不同能量需求的棕色田鼠胃肠道一氧化氮合酶和血管活性肠肽的分布

为研究在能量需求变化的情况下生理功能调节在消化道适应性变化中的地位,并探讨生理调节与消化道形态结构适应性变化的关系,采用NADPH-黄递酶（NDP）组织化学法、VIP免疫组织化学法和整装铺片技术对哺乳和非哺乳雌性棕色田鼠及雄性棕色田鼠胃肠道管壁肌间神经丛和黏膜下神经丛一氧化氮合酶（Nitricoxidesynthase,NOS）和血管活性肠肽（Vasoactive intestinal peptide,VIP）阳性神经元的分布进行观察。结果显示：哺乳和非哺乳雌性棕色田鼠及雄性棕色田鼠NOs阳性神经元分布于肌间神经丛,VIP分布于黏膜下神经丛,未观察到共染现象。NOS和VIP阳性神经元在哺乳雌性棕色田鼠胃及小肠前段的肌间神经丛和黏膜下神经丛的分布显著高于非哺乳雌鼠和雄鼠,而在回肠、盲肠和结肠差异不显著。由此说明,不同繁殖状态下,能量需求的不同促使消化道发生适应性变化,首先是生理功能及其调节机制的变化。同时提示消化道适应策略与消化道各段生理功能及能量胁迫程度有关[动物学报51（5）：830—839,2005]。     

海马Glu与抑郁症的关系及其对胃运动的影响

目的：探讨抑郁症的发生与海马谷氨酸（Glu）的关系及其对胃运动的影响。方法：运用慢性不可预见性温和应激（GUMS）建立抑郁动物模型,采用海马定位微量注射,通过体重变化率、糖水偏爱、敞箱、强迫游泳实验观察大鼠行为表现,用PowerLab／8sp生理信号采集分析系统记录胃内压,观察胃运动的变化。结果：慢性不可预见性温和应激21d,可显著降低大鼠的体重增长率,糖水偏爱率和敞箱实验的水平运动和垂直运动得分,增加了大鼠的游泳不动时间,与正常对照组相比,差异显著。同时大鼠平均胃内压和胃的收缩幅值也显著降低。海马微量注射Glu与慢性不可预见性温和应激引起的动物行为表现一致,而胃运动减弱的程度小于应激组,但与正常时照组比较,差异明显。海马微量注射NMDA受体阻断剂MK-801,可消除应激所引起的抑郁样行为,减弱应激对胃内压的抑制作用,并明显增大胃的收缩幅值。结论：海马Glu和NMDA受体与应激性抑郁发生密切相关,既参与了应激引起的行为变化。又参与了应激引起的胃活动变化,只是对行为影响和胃活动影响有所不同。     

禁食和重喂食对大绒鼠消化道长度与重量的影响

为探讨禁食和重喂食对栖息于横断山地区大绒鼠(Eothenomys miletus)消化道形态的影响,对禁食和重喂食条件下大绒鼠消化道各项指标进行了测定.实验分别测定了大绒鼠禁食12h、24 h、36 h和重喂食12 h、48 h、7d后的总消化道、胃、小肠、大肠、盲肠的长度及其含内容物重、去内容物重、干重.结果表明:禁食后,总消化道含内容物重、胃含内容物重和胃去内容物重增加,重喂食7d后均恢复到对照组水平.小肠含内容物重在禁食12h时最大,在重喂食12h时最小,重喂食48 h后恢复到对照组水平.禁食和重喂食条件下,大绒鼠的大肠和盲肠各指标均没有显著变化.以上结果表明,大绒鼠在食物受到限制、饥饿等胁迫因子作用下,可能通过调节消化道形态来满足部分能量需求,维持正常的生理机能.大绒鼠的消化道在禁食和重喂食中表现出的变化模式,可能与其食物资源时常波动的野外生存环境有关,从一方面反映了该物种在食物胁迫下的生存机制和适应对策.     

