The effects of starvation and temperature acclimation on pentose phosphate pathway dehydrogenases in brook trout liver

Temperature and starvation were found to be factors which affected the PPP dehydrogenase activities in brook trout liver. Fish acclimated at 5 °C possessed greater levels of G6PD, H6PD, and 6PGD activity than those fish maintained at 10 or 15 °C. This phenomenon was probably associated with increased lipogenesis during cold acclimation.During starvation hepatic G6PD and 6PGD activities decreased, whereas H6PD activity increased slightly. Upon refeeding, the G6PD level gradually increased, but the “overshoot” in enzyme activity reported in mammalian studies was not observed.When both cold acclimation and starvation were studied simultaneously, regulation by temperature was initially the dominant control factor. After 6 wk at 5 °C, there was no difference in specific activities between starved and fed fish. However, fish maintained at 5 °C for longer than 2 mo did show the normal response to starvation and refeeding. Therefore, regulation of the PPP by temperature appears to be a transitory phenomenon and may be associated with temporary metabolic reorganization in the fish.     

Effect of orchard and postharvest application of daminozide on ethylene synthesis by apple fruit

The effects of daminozide (butanedioic acid-2,2-dimethylhydrazide) on ethylene synthesis by apple fruits were investigated. The objective was to determine the effects of postharvest applications as compared to the standard application of diaminozide in the orchard. Immersion in a solution containing 4.25 g L^?1 active ingredient for 5 min delayed the rise in ethylene production in individual “Cox” apples at 15°C by about 2 days, whereas orchard application of 0.85 g L^?1 caused delays of about 3 days. Both modes of application depressed the maximal rate of ethylene production attained by ripe apples by about 30%. Daminozide did not affect the stimulation of respiration by ethylene treatment of “Gloster” apples, but it delayed the increase in ethylene synthesis. Daminozide applied immediately after harvest delayed the rise in ethylene synthesis in “Golden Delicious” held at 15°C, but it was less effective when applied 48 h after harvest or when apples were held at 5°C. Exposure to 1–2 μl L^?1 ethylene for 48 h was less effective in promoting the rise in ethylene in daminozidetreated “Cox” and “Gloster” apples than in untreated fruit. High (100–1000 μl L^?1) concentrations of ethylene more or less overcame the daminozide effect. Apples absorbed about 40% of surface-applied [¹⁴C]daminozide in 48 h, but more than 90% of the radioactivity in the fruit was recovered from the peel and outer 1 cm of the cortex. Daminozide was partly converted to carbon dioxide and other metabolites.     

GROWTH AND PROBABLE GAMETE FORMATION IN THE MARINE DINOFLAGELLATE CERATIUM SCHRANKII1

Growth and formation of probable gametes in clonal cultures of Ceratium schrankii Kofoid isolated from the Gulf of Naples were monitored at 15, 20 and 25°C (12:12h LD period). Sustained division rates (k) of 0.15 div d ^?1 at 15°C and elevated ones at 20°C (0.27 div d^?1) and 25°C (0.25 div d^?1) were obtained. “Gamete” formation occurred at each temperature with few “gametes” observed at 15°C, and the greatest numbers at 20° and 25°C. This process in each parent cell involved two successive divisions with the first division forming tow “pregametes” which, within a few hours, divided again to form four motile unicells. These “gametes” remained motile for at least 24 h and normally survived for no longer tahn 48 h. Depending on the initial population at the onset of “gamete” formation, the impact on Ceratium populations was to cause either a momentary pause in log growth or a reversible decline in the populaiton.     

