新船叶藓的核型分析

新船叶藓Neodolichomitra robusta(Broth．)Nog．为东亚特有种,其配子体茎尖细胞有丝分裂中期的染色体数为n＝5,核型为K(n)＝5＝4V+1J或K(n)＝5＝4 m+1 sm,在核型分类中属于“2A”型。该研究结果为国内外首次报道。     

中国东北六种藓类植物的细胞学观察

本文对我国东北产6种藓类的孢子母细胞减数分裂中期I的染色体数进行了报道。结果如下： 羽枝青藓Brachythecium plumosum （Hedw．)B．S．G．,n=15;钝叶绢藓Entodon obtusatus(Mitt) Jaeg．,n=11;东亚绢藓E．okamurae Mitt,n=11;丛本藓Anoctangium aestivum(Hedw．)Mitt．, n＝13;真藓Bryum argenteum Hedw．,n=10;尖叶美喙藓Eurhynchium eustegium(Besch．)Dix.,n=20+2m,其中前三种为首次报道。     

七筋姑的细胞地理学研究

根据本文对中国境内(从西藏聂拉木—吉林长白山)七筋姑10个居群的核型及细胞地理学和形态学分化的研究结果及前人的资料指出,东亚的七筋姑具有两种倍性,2n＝14的二倍体和2n=28的四倍体。二倍体分布于云南～俄罗斯远东滨海边区,核型相当一致：K(2n)=2V+6J+2V+4j(2NOR+2j), 2A(→2B)。四倍体除出现在东亚(或二倍体分布区)的两端——云南及其以西的喜马拉雅地区和日本外,目前仅在陕西南部化龙山北坡中山一带较狭的范围内发现。在东亚两端四倍体的核型为K(2n)=4V+12J+4v+8j(2NOR十6j),2A(→2B),且相当一致;在中部为K(2n)＝4V+12J(2NOR+10J)+4v+8j[K(2n)＝10m+16sm(2SAT)+2st],2A,二者核型具有相似性但有一定的差异。北美4种全部为2n＝28,且核型一致。因此,七筋姑属的染色体基数x＝7而非14。该属核型的原始类型在东亚,北美是该属的次生分化中心和现代分布中心。在东亚类群中,除种子随多倍化而增大,种子的颜色与地理分布有关外,很难从其它形态特征上作进一步区分。因此,主要以叶子大小、花序类型和花的数目,果实、种子的大小和颜色等特征作为(Clintonia alpina或C．udensis var．alpina的分类依据是不充分的。     

禺毛茛多倍体复合体及其近缘种核型研究

本文报道了禺毛茛Ranunculus cantoniensis DC．多倍体复合体及近缘种中6种植物的核型。棱喙毛茛Ranunculus trigonus Hand-Mazz．有两种核型(首次报道)：矮株型2n＝2x＝16＝4m+6sm+6st(2SAT);高株型2n＝2x=16=4m十2sm十lOst(2SAT)。茴茴蒜Ranunculus chinensis Bunge．2n=2x=16=6m+2sm+8st。卷喙毛茛Ranunculus silerifolius lévl．2n＝2x＝16＝6m+2sm+6st+2t。禺毛茛2n=4x＝32＝4m(a)+2m(b)+2sm(b)十4t(SAT)(c)十4st(d)+2m(e)+2sm(e)十2sm(f)+2st(f)+4st(g) +2st(h)十2m(h)。褐鞘毛茛Ranunculus vaginatus Hand．-Mazz．2n＝5x＝40=3m(a)十2sm(a)+2st(b)+3sm(b)十2t(c)+3t(SAT)(c)+5st(d)+5m(e)+5sm(f)+5st(g)+5m(h),(首次报道)．扬子毛茛 Ranunculus sieboldii Miq.2n=6x=48＝6m(a)十2st(b)十4sm(b)+2st(SAT)(c)十4t(SAT)(c)+6st(d)十6m(e)十6sm(f)+6st(g)+6m(h)。禺毛茛(4x)由2个类似本文中的卷喙毛茛或茴茴蒜的染色体组和两个“短m-型”染色体组组成。褐鞘毛茛(5x)和扬子毛茛(6x,8x)则由不同的“短m-型”染色体组组成。复合体成员及近缘种可能是通过“短m-型”染色体组产生关系,构成一个柱架式多倍体复合体。根据染色体及形态特征,建议恢复卷喙毛茛的种级地位。     