温度和湿度对蟾蜍生理功能的影响

蟾蜍随机分为室温干燥、室温保湿、低温保湿和低温冬眠组,观察禁食蟾蜍在不同温度和湿度条件下的生存时间、体重变化、心脏活动、腓肠肌收缩功能和坐骨神经干动作电位,探寻能够延长禁食蟾蜍生存时间和机体生理功能维持时间的途径。结果显示,室温干燥组蟾蜍体重自实验第1 d起显著性下降(P<0.01),其它组无显著性变化。室温干燥、室温保湿、低温保湿和低温冬眠组蟾蜍的累计死亡率分别为100%(第6 d)、45.83%(第26 d)、16.67%(第36 d)、0%。除室温保湿组蟾蜍的心脏舒缩幅度自实验第20 d起下降之外(P<0.05),其它组的心肌舒缩幅度和心率无显著性变化。室温干燥组蟾蜍的腓肠肌收缩幅度自实验第1 d开始下降,第4 d起有显著性差异(P<0.05),低温保湿组在第27 d也显著性下降(P<0.05),其他组未发生显著性变化。各组蟾蜍坐骨神经干动作电位未发生显著性改变。充足的湿度和适当降温,尤其保持冬眠,能够延长禁食蟾蜍的生存时间和机体生理功能维持时间。     

横断山区高山姬鼠消化道形态的季节动态

为探讨栖息于横断山地区高山姬鼠的消化道特征与环境之间的适应关系,对野外条件下高山姬鼠消化道各项指标进行了测定.实验分别测定了不同季节高山姬鼠胃、小肠、大肠、盲肠的长度、含内容物重、去内容物重、干组织重.结果表明:高山姬鼠消化道特征存在季节性变化,胃、小肠、大肠的各项指标及盲肠去内容物重、干重均于食物质量较好的6月、9月份较高;盲肠长度和含内容物重于3月、11月份较高.高山姬鼠在低温、食物质量下降、繁殖等胁迫因子影响下,通过增加食物摄入、调节消化道形态来满足能量需求的增加,维持正常的生理机能.高山姬鼠的消化道在不同季节中表现出的变化模式说明其有能力适应低纬度高海拔,年平均温度较低的生存环境.     

大鼠蓝斑核对迷走-迷走抑胃反射的加强作用

本文研究了蓝斑核对迷走-迷走抑胃反射的影响。实验结果表明,单独刺激迷走神经中枢端抑制胃电和胃运动,胃电慢波的振幅和胃内压分别下降到对照值的60.9％和45.7％,与对照值相比有明显的统计学意义(P<0.05)。刺激迷走神经中枢端的同时,以弱刺激刺激蓝斑核时,胃电慢渡的振幅和胃内压分别下降到对照值的42.1％和34.1％,与单独刺激迷走神经的效果相比较有非常显著的差异(P<0.01)。本文结果提示:蓝斑核的兴奋加强迷走-迷走抑胃反射。     

大鼠灰翼区微量注射6-羟多巴胺对迷走-迷走抑胃反射的影响

本文用乌拉坦麻醉的大鼠,观察了灰翼区微量注射6-羟多巴胺(6-OHDA)对迷走-迷走抑胃反射的影响。实验动物分三组:空白对照组、溶媒组和6-OHDA 组。实验结果表明,在溶媒组刺激迷走神经中枢端使胃电慢波的振幅和胃内压分别下降到刺激前对照值的36.87±22.07%和32.52±25.41%,与空白对照组相比无显著的差异(P>0.05)。但是,在6-OHDA组,刺激迷走神经中枢端对胃电和胃运动的抑制效应明显减弱,慢波的振幅与胃内压分别下降到刺激前对照值的67.48±13.21%和50.88±21.40%,同溶媒组相比有非常显著的差异(P<0.01)。结果提示,延髓灰翼区的儿茶酚胺能神经参与迷走-迷走抑胃反射的中枢机制。     