Starvation reduces the heat shock protein responses in white sturgeon larvae

This study investigates the responses of white sturgeon larvae (Acipenser transmontanus) to starvation and thermal stress, through the measurement of nutritional status (i.e. growth performances) and cellular biomarkers: heat shock proteins (Hsp) 70 and 90. White sturgeon larvae (25 day post hatch; initial weight 179.0 ± 5.1 mg) were fed (20% body weight per day) or starved for 24, 48 or 72 hrs. Every 24 hrs, five larvae from each of the starved or fed treatment replicates were exposed to heat shock resulting from an increase in water temperature from 19°C to 26°C, at a rate of 1°C per 15 min, and maintained at 26°C for 4 hrs. No mortality was observed in this study. Starvation significantly (p < 0.05) decreased the body weight and body contents of energy, protein, and lipid of the experimental larvae, compared to the fed larvae. Heat shock induced the expressions of Hsp70 and Hsp90 in both the fed and starved group; however, starvation reduced the induction at all sampling points. The current study demonstrates that poor larval nutritional status, assessed by the aforementioned parameters, reduced heat shock responses to thermal stress, as measured by heat shock protein levels. Furthermore, Hsp70 and 90 are more sensitive to heat shock and starvation, respectively. This may be, in part, a result of the different functioning of the heat shock proteins in cellular stress response and warrants further study.     

Effects of temperature and salinity on the larvae of two species of rhizocephalan (Crustacea: Cirripedia)

Summary

Responses of larvae of two rhizocephalan species to changes in seawater temperature and salinity were studied under laboratory conditions. Peltogasterella gracilis parasitizes the hermit crab Pagurus pectinatus, which occurs at stable salinity and gradually changing temperature in summer. Sacculina polygenea is a parasite of the crab Hemigrapsus sanguineus, which lives in the intertidal zone in summer where salinity and temperature can fluctuate during the day. The development of both species is comprised of five naupliar stages and the cyprid stage, and it was considered successful if more than 50% of the nauplii attained the cyprid stage. P. gracilis nauplii successfully developed at 12–20°C and 30–34‰, but at 22°C successful development occurred in a narrower salinity range (32–34‰). All nauplii died both at 25°C and in 26‰. S. polygenea nauplii successfully reached the cyprid stage at higher temperatures (18–25°C) and a wider salinity range (18–34‰) than P. gracilis nauplii, but at 12°C and 16‰ larval development of S. polygenea was suppressed. Under favorable conditions, naupliar development lasted 3.5 days in P. gracilis and 2–3 days in S. polygenea. The cyprids of both rhizocephalan species demonstrated a greater resistance to temperature and salinity changes than nauplii. However, P. gracilis cyprids were active in a narrower salinity range (16–34‰), as compared to S. polygenea cyprids (8–34‰). Under favorable conditions the cyprids of both species survived for 6 to 10 days.     

Survival of cabbage stem flea beetle larvae,Psylliodes chrysocephala,exposed to low temperatures

The cabbage stem flea beetle, Psylliodes chrysocephala (L.) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), is a major pest of winter oilseed rape. The larvae live throughout winter in leaf petioles and stems. Winter temperatures might play an important role in survival during winter and hence population dynamics, yet to what degree is unknown. This study investigates the effect of exposure time, cold acclimation, and larval stage on survival at ?5 and ?10 °C. Exposure time at ?5 °C was 1, 2, 4, 8, 12, 16, and 20 days and 6, 12, 24, 36, 48, 72, 96, 120, and 144 h at ?10 °C. Mortality increased with increasing exposure time and was significantly lower for cold‐acclimated larvae. Estimated time until an expected mortality of 50% (LT₅₀) and 90% (LT₉₀) of larvae exposed to ?5 °C was 7.4 and 9.6 days (non‐acclimated) and 11.0 and 15.1 days (acclimated), respectively. Estimated LT₅₀ for non‐acclimated and acclimated larvae exposed to ?10 °C was 32.6 and 70.5 h, respectively, and estimated LT₉₀ 66.8 and 132.2 h. Significant differences in mortality between larval stages were observed only at ?5 °C. When exposed to ?5 °C for 8 days, mortality of first and second instars was 81.2 and 51.3%, respectively. When exposed to ?10 °C for 2 days, mortality of first and second instars was 70.5 and 76.1%. Data on winter temperatures in Denmark from 1990 to 2013 showed that larvae were rarely exposed to a number of continuous days at ?5 or ?10 °C causing a potential larval mortality of 50–90%.     