葱属粗根组5种材料的核型研究

本文分析了葱属Allium粗根组Sect．Bromatorrhiza Ekberg五群材料的核型。多星韭Allium wallichii Kunth有两个类型：第一类型是二倍体,染色体组公式为AA,核型公式为K(2n)=2X=14=2m(SAT)+2m+10sm,属2A型;第二类型是同源四倍体,染色体组公式为AAAA, 核型公式为K(2n)＝4X＝28＝2m(SAT)+6m十20sm,属2A型。宽叶韭Allium hookeri Thwaites有三个类型： 第一类型是双基数同源异源三倍体,染色体组公式为AAB1,核型公式为 K(2n)＝2X+ x'＝22＝(12sm+2t)十(1m十45m+1st+2t), 属3A型; 第二类型也是双基数同源异源三倍体,能配对的两个染色体组染色体大小和形态与第一类型大体相似,不能配对的一个染色体组染色体大小和形态与第一类型有明显区别,其中至少有两条染色体发生了罗伯逊易位,出现一条很大的染色体和一条很小的染色体,染色体组公式为AAB2,核型公式为K(2n)=2x+x'＝22=(12sm+2t)+ (3m+1sm十2st+2t),属3A型;第三类型相当于第一类型染色体的自然加倍,是双基数同源异源六倍体,染色体组公式为AAAAB1B1,核型公式为K(2n)=4X十2x'＝44＝(24sm+4t)十(2m+ 8sm十2st+4t),属3A型。     

秦岭十四种藓类植物的染色体观察

本文以藓类植物的幼嫩孢蒴为材料,对秦岭地区14种藓类植物的染色体作了观察,并对其中的长尖提灯藓进行了核型分析。结果如下：细叶真藓Bryum capillare L.ex Hedw．n＝10;长尖提灯藓Mnium lycopodioides Schwaegr．n＝6,核型公式为n＝6＝3m+3sm(1SAT)侧枝匍灯藓Plagiomnium maximoviczii(Lindb．)T．Kop．n＝6;梨蒴珠藓皱叶变种Bartramia pomiformis var．elongata Turn. n=10+2m;细枝羽藓Thuidium delicatulum (Hedw.) Mitt. n=11;尖叶羽藓Thuidium philibortii Limpr. n=10+1m;褐黄水灰藓Hygrohypnum ochraceum (Wils.) Loesk. n=10;钩枝镰刀藓Drepanocladus uncinatus (Hedw.) Warnst. n=7+3m; 黄叶细湿藓Campylium chrysophyllum (Brid.) J. Lange. n=10;林地青藓Brachythecium starkei (Brid.) B. S. G. n=16;多褶青藓 Brachythecium buchananii (Hook.) Jaeg. n=6;扁枝小锦藓Brotherella yokohamae (Broth.) Broth. n=9+2m; 粗枝藓Gollania neckerella (C. Mull.) Broth. n=7; 暖地金发藓, Pogonatum fastigiatum Mitt. n=7;其中粗枝藓和扁枝小锦藓的染色体数尚未见报道;林地青藓和多褶青藓的染色体数与所见报道的结果不同：其余10种与前人报道的结果一致。     