画眉冬夏两季能量收支和消化道形态特征比较

体重、能量收支和消化道形态特征的季节性调整对鸟类的能量需求或能量利用非常重要。本文以分布于浙江的画眉(Garrulax canorus)为研究对象,分别在冬季(2014年1月)和夏季(2013年7月)测定了画眉的体重、能量收支及消化道形态特征的变化,从整体水平上揭示画眉能量收支和消化道形态在冬夏两季的变化及其适应策略。野外捕获的画眉在实验室适应1 d后用于实验。能量收支采用代谢笼测定,消化道重量采用烘干至恒重测定。结果表明:除体重没有出现明显的季节性变化外,画眉冬季的摄入能(P0.05)及同化能(P0.05)显著高于夏季;胃、小肠、直肠及总消化道的湿重及干重冬季明显高于夏季;相关分析表明,画眉的总消化道、胃和小肠的湿重及干重与摄入能和同化能具有明显的正相关。这些结果表明,在自然条件下,画眉通过增加能量摄入和消化道重量来应对冬季的高能量需求。     

冷暴露对中缅树鼩肝脏、膈肌和心肌线粒体呼吸的影响

在4℃急性冷暴露(1 h,4 h,8 h,24 h)和持续冷暴露 (7 d,14 d,28 d)条件下,测定中缅树鼩膈肌、心肌和肝脏的线粒体状态Ⅲ呼吸、状态Ⅳ呼吸、呼吸控制率(RCR)、线粒体蛋白含量以及肝脏线粒体P/O值的变化.结果表明:肝脏线粒体状态Ⅲ、状态Ⅳ呼吸随着低温处理时间的延长,呼吸速率均极显著增加,在28 d后分别增加了132.9%、124.4%(P<0.01),RCR与对照比较,在8 h和7 d组分别显著增加了35.8%和48.4%(P<0.05),线粒体蛋白含量也极显著增加,在28 d后增加了104.7%(P<0.01),P/O值在整个低温处理过程中呈下降趋势,在28 d后降低了40.2%,达到极显著水平(P<0.01);膈肌线粒体状态Ⅲ呼吸在整个低温处理期间没有显著变化,状态Ⅳ呼吸在28 d达到极显著增加(P<0.01,64.9%),RCR在28 d后显著降低(P<0.05, 42.1%),线粒体蛋白只有4 h组有极显著增加(P<0.01,45.2%);心肌的状态Ⅲ呼吸在8 h组有着极显著的增加(P<0.01, 54.7%),状态Ⅳ呼吸随着低温处理时间的增加而显著增加,28 d后增加了94.7%(P<0.01),RCR在28 d后降低37.8%(P<0.01),线粒体蛋白表现出先下降再上升的趋势,8 h组下降37.8%(P<0.01),28 d增加25.2%(P<0.05).说明中缅树鼩在冷胁迫的条件下肝脏线粒体呼吸能力显著增强,主要表现为状态Ⅳ呼吸即质子漏产热的显著增强,膈肌和心肌的线粒体呼吸也具有一定的适应性变化,补偿了冷胁迫条件下中缅树鼩增加的能量需求,是中缅树鼩在冷胁迫中重要的适应对策.     

环境温度对白头鹎代谢产热和蒸发失水的影响

基础代谢率(BMR)是恒温动物维持正常生理机能的最小产热速率,是动物在清醒时维持身体各项基本功能所需的最小能量值。"能量需求"假设认为,鸟类短期BMR的调整可以通过改变内部器官的大小来适应能量需求。以白头鹎(Pycnonotus sinensis)为研究对象,分别在10℃和30℃的不同环境中适应4周后,测定了其BMR、蒸发失水(EWL)和内部器官(心、肝、肾、胃、小肠和整体消化道)的重量,同时分析了白头鹎内部器官的变化及与BMR的关系。驯化4周后,白头鹎暖温组(30℃)的体重有明显降低的趋势;经协方差校正体重后,低温组(10℃)单位体重BMR与整体BMR明显高于暖温组,同时两组间EWL表现出显著差异。协方差分析表明,低温组白头鹎的肝脏、肾脏、小肠及总消化道重量显著高于暖温组。低温引起白头鹎能量需求增加,内部器官发生相应改变,要求摄入更多的氧气以维持代谢平衡,导致散失更多的蒸发水。     

