浑善达克沙地中部丘间低地植物群落分布与土壤环境关系

为了研究浑善达克沙地丘间低地植物群落类型及其分布与土壤环境因子的关系,于2004年7~8月对浑善达克沙地丘间低地进行了植物群落学调查,共获取群落样方102个,其中草本植物群落样方99个,灌木样方3个。同时对每一个样方均取了土样,并分析了土壤的全氮、有机质、可溶性钾、钠的含量和土壤溶液的pH值。对在浑善达克沙地中部丘间低地获取的102个植物群落样方进行了分析,按照样方中建群种和优势种的重要值把它们归属于28个植物群落类型,分别以黄花蒿(Artemisia annua)、褐沙蒿(A. intramongolica)、沙地雀麦(Bromus ircutensis)、尖头叶藜(Chenopodium acuminatum)、大籽蒿(Artemisia sieversiana)、砂珍棘豆(Oxytropis gracilima)、狗尾草(Setaria viridis)、猪毛蒿(Artemisia scoparia)、冷蒿(Artemisia frigida)、寸草苔(Carex duriuscula)、糙隐子草(Cleistogenes squarrosa)、冰草(Agropyron cristatum)、克氏针茅(Stipa krylovii)、羊草(Leymus chinensis)、赖草(L. secalinus)、无芒雀麦(Bromus inermis)、草地风毛菊(Saussurea amara)、菊叶委陵菜(Potentilla tanacetifolia)、芨芨草(Achnatherum splendens)、马蔺(Iris lactea)、小红柳 (Salix microstachya)、芦苇(Phragmites australis)、拂子茅 (Calamagrostis epigejos)、鹅绒委陵菜(Potentilla anserine)、金戴戴(Halerpestes ruthenica)、星星草(Puccinellia tenuiflora)、水葱(Scirpus tabernaemontani)、碱篷(Suaeda glauca)为建群种。黄花蒿、沙地雀麦、猪毛蒿、褐沙蒿、尖头叶藜、大籽蒿、砂珍棘豆和狗尾草等群落分布于沙生环境,地下水位低,土壤溶液为中性,全氮和有机质平均含量低;冷蒿、糙隐子草、冰草、克氏针茅、寸草苔、羊草、赖草和菊叶委陵菜等群落分布于固定沙地,土壤的水分、全氮和有机质的含量都较高;无芒雀麦、草地风毛菊、鹅绒委陵菜、星星草和芦苇等群落分布于中生环境,地下水位高,土壤的养分含量也较高;芨芨草、拂子茅、马蔺、小红柳和金戴戴等群落分布于盐渍化的土壤上,地下水位较高,土壤溶液的酸碱度也较高;碱篷群落分布在盐碱化严重的湖边,土壤水分和盐分含量极高;水葱群落分布于湖边浅水沼泽中。对102个群落样方进行去趋势典范对应分析(Detrended canonical correspondence analysis, DCCA),结果表明DCCA排序轴第一轴(AX1)主要代表地下水位(GWL)的变化梯度;第二轴(AX2)主要代表土壤的全氮(TN)含量和有机质(ORG)含量的变化梯度;第三轴(AX3)则代表第三层土壤(20~30 cm)溶液的酸碱度(pH)值,即地下水位, 土壤有机质和全氮含量影响丘间低地植物群落的分布格局。     

羊草草原群落6种植物叶片功能特性对氮素添加的响应

 该文比较了羊草草原群落中包括建群种和优势种在内的6种植物,羊草（Leymus chinensis）、西伯利亚羽茅（Achnatherum sibiricum）、大 针茅（Stipa grandis）、 冰草（Agropyron cristatum）、糙隐子草（Cleistogenes squarrosa）和黄囊苔草（Carex korshinskyi）的比叶 面积(Specific leaf area, SLA)、叶片含氮量和叶绿素含量等叶片功能特性( Leaf functional trait)对氮素添加的响应,旨在探讨草原生态 系统中,不同物种对氮素可利用性改变的响应和适应对策。结果表明：随着氮素添加量的增加,物种对光资源的竞争增强,不同物种在光资源 的竞争策略和竞争力间存在着显著的差异。羊草通过提高SLA、单位质量叶片的叶绿素含量和含氮量,使单位面积叶片含氮量和叶绿素含量均呈 线性提高,进而增强了其对光的竞争力。西伯利亚羽茅主要通过提高SLA增加光合总面积,来增强自身的光竞争力。冰草在SLA和单位质量叶片 的叶绿素和氮含量均有一定的可塑性,但对光的竞争力明显弱于羊草和西伯利亚羽茅。大针茅和黄囊苔草对SLA的调节能力较低,加之大针茅 SLA较低,而黄囊苔草处于群落的下层,这两种植物的光竞争力较弱。糙隐子草具有较高的SLA,对单位质量叶片叶绿素和氮含量的调节能力相 对较强,其光竞争力高于黄囊苔草。同时,糙隐子草叶片叶绿素a与叶绿素b的比值沿氮素添加梯度显著降低,进一步证实氮素添加改变了群落 的光环境。     

