乌梢蛇的人工孵化试验

目的为了提高乌梢蛇的人工繁殖率,更好地保护和利用乌梢蛇的自然资源。方法采用重复实验法、观察法和对比法等方法对乌梢蛇卵进行了人工孵化的研究。结果每年的7月中旬至8月上旬为乌梢蛇的产卵高峰期,每次产卵数量为7～16枚(平均为11枚);最佳孵化温度为28～32℃,孵化环境的相对湿度为70％～85％,乌梢蛇的人工孵化率为75%6～100％,平均为83．84％。结论只要能满足乌梢蛇卵孵化温度和孵化环境的相对湿度等条件,就能够使乌梢蛇的人工孵化率平均达到80％以上。     

乌梢蛇卵巢显微结构的年周期变化

应用光学显微镜观察了乌梢蛇卵巢结构的年周期变化,并结合卵巢形态及卵巢系数的年周期变化探讨了其生殖规律.结果 表明,乌梢蛇的卵巢形态、卵巢系数及卵泡发育均具有较为明显的季节变化.据此认为,乌梢蛇在陕南地区的排卵时间在6月中下旬到7月上旬;乌梢蛇卵泡在不同发育阶段会产生闭锁卵泡或闭锁黄体,其意义可能在于使得体内合成的有限卵黄首先保证少量卵泡得到充分发育并排卵,最终达到延续种族的目的 .     

快速检测中药材乌梢蛇LAMP方法的建立

乌梢蛇作为一种名贵中药材,市面上伪品较多,干燥熏黑处理后的样品,更是真伪难辨。本研究致力于开发一套基于环介导等温扩增(loop-mediated isothermal amplification,LAMP)为基础的快速筛查乌梢蛇的方法。本研究以乌梢蛇12srRNA基因序列为基础设计并筛选出1套LAMP引物。通过调整反应条件,建立了对乌梢蛇LAMP的检查方法。结果显示,62℃下连续反应15min左右出现典型的"S"型荧光吸收曲线,实现了对乌梢蛇12srRNA基因序列的特异扩增。根据LAMP灵敏度高的特点,本研究简化了DNA的提取方法,缩短了检测的时间。相对于常规的PCR方法,本研究建立的以快速DNA提取为基础的乌梢蛇LAMP快速筛查方法具有简单、快速、灵敏、对设备要求低等特点,适用于对中药材乌梢蛇的快速筛查。     

乌梢蛇血清对白眉蝮等3种蛇毒解毒作用初探

目的 探讨乌梢蛇血清对孟加拉眼镜蛇、白眉蝮、莽山烙铁头3种毒蛇的解毒作用。方法 给18～22g昆明小鼠分别注射盂加拉眼镜蛇毒、白眉蝮蛇毒及莽山烙铁头蛇毒后,随机分组注射不同浓度的乌梢蛇血清,并观察对3种蛇毒的解毒效果。结果 发现（1）乌梢蛇血清对盂加拉眼镜蛇毒有解毒作用．且注射蛇毒与4ml／kg的血清混合液的解毒作用最好,但随着间隔时间的延长,解毒作用逐渐减弱;（2）乌梢蛇血清对白眉蝮蛇毒有解毒作用,且注射量为1ml／kg和2ml／kg时出现了拮抗作用;（3）乌梢蛇血清对莽山烙铁头蛇毒有解毒作用,但莽山烙铁头蛇毒对血清注射量和间隔时间不敏感,在血清注射量为2ml／kg时和注射蛇毒10min后,再注射4ml／kg的血清时出现了拮抗作用。（4）只给小鼠注射不同量的乌梢蛇血清,发现乌梢蛇血清对小鼠无明显的毒副作用。结论 乌梢蛇血清对3种蛇毒均有解毒作用。     

乌梢蛇及几种混伪品的鉴别

乌梢蛇为常用中药,始载于《药性论》,以后历代本草多有记载.乌梢蛇具有祛风、通络、止痉之功效,用于治疗风湿顽痹、麻木拘挛、中风口眼歪斜、半身不遂、抽搐痉挛、破伤风、麻风疥癣等[1].《中国药典》收载的乌梢蛇为游蛇科动物乌梢蛇(Zaocys dhumnades)的干燥体[1].主产于浙江、江苏及安徽等地.作者从事药检工作二十几年,发现了不少乌梢蛇的混伪品流人药品市场,为去伪存真,准确用药,本文将乌梢蛇与几种昆伪品进行比较,分述如下.     