当归属及近缘小属的核型演化及地理分布研究

本文报道了当归属Angelica及3个近缘小属12种植物的核型,其中10种为首次报道。带岭当归A．dailingensis 2n＝22＝20m+2sm(SAT);丽江当属A．likiangensis 2n＝22＝18m+4sm; 青海当归A．nitida 2n＝22＝14m+4sm+4sm(SAT);林当归A．silvestris 2n＝22＝16m+4sm(SAT)+2st(SAT);紫花前胡A．decursiva 2n=22＝16m+4sm+2sm(SAT);秦岭当归A．tsinlingensis 2n＝22＝18m+4sm; 阿坝当归A．apaensis 2n＝22＝14m+6sm+2st(SAT);隆萼当归A．oncosepala2n＝4x＝44＝28m+12sm+4st,三小叶当归A．ternata 2n=22＝10m+8sm(SAT)+4st(SAT);柳叶芹Czernaevialaevigata 2n=22＝14m+6sm+2sm(SAT);短茎古当归Archangelica brevicaulis 2n＝22＝8m+2m(SAT)+4sm+4sm(SAT)+4st;高山芹Coelopleurum saxatile 2n＝28＝12m+6sm+10st。除带岭当归核型为1A型和高山芹为2B型外,其余种类均为2A型。根据染色体长度比和平均臂比绘制了本次和我们过去已报道的当归属及近缘属23种植物的核型散点图。据核型类型和近端着丝点的有无,把当归属20个种的核型分3组。并结合外部形态、花粉类型和地理分布,探讨了各近缘属的系统演化关系。     

三尖杉科的核形态学研究

4种三尖杉科植物的核形态结构的研究结果如下:它们的间期核均为复杂染色中心型,分裂前期 染色体属于中间型,体细胞分裂中期染色体的核型为:(1)三尖杉Cephalotaxus fortuni Hook．F.,K2n= 24=21m+1M+2sm(2SAT),核型不对称性属于2A型,着丝点端化值(T.C.％)为53．99;(2)高山三尖 杉C.alpina(Li)L.K.Fu,K2n=24=19m+3M+2sm(2SAT),核型不对称性属于2A型,T.C.％值为 53.93;(3)海南粗榧(西双版纳粗榧)C.mannii Hook.f., K2n=24=22m(1SAT)+2sm(2SAT),核型不 对称性属于2A型,T.C.％值为54.47;(4)篦子三尖杉C.oliveri Mast.,K2n＝24＝22m+2sm(2SAT), 核型不对称性属于2B型,T.C.％值为53.53。4种三尖杉的染色体结构都是1～22号染色体为m染色 体,23和24号染色体为sm染色体并具随体,其随体较大而稳定。它们的核形态结构较为相似,从核型 参数上看似乎三尖杉和高山三尖杉的亲缘关系最近,种间的中期染色体结构也有一些细微差异。除三尖杉C．fortunei仅有染色体数目的报道外,这4个种的核形态研究为首次报道。     

黄精属5种植物的核型研究

本文报道了安徽省黄精属Polygonatum Mill．5种植物的染色体数目和核型。玉竹P. odoratum (Mill.)Druce黄山材料2n=16=10m(3sc)+6sm,滁县琅琊山材料2n=18=10m(1sc) +2sm+6st(2sc),二者均属2B核型． 长梗黄精P．filipes Mirr. 黄山材料2n=22=8m+8sm(2sc)+6st,属3B核型,安徽繁昌材料2n=14=10m+4sm和2n=16=8m +4sm+4st,二者均属2B核型。多花黄精(P.cyrtonema Hua)安徽黄山材料2n=20=8m+6sm+6st和2n=22=6m+8sm +4st+4t,二者均属3B核型,安徽滁县琅琊山材料2n=18=8m(2sc)+6sm+4st,属2B核型。长苞黄精(P．desoulayi kom．) 2n=22=10m(2sc)+6sm(1sc)+6st,属3B核型;轮叶黄精(P．verticillatum(L．)All．)2n=18=2m+2sm+10st+2t+2T和2n=24=6m+4sm+12st+2T,二者均属3B核型。其中玉竹2n=16,长梗黄精2n=14和2n=22,长苞黄精2n=22,轮叶黄精2n=18的染色体数目和核型均为首次报道。     

葱属根茎组8种植物的染色体数目和核型报道

本文对国产葱属根茎组的8种植物进行了染色体研究,发现染色体数目2n＝16或32,核型属2A 或2B型,对称性较高。其染色体数目和核型分别为：Allium leucocephalum 2n(2x)＝16＝12m+2sm +2st(2SAT); A,strictum 2n(4x)＝32＝16m+4sm+12st;A.ramosum 2n(2x)＝16=14m+2st (2SAT); A．bidentatum 2n(4x)=32＝24m+4sm+4T;A．tenuissimum 2n(2x)=16=10m+4sm+ 2st(2SAT),A．anisopodium 2n(2x)＝16＝12m+2sm+2st(2SAT);A．anisopodium var．zimmermanni anum 2n(4x)＝32＝24m+4sm+4st(4SAT); A．condensatum 2n(2x)＝16＝14m+2st(2SAT)。多数种的染色体资料为国内首次报道。     