科尔沁沙地植物群落分布与土壤特性关系的DCA、CCA及DCCA分析

基于科尔沁沙地流动沙丘、半固定沙丘、固定沙丘和草地群落类型24个样地的野外调查,选取11个土壤因子,应用除趋势对应分析法(DCA)、典范对应分析法(CCA)和除趋势典范对应分析法(DCCA)分析沙地植物群落分布与环境因子的关系。结果表明:DCA、CCA和DCCA的物种排序第1轴代表的土壤特性梯度一致,其解释总方差超过33%,即土壤碳氮含量、p H、电导率、容重、粘粉粒等共同的梯度决定了群落生境的变化,影响着沙地植物群落类型的分布格局;3种排序法的物种排序第2轴土壤因子的相关性有较大差异,DCA第2轴仅与土壤细沙含量显著正相关,CCA第2轴与土壤碳氮比和细沙含量显著负相关,DCCA第2轴与土壤碳氮比和细沙含量显著正相关,而与粗沙含量显著负相关。Shannon指数和Simpson指数分别与DCA、CCA和DCCA前2个排序轴存在显著二元线性关系,且Shannon指数的拟合程度好于Simpson指数。3种排序分析方法中,CCA物种排序前两轴的累计解释方差(58.6%)高于DCA和DCCA,因此CCA排序法更适合于沙地植被分布格局研究及其环境的解释。     

放牧强度对高寒草甸土壤理化性状和植物功能群的影响

为明晰放牧强度对植物功能群落的物种分布特征和土壤理化性状的影响。在青藏高原东北缘高寒草甸设置6块放牧强度样地开展试验。采用多元排序和方差分解等方法,分析放牧强度作用下植物功能群落物种分布与土壤物理结构和化学养分因子的定量关系。结果表明:(1)随放牧强度增加,禾本科、莎草科和多年生杂类草植物群落的物种丰富度、盖度和实际重要值均显著降低,而一年生杂类草无显著变化。(2)对于土壤化学养分,不同放牧强度区,土壤速效钾、全氮和有机质含量均随土层深度的增加而降低,土壤速效磷在不同放牧强度区变化规律不一致。随放牧强度增加,土壤速效钾和全氮含量增加,而土壤速效磷和有机质含量无明显变化。(3)对于土壤物理性状,不同放牧强度区,随土层深度增加,土壤紧实度和容重均增加,而土壤含水量和通气孔隙度均降低。随放牧强度增加,0—30 cm各土层深度的土壤紧实度和容重均增加,土壤含水量和通气孔隙度均降低。(4)以功能群为基本单元对植物群落进行方差分解得出,土壤物理性状可单独解释群落功能群分布总方差的58.10%。(5)基于物种尺度对不同功能群落与环境因子进行定量研究表明,土壤紧实度是决定每种功能群物种分布格局的最主要因子。禾本科、莎草科和多年生草本植物均受土壤物理性状的显著影响,贡献率分别为26.3%、31.0%和16.5%。而一年生草本植物不受土壤物理和化学性状的显著影响。综上所述,放牧强度对土壤化学性状的影响具有不确定性,而对土壤物理性状和群落特征的影响具有确定性。土壤物理结构性状主导了高寒草甸植物功能群落的物种分布格局。     

浑善达克沙地植物群落物种多样性与土壤因子的关系

2004年8月,以浑善达克沙地植物群落样方调查资料为基础,对流动-半流动沙丘、固定沙丘、丘间低地和淖尔边缘4种生境的21种群落类型的物种丰富度指数、物种多样性指数、生态优势度指数和均匀度指数进行比较分析,并通过相关分析对各种指数与土壤因子的关系进行了研究.结果表明:分布在流动-半流动沙丘的植物群落的物种丰富度指数和物种多样性指数最低,生态优势度指数较高,群落均匀度指数高于其它3种生境;固定沙丘的物种丰富度指数、物种多样性指数最高,优势度指数最低;丘间低地和淖尔边缘的植物群落的丰富度指数和多样性指数低于固定沙丘,但高于流动-半流动沙丘,优势度指数高于固定沙丘,均匀度指数低于流动-半流动沙丘.相关分析表明,均匀度指数与土壤pH以及全氮含量显著相关,丰富度指数与有机质含量显著相关.     

