Cypermethrin inhibits egg development in the ixodid tick, Amblyomma hebraeum

The pyrethroid insecticide, cypermethrin (CyM), stimulates vitellogenesis in Ornithodoros moubata (an argasid tick) by stimulating the release of the normal vitellogenesis-inducing factor (a neuropeptide) and subsequent release of the vitellogenic hormone [19]. Here we examine the effects of CyM on egg development in the ixodid tick, Amblyomma hebraeum. Ovary weight, oocyte size, and vitellin content of the ovary were measured after CyM treatment; in partially fed ticks, none of these parameters were affected significantly. However, CyM treatment caused an inhibition of ovary development, as well as reduction of both hemolymph 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E; the vitellogenic hormone in this species) and vitellogenin (Vg)-concentrations in engorged ticks. In addition, the degree of salivary gland degeneration (which is triggered by 20E) was slightly reduced in CyM-treated engorged ticks. These results indicate that CyM acts differently in Amblyomma compared to Ornithodoros. Instead of stimulating vitellogenesis, CyM inhibits egg development perhaps in part as a result of inhibiting release of 20E.     

Alterations in the brain monoaminergic neurotransmitters of rainbow trout related to naphthalene exposure at the beginning of vitellogenesis

The contents of dopamine (DA), noradrenaline (NA), serotonin (5HT), and some related metabolites were studied in different brain regions of rainbow trout at two different stages of sexual maturation (at the beginning of vitellogenesis), after naphthalene (NAP) administration. The effects of NAP varied according to duration of exposure, brain region and vitellogenesis stage of the trout, and were more significant during previtellogenesis. The changes observed in DA metabolism were generally stimulatory after exposure for 3 h, and either stimulatory or inhibitory (depending on the brain regions) after exposure for 3 days to NAP. NA levels were altered by NAP in various brain regions, but only during previtellogenesis. With respect to 5HT, treatment with NAP reduced levels of the amine and/or its main metabolite in most of the brain regions studied, particularly 3 h after treatment. The results suggest that NAP might interfere with the processes regulating brain monoamine metabolism, either locally or indirectly by altering steroid feedback to brain centres, and thus disrupt endocrine control of reproductive development through the brain–pituitary axis.     

Effects of the avermectin, MK-243, on ovary development and salivary gland degeneration in the ixodid tick, Amblyomma hebraeum

Injection of the avermectin analogue, MK-243, into engorged female Amblyomma hebraeum Koch resulted in reduced ovary weight, oocyte length, and ovary vitellin content. There was no significant reduction in hemolymph vitellogenin concentration in MK-243 treated ticks. Although MK-243 was previously shown to markedly reduce hemolymph 20E-concentration, injection of 20E, the vitellogenic hormone in this tick, did not reverse the effects of MK-243 on ovary development. These data suggest that MK-243 may exert its inhibition of egg development more at the level of vitellogenin uptake than vitellogenin synthesis. MK-243 also reversed salivary gland degeneration slightly, probably via its inhibitory effect on 20E-synthesis.     

Towards a universal scale to assess sexual maturation and related life history traits in oviparous teleost fishes

The literature presents a confusing number of macroscopic maturation scales for fish gonads, varying from over-simplified scales comprising three to four stages to highly specific and relatively complicated nine-stage scales. The estimation of some important life history traits are dependent on a correct assessment and use of the gonadal maturation scales, and frequent mistakes have been made in many studies. The goal of this report is to provide a synthetic, relatively simple, yet precise maturation scale that works for most oviparous teleost fishes. The synthetic scale proposed here is based on the correspondence between key physiological and cytological processes of gamete development and corresponding modifications observed at the macroscopic level. It is based on previous and ongoing studies of several fish species pertaining to some of the most important African and Neotropical taxa, including Characiformes, Siluriformes, Osteoglossiformes and Perciformes. This scale should allow for standardized protocols of field studies and improve intra- and inter-specific comparisons of life history traits. Guidelines on the correct use of this scale to estimate these life history traits are provided.     

克氏原螯虾不同发育阶段卵巢中EST同工酶比较

[目的]研究克氏原螯虾(Procambarus clarkii)卵巢成熟过程EST的变化。[方法]采用聚丙烯酰胺凝胶电泳方法,分析了卵黄形成期和成熟期卵巢中酯酶同工酶(EST)的表达情况。[结果]所研究的两个阶段卵巢中EST同工酶的表达可分为Ⅰ、Ⅱ、Ⅲ共3个区。其中Ⅰ区和Ⅱ区卵黄形成期EST表达较强,酶带明显比成熟期浓,尤其是Ⅰ区,卵黄形成期EST同工酶的表达最强。相反,在Ⅲ区,成熟期EST酶带明显比卵黄形成区浓。[结论]在克氏原螯虾卵子成熟过程中,EST基因的表达存在时间差异性。     

Vitellogenesis in the tick Amblyomma triste (Koch, 1844) (Acari: Ixodidae) Role for pedicel cells

This study presents new information on the vitellogenesis of the tick Amblyomma triste. In this species, the ovary consists of a layer of epithelial cells, which form the ovarian wall, oogonia and developing oocytes; and the pedicel, a cellular structure that synthesizes and provides yolk precursors for developing oocytes. The pedicel also attaches oocytes to the external surface of the epithelial wall. In this study, evidence is provided in support of pedicel cells in providing compounds for oocytes during vitellogenesis.     

