云南兔耳草的化学成分研究

从云南兔耳草 (LagotisyunnanesisW .W .Smith)的乙醇提取物中分离得到 8个化合物 ,经波谱分析确定其结构分别为 :柯伊利素 (chrysoeriol 1) ,芹菜素 (apigenin 2 ) ,茴香酸 (anisicacid 3) ,β 谷甾醇 (β sitosterol4) ,肉桂酸 (cinnamicacid 5 ) 3,4 二甲氧基肉桂酸 (3 ,4 dimethoxycinnamicacid 6 ) ,香草醛(vanillin 7) ,胡萝卜苷 (daucosterol8)。以上化合物均为首次从该植物中分离得到。     

闭花耳草的化学成分研究

从闭花耳草(Hedyotis cryptantha )全草中分离得到11个化合物,经波谱数据分析鉴定为车叶草苷(1),车叶草苷酸(2),车叶草苷酸甲酯(3),车叶草酸乙酯(4),3,4-二氢-3-甲氧基车叶草苷(5),山奈酚(6),kaempferol 3,7-di-O -β-D-glucoside(7),kaempferol 3-O -β-D-galactopyranosyl-(1→3)-β-D-galactopyranoside(8),乌索酸(9),豆甾醇(10),β-谷甾醇(11)。所有化合物均为首次从闭花耳草植物中分离得到,其中化合物7和8首次从耳草属(Hedyotis )植物中分离得到。     

藏药短管兔耳草挥发性化学成分的研究

采用毛细管气相色谱—质谱联用技术对藏药短管兔耳草挥发性化学成分进行了研究,经毛细管色谱分离出62个峰,共确定了其中41种化学成分,所鉴定的化合物含量占全挥发油的77．32％;用气相色谱面积归一化法测定了各化学成分的相对含量,其主要化学成分为：二苯胺(16．47％)、邻苯二甲酸丁基—8—甲基壬基酯(6．42％)、二十六碳烷(4．76％)、十六烷酸(3．66％)、二十四碳烷(3．40％)、邻苯二甲酸二丁酯(3．38％)、二十二碳烷(3．30％)、二十碳烷(3．26％)、十六烷酸乙酯(2．77％)、十八碳烷(2．76％)、戊酸(2．48％)、3—乙基环辛烯(2．05％)等。     

藏药椭圆叶花锚中抗肝炎有效成分的含量测定

运用RP-HPLC建立了花锚中青兰苷、去甲氧基花锚苷和花锚苷的含量分析方法,为栽培花锚替代野生花锚入药提供一定的科学依据。花锚苷、去甲氧基花锚苷和青兰苷分别在0．68～3．40μg(r=0．9998)、0．36～1．80μg(r=0．9990)和0．80～4．00μg(r=0．9979)有良好线性关系,平均回收率分别为100．39％(RSD=2．60％)、99．79％(RSD=3．55％)和100．71％(RSD=2．19％)。栽培花锚中花锚苷和去甲氧基花锚苷的含量(抗肝炎活性成分)和在野生花锚中的含量相比无明显差别,可以初步证明栽培花锚可以替代野生花锚入药。     

毛蕊花苷对递增负荷运动小鼠骨骼肌损伤的保护作用

本研究采用小鼠跑台训练模型,应用免疫共沉淀等方法,研究毛蕊花苷对递增负荷运动小鼠骨骼肌损伤的保护作用及对谷胱甘肽的影响。90只小鼠随机分为:正常对照组(A)、正常+毛蕊花苷组(B)、单纯运动组(C)、运动+毛蕊花苷低剂量组(D)、运动+毛蕊花苷中剂量组(E)、运动+毛蕊花苷高剂量组(F).结果表明:与C组比较,D、E、F组小鼠骨骼肌损伤程度依次减轻,F组小鼠骨骼肌形态基本正常。F组小鼠血浆CK水平、骨骼肌组织GSSG含量分别低于C、D、E组;但CK水平高于A、B组,均P0.01;GSSG含量与A、B组比较,差异无显著性,P0.05。F组小鼠骨骼肌组织GSH含量、GSH/GSSG比值、GCL和GR酶活性、RyR1复合物中GSH表达水平分别高于C、D、E组,但低于A、B组,均P0.01。研究结果提示毛蕊花苷能降低递增负荷运动小鼠血浆CK的活性,保护运动鼠骨骼肌的形态;其机理与其提高运动鼠骨骼肌组织GSH含量和GCL、GR酶的活性,降低GSSG/GSH比值;提高RyR1复合物中GSH表达水平有关。     