模拟氮沉降对长白山岳桦林下草本植物和土壤肥力的短期影响

选取长白山岳桦林中的岳桦-蟹甲草群落(Comm. Betula ermanii-Parasenecio forrestii)、岳桦-藜芦群落(Comm. Betula ermanii-Veratrum nigrum)和岳桦-小叶章群落(Comm. Betula ermanii-Deyeuxia purpurea)开展野外模拟氮沉降实验,采用野外原位模拟实验方法,设置对照(0 kg·hm-2·a-1)、低氮(30 kg·hm-2·a-1)、中氮(50 kg·hm-2·a-1)和高氮(100 kg·hm-2·a-1)4个氮处理水平,测定草本植物生长状况和土壤肥力,研究岳桦林下草本层植物和土壤肥力对氮沉降的短期响应。结果显示:(1)岳桦林下草本植物随氮沉降量的增加而加速生长,小叶章对氮沉降的响应较为敏感,藜芦次之,蟹甲草最弱;(2)氮添加造成林下土壤肥力发生变化,有机质含量下降,特别是岳桦-小叶章群落下的土壤有机质含量下降最明显;土壤总氮和速效氮含量增大,岳桦-蟹甲草群落下的土壤总氮和速效氮增加最多;土壤总磷和速效磷含量减小,岳桦-小叶章群落下的土壤总磷和速效磷含量的减少最多。本研究结果表明氮添加在短期内会促进长白山岳桦林下草本植物生长,尤其是小叶章的生长,加快土壤有机质的分解和磷的释放,逐步改变土壤肥力并反馈给植物,促使其进一步变化。     

东辽河河岸带草本植物物种多样性及群落数量分析

采用样线法调查了东辽河河岸带草本植物群落,分析了物种多样性特征,利用组平均聚类法和除趋势对应分析(DCA)分别对植物群落进行了分类和排序,探讨了影响东辽河河岸带草本植物群落分布的主要环境因子。结果表明:东辽河河岸带共有草本植物118种,属36科70属,草本植物的物种多样性自上游向下游呈现先增加后降低的变化趋势,而丰富度指数变化规律不显著,这与河流水文特征、河岸土壤基质类型、土壤含水量和人为干扰有关。聚类分析结果显示,东辽河河岸带草本群落可划分为11种类型,其中湿生植物群落占据优势。DCA排序轴与环境因子的相关性分析表明,海拔和河流等级是东辽河河岸带草本植物群落分布的重要影响因子。     

子午岭地区植被恢复演替过程与环境因子的分类与排序

在野外实地调查基础上,采用双向指示种分析法(TWINSPAN)和除趋势对应分析(DCA)对子午岭地区植物群落进行了数量分类和排序。结果显示:(1)TWINSPAN将50个样方划分为14个群系;DCA排序结果与TWINSPAN分类结果相互印证。(2)第一排序轴上显示出植被由草地、灌丛到森林的恢复演替系列,在此演替过程中土壤中的速效磷逐渐减少,全氮和有机质逐渐增加;第二排序轴反映环境因子的梯度不明显,但植被的演替过程会受到海拔、坡度的影响。研究表明,随着植被恢复演替的进展群落结构在变化,乔木层的重要值增加,所在群落中的全氮、速效磷、有机质等亦呈现规律性变化。     