家蚕化蛹第7天卵巢组织蛋白质标准图谱的构建

家蚕蛹期是卵子发育的重要时期,对蛹期卵巢的蛋白质组学研究将有助于认识家蚕的卵子发育过程。获取处于卵黄生成期的家蚕化蛹第7天卵巢组织,提取蛋白样品进行双向电泳,经银染后检测到682个蛋白点,这些蛋白点主要分布于分子质量15-90 kD、等电点4-8之间。对其中较高丰度的蛋白点进行飞行时间质谱(MALDI-TOF-MS)鉴定,共分析得到40个可信蛋白点,其中包括4个在家蚕中新鉴定的蛋白。经基因功能分类分析,这些蛋白包括营养储存蛋白、应激相关蛋白、蛋白翻译相关蛋白及代谢相关蛋白等。     

Vitellogenesis with special emphasis on Indian fishes

Oocyte growth in most oviparous vertebrates including fish is due to the formation of yolk, and eggshell proteins (zona radiata proteins). Zonagenesis leads to the formation of zona radiata proteins in oocytes, which play an important role during oogenesis, whereas vitellogenesis leads to the formation of yolk in oocytes through a series of events during which the yolk precursor protein vitellogenin (Vg) is synthesized and secreted from liver into blood from where it is sequestered into the developing oocytes and thereafter proteolytically cleaved to form yolk proteins (YPs) and finally deposited in the ooplasm. Much research has been done in many fish species with respect to the number and nature of Vg and YPs and their probable functions during fish reproduction. Recent findings of multiplicity of Vg molecules in fishes reject the earlier view of a single-Vg model and have led scientists to explore the functions of individual Vg and their YP derivatives, lipovitellin, phosvitin, and β′-component. Two distinct types of Vg or Vg genes, containing or encoding the three YPs, have been detected in many teleosts. A third unusual, incomplete, phosvitin-poor Vg has been described recently in many fishes. In comparison to much of the information on vitellogenesis in many fishes very little is known for Indian fishes. In India research has been done in a few species such as the catfish, Heteropneustes fossilis and Clarias batrachus, the murrel, Channa punctatus and the Indian major carps, Labeo rohita and Cirrhinus mrigala. Immunological and biochemical analyses suggest the occurrence of multiple forms of Vg and their YP derivatives. The synthesis and incorporation of Vg are regulated by gonadotropin (GTH) and estradiol-17β (E₂). A differential role between estrone (E₁₎ and estriol (E₃) has been demonstrated for Vg synthesis. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) for Vg have been developed to measure plasma Vg. Finally the different roles of Vg1 (HAI) and Vg2 (HAII) on vitellogenesis have been demonstrated. However, more research remains to be carried out in other fish species with respect to the number and nature of Vg and YPs and their genes in order to describe their reproductive functions.     

宫川棘口吸虫和似锥低颈吸虫的卵黄细胞发育（复殖目：棘口科）

用透射电镜观察了棘口科（Ｅｃｈｉｎｏｓｔｏｍａｔｉｄａｅ）、棘口属（Ｅｃｈｉｎｏｓｔｏｍａ）的宫川棘口吸虫（Ｅ．ｍｉｙａｇａｗａｉ），低颈属（Ｈｙｐｏｄｅｒａｅｕｍ）的似锥低颈吸虫（Ｈ．ｃｏｎｏｉｄｅｕｍ）的卵黄细胞发育超微结构变化。两种吸虫卵黄细胞发育过程比较相似。卵黄小叶外被覆一层基膜。未发育卵黄细胞含有较少细胞质，大量游离核糖体。发育期卵黄细胞含有较多细胞质，丰富的粗面内质网，高尔基复合体和卵黄球。成熟期卵黄细胞的胞质丰富，粗面内质网减少，位于核周围和细胞边缘，胞质内还出现大量糖原和包涵体。在似锥低颈吸虫的发育期和成熟期卵黄细胞内，还出现脂滴。     

Swimming stimulates oocyte development in European eel

In this study, we subjected eels from Lake Balaton (Hungary) to a swimming period of 1 week and 2 or 6 weeks. Most eels were silver and were 13–21 years old. Time dependent changes in morphometrical parameters and developmental characteristics of the oocytes were determined. Already after 1 week of swimming, the gonadal mass increased and oocytes became larger, filled with large numbers of lipid droplets. After 2 and 6 weeks of swimming we found in addition a significant enlargement of the eyes, which is a sign of sexual maturation. In contrast to the resting eels, that had oocytes in the primary growth phase (stage 1–2); the swimming eels had oocytes in stage 3; the cortical alveolus or lipid droplet stage. The results indicate that lipid mobilisation induced by swimming is a requirement for the natural incorporation of lipid droplets in the oocytes, a crucial step in oocyte maturation. As the Balaton eels responded stronger to swimming than young farmed eels, it is suggested that older eels are more sensitive for maturation triggers.