊草种子对土壤埋深与盐碱胁迫具有不同的响应方式。羊草种子出苗与其后的幼苗生长能力随着种埋深度的增加而降低,1 cm是最适宜的播种深度,此时的出苗率最高、出苗时间最短,并且叶片与根系长度与生物量最大;另外不同成熟度的羊草种子表现出不同的出土成苗能力,盛花后39 d的羊草种子活力最大,其上述各项幼苗生长指标均为最优。种子的成熟度与盐、碱胁迫及其交互作用显著影响羊草种子的发芽率与发芽势,盛花后39 d的羊草种子在胁迫下具有最高的发芽率与发芽势,特别是在高浓度(400 mM)盐胁迫下,尤为明显。复萌试验结果显示,盛花后39 d的羊草种子在盐碱胁迫(特别是高盐环境)解除后同样具有最高的发芽率。上述结果表明,尽管不同成熟度的羊草种子均具有发芽能力,但是盛花后39 d的羊草种子出苗及抵御盐碱胁迫伤害的能力最强,这也进一步支撑了39 d是羊草种子适宜收获时间这一结论。另外羊草适宜浅播,1 cm是其最适宜的播种深度。 (3)通过人工手段处理可以明显打破羊草种子的休眠特性。研究结果表明,除了热水浸种处理外,其余方法如浓硫酸、冷层积、PEG,GA₃,KNO₃及清水浸种均能一定程度上提高羊草种子的发芽率,发芽速率、开始发芽时间及50%种子发芽时间。但是在生产实际中,既要考虑高效性也要考虑经济耗费,结合本试验的研究结果,我们推荐在生产中采用低温浸种20 d的方法来打破羊草种子的休眠,提高其发芽率。 (4)稃是抑制羊草种子萌发的重要因素,但同时也一定程度提高了种子的抗盐性。通过测定稃对羊草种子吸水、脱水、不同温度条件下的发芽响应以及不同持续时间盐胁迫对种子发芽的影响,结果发现稃可以显著提高羊草种子的吸水量,并同时减缓种子在干旱环境下的脱水速率,使种子不会过度脱水而死亡。稃、不同温度处理及两者交互作用显著降低羊草种子的发芽率与发芽速率,表明稃对羊草种子萌发具有一定的抑制作用。在不同持续时间的盐胁迫处理下,未萌发的带稃种子复萌率均高于去稃种子,特别是在长时间及高盐胁迫下尤为明显,表明稃对羊草种子耐盐性起着重要的调节作用,一旦雨水、融雪等条件降低了土壤盐浓度,带稃种子就可以继续萌发出土。 (5)20~30℃是羊草种子最适宜的发芽温度,高温、低温均显著降低种子的发芽率与发芽速率,并且此温度可一定程度上减缓盐胁迫与碱胁迫对种子发芽的抑制效应。随着盐、碱胁迫浓度的增加,羊草种子发芽率与发芽速率均呈下降趋势,且在碱胁迫下的下降幅度更大。在盐胁迫下,当盐浓度<200 mM时,低温是影响种子萌发的主要因素,随着盐浓度的不断增加,高温则更加剧了盐胁迫对种子萌发的抑制作用;而在碱胁迫下,即使碱浓度较低,高温与其交互作用也大大加剧了对种子发芽的抑制。盐胁迫下未萌发的羊草种复萌率随盐浓度增加而增加,而在碱胁迫下则随着碱浓度增加呈先上升后下降的趋势,高浓度碱胁迫使羊草种子失去活力而死亡,并且碱胁迫下种子的复萌率低于盐胁迫,25~35℃同样不利于种子的复萌。幼苗生长对温度与盐碱胁迫交互作用的响应方式与发芽阶段相似,20~30℃同样是最适宜温度;另外,盐碱胁迫均对羊草幼苗根生长的抑制作用更强。基于以上研究结果,我们建议在初夏(7月上旬),高降雨过后,温度与土壤条件适宜的情况下进行播种,以提高羊草种子的发芽率,更好的达到恢复退化草地的效果。 (6)在混合盐碱胁迫下,羊草种子的发芽率与发芽速率均随着盐浓度的增加不断下降,且碱性盐比例越大下降越明显。在250 mM盐浓度下,无碱性盐的A组处理发芽率为6.5%,而其余5组处理发芽率均为0。羊草幼苗生长阶段同样受盐浓度、pH及2者交互作用影响,并且根系对胁迫伤害更敏感,所受抑制作用更强。逐级回归分析结果表明,在种子萌发阶段,盐浓度是羊草种子在混合盐碱胁迫下能否萌发的决定性因素,而一旦胚根突破种皮进入幼苗生长阶段,pH就转变为主导因素。上述研究表明,混合盐碱胁迫对羊草种子萌发与早期幼苗生长阶段的抑制机理有所不同,其中高盐浓度与高pH的交互作用对种子萌发与幼苗生长的抑制效应最强。 (7)盐胁迫与碱胁迫均显著降低羊草幼苗的长度、鲜重与含水量,且碱胁迫抑制作用更强。2种胁迫均造成羊草幼苗Na⁺浓度与Na⁺/K⁺升高,并且K⁺浓度下降,但是在碱胁迫下,Na⁺ 浓度、Na⁺/K⁺上升幅度与K⁺下降幅度均大于盐胁迫。另外,在盐胁迫下,羊草幼苗大量积累Cl^-,有机酸含量变化不大;而在碱胁迫下,Cl^-,NO₃^-与H₂PO₄^-均呈下降趋势,而有机酸则大量积累,其中苹果酸、柠檬酸是主要的有机酸组分,可溶性糖是羊草幼苗在两种胁迫下共同的渗透调节物质。上述结果表明,碱胁迫由于具有高pH,对羊草早期幼苗生长的抑制作用更强,Cl^-与有机酸积累特征的差异表明羊草早期幼苗在盐胁迫与碱胁迫下具有不同的适应策略。     