退化草地瑞香狼毒对小尺度群落组成及土壤理化性质的影响

过度放牧导致草原生态系统呈现明显的退化趋势,草原优良牧草减少,逐渐转变成以有毒植物为优势种的退化草原。作为草地退化的指示种,有毒植物对邻近植物及土壤环境的影响一直是生态学研究的重要科学问题之一。为了更好地探究有毒植物在退化草地生态系统恢复过程中的影响,本研究以海拉尔自然保护区内封育恢复中的羊草草原为研究对象,依据群落中瑞香狼毒(Stellera chamaejasme)枝条数将植物群落划分为3个水平:高密度瑞香狼毒植物群落、低密度瑞香狼毒植物群落、无瑞香狼毒植物群落,调查群落物种组成并测定了土壤理化指标。结果显示:(1)高密度瑞香狼毒小尺度范围内改变了群落物种组成,提高Shannon指数和Patrick指数,说明在退化草地恢复过程中瑞香狼毒的存在能够改变群落物种丰富度进而改变其物种多样性。(2)随着瑞香狼毒密度的增加,部分禾本科植物与瑞香狼毒的联结性质也发生了变化。早熟禾(Poa annua)、贝加尔针茅(Stipa baicalensis)与瑞香狼毒的联结性质由正联结变为负联结;洽草(Koeleria litvinowii)由无联结变为负联结;羊草(Leymus chinensis)、糙隐子草(Cleistogenes squarrosa)、羽茅(Achnatherum sibiricum)未发生改变。(3)瑞香狼毒能够改变群落中各科相对重要性。随着瑞香狼毒密度增加,豆科、蔷薇科重要值增大,菊科重要值降低,禾本科无明显变化。(4)瑞香狼毒对土壤全氮、pH有一定的影响。其中,低密度瑞香狼毒群落的土壤全氮含量显著高于其他两组,其土壤pH也显著高于无瑞香狼毒存在的对照组。土壤全碳、速效态的氮和磷在不同密度瑞香狼毒群落之间无明显差异。土壤理化性质小尺度的变化可能是推动退化草地植物恢复的基础。     

新疆塔里木河下游土壤特性及其对物种多样性的影响

结合塔河下游大西海子至台特玛湖区段的8个地下水监测断面、31个土壤剖面的217个土样分析数据,利用非参数检验、单因素方差分析和灰色关联方法,分析了塔河下游土壤特性及其对物种多样性变化的影响.研究结果表明,塔河下游土壤除全磷外,有机质等指标存在垂直分布差异,出现显著差异的土层深度为50cm.塔河下游上段的土壤养分含量相对较高,下段较低;物种多样性指数自上段至下段的下降趋势与有机质等的变化相同,而植物群落退化则表现为从复合群落到单一群落的演变趋势,即从乔(胡杨为主)、灌(柽柳为主)、草复合群落演变到单一的柽柳灌丛群落.灰色关联分析表明塔河下游上层(0～50cm)土壤有机质、全氮、全磷、全钾含量与物种多样性的相关性较高.塔河下游土壤有机质、全氮、全磷、全钾等在一定程度上对物种多样性变化有一定影响.     

Role for dopamine in malonate-induced damage in vivo in striatum and in vitro in mesencephalic cultures

Defects in mitochondrial energy metabolism have been implicated in the pathology of several neurodegenerative disorders. In addition, the reactive metabolites generated from the metabolism and oxidation of the neurotransmitter dopamine (DA) are thought to contribute to the damage to neurons of the basal ganglia. We have previously demonstrated that infusions of the metabolic inhibitor malonate into the striata of mice or rats produce degeneration of DA nerve terminals. In the present studies, we demonstrate that an intrastriatal infusion of malonate induces a substantial increase in DA efflux in awake, behaving mice as measured by in vivo microdialysis. Furthermore, pretreatment of mice with tetrabenazine (TBZ) or the TBZ analogue Ro 4-1284 (Ro-4), compounds that reversibly inhibit the vesicular storage of DA, attenuates the malonate-induced DA efflux as well as the damage to DA nerve terminals. Consistent with these findings, the damage to both DA and GABA neurons in mesencephalic cultures by malonate exposure was attenuated by pretreatment with TBZ or Ro-4. Treatment with these compounds did not affect the formation of free radicals or the inhibition of oxidative phosphorylation resulting from malonate exposure alone. Our data suggest that DA plays an important role in the neurotoxicity produced by malonate. These findings provide direct evidence that inhibition of succinate dehydrogenase causes an increase in extracellular DA levels and indicate that bioenergetic defects may contribute to the pathogenesis of chronic neurodegenerative diseases through a mechanism involving DA.     