紫心甘薯花青苷的提取和纯化及其组分分析

本文叙述了紫心甘薯花青苷提取、分离和纯化方法。并采用高效液相色谱(HPLC)技术测定了花青苷的组分。结果鉴定出甘薯花青苷12个组分,其中以P1组分为主,P4、P5和P9次之,这4个组分占总花青苷含量的80％以上。     

连翘花中抑制酪氨酸酶活性成分研究

本文首次对连翘花抑制酪氨酸酶活性成分进行了研究。首先,对连翘不同器官[叶、果实(青翘、老翘)、花]抑酶活性进行比较分析,发现连翘花对酪氨酸酶的抑制表现出了浓度依赖性;进而对连翘花不同溶剂提取物进行抑酶活性评价,结果表明95%乙醇提取物抑酶活性最高。然后根据活性导向分离方法,对连翘花95%乙醇提取物进行了化学成分分离,从中分离得到5个化合物,鉴定为:连翘酯苷A(1)、芦丁(2)、(+)-松脂素-β-D-葡萄糖苷(3)、(+)-甲基松脂素-β-D-葡萄糖苷(4)、连翘苷(5),其中化合物4是首次从连翘花中分离得到。酪氨酸酶抑制活性测试表明化合物均显示出一定的抑酶活性,同时各化合物之间表现出明显的协同作用,这表明这些成分可能是连翘花美白作用的物质基础。     

藏药短管兔耳草中松果菊苷和麦角甾苷的RP-HPLC分析

建立了藏药短管兔耳草中松果菊苷和麦角甾苷含量的高效液相色谱分析法.采用Waters XTerra RP18色谱柱(150mm×4.6 mm,5μm),以甲醇-1%冰醋酸溶液(28:72,V:V)为流动相,流速1.0 mL/min,检测波长330 nm,柱温30℃,在20 min内分离检测了该两种化合物.松果菊苷和麦角甾苷进样量分别在0.077～4.950μg(r=0.999 9)和0.085～5.450μg(r=0.999 9)内呈良好线性,平均加样回收率分别为98.35%和92.50%,RSD分别为2.35%和2.86%.所建立的方法简便、快捷、结果准确可靠,重现性好,可用于藏药短管兔耳草的质量控制,并为兔耳草属植物中苯丙素苷类化合物的分离分析提供一定的参考.     

4种秦艽属植物不同器官中4种环烯醚萜苷成分含量的比较分析

利用HPLC法测定了秦艽(Gentiana macrophylla Pall.)、粗茎秦艽(G.crassicaulis Duthie ex Burk.)、麻花秦艽(G.straminea Maxim.)和小秦艽(G.dahurica Fisch.)根、茎、叶和花中4种环烯醚萜苷成分(包括马钱苷酸、獐牙菜苦苷、龙胆苦苷和獐牙菜苷)的含量,并对来源于不同产地秦艽和小秦艽不同器官4种环烯醚萜苷成分的含量进行了比较。结果显示:4种秦艽属植物不同器官4种环烯醚萜苷成分含量差异明显,来源于3个产地(陕西太白、甘肃西河乡和马狭)的秦艽和2个产地(青海互助和陕西麟游)的小秦艽不同器官中4种环烯醚萜苷含量也均具有明显差异。4种秦艽属植物根、茎、叶和花中龙胆苦苷和马钱苷酸总量分别为质量分数5.996%～10.869%、0.310%～4.065%、0.235%～4.138%和0.545%～5.591%;根中獐牙菜苦苷和獐牙菜苷的质量分数分别为0.516%～0.953%和0.042%～0.210%,茎中分别为0.173%～0.383%和0.031%～1.700%,叶中分别为0.068%～0.684%和0.020%～3.208%,花中分别为0.460%～0.832%和0.138%～3.827%。粗茎秦艽各器官龙胆苦苷和马钱苷酸总量均最高,小秦艽各器官龙胆苦苷和马钱苷酸总量均最低,总体上,秦艽和粗茎秦艽中龙胆苦苷和马钱苷酸总量高于小秦艽和麻花秦艽;小秦艽茎、叶和花中獐牙菜苷含量均最高,而秦艽茎和叶及粗茎秦艽花中獐牙菜苷含量均最低。4种秦艽属植物根部龙胆苦苷和马钱苷酸含量均明显高于茎、叶和花,獐牙菜苦苷在根和花中的积累较多,獐牙菜苷在花中的含量均相对最高。产自青海互助的小秦艽茎、叶和花中獐牙菜苷含量均最高,质量分数分别为2.884%、5.215%和7.321%。研究结果表明:4种环烯醚萜苷成分含量不但与植物种类和器官有关,而且与产地和采样时间也有关。     