Chromosomes of the antelope genus Kobus (Artiodactyla, Bovidae): karyotypic divergence by centric fusion rearrangements

G- and C-banded karyotypes of four species of the genus Kobus were compared using the standard karyotype of Bos taurus. Chromosomal complements were 2n = 50-54 in K. ellipsiprymnus, 2n = 50 in K. kob, 2n = 48 in K. leche, and 2n = 52 in K. megaceros. The number of autosomal arms in all karyotypes was 58. Fifteen autosomal pairs were conserved among these four species, including the 1;19 and 2;25 centric fusions, and autosomal differences involved eight centric fusion rearrangements. Five centric fusions were each unique to a particular taxon: 3;10 (K. leche), 3;11 and 6;29 (K. kob), and 5;17 and 7;11 (K. ellipsiprymnus). The 4;7 fusion occurred in K. leche and K. megaceros, whereas the 5;13 fusion occurred in K. kob and K. leche; the 6;18 fusion was found in three species but was absent in K. kob. Differences between the X chromosomes of the four Kobus species were attributed to heterochromatic additions or deletions, and Y-chromosome differences may have been the result of pericentric inversion. G-banded karyotypes of putative K. l. leche and K. l. kafuensis appeared identical, as did C-banded karyotypes of the two subspecies. Karyotypes of K. e. ellipsiprymnus and K. e. defassa differed as a result of the 6;18 centric fusion, which was polymorphic in K. e. defassa, and the 7;11 centric fusion, which was polymorphic in K. e. ellipsiprymnus but absent in K. e. defassa. Several centric fusions were related by monobrachial chain-IV complexes; however, records of hybridization indicate that reproductive isolation between at least certain species of Kobus is incomplete. Karyotypic differences between K. ellipsiprymnus (including K. e. ellipsiprymnus and K. e. defassa), K. kob, K. leche, and K. megaceros support the validity of these taxa, as well as the need to manage them as separate populations.     

青海四种雏蝗染色体核型的比较分析

采用常规染色体制片方法对雏蝗属的褐色雏蝗Chorthippusbrunneus(Thunb .) ,异色雏蝗C .big uttulus(Linnaeus) ,小翅雏蝗C .fallax(Zub .) ,青藏雏蝗C .qingzangensis(Ying)的染色体核型进行分析 ,结果 :染色体数目均为 2n(♂ ) =1 7=1 6+XO ;常染色体类型为两类 ,中着丝点染色体 (m ,6条 )和端着丝点染色体 (T ,1 0条 ) ;性染色体类型为端着丝点。褐色雏蝗、异色雏蝗和青藏雏蝗的核型公式和染色体的相对长度组成为K( 2n ,♂ ) =1 7=6m +1 1T =6L +6M +4S +XO ,K( 2n ,♀ ) =1 8=6m +1 2T =6L +6M +4S +XX ;小翅雏蝗的为K( 2n,♂ ) =1 7=6m +1 1T =6L +4M +6S +XO ,K( 2n ,♀ ) =1 8=6m +1 2T =6L +4M +6S+XX。褐色雏蝗性染色体中部有次缢痕。染色体臂数 4种均为NF =2 3(♂ ) ,2 4 (♀ )。     

Genomic constitutions of four Chinese endemic Elymus species: E. brevipes, E. yangii, E. anthosachnoides, and E. altissimus (Triticeae, Poaceae).