氯甲基蛋氨酸对冷冻-束缚应激大鼠消化器官组织学结构的影响

为探讨氯甲基蛋氨酸对应激性胃溃疡的预防效果,制备了大鼠急性冷冻-束缚应激模型,通过观察冷冻-束缚应激所致大鼠消化系统器官的损伤性变化及氯甲基蛋氨酸对应激状态下大鼠消化器官组织结构的影响,判定氯甲基蛋氨酸对应激性胃溃疡的作用。结果表明,氯甲基蛋氨酸对大鼠冷冻-束缚应激性胃溃疡的消化系统器官具有明显的保护作用。     

水分胁迫对紫花苜蓿叶水势、蒸腾速率和气孔导度的影响

采用盆栽水分试验,研究了不同土壤水分条件下紫花苜蓿(Medicago sativa)叶水势、蒸腾速率和气孔导度的变化规律及相互关系,以期揭示其对土壤水分胁迫的气孔响应机制。结果表明:苜蓿叶水势、蒸腾速率(T_r)、气孔导度(G_s)均随水分胁迫加剧而降低,三者日变化均呈双峰曲线特征,日平均值表现为充分供水>轻度胁迫>中度胁迫>重度胁迫。最低叶水势随土壤水分降低而降低;在中度和重度胁迫下,叶水势和蒸腾速率日变化峰值出现的时间提前,当叶水势为-4.68 MPa或T_r为3.27 g·m^-2·h^-1时,气孔开始关闭;在充分供水和轻度胁迫下,T_r越高,叶水势越低,且G_s随着T_r增加而增加。叶水势的变化除受土壤水分影响外,还与叶片生长发育密切相关。     

The oxidant/antioxidant equilibrium in horses

Since "free radical research" started in 1954, understanding the role of oxidants and antioxidants in physiological and pathological conditions has increased continuously. Oxidants are essentially generated by metabolic enzymes, inflammatory cells and mitochondrial electron leakage; they are indispensable for the cellular redox regulation and may, under certain conditions, have a pro-inflammatory stimulatory role. Endogenous and exogenous antioxidants counterbalance the oxidative processes and so maintain the oxidant/antioxidant equilibrium. Excessive oxidant generation or antioxidant insufficiency can lead to oxidative stress. The aims of this review are: (1) to provide an insight into the concept of the oxidant/antioxidant equilibrium by briefly introducing the oxidant and the antioxidant systems; (2) to describe how the oxidant/antioxidant equilibrium or oxidative stress can be evaluated in horses, and (3) to summarise current knowledge about oxidative stress in equine medicine and equine exercise physiology.     