哺乳、哺乳-禁乳及哺乳-禁乳后再哺乳对大鼠下丘脑胖素A免疫反应神经元的影响

为观察下丘脑胖素 A在哺乳期摄食增加和能量代谢中的作用,本研究采用脑连续切片之免疫组织化学和图像定量分析技术,对分娩后第 12 天非哺乳、持续哺乳、持续哺乳后禁哺乳过夜和持续哺乳 - 禁哺乳后再急性哺乳大鼠下丘脑胖素A免疫反应神经元的免疫反应性进行了观察和半定量分析。结果表明,分娩后持续哺乳 11 d, 大鼠的日摄食量较同期分娩的非哺乳大鼠明显增加(180%),一夜禁哺乳则明显降低哺乳大鼠的日摄食量(45%); 哺乳12 d, 大鼠下丘脑胖素 A免疫反应神经元的数目和平均染色强度较非哺乳大鼠明显增加(P<0.001,P<0.05); 禁哺乳过夜(15 h)明显降低哺乳大鼠胖素A免疫反应神经元的数目和平均染色强度(P<0.001,P<0.05),与非哺乳大鼠比较无明显差异;禁哺乳过夜后再急性哺乳2 h 明显增加禁哺乳大鼠胖素 A 免疫反应神经元的数目和平均染色强度(P<0.001,P<0.05),急性哺乳 5 h 后,虽亦明显增加禁哺乳大鼠胖素 A免疫反应性(P<0.05),但与急性哺乳 2 h 比较作用减弱。上述结果表明,持续哺乳和禁乳后再哺乳均导致下丘脑胖素A明显增加,提示哺乳期胖素A可能表达上调并可能与哺乳期摄食增加有关, 且吸乳动作与下丘脑胖素A样神经元之间可能存在某种神经或体液性联系途径。     

Variation in plasma leptin levels in response to fasting in Antarctic fur seals (Arctocephalus gazella)

Plasma leptin levels were determined in 8 lactating female and 20 pup Antarctic fur seals (Arctocephalus gazella) during fasting periods of normal duration. Plasma leptin levels ranged from 1.35 3.19 ng x ml(-1) in lactating females and 1.79-4.80 ng x ml(-1) in pups and were not positively correlated with body mass or condition. A negative trend, however, was observed between plasma leptin levels and body condition in lactating females upon their arrival at the colony following a foraging trip (beginning of fast). In accordance with findings in other species, plasma leptin levels dropped significantly (P < 0.02) in response to the 17-19% drop in body mass experienced by pups during fasting. In contrast, plasma leptin levels in lactating females increased during the first 24 h of fasting before decreasing throughout the remaining 48 h of the fast. This unexpected result could be due to the high level of energy expenditure by seals as they swim back to the colony (i.e. post-exercise response) or may be influenced by the intense suckling activity experienced by females during the onshore fasting periods. The results of this study support recent findings in other carnivore species which suggest the primary physiological role of leptin in these species may not necessarily be as a signal of the magnitude of body energy reserves.     