我国葫芦科植物离体培养研究进展

葫芦科植物包括多种瓜类蔬菜,对其进行离体培养研究具有重要的理论和实践意义。综述了国内在葫芦科植物器官培养、体细胞胚胎发生、花药培养、原生质体培养和体细胞杂交及离体遗传转化等方面取得的研究进展,并对葫芦科植物离体培养、遗传转化与育种的前景作了展望。     

SSTR5 ablation in islet results in alterations in glucose homeostasis in mice

Somatostatin (SST) peptide is a potent inhibitor of insulin secretion and its effect is mediated via somatostatin receptor 5 (SSTR5) in the endocrine pancreas. To investigate the consequences of gene ablation of SSTR5 in the mouse pancreas, we have generated a mouse model in which the SSTR5 gene was specifically knocked down in the pancreatic beta cells (betaSSTR5Kd) using the Cre-lox system. Immunohistochemistry analysis showed that SSTR5 gene expression was absent in beta cells at three months of age. At the time of gene ablation, betaSSTR5Kd mice demonstrated glucose intolerance with lack of insulin response and significantly reduced serum insulin levels. Insulin tolerance test demonstrated a significant increase of insulin clearance in vivo at the same age. In vitro studies demonstrated an absence of response to SST-28 stimulation in the betaSSTR5Kd mouse islet, which was associated with a significantly reduced SST expression level in betaSSTR5Kd mice pancreata. In addition, betaSSTR5Kd mice had significantly reduced serum glucose levels and increased serum insulin levels at 12 months of age. Glucose tolerance test at an older age also indicated a persistently higher insulin level in betaSSTR5Kd mice. Further studies of betaSSTR5Kd mice had revealed elevated serum C-peptide levels at both 3 and 12 months of age, suggesting that these mice are capable of producing and releasing insulin to the periphery. These results support the hypothesis that SSTR5 plays a pivotal role in the regulation of insulin secretion in the mouse pancreas.     

2018年中国植物科学若干领域重要研究进展

2018年中国植物科学继续呈现快速发展的态势, 我国科学家在国际植物科学主流学术刊物发表论文数量大幅增加, 取得了多项具有重要影响的成果。调控植物生长-代谢平衡实现可持续农业发展入选2018年度中国科学十大进展; 中国被子植物区系进化历史研究入选2018年度中国生命科学十大进展。以水稻为代表的农作物和果蔬等经济作物研究在国际上已呈现出明显的优势, 若干领域已从“追赶”状态跨越到“领跑”地位。该文对2018年中国科学家在植物科学若干领域取得的重要研究成果进行了概括性评述, 旨在全面追踪和报道当前中国植物科学领域的发展前沿和热点, 展示中国科学家所取得的杰出成就。     

2018年中国植物科学若干领域重要研究进展

2018年中国植物科学继续呈现快速发展的态势, 我国科学家在国际植物科学主流学术刊物发表论文数量大幅增加, 取得了多项具有重要影响的成果。调控植物生长-代谢平衡实现可持续农业发展入选2018年度中国科学十大进展; 中国被子植物区系进化历史研究入选2018年度中国生命科学十大进展。以水稻为代表的农作物和果蔬等经济作物研究在国际上已呈现出明显的优势, 若干领域已从“追赶”状态跨越到“领跑”地位。该文对2018年中国科学家在植物科学若干领域取得的重要研究成果进行了概括性评述, 旨在全面追踪和报道当前中国植物科学领域的发展前沿和热点, 展示中国科学家所取得的杰出成就。     

2017年中国植物科学若干领域重要研究进展

2017年中国植物科学继续保持高速发展态势, 重大成果频出, 具体表现在中国植物学家在国际顶级学术期刊发表的文章数量平稳上升。中国植物科学领域的研究工作者成果精彩纷呈, 如新型广谱抗病机制的发现、水稻广谱抗病遗传基础及机制和疫霉菌诱发病害成灾机制研究等。2017年中国生命科学领域十大进展评选中, 有两项植物科学领域的研究成果入选。水稻生物学、进化与基因组学和激素生物学等领域学科发展突出。另外, 值得一提的是, 长期从事高等植物与代谢途径调控分子网络研究和水稻品种设计育种的李家洋院士的研究成果“水稻高产优质性状形成的分子机理及品种设计”荣获2017年国家自然科学一等奖。这一具有重大国际影响的开创性贡献标志着中国植物科学在该领域的国际科学前沿居于引领和卓越地位。该文对2017年中国本土科学家在植物科学若干领域取得的重要研究成果进行了系统梳理, 旨在全面追踪和报道当前中国植物科学领域发展的最新前沿动态, 与广大读者共同分享我国科学家所取得的辉煌成就。     

我国葫芦科植物离体培养研究进展

葫芦科植物包括多种瓜类蔬菜,对其进行离体培养研究具有重要的理论和实践意义.综述了国内在葫芦科植物器官培养、体细胞胚胎发生、花药培养、原生质体培养和体细胞杂交及离体遗传转化等方面取得的研究进展,并对葫芦科植物离体培养、遗传转化与育种的前景作了展望.     