南京椴花化学成分鉴定及不同发育时期黄酮类化合物差异分析

【目的】研究南京椴花化学成分及其主要成分黄酮类化合物在不同发育时期的变化规律,为后续采用多组学手段探究椴树花中重要药用化合物的代谢通路及调控机制解析奠定基础,同时为椴树花的采收提供理论依据。【方法】以10年生南京椴为试验材料,用超高效液相色谱串联质谱(UPLC-MS/MS)技术分析南京椴花中代谢物组分及类黄酮含量差异。【结果】(1)南京椴花中共鉴定得到46种化合物,其中有机酸及其衍生物13种、香豆素及其衍生物4种、酯1种、类黄酮28种。(2)盛花期是南京椴花中代谢物发生显著变化的分界点,与蕾期相比,开花期间代谢物变化更明显。(3)多重比较分析显示：26种黄酮类化合物在不同时期花中含量差异显著(P<0.05),阿福豆苷、山奈苷、槲皮苷、橙皮苷、花旗松素和芹菜素-7-O-葡萄糖醛酸在盛花期相对含量较高,原花青素A2和3种原花青素三聚体在末蕾期含量较高。【结论】发育状态可作为判断南京椴花中次级代谢物含量的重要因素,末蕾期的标志性化合物是原花青素A2,盛花期的标志性化合物是芹菜素-7-O-葡萄糖醛酸,末蕾期和盛花期均具有采收价值。     

Genetic and environmental analysis of dystocia and stillbirths in draft horses

Genetic parameters and environmental factors were estimated for foaling ease (FE) and stillbirths (SBs) in four breeds of draft horses based on 11 229, 38 877, 35 764 and 13 274 FE and SB scores recorded between 1998 and 2010 for Ardennais (A), Breton (B), Comtois (C) and Percheron (P), respectively. Incidences for the three FE categories were: easy or without help 91.0% (A) to 95.4% (B), difficult 3.4% (B) to 7.1% (A) and intervention of a veterinarian 1.1% (B) to 1.9% (A). The frequency of SB ranged between 5.4% (B) and 9.4% (A). A multiple-trait threshold animal model was used that included the effects of sex of foal, region, month, year of foaling, combined maternal age and parity, direct genetic, maternal genetic and permanent environments. Estimates were obtained using Markov Chain Monte Carlo Gibbs sampling. The most unfavourable effect was first parity, which decreased the probability of easy foaling to 78.6% for A and 88.3% for B. Interaction with age showed that the risk for first foaling for mares aged 3 years was higher than at 4 or 5 to 9 years. This was also observed for SB with an increased probability of SB at first foaling of 17.9% (A) or 9.6% (B). The most unfavourable month was found to be the most frequent month for foaling (April) and not the most demanding months weather-wise (winter). For FE, direct heritabilities were A 0.27 (0.06), B 0.14 (0.03), C 0.18 (0.03) and P 0.18 (0.04), and maternal heritabilities were A 0.25 (0.06), B 0.19 (0.04), C 0.12 (0.03) and P 0.21 (0.06). Genetic correlations between direct and maternal genetic effects were A −0.29 (0.14), B −0.39 (0.12), C −0.09 (0.14) and P −0.54 (0.17). For SB, direct heritabilities were A 0.52 (0.09), B 0.42 (0.04), C 0.28 (0.04) and P 0.39 (0.05), and maternal heritabilities were A 0.25 (0.05), B 0.10 (0.02), C 0.07 (0.02) and P 0.14 (0.02). Genetic correlations between direct and maternal genetic effects were A −0.85 (0.06), B −0.63 (0.06), C −0.64 (0.11) and P −0.69 (0.06). Direct genetic correlations between FE and SB traits were A 0.60 (0.10), B 0.58 (0.10), C 0.36 (0.10) and P 0.29 (0.15). Maternal genetic correlations between FE and SB traits were A 0.67 (0.10), B 0.47 (0.13), C 0.28 (0.15) and P 0.39 (0.15). These estimates are posterior means of the Gibbs samples and are within the upper limits of comparable results reported in cattle.     