Lethal effects of high temperatures on nondiapausing pupae ofBathyplectes curculionis [Hym.: Ichneumonidae]

Nondiapausing pupae ofBathyplectes curculionis (Thomson) were studied under laboratory conditions. The mortality caused by 8 temperatures between 25–48°C at 20% and 70% relative humidity was measured at 10 exposure times between 15 min-24 h. There was no significant mortality at 25°C. Between 30 and 40°C, mortality occurred from long exposures only, with lethal effects becoming greater at each increase in temperature. At 43°C mortality occurred from relatively short exposures, with 100% at 4 h. Exposure times for 50% mortality averaged 16.58 h at 38°C, 1.08 h at 43°C and 0.31 h at 48°C. A slightly higher mortality occurred at 20% relative humidity than at 70% at temperatures between 35 and 40°C. At temperatures above 43°C no effects of relative humidity were noted. Afternoon soil surface temperatures in recently cut alfalfa fields commonly exceeded 50°C during July in northern Utah.     

Photo-thermal regulation of diapause in Trichogramma piceum Djur. (Hymenoptera, Trichogrammatidae)

Interaction of the photoperiodic conditions of development of maternal females (day lengths of 2 to 22 h at 20°C) with the thermal regime of development of their progeny (temperature of 12 to 15°C at day length of 12 h) in determination of prepupal diapause in Trichogramma piceum was studied under laboratory conditions. At 15°C the diapause was practically absent. At lower temperatures, the proportion of diapausing prepupae was maximal (25% of larvae at 14°C, 70% of larvae at 13°, and 80% of larvae at 12°C) if the maternal females developed under short day conditions (10–12 h). When maternal females developed at day lengths of 18–20 h, diapause was rarely recorded at all temperatures, while ultra-short (less than 8–10 h) days also caused a decrease in the proportion of diapausing progeny. The right (ecologically important) threshold of this maternal long-day photoperiodic response was about 14–15 h independently of the temperature during the progeny development. These results make it possible to clarify the mechanism of the “maternal photoperiodic correction of the progeny thermal response.” Although the impact of the maternal photoperiodic response can be revealed only within a very narrow thermal range, the relative strength of the diapause-inducing effect of different day lengths is independent of the temperature regimen of the progeny development.     

Influence of starvation on larval development of Carcinus maenas L. (Decapoda : Portunidae)

Lethal and sublethal effects of particular starvation events were investigated in larvae of Carcinusmaenas L. Mean survival times of continuously starved zoeae-1 were approximately twice the normal stage duration (12, 18, 25°C), and both increased with falling temperatures. At 6°C zoea-1 was unable to develop to stage-2. No larva retained the ability for successful further development if starved for half the stage duration time and was then refed. The zoea-1 larvae had to feed for at least 20 % of the normal stage duration for some larvae to moult to zoea-2. Some initial feeding was necessary to start zoea-1 development. Beyond a certain point of energy and accumulation of reserves development of the larvae seems to continue regardless of feeding rates. The demands for larval feeding correspond very well with the larval moulting cycle. Larvae of C. maenas proved to be well adapted to natural shortage of food.     

Effect of short-term starvation on hepatopancreas and plasma energy reserves of the Pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei)

Crustaceans are forced to fast during molting. Several physiological, metabolic and behavioral changes have been associated with starvation. Although some of these changes have been well studied, knowledge of the dynamics of fuel reserves during the molting process is limited. To understand the effects of short-term hunger stress on energy reserves, intermolt shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei were starved up to five days. This period corresponds to the normal time that juvenile shrimp starve during molting, since they can not eat. Glucose, glycogen, total soluble protein, total lipids, sterols, and acylglycerides were measured in plasma and hepatopancreas. The same metabolic substrates were measured in organisms that were fed after 96 h of starvation. It is widely accepted that protein is the main energy reserve used by shrimp to deal with starvation. However, under short-term starvation a rapid decrease of plasma and hepatopancreas glucose and an important decrease in hepatopancreatic glycogen were detected. Additionally, acylglycerides content in hepatopancreas decreased significantly at later times, while protein in plasma and hepatopancreas remained fairly constant during the experiment. This study may help understand some aspects of the nutrition physiology of the Pacific white shrimp related to its biology.     