Changes in aquatic vegetation in Rhine floodplain streams in Alsace in relation to disturbance

Abstract. Changes are described in aquatic vegetation in oligotrophic, groundwater-fed Rhine floodplain streams in Alsace (eastern France), resulting from disturbance. Disturbance factors include changes in nutrients, either permanent ones - effluent from a waste water treatment plant or trout hatcheries - or periodic ones: flooding. Regular inputs of high levels of phosphate and ammonia modified the macrophyte vegetation in these streams. The floristic composition, which was characteristic of oligotrophic waters upstream of the eutrophicated sector, changed to that of a eutrophic situation as originally found downstream. Periodic disturbance by floods which normally occur once a year, irregularly eutrophicates the small streams, causing the development of a mixture of eutrophic and oligotrophic species. Six macrophyte communities are distinguished, indicating different trophic levels. The aquatic vegetation is adapted to the variations of phosphate and ammonia levels. Hence, aquatic macrophytes can be used as bio-indicators of fluctuations in water nutrient levels in relation to the type of disturbance.     

Morphine-potentiated platelet aggregation in in vitro and platelet plug formation in in vivo experiments

The detailed mechanisms underlying morphine-signaling pathways in platelets remain obscure. Therefore, we systematically examined the influence of morphine on washed human platelets. In this study, washed human platelet suspensions were used for in vitro studies. Furthermore, platelet thrombus formation induced by irradiation of mesenteric venules with filtered light in mice pretreated with fluorescein sodium was used for an in vivo thrombotic study. Morphine concentration dependently (0.6, 1, and 5 microM) potentiated platelet aggregation and the ATP release reaction stimulated by agonists (i.e., collagen and U46619) in washed human platelets. Yohimbine (0.1 microM), a specific alpha(2)-adrenoceptor antagonist, markedly abolished the potentiation of morphine in platelet aggregation stimulated by agonists. Morphine also potentiated phosphoinositide breakdown and intracellular Ca(2+) mobilization in human platelets stimulated by collagen (1 microg/ml). Moreover, morphine (0.6-5 microM) markedly inhibited prostaglandin E(1) (10 microM)-induced cyclic AMP formation in human platelets, while yohimbine (0.1 microM) significantly reversed the inhibition of cyclic AMP by morphine (0.6 and 1 microM) in this study. The thrombin-evoked increase in pH(i) was markedly potentiated in the presence of morphine (1 and 5 microM). Morphine (2 and 5 mg/g) significantly shortened the time require to induce platelet plug formation in mesenteric venules. We concluded that morphine may exert its potentiation in platelet aggregation by binding to alpha(2)-adrenoceptors in human platelets, with a resulting inhibition of adenylate cyclase, thereby reducing intracellular cyclic AMP formation followed by increased activation of phospholipase C and the Na(+)/H(+) exchanger. This leads to increased intracellular Ca(2+) mobilization, and finally potentiation of platelet aggregation and of the ATP release reaction.     

Apoptosis in experimental myocardial infarction in situ and in the perfused heart in vitro

We report the appearance of apoptotic cells in experimental myocardial infarction (rabbit heart) in in situ and in vitro preparations. Apoptosis was recognized by intravital staining with Hoechst 33342 (Ho342), by nick-end labeling (TUNEL) and by DNA laddering. A steady rise in the relative number of apoptotic cardiomyocytes (apoptotic index) was noted in in situ preparations. Apoptosis was first noted 6 h after the onset of ischemia with its highest value occurring after 72 h. Apoptotic nuclei were absent in remote areas of the left and right ventricles. Apoptotic nuclei within the infarcted area showed diminished intensity of Ho342 fluorescence. Three days after ischemia, a border zone adjacent to the infarcted area consisting of apoptotic macrophages was recognized. A novel finding was the appearance of apoptotic cardiomyocytes in the isolated perfused ischemic heart. Occurring as early as 50 min after the onset of ischemia, a high apoptotic index was present adjacent to the ligature placed around the coronary artery. This observation provides the opportunity to selectively examine factors leading to apoptosis in the ischemic heart under controlled experimental conditions.