Binding of β4γ5 by adenosine A1 and A2A receptors determined by stable isotope labeling with amino acids in cell culture and mass spectrometry

Characterization of G protein βγ dimer isoform expression in different cellular contexts has been impeded by low levels of protein expression, broad isoform heterogeneity, and antibodies of limited specificity, sensitivity, or availability. As a new approach, we used quantitative mass spectrometry to characterize native βγ dimers associated with adenosine A(1):α(i1) and adenosine A(2A):α(S) receptor fusion proteins expressed in HEK-293 cells. Cells expressing A(1):α(i1) were cultured in media containing [(13)C(6)]Arg and [(13)C(6)]Lys and βγ labeled with heavy isotopes purified. Heavy βγ was combined with either recombinant βγ purified from Sf9 cells, βγ purified from the A(2A):α(S) expressed in HEK-293 cells cultured in standard media, or an enriched βγ fraction from HEK-293 cells. Samples were separated by SDS-PAGE, protein bands containing β and γ were excised, digested with trypsin, and separated by HPLC, and isotope ratios were analyzed by mass spectrometry. Three β isoforms, β(1), β(2), and β(4), and seven γ isoforms, γ(2), γ(4), γ(5), γ(7), γ(10), γ(11), and γ(12), were identified in the analysis. β(1) and γ(5) were most abundant in the enriched βγ fraction, and this βγ profile was generally mirrored in the fusion proteins. However, both A(2A):α(S) and A(1):α(i1) bound more β(4) and γ(5) compared to the enriched βγ fraction; also, more β(4) was associated with A(2A):α(S) than A(1):α(i1). Both fusion proteins also contained less γ(2), γ(10), and γ(12) than the enriched βγ fraction. These results suggest that preferences for particular βγ isoforms may be driven in part by structural motifs common to adenosine receptor family members.     

The steam volatile oil of Wollemia nobilis and its comparison with other members of the Araucariaceae (Agathis and Araucaria)

The leaf essential oil of Wollemia nobilis (Wollemi Pine) has been investigated and compared with other members of the family Araucariaceae. All araucaroids examined yielded steam volatile oils in low yields. The oil from Wollemia nobilis was composed mainly of (+)-16-kaurene (60%), together with alpha-pinene (9%) and germacrene-D (8%). Oils from Agathis species endemic to Australia were high in monoterpenes, in contrast to those isolated from extra-Australian species. The major constituents of A. atropurpurea oil were phyllocladene (13%) and 16-kaurene (19%), followed by alpha-pinene (8%) and delta-cadinene (9%). A. microstachya yielded oil in which alpha-pinene (18%) was the major component; the only other components in excess of 5% were myrcene (7%), bicyclogermacrene (6%) and delta-cadinene (6%). A. robusta oil contained spathulenol (37%) and rimuene (6%). Approximately 40% of the oil was unidentified sesquiterpenes. A. australis oil contained 16-kaurene (37%), sclarene (5%) and an unidentified oxygenated diterpene K (12%) as major components; the only other compound in excess of 5% was germacrene-D (9%). 5,15-Rosadiene (60%), and 16-kaurene (7%) were the major constituents of A. macrophylla oil. A. moorei oil was rich in sesquiterpenes, but the only compounds in excess of 5% were allo-aromadendrene (6%), germacrene-D, delta-cadinene (10%), an unidentified sesquiterpene (12%) and 16-kaurene (6%). In A. ovata oil the most significant compounds were caryophyllene oxide (15%) and phyllocladene (39%). Araucaria angustifolia contained germacrene-D (9%) and the diterpenes hibaene (30%) and phyllocladene (20%) as major components of its essential oil. Oils of A. bidwillii, A. columnaris and A. cunninghamii were all low in mono- and sesquiterpenes and high in diterpenes. In the first, hibaene (76%) was the major constituent; the second contained hibaene (9%), sclarene (6%), luxuriadiene (13-epi-dolabradiene)(23%) and two unidentified diterpene hydrocarbons (B) (33%) and (E) (10%). In the last, 16-kaurene (53%) was the most significant component followed by hibaene (29%). A. heterophylla was unusual in that over half the oil was made up of the monoterpenoid alpha-pinene (52%), with phyllocladene (32%) being the only other compound of significance. alpha-Pinene (18%) was a significant component of A. hunsteinii oil; sclarene (11%) and germacrene-D (5%) were the only other compounds present in concentrations of more than 5%. A. luxurians oil was composed of 5,15-rosadiene (20%) and luxuriadiene (13-epi-dolabradiene) (66%), previously unreported from natural sources. The major components of A. montana were phyllocladene (61%) and 16-kaurene (23%). Sclarene (20%), luxuriadiene (19%) and the unidentified diterpene hydrocarbons (B) (25%) and (E) (10%) were the most important constituents of A. muelleri oil. A. scopulorum contained large amounts of 16-alpha-phyllocladanol (41%) as well as luxuridiene (10%) and delta-cadinene and alpha-copaene, both at 6%.     