Development of Rhodnius prolixus (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) under constant and cyclic conditions of temperature and humidity.

Development of Rhodnius prolixus after eclosion until the adult stage was studied at constant temperatures (T), 15, 20, 25, 28, 35 C, and relative humidities (RH), 75, 86 and 97%, and fluctuating (16/8 hr) temperatures, T I/II, 15/28 C, 20/25 C, 25/28 C and 25/35 C, and relative humidities, RH I/II, 86/75% and 97/75%. Eclosion or molting were not observed at 15 C and 86 or 97% RH, respectively. At 35 C and 75% RH only few insects molted. By alternating T I/II, 15/28 C and 25/35 C, insects developed at high frequency. Cumulating the average lengths of the interphases within independent groups for each instar, R. prolixus reached the adult stage most rapidly (86.7 days) and at highest frequency per instar (mean: 91.8%) at 28 C and 75% RH. Under fluctuating T I/II, development was completed within 100 days or less at 25/28 C and 25/35 C with high rates of hatch and molting. Development was slowest at fluctuating TI/II, 15/28 C and 20/25 C (>185 days), and at constant 20 C (>300 days). Mortality was higher at constant 97% RH or fluctuating RH I, 97%, than at constant or fluctuating 86% RH. Refeeding was minimal at optimal conditions of T and RH for development. The most refeeding was observed at a constant 35 C.     

The effect of starvation on energy turnover and protein metabolism in Ophiocephalus punctatus bloch

1. At 20°C, fish starved for various durations took less food than unstarved fish. At 28°C, 20-day starved fish alone consumed more food.
2. The maximum feeding was during the second ten days at 28°C but in the first ten days at 20°C.
3. Absorption efficiency was unaffected by temperature and starvation.
4. Absorption rate reflected feeding rate.
5. At 28°C the conversion efficiency was high for the ten-day starved fish but at 20°C the 30-day starved fish showe high conversion efficiency.
6. Conversion rate is governed not only by feeding rate but also by conversion efficiency.
7. At 28°C the 20-day starved fish alone compensated for loss of energy, total and protein nitrogen. At 20°C the loss was compensated for by all fish.

     

Critical periods for developmental acclimation to cold in the Queensland fruit fly, Dacus tryoni

Rapid acclimation to cold can occur in Dacus tryoni during two short stages of its life history: the stage immediately prior to the “hopping larva” phase and the “pharate adult” stage within the puparium. Transfer from 25 to 15°C at either of these stages can produce full acclimation to cold within a few days. Acclimation is not detectable at other times in puparial life: during adult life it takes over 100 days.     

Behavior of methanogens during start-up of farm-scale anaerobic digester treating swine wastewater

The aim of this study was to monitor the changes in methanogenic community structures in an anaerobic digester (250 m³ working volume) during start-up including prolonged starvation periods. Redundancy analysis was performed to investigate the correlations between environmental variables and microbial community structures. The anaerobic digester was operated for 591 days at alternating operating temperatures. In initial start-up period at stage I (35 °C), growth of various species of mesophilic aceticlastic methanogens (AMs) and hydrogenotrophic methanogens (HMs) was observed. Methanobacteriales species survived better than other methanogens under long-term starvation conditions. In stage II (50 °C), HMs became dominant over AMs as the operating temperature changed from mesophilic to thermophilic due to increase of ammonia inhibition. In stage III (35 °C), only the Methanomicrobiales population significantly increased during 50 days of HRT while Methanobacteriales dominated over 15 days of HRT. The influent pH negatively correlated with all methanogenic populations especially in stage II.     