Age, sex, and reproductive state influence free amino acid concentrations in the fasting elephant seal

Long-term fasting is a component of northern elephant seal (Mirounga angustirostris) life history requiring physiological adaptations to nitrogen conservation. Plasma free amino acids (FAAs) were determined for five elephant seal pups during the second and eighth weeks of the postweaning fast, six lactating female seals at 4-6 and 25 d postpartum, and seven sexually competitive adult male seals taken midway through the breeding season. Total FAAs declined in lactating females (11%) and pups (30%) with time fasting, but cystine concentration more than doubled in pups while decreasing by approximately 43% in lactating females. Methionine concentration significantly increased (approximately 68%) across lactation in adult females but was low for all classes of seal. Alanine was the most abundant FAA in adult males, and glycine became the dominant FAA in adult females late in lactation. Glutamine dominated the FAAs of weaned pups across the fast. Reductions in total FAAs of weanlings mirrored reductions in protein catabolism, but reductions in total FAAs also occurred in lactating females concomitant with an increase in protein catabolism. Observed variation in FAA concentrations may reflect ontogenetic requirements for certain amino acids in fasting weanlings. Similarly, increases in specific FAA concentrations across lactation may reflect variations in FAA flux resulting from the nutrient demands of lactogenesis.     

Intraluminal modulation of gastric sensitivity to distension: effects of hydrochloric acid and meal

Conscious sensations in response to gut distensions may be modulated by temporospatial interactions among different stimuli. This study investigated whether symptoms induced by gastric distension may be modified by hydrochloric acid (HCl) gastric infusion and meal ingestion. In nine healthy subjects, fixed pressure (isobaric) and fixed volume (isovolumetric) distensions were performed during continuous (4 ml/min) intragastric saline or HCl infusion, during fasting and after meal ingestion, until the maximal distension step defined as discomfort or a predefined maximal volume. During fasting isobaric distensions, the maximal distension step was significantly decreased during HCl compared with saline. The intragastric volumes were not significantly different, but the wall tension was significantly lower during HCl than saline. HCl increased gastric compliance. Meal ingestion relaxed the stomach and decreased the pressure at the maximal distension step during saline, but HCl did not further decrease it compared with fasting. During isovolumetric distensions, HCl also increased gastric compliance, but in both fasted and fed states it did not modify the maximal distension steps. In conclusion, sensations in response to gastric isobaric distensions, but not to isovolumetric distensions, are influenced by gastric acid infusion and meal ingestion. The effects of HCl might be related to a sensitization of mucosal mechanoreceptors.     

Diabetes induces sex-dependent changes in neuronal nitric oxide synthase dimerization and function in the rat gastric antrum

Diabetic gastroparesis is a disorder that predominantly affects women. However, the biological basis of this sex bias remains completely unknown. In this study we tested the hypothesis that a component of this effect may be mediated by the nitrergic inhibitory system of the enteric nervous system. Age-matched male and female Sprague-Dawley rats were studied 8 or 12 wk after streptozotocin (55 mg/kg body wt ip)-induced sustained hyperglycemia and compared with controls. Solid gastric emptying (GE) studies were performed in all the groups. Changes in gastric antrum neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) mRNA and protein levels were analyzed by real-time PCR and Western immunoblotting, respectively. nNOS dimerization studies were performed using low-temperature SDS-PAGE. In vitro nitrergic relaxation (area under curve/mg tissue wt) was studied after the application of electric field stimulation in an organ bath. Changes in intragastric pressure (mmHg.s) in freely moving rats in the presence or absence of N(G)-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (nitric oxide synthase inhibitor) were examined by an ambulatory telemetric method. After diabetes induction, GE is delayed in both male and female rats. However, diabetic females exhibited significant delayed GE than in diabetic males. Compared with male controls, gastric nNOS expression and nitrergic relaxation were substantially elevated in healthy female control rats, accompanied by significantly reduced intragastric pressure. The active dimeric form and dimer-to-monomer ratio of nNOSalpha were also higher in healthy females compared with male rats (P < 0.05). Diabetic females, but not males, showed significant (P < 0.05) impairment in both gastric nNOSalpha dimerization and nitrergic relaxation, accompanied by an increase in intragastric pressure. Our data provide evidence that females may have a greater dependency on the nitrergic mechanisms in health. Furthermore, diabetes seems to affect the nitrergic system to a greater extent in females than in males. Together, these changes may account for the greater vulnerability of females to diabetic gastric dysfunction.     