Adenosine activation of A(2B) receptor(s) is essential for stimulated epithelial ciliary motility and clearance

Mucociliary clearance, vital to lung clearance, is dependent on cilia beat frequency (CBF), coordination of cilia, and the maintenance of periciliary fluid. Adenosine, the metabolic breakdown product of ATP, is an important modulator of ciliary motility. However, the contributions of specific adenosine receptors to key airway ciliary motility processes are unclear. We hypothesized that adenosine modulates ciliary motility via activation of its cell surface receptors (A(1), A(2A), A(2B), or A(3)). To test this hypothesis, mouse tracheal rings (MTRs) excised from wild-type and adenosine receptor knockout mice (A(1), A(2A), A(2B), or A(3), respectively), and bovine ciliated bronchial epithelial cells (BBECs) were stimulated with known cilia activators, isoproterenol (ISO; 10 μM) and/or procaterol (10 μM), in the presence or absence of 5'-(N-ethylcarboxamido) adenosine (NECA), a nonselective adenosine receptor agonist [100 nM (A(1), A(2A), A(3)); 10 μM (A(2B))], and CBF was measured. Cells and MTRs were also stimulated with NECA (100 nM or 10 μM) in the presence and absence of adenosine deaminase inhibitor, erythro-9- (2-hydroxy-3-nonyl) adenine hydrochloride (10 μM). Both ISO and procaterol stimulated CBF in untreated cells and/or MTRs from both wild-type and adenosine knockout mice by ~3 Hz. Likewise, CBF significantly increased ~2-3 Hz in BBECs and wild-type MTRs stimulated with NECA. MTRs from A(1), A(2A), and A(3) knockout mice stimulated with NECA also demonstrated an increase in CBF. However, NECA failed to stimulate CBF in MTRs from A(2B) knockout mice. To confirm the mechanism by which adenosine modulates CBF, protein kinase activity assays were conducted. The data revealed that NECA-stimulated CBF is mediated by the activation of cAMP-dependent PKA. Collectively, these data indicate that purinergic stimulation of CBF requires A(2B) adenosine receptor activation, likely via a PKA-dependent pathway.     

鸦胆子抗肿瘤活性成分的化学研究

从苦木科植物鸦胆子[Brucea javanica(L.)Merr]干躁果实的硅胶干柱柱层析所得的活性部位中经层析分离得到7个四环三萜苦木内酯成份(A,B,C,D,E,F,G),经UV,IR,~1H-NMR,~(13)C-NMR等方法鉴定分别为鸦胆苦醇(Brusatol A),双氢鸦胆苦醇(Dihydrobrusatol,B),鸦胆因B(Bruceine B,C),鸦胆因D(Bruceine D,D),鸦胆因H(Bruceine H,E),鸦胆子甙A(Bruceoside A,F)和双氢鸦胆子甙A(Yadanzioside A,G)。据报道,鸦胆苦醇和鸦胆子甙A具有较强的抗肿瘤活性。     

矩叶蓝果树的订正

据笔者对采自云南勐腊的“矩叶蓝果树”模式标本及曾被定为该变种的标本研究,该变种具聚伞花序,花梗长3－5mm,雌花子房上位,核果果皮极薄,内具1种子,并非蓝果树属植物,与茶茱萸科粗丝术属之粗丝本完全同种。粗丝木产中国西南至东南部,印度、斯里兰卡、缅甸、泰国、印度支那也有分布。     

QTL mapping for grain filling rate and yield-related traits in RILs of the Chinese winter wheat population Heshangmai × Yu8679