Changes in lipid and protein during starvation and the moulting cycle in the tiger prawn, Penaeus esculentus Haswell

Tiger prawns, Penaeus esculentus Haswell (mean wt 20.8 ± 0.3 g, range 13.9–27.7 g) contained 1–2% extractable lipid, 13% protein (biuret method) and 71–74% water (wet wt). In 21 days, the weight of fed prawns increased by 3% and that of starved prawns decreased by 4.4%. Protein was the major energy source during 14 days of starvation, with a loss of 550 mg of total protein compared with a loss of 84 mg of total lipid. The absolute amount of water present remained constant. Of three different tissue compartments, abdomen, cephalothorax, and digestive gland, the abdomen contributed the most protein (330 mg) and lipid (35 mg) during 14 days of starvation. Digestive gland, although containing the largest percentage wet wt of lipid, accounted for only 8.3% of the total lipid in the prawn, and contributed only 18 mg of lipid in 14 days of starvation. Lipid concentration in the digestive gland increased during early premoult (stage D₄) and dropped in late premoult (stage D₄). Resting oxygen consumption rate remained constant at ≈0.1 ml · g^?1 · h^?1 at 25°C during 21 days of starvation.     

The effect of starvation and subsequent feeding on the reproductive potential of the grain aphid,Sitobion avenae

The short‐term starvation tolerance of alate and apterous morphs and the effect of periods of starvation on the longevity and fecundity of alate adults were evaluated in the grain aphid, Sitobion avenae (Fabricius) (Hemiptera: Aphididae). Alate adults exhibited a proportionally larger length of survival compared with apterous adults under continuous starvation conditions. Newly molted pre‐reproductive adults were starved for 0–96 h and their survival rate on the 1st day after recovering with food was not significantly different from that of control aphids. Starvation reduced lifetime fecundity, but increased the reproductive rate immediately after nutrition being improved. Fecundity and longevity after 24, 48, 72, and 96 h of starvation were significantly higher than after 120 or 144 h of starvation. However, no significant differences were observed for alate adults after 24, 48, 72, or 96 h of starvation. This study suggests that the ability of alatae to adapt to brief periods of starvation could be one of the important factors affecting the reproductive success of aphids during delays in locating host plants.     

Supernumerary instars produced by chilled wax moth larvae: Endocrine mechanisms

Young last instar larvae of Galleria mellonella underwent supernumerary ecdyses within 3 to 6 days after being chilled at 0 to 1°C for 30 min. The frequency diminished from 89 ± 9.4% for the survivors of those that were chilled <16 hr after their last ecdysis, to 25 ± 11.2% for those 46 to 88 hr old, and was no longer evident beyond 123 hr.Irrespective of their ages, the larvae never became “superlarvae” unless they had fed after they had been chilled. This was unlike the requirement for metamorphosis, when a feeding period of 40 to 48 hr immediately following ecdysis allowed half the larvae that were subsequently chilled and starved to pupate. The propensity to become superlarvae could be extended by starvation. Chilling signaled the occurrence of the larval moulting program, but its expression was held in abeyance until the larvae had fed.Brains from chilled or unchilled donors were equally effective initiators of supernumerary larval apolyses. The capacity to respond to chilling was abolished following bilateral extirpation of the corpora cardiaca and corpora allata, but not after the corpus cardiacum and corpus allatum of one side were removed. This effect of bilateral cardiacectomy and allatectomy could be remedied by applying Altosid, a juvenile hormone analog. Potentiation of the larval-larval apolysis by chilling and by JH may involve separate mechanisms, for the analog was less effective on unchilled larvae than on those that had been chilled. The results are discussed with reference to the hypothesis that the brains of young larvae produce an “allatotropic hormone”.     