The objectives of this study were to determine the genomic constitution and to explore the genomic variation within four Chinese endemic Elymus species, i.e., E. brevipes (Keng) L?ve (2n = 4x = 28) and E. yangii B.R. Lu (2n = 4x = 28), E. anthosachnoides (Keng) L?ve (2n = 4x = 28), and E. altissimus (Keng) L?ve (2n = 4x = 28). Intraspecific crosses between different populations of the four Elymus species, as well as interspecific hybridizations among the four target species, and with six analyzer species containing well-known genomes, i.e., E. caninus (L.) L. (2n = 4x = 28, SH), E. sibiricus L. (2n = 4x = 28, SH), E. semicostatus (Lees ex Steud.) Melderis (2n = 4x = 28, SY), E. parviglumis (Keng) L?ve (2n = 4x = 28, SY), E. tsukushiensis Honda (2n = 6x = 42, SHY), and E. himalayanus (Nevski) Tzvelev (2n = 6x = 42, SHY), were achieved through the aid of embryo rescue. Chromosome pairing behaviors were studied in the parental species and their hybrids. Numerical analysis on chromosome pairing was made on the interspecific hybrids. With one exception, each meiotic configuration at metaphase I in the hybrids involving the target taxa and the analyzer species containing the "SH" genomes fit a 2:1:1 model with x-values ranging between 0.91 and 1.00; chromosome pairing in the hybrids involving analyzer parents with the "SY" genomes match a 2:2 model, with x-values between 0.97 and 0.99. All pentaploid hybrids with a genomic formula "SSYYH," except for two crosses having unexpected low c-values, had pairing patterns fitting the 2:2:1 model with x-values varying between 0.96 and 1.00. It is concluded based on hybridization, fertility, and chromosome pairing data that (i) the four target Elymus species are strictly allotetraploid taxa, (ii) they are closely related species, all comprised of the "SY" genomes, (iii) minor genomic structural rearrangements have occurred within the four Elymus species, and (iv) meiotic pairing regulator(s) exists in some of the Elymus taxa studied.     

国产稗属植物的细胞学研究

对国产７种（含变种）稗属Ｅｃｈｉｎｏｃｈｌｏａ植物的细胞学进行了初步研究。９个供试材料的体细胞分别表现两种染色体数目２ｎ为３６或５４。除光头稗Ｅ．ｃｏｌｏｎｕｍＬ外,分析了其余种的核型,其结果为：稗Ｅ．ｃｒｕｓ．ｖａｒ．ｃｒｕｓｇａｌｌｉ２ｎ＝５４＝５８ｍ＋６ｓｍ;西来稗Ｅ．ｃｒｕｓ．ｖａｒ．ｚｅｌａｙｅｎｓｉｓ（Ｈ．Ｂ．Ｋ．）Ｈｉｔｃｈｃ ２ｎ＝５４＝４２ｍ（２ＳＡＴ）＋１２ｓｍ（４ＳＡＴ）;     

中国桤木属植物的细胞学研究(Ⅰ)

对桦木科桤木属自然分布于中国西南地区的4个种进行了细胞学研究,结果分别为:川滇桤木K(2n)=56=30m+24sm+2st;桤木K(2n)=56=38m+16sm+2M;蒙自桤木K(2n)=56=28m+26sm+2st;毛桤木K(2n)=56=42m+14sm;其中川滇桤木的核型属于2A型,其余均为2B型;上述种类染色体数目均为2n=56。4种材料的核型均为首次报道。     

Effect of temperature and water activity on the production of fumonisins by Aspergillus niger and different Fusariumspecies

Background

Amino acid substitutions in the target enzyme Erg11p of azole antifungals contribute to clinically-relevant azole resistance in Candida albicans. A simple molecular method for rapid detection of ERG11 gene mutations would be an advantage as a screening tool to identify potentially-resistant strains and to track their movement. To complement DNA sequencing, we developed a padlock probe and rolling circle amplification (RCA)-based method to detect a series of mutations in the C. albicans ERG11 gene using "reference" azole-resistant isolates with known mutations. The method was then used to estimate the frequency of ERG11 mutations and their type in 25 Australian clinical C. albicans isolates with reduced susceptibility to fluconazole and in 23 fluconazole-susceptible isolates. RCA results were compared DNA sequencing.