干旱胁迫和施氮对结缕草种群特征和生理特性的影响

分析了氮、水分与上海结缕草(Zoysia japonica cv. Shanghai)生长之间的相互关系,为上海结缕草草坪科学施肥和灌溉提供依据。试验选择干旱胁迫和施氮2个因素,各设置3个水平,结果表明:轻度干旱胁迫+中氮组合处理的草坪品质非常好,草坪密度和地上生物量高于或接近无干旱胁迫+中氮组合处理,且显著好于轻度干旱胁迫的其他处理和重度干旱胁迫的全部处理(P0.05);高氮处理的结缕草株高在同一干旱水平中均明显高于其他处理(P0.05)。在相同干旱胁迫下,施氮后第19天,结缕草叶片的相对电导率、游离脯氨酸含量和可溶性糖含量均随施氮量的增加而呈现升高的趋势;与此相反,施氮后第41天时,则呈现出随施氮量的增加而降低的趋势;随着干旱胁迫程度的增加,叶片丙二醛含量呈现增加的趋势。研究结果表明,适度的干旱胁迫和适量的氮肥有助于维持上海结缕草较好的坪用品质。     

Metabolic adaptations to heat stress in growing cattle

To differentiate between the effects of heat stress (HS) and decreased dry matter intake (DMI) on physiological and metabolic variables in growing beef cattle, we conducted an experiment in which a thermoneutral (TN) control group (n = 6) was pair fed (PF) to match nutrient intake with heat-stressed Holstein bull calves (n = 6). Bulls (4 to 5 mo old, 135 kg body weight [BW]) housed in climate-controlled chambers were subjected to 2 experimental periods (P): (1) TN (18 °C to 20 °C) and ad libitum intake for 9 d, and (2) HS (cyclical daily temperatures ranging from 29.4 °C to 40.0 °C) and ad libitum intake or PF (in TN conditions) for 9 d. During each period, blood was collected daily and all calves were subjected to an intravenous insulin tolerance test (ITT) on day 7 and a glucose tolerance test (GTT) on day 8. Heat stress reduced (12%) DMI and by design, PF calves had similar nutrient intake reductions. During P1, BW gain was similar between environments and averaged 1.25 kg/d, and both HS and PF reduced (P < 0.01) average daily gain (-0.09 kg/d) during P2. Compared to PF, HS decreased (P < 0.05) basal circulating glucose concentrations (7%) and tended (P < 0.07) to increase (30%) plasma insulin concentrations, but neither HS nor PF altered plasma nonesterified fatty acid concentrations. Although there were no treatment differences in P2, both HS and PF increased (P < 0.05) plasma urea nitrogen concentrations (75%) compared with P1. In contrast to P1, both HS and PF had increased (16%) glucose disposal, but compared with PF, HS calves had a greater (67%; P < 0.05) insulin response to the GTT. Neither period nor environment acutely affected insulin action, but during P2, calves in both environments tended (P = 0.11) to have a blunted overall glucose response to the ITT. Independent of reduced nutrient intake, HS alters post-absorptive carbohydrate (basal and stimulated) metabolism, characterized primarily by increased basal insulin concentrations and insulin response to a GTT. However, HS-induced reduction in feed intake appears to fully explain decreased average daily gain in Holstein bull calves.     

Induction of oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation in rats chronically exposed to cypermethrin through dermal application

Present study was undertaken to study the effect of cypermethrin on oxidative stress after chronic dermal application. The insecticide was applied dermally at 50 mg/kg body weight in different groups of Wistar rats of either sex weighing 150~200 g. Significant (p < 0.05) increase in catalase activity was observed after 30 days of exposure. However, the superoxide dismutase activity declined significantly after 60 days of exposure. The activity of glutathione peroxidase and blood glutathione levels declined significantly (p < 0.05) after 30 days of cypermethrin dermal application. However, the activity of glutathione S-transferase increased significantly (p < 0.05) in all groups after 60 days of dermal exposure. Significant increase in lipid peroxidation was observed from 30 days onwards and reached a peak after 120 days of application.     

土壤Cu^2＋污染对植物生长影响的研究进展

工农业生产的飞速发展,导致土壤中的重金属越来越多。Cu^2＋是植物必需的金属营养元素之一,但过量会对植物产生一系列的毒害作用。因此,有关Cu^2＋胁迫对植物的毒害方面的研究成为人们关注的焦点之一。综述了土壤Cu^2＋污染对植物种子萌发、植株生长和生理效应3个方面的毒害作用。