Influence of molting and starvation on the synthesis of proteolytic enzymes in the midgut gland of the white shrimp Penaeus vannamei

We investigated the effect of starvation as a stimulant of the digestive system on digestive proteinase activities in the white shrimp Penaeus vannamei. The starved organisms were sampled periodically according to the molting stage and compared with a continuously fed group. Molting stage was included as an independent variable. Most analyzed variables, except for trypsin, were more affected by starvation than by molting, indicating that starvation is a stimulant that masks the effect of molting and showing that food or alimentary stress is more conspicuous than physiological ones. We found that starvation is a stimulant that surpasses the effect of molting, and because it affects the activity of digestive proteinases, studies of starving organisms in combination with tools of molecular biology, can be a helpful working model in the understanding of mechanisms of regulation of digestive enzyme activity. In the starved organisms, trypsin and chymotrypsin activities were similar, suggesting dependence of one to the other. Changes in proteolytic activities and the number of protein bands in electrophoresis showed evidence of synthesis regulation in the midgut gland of white shrimp.     

Influence of glucose starvation on the pathway of death in insect cell line Sl: apoptosis follows autophagy

The relation between autophagy and apoptosis has not been clearly elucidated. Here, we reported that apoptosis followed autophagy in insect Spodoptera litura cells (Sl) undergoing glucose starvation. Sl cells have been adapted to Leibovitz-15 medium supplemented with glucose (1.0 g/l) and 5% fetal bovine serum (FBS), used for mammalian cell cultures. If glucose (1 g/l) or glutamine (1.6 g/l) had not been supplemented in L-15 medium with 5% FBS, Sl cells began to form many vacuoles and these vacuoles gradually enlarged in the cytoplasm, which were autophagic vacuoles. However, these large vacuoles began to disappear gradually after 48 h of glucose starvation, accompanied with remarkable apoptosis without apoptotic bodies, which was demonstrated by DNA fragmentation and activation of caspase-3-like. During glucose starvation, Sl cell ATP concentrations gradually decreased. Interestingly, if the conditioned L-15 medium without glucose was replaced with fresh L-15 medium supplemented with glucose or glutamine after the cultures had been starved seriously for 48 h or longer, the formation of apoptotic bodies was initiated. These data suggested that the partial depletion of cell ATP triggered apoptosis following autophagy in glucose-starved Sl cells and the formation of apoptotic bodies required higher level of ATP than DNA fragmentation and activation of caspase-3-like activity. Additionally, the disappearance of autophagic vacuoles, negative staining of neutral red, green staining of acridine orange and diffusion of acid phosphatase activity in Sl cells at the late stage of starvation (over 48 h) suggested that the dysfunction of lysosome was more likely to involve in apoptosis. The facts that Actinomycin D-induced apoptosis was partially inhibited and cyclosporin A, blocking the opening of mitochondrial permeability transition (MPT) pores, inhibited partially apoptosis in glucose-starved Sl cells, suggested the pathway of glucose starvation-induced apoptosis seemed to be different from that induced by actinomycin D and the opening of MPT pores on mitochondria probably involved in apoptosis triggered by glucose starvation, respectively.     

一日龄饥饿对粘虫成虫卵巢发育和飞行能力的影响

为了明确羽化后0～24 h (1日龄)饥饿处理对迁飞型粘虫Mythimna separata (Walker)生殖系统和飞行系统发育的影响,对1日龄饥饿处理后粘虫的卵巢发育级别、产卵前期、飞行肌和飞行能力进行了系统研究。结果表明, 1日龄饥饿对粘虫成虫卵巢发育级别、产卵前期、中胸背纵肌干重、飞行能力等均有显著的影响。饥饿后成虫卵巢发育级别显著高于对照,产卵前期显著短于对照。成虫中胸背纵肌干重从饥饿后96 h开始下降,至120 h时饥饿粘虫(5.1 mg)显著低于对照(5.86 mg)。成虫飞行能力从饥饿后96 h开始显著低于对照,此时饥饿处理粘虫蛾的飞行距离平均为22.03 km,飞行时间平均为4.07 h,显著低于同时期的对照粘虫的飞行距离(42.3 km)和飞行时间(7.99 h),尽管在饥饿后72 h内差异不显著。实验结果显示,1日龄饥饿可以显著抑制粘虫飞行系统的发育,加速飞行向生殖的转变。