Results

The RCA assay correctly identified all ERG11 mutations in eight "reference" C. albicans isolates. When applied to 48 test strains, the RCA method showed 100% agreement with DNA sequencing where an ERG11 mutation-specific probe was used. Of 20 different missense mutations detected by sequencing in 24 of 25 (96%) isolates with reduced fluconazole susceptibility, 16 were detected by RCA. Five missense mutations were detected by both methods in 18 of 23 (78%) fluconazole-susceptible strains. DNA sequencing revealed that mutations in non-susceptible isolates were all due to homozygous nucleotide changes. With the exception of the mutations leading to amino acid substitution E266D, those in fluconazole-susceptible strains were heterozygous. Amino acid substitutions common to both sets of isolates were D116E, E266D, K128T, V437I and V488I. Substitutions unique to isolates with reduced fluconazole susceptibility were G464 S (n = 4 isolates), G448E (n = 3), G307S (n = 3), K143R (n = 3) and Y123H, S405F and R467K (each n = 1). DNA sequencing revealed a novel substitution, G450V, in one isolate.

Conclusion

The sensitive RCA assay described here is a simple, robust and rapid (2 h) method for the detection of ERG11 polymorphisms. It showed excellent concordance with ERG11 sequencing and is a potentially valuable tool to track the emergence and spread of azole-resistant C. albicans and to study the epidemiology of ERG11 mutations. The RCA method is applicable to the study of azole resistance in other fungi.     

Replication of association between polymorphisms of the pancreatic ATP-sensitive potassium channel and susceptibility to type 2 diabetes in two Russian urban populations

The KCNJ11 and ABCC8 genes encode components of the pancreatic ATP-sensitive potassium (KATP) channel. Previously, we reported association of the KCNJ11 E23K and ABCC8 R1273R G/A variants with type 2 diabetes (T2D) in a small Russian population sample (n=244). Here we replicated association between these genetic variants and T2D in a larger cohort (588 diabetic and 597 non-diabetic subjects). Using the ANCOVA analysis, Odds Ratios (ORs) and relationships between the carriage of a genotype and biochemical parameters of the patients were assessed and then adjusted for confounders (age, gender, HbA1c, hypertension, and obesity). The KCNJ11 K23 variant and the ABCC8 R1273R allele A showed association with higher risk of T2D (adjusted OR of 1.41 and 2.03, P<0.0001, respectively). Diabetic patients homozygous for K/K had lower 2h insulin (P_adjusted=0.044). The ABCC8 A/A variant was associated with increased 2h serum insulin in diabetic and non-diabetic subjects (P_adjusted=0.027 and 0.033, respectively). The carriage of the risk variant K/K of KCNJ11 E23K or A/A of ABCC8 G/A R1273R was associated with reduced response to nonsulfonylurea and sulfonylurea blockers of the pancreatic KATP channel. Adjusted attributable population risk was 3.0% (KCNJ11 E23K) and 4.8% (ABCC8 G/A) suggesting for the modest effects of these genetic variants on diabetes susceptibility.     

六种云杉的核型分析

对６种（含１变种）云杉属植物的染色体数目及形态特征进行了分析研究。研究树种均为我国特有种,其中４种在本文中首次报道。分析材料全部取自各树种中心产区的原始林内。其核型公式：鳞皮云杉（Ｐ．ｒｅｔｒｏｆｌｅｘａ）Ｋ（２ｎ）＝２４＝２２ｍ＋２ｓｍ;云极（Ｐ．ａｓｐｅｒａｔａ）Ｋ（２ｎ）＝２４＝２０ｍ＋４ｓｍ;青插（Ｐ．ｗｉｌｓｏｎｉｉ）Ｋ（２ｎ）＝２４＝２０ｍ＋４ｓｍ＋１Ｂ;紫果云极（Ｐ．ｐｕｒｐｕｒｅａ     

Plasma concentrations of vitamin E in six species of bustard (Gruiformes: Otididae)