有氧运动训练和摄食对中华倒刺鲃幼鱼力竭运动后代谢特征的影响

为了探讨有氧运动训练和摄食对中华倒刺鲃（Spinibarbus sinensis）幼鱼力竭运动后代谢特征的影响,在（25±0.5）℃条件下,将120尾实验鱼[体重（21.35±0.05）g,体长（10.21±0.03）cm]随机分成4组,即:对照组、1、2和4 BL/s（体长/秒,body length/s）训练组,分别放置于不同流速下处理8周。随后测定各实验组心脏和鳃指数以及禁食或摄食（轻度麻醉灌喂体重1.5%的饵料）状态下的力竭运动后过量耗氧。结果发现:4 BL/s训练组的心脏和鳃指数都显著高于其他实验组（P < 0.05）;无论摄食与否,3个训练组运动前代谢率都显著高于对照组（P=0.001）,而各实验组过量耗氧均没有显著差异;在禁食状态下,仅4 BL/s训练组的运动代谢峰值和代谢率增量显著高于对照组,而在摄食状态下,3个训练组的运动代谢峰值和代谢率增量均显著高于对照组（P < 0.005）。与禁食组相比,摄食导致各处理组的运动前代谢率显著上升（P < 0.001）,但对运动代谢峰值没有显著影响;另外,摄食对照组代谢率增量和力竭运动后过量耗氧显著低于禁食对照组（P < 0.05）。研究表明:（1）有氧运动训练显著提高了中华倒刺鲃幼鱼的有氧代谢能力,这可能与其呼吸和循环系统功能的改善有关;（2）力竭运动能够诱导出中华倒刺鲃幼鱼的最大有氧代谢率;（3）摄食削弱了中华倒刺鲃幼鱼无氧代谢能力。     

不同链长脂肪酸对斑马鱼的性腺脂肪酸组成、繁殖力与仔鱼成活率的影响

将体质健壮的4月龄斑马鱼(Danio rerio)亲鱼[雄鱼(0.36±0.05) g/尾, 雌鱼(0.59±0.06) g/尾]雌雄各180尾, 随机平均分配在室内斑马鱼循环系统的18个养殖缸中。在斑马鱼基础饲料(对照组)中分别添加7 g/kg n-3HUFA (高不饱和脂肪酸, Highly unsaturated fatty acid)(HUFA组)及10 g/kg MCFA (中链脂肪酸, Medium chain fatty acid)(MCFA组), 制成3组等氮等脂饲料, 饲养90d后, 探究不同链长脂肪酸对斑马鱼的性腺脂肪酸组成、繁殖力和仔鱼成活率的影响。结果表明: (1)3组雌鱼性腺的脂肪酸组成均受到所饲喂饲料脂肪酸组成的影响, 其相关系数均在0.8以上。HUFA组雌鱼性腺中EPA和DHA的相对含量显著高于MCFA组及对照组(P<0.05), 而MCFA组与对照组之间无显著差异; HUFA组油酸的相对含量显著低于MCFA组及对照组(P<0.05), 而MCFA组与对照组之间无显著差异; HUFA组及MCFA组亚麻酸的相对含量与对照组之间均无显著差异, 但MCFA组显著高于HUFA组(P<0.05)。(2)HUFA组及MCFA组雌鱼的成熟系数、绝对繁殖力、体重与体长的相对繁殖力均显著高于对照组(P<0.05), 同时在雌鱼绝对繁殖力、相对繁殖力上, HUFA组显著高于MCFA组(P<0.05)。(3)将对照组雄鱼与各组雌鱼配对繁殖的结果显示, 分别与HUFA组及MCFA组雌鱼配对繁殖后的雌鱼的绝对产卵量、相对产卵量和仔鱼成活率均显著高于与对照组雌鱼的配对, 同时以上指标HUFA组雌鱼均显著高于MCFA组雌鱼(P<0.05)。将对照组雌鱼与各组雄鱼配对繁殖的结果表明, 与HUFA组雄鱼配对后其受精率均显著高于与MCFA组及对照组雄鱼的配对(P<0.05)。综上所述, 试验饲料显著影响斑马鱼雌鱼性腺的脂肪酸组成, HUFA及MCFA均可以促进斑马鱼雌鱼的繁殖性能和仔鱼成活率的提高, 在试验条件下, HUFA的效果更好。     