A set of 142 winter wheat recombinant inbred lines (RILs) deriving from the cross Heshangmai x Yu8679 were tried in four ecological environments during the seasons 2006 and 2007. Nine agronomic traits comprising mean grain filling rate (GFR(mean)), maximum grain filling rate (GFR(max)), grain filling duration (GFD), grain number per ear (GNE), grain weight per ear (GWE), flowering time (FT), maturation time (MT), plant height (PHT) and thousand grain weight (TGW) were evaluated in Beijing (2006 and 2007), Chengdu (2007) and Hefei (2007). A genetic map comprising 173 SSR markers and two EST markers was generated. Based on the genetic map and phenotypic data, quantitative trait loci (QTL) were mapped for these agronomic traits. A total of 99 putative QTLs were identified for the nine traits over four environments except GFD, PHT and MT, measured in two environments (BJ07 and CD07), respectively. Of the QTL detected, 17 for GFR(mean), 16 for GFR(max), 21 for TGW and 10 for GWE involving the chromosomes 1A, 1B, 2A, 2D, 3A, 3B, 3D, 4A, 4D, 5A, 5B, 6D and 7D were identified. Moreover, 13 genomic regions showing pleiotropic effects were detected in chromosomes 1A, 1B, 1D, 2A, 2B, 2D, 3A, 3B, 4B, 4D, 5B, 6D and 7D; these QTL revealing pleiotropic effects may be informative for a better understanding of the genetic basis of grain filling rate and other yield-related traits, and represent potential targets for multi-trait marker aided selection in wheat.     

Calystegine distribution in some solanaceous species

The distribution of eight calystegines (A(3), A(5), B(1), B(2), B(3), B(4), C(1) and N(1)) and their content was investigated by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC-MS) in Datura metel, Atropa belladonna, Hyoscyamus albus, Mandragora autumnalis, Solanum sodomaeum, Withania somnifera, Withania frutescens and Brunfelsia nitida. The most frequently encountered calystegines were A(3), B(1), B(2) and B(3), while distribution of N(1) and C(1) was more limited. In all the investigated samples, calystegines A(5) and B(4) were never detected. This report focuses for the first time on calystegines in Withania and Brunfelsia genera and in Mandragora autumnalis and Solanum sodomaeum species.     

Comparative binding properties of metallobleomycins with DNA 10-mers.

Properties of the interaction of bleomycin (Blm) and metallobleomycins [M = Zn, Cu(II), Fe(III), and HO(2)-Co(III)] with site-specific and nonspecific DNA oligomers, d(GGAAGCTTCC)(2) (I) and d(GGAAATTTCC)(2) (II), respectively, were investigated. With both 10-mers association constants increased in the series Blm A(2), ZnBlm A(2), Cu(II)Blm A(2), Fe(III)Blm A(2), and HO(2)-Co(III)Blm A(2). Generally, the metallobleomycins were bound with a modestly higher affinity to I. One-dimensional (1)H NMR spectra of the imino proton region of I in the presence of this series of compounds revealed that Blm and Zn- and CuBlm bind in fast exchange on the NMR time scale, while the Fe and Co complexes bind in slow exchange. Blm, ZnBlm, and Cu(II)Blm caused little perturbation of the UV circular dichroism spectrum of I or II. In contrast, Fe(III)Blm and HO(2)-Co(III)Blm induced hypochromic effects in the CD spectrum of I and altered the spectrum of II to a smaller extent. On the basis of these results, the DNA binding structures and properties of Blm A(2), ZnBlm A(2), and CuBlm A(2) differ substantially from those of Fe(III)Blm A(2) and HO(2)-Co(III)Blm A(2).     

The seminiferous epithelial cycle and spermat ogenesis in rams (ovis aries )

The efficiency of spermatogenesis and degenerations of different spermatogenic cells under normal conditions of the environment have been investigated in rams. The meiotic divisions and the position of first-generation spermatids in haematoxylin-eosin stained testicular preparations were used to identify eight stages of the seminiferous epithelial cycle (SEC). The stages of relatively long duration (i.e., 1,2,3,4,8) were sub-divided. The percent-ages of frequency for the 14 stages reported were also studied. Three generations of type A (A(1), A(2), A(3)), one generation of type intermediate (In) and two generations of type B (B(1), B(2)) spermatogonia were recognized. A(2) and B(2) spermatogonia as well as primary and secondary spermatocytes did not degenerate. Contrarily, A(1), A(2), A(3), In and B(1) spermatogonia showed 25, 13.7, 27.3 and 21.2% degenerations respectively. We concluded that compared with the previously used eight-stage classification, subdividing stages with long durations as done in this study facilitates investigating the degenerations of spermatogenic cells. The efficiency of spermatogenesis in rams was 47.58% since one A(3) spermatogonium produces 30.45 spermatids/spermatozoa against the expected number of 64.