Vitamin E (measured as alpha-tocopherol) and cholesterol concentrations were determined in plasma samples collected from 86 clinically healthy captive adult bustards of six species and 23 captive juveniles (6-12 mo old) of two of these species. Adult houbara bustards (Chlamydotis undulata macqueenii) had higher plasma alpha-tocopherol concentrations than juveniles (adult: mean +/- SE, 11.07 +/- 0.41 micrograms/ml, n = 32; juvenile: 6.33 +/- 0.48, n = 12) and higher alpha-tocopherol: cholesterol ratios (adult: 6.09 +/- 0.44, n = 12; juvenile: 2.94 +/- 0.22, n = 11). No age difference was evident for kori bustard (Ardeotis kori) plasma alpha-tocopherol concentrations (adult: 4.43 +/- 0.42, n = 21; juvenile: 4.46 +/- 0.26, n = 11) or alpha-tocopherol: cholesterol ratios (adult: 3.67 +/- 0.44, n = 20; juvenile: 3.71 +/- 0.36, n = 11). Adult houbara bustards had significantly higher (P < 0.01) alpha-tocopherol concentrations compared with adult rufous-crested (Eupodotis ruficrista; 6.64 +/- 0.33, n = 19) and white-bellied (Eupodotis senegalensis; 7.75 +/- 0.81, n = 8) bustards, but similar alpha-tocopherol: cholesterol ratios (rufous-crested: 5.56 +/- 0.32, n = 18; white-bellied: 5.83 +/- 0.43, n = 8). Juvenile houbara bustards had higher plasma alpha-tocopherol concentrations than juvenile kori bustards but similar alpha-tocopherol:cholesterol ratios. Adult houbara bustard plasma alpha-tocopherol levels and alpha-tocopherol:cholesterol ratios did not differ significantly between sexes. The vitamin E status of adult bustards appeared to be influenced by environmental conditions that varied due to species-specific husbandry regimens, but no clear relationship was seen with dietary vitamin E levels. Juvenile bustards did not have higher vitamin E levels than adults, despite being maintained on four-fold dietary vitamin E concentrations and in similar environmental conditions. This paper presents the first published data for plasma vitamin E concentrations in bustards. The plasma alpha-tocopherol and cholesterol concentrations and alpha-tocopherol:cholesterol ratios of captive bustards were similar to those previously reported for omnivorous avian species. Further research is required to determine which components of the identified environmental conditions affect bustard vitamin E status and to confirm whether differences exist between species independent of the variation in their management regimes.     

17beta-estradiol deficiency reduces potassium excretion in an angiotensin type 1 receptor-dependent manner

This study examined the effects of ovariectomy (OVX) and 17beta-estradiol (E(2)) replacement (OVX + E(2)) on renal function in Sprague-Dawley rats. OVX caused a 40% decrease in the fractional excretion of potassium (FE(K(+))) that was prevented by E(2) replacement [Sham, 24.2 +/- 2.9%; OVX, 14.5 +/- 2.1% (P < 0.05 vs. OVX + E(2)); and OVX + E(2), 26.2 +/- 2.7%; n = 7-11] and that corresponded to significant increases in plasma potassium [(in mmol/l): Sham, 3.15 +/- 0.087; OVX, 3.42 +/- 0.048 (P < 0.05 vs. OVX + E(2)); and OVX + E(2), 3.19 +/- 0.11; n = 7-11]. No effects of OVX were detected on plasma levels of sodium and aldosterone. Angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT(1)R) densities in ovariectomized rats were 1.4-fold and 1.3-fold higher in glomerular [maximum binding capacity (B(max); in fmol/mg protein): Sham, 482 +/- 21; OVX, 666 +/- 20 (P < 0.05 vs. OVX + E(2)); and OVX + E(2), 504 +/- 26; n = 7-11] and proximal tubular [B(max) (in fmol/mg protein): Sham, 721 +/- 16; OVX, 741 +/- 24 (P < 0.05 vs. OVX + E(2)); and OVX + E(2), 569 +/- 23; n = 7-11] membranes compared with E(2) replete animals, respectively. Both the angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor captopril and the AT(1)R antagonist losartan prevented the OVX-induced decrease in the FE(K(+)) and the increase in renal AT(1)R densities, suggesting that E(2) deficiency reduces potassium excretion in an ANG II/AT(1)R-dependent manner. These findings may have implications for renal function in postmenopausal women as well as contribute to the reasons underlying the age-induced increase in susceptibility to hypertension-associated disease in women.