The effect of lecirelin (GnRH) dosage on the reproductive performance of nulliparous and lactating rabbit does

The present study attempted to evaluate the effect of different doses of lecirelin intramuscularly administered at the moment of insemination on parameters such as the conception rate, the total number of rabbits per litter, the number of stillborns per litter and the abortion rate in nulliparous and lactating crossbred rabbit does. The experiment was performed with 295 crossbred female rabbits Hyplus strain PS 19 that were housed in a rabbit farm. Six days before insemination, the light-dark cycles were as follows: 16-h light (70 lx and more):8-h dark, and all does were subcutaneously injected with 25 IU of eCG 48 h before insemination. The doses of lecirelin were as follows: 0.05, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5, 3.0, and 4.0 microg/doe, and were tested in both nulliparous and lactating female does; the doses were applied at the moment of insemination. The conception rate in nulliparous does ranged significantly from 10.0% (0.05 microg) to 89.5% (1.5 microg). The conception rate in lactating does was the lowest at a dose of 0.05 microg (10.0%), as compared with the doses starting from 0.3 microg, and was confirmed statistically significant. The lowest number of rabbits per litter was found at a lecirelin dose of 0.1 microg (6.64). This finding was statistically significant, as compared with doses equal to or exceeding 0.3 microg. No statistical differences were found for doses ranging from 0.3 to 4.0 microg in nulliparous does (9.06 versus 10.29, respectively). The lowest number of rabbits per litter in lactating does was found at a dose of 0.05 microg (8.28) while the highest number of rabbits was detected at a dose of 4.0 microg (10.73), without statistically significant differences among individual doses. Generally, the number of rabbits per litter in lactating rabbit does was higher than that in nulliparous does (P<0.05). One negative finding is that abortions occurred in lactating does at the intramuscular application of a dose equal to or exceeding 1.5 microg, and in nulliparous does at a dose equal to or exceeding 2.0 microg.     

Diversity of metabolic syndrome risk factors in obese children and adolescents

The aim of this study was to investigate the frequency of metabolic syndrome (MS) variables in a group of spanish obese children and adolescents, to asses MS prevalence in this population and to describe it's relationship with other metabolic risk factors. 103 children were studied : 54 male and 49 female, mean age 10.08+/-2.3 with exogenous obesity. Obesity was defined when BMI was higher than the age and sex specific equivalent to 30 kg/m(2) in adults. MS variables considered were waist circumference, blood pressure, fasting blood triglycerides, fasting glucose/insulin and HDL-cholesterol. The children were considered as having the MS when three or more characteristics showed abnormal values according to Cook and De Ferranti definitions. HOMA index, ApoB and ApoA1 were studied too. The most frequent features of the metabolic syndrome were excess waist circumference and hypertension. The MS markers with the lowest frequency were dyslipidemia and fasting hyperglicemia. MS prevalence was 29,9% (Cook et al. criteria) and 50% (De Ferranti et al. criteria). Fasting insulin and HOMA index values increased significantly (p < 0.05) when three or more abnormalities of the MS variables were present. Apo B increased significantly only in females (p < 0.05) and Apo Al decreased significantly (p < 0.05) in both sexes when MS was present. Adequate metabolic syndrome risk factors criteria, mainly cut-off values, need to be defined in the European paediatric population.