中药乌梢蛇的薄层层析鉴别

目的探讨中药乌梢蛇的薄层层析鉴别。方法用薄层层析和紫外分析方法,对中药乌梢蛇的色谱进行分析,以丙酮∶乙醇∶氨水和正丁醇∶乙醇∶氨水２个系统中分别展开后,置紫外２５４ｎｍ下检视。结果能见到清晰、分离效果很好的４个斑点。结论该方法具有对乌梢蛇定性鉴别意义,可作为该药的有效鉴别手段及内在质量控制指标之一。     

乌梢蛇血清的抗出血因子:一个有前途的抗蛇毒药物原料

用柱层析和聚丙烯酰胺凝胶盘状电泳法,从乌梢蛇血清中分离纯化了一个抗出血因子。用SDS-聚丙烯酰胺凝胶电泳法测得其分子量大约为65 kD;测定了五种蝮亚科蛇毒(尖吻蝮、竹叶青蛇、原矛头蝮、哈扑和短尾蝮)的最小出血剂量和乌梢蛇血清中抗出血因子对这五种蛇毒的抗出血活性;还测定了七种蛇毒(除上述五种毒蛇外,还包括圆斑蝰和银环蛇)的半数致死量,以及抗出血因子对中毒小鼠的治疗作用。结果显示:从乌梢蛇血清中提纯的抗出血因子的抗蛇毒活性,不仅可以抵抗它的捕食者尖吻蝮的蛇毒,而且还可以抵抗具出血活性的其它蛇毒;但它对不具出血活性的银环蛇毒的致死抑制作用不明显。该抗出血因子不仅在体外实验表现出强的中和出血毒素的活性,而且在体内实验中亦表现出对中毒小鼠良好的治疗作用,因而可能成为新的抗蛇毒药物的有前途的原料。乌梢蛇血清对血循毒的中和能力的获得,可能归因于尖吻蝮与乌梢蛇之间捕食与被捕食相互作用的关系。     

乌梢蛇输精管道的组织学与免疫细胞化学观察

为探讨乌梢蛇(Zaocys dhumnades)输精管道结构与其功能之间的关系,该研究用一般光镜技术观察了乌梢蛇输精管道的显微结构及其年周期变化,并结合免疫细胞化学方法研究了雄激素受体(AR)、雌激素受体(ER)、孕激素受体(PR)和芳香化酶(Ar)在输精管和精巢中精子细胞表达的相关性.为验证该文在乌梢蛇输精管中观察到的大量精子和圆球状结构,用一般光镜技术还观察了黑眉锦蛇(Elaphe taeniura)、赤链蛇(Dinodon rufozonatum)与虎斑颈槽蛇(Rhabdophis tigrina lateralis)的输精管道.结果表明,乌梢蛇的输精管道主要由输出小管、附睾管与输精管构成;8-10月输出小管中有精子,8月—翌年1月附睾管中有精子,全年(除7月外)输精管中有大量精子;在输精管内首次观察到由多个精子细胞构成的圆球状结构,该结构与精巢中精子细胞的AR、ER、PR和Ar累计光密度值之间分别无显著差异.由于在乌梢蛇、黑眉锦蛇及赤链蛇的输精管内圆球状结构均可见精子细胞变态形成精子.因此,建议将蛇类输精管内圆球状结构命名为生精小球(seminiferous spherule).该文认为,蛇类精巢是精子形成的主要部位,而输精管内的生精小球是精子形成的另一个部位;附睾与输精管均可以储存精子,但输精管是精子储存的主要器官.     

肿瘤细胞与肿瘤微环境间的相互作用

在肿瘤组织中,除了肿瘤细胞外还有其他成分包括间质细胞和细胞外基质(ECM),这些共同构成肿瘤微环境。这些间质细胞包括:成纤维细胞、内皮细胞、炎症细胞、脂肪细胞等。间质细胞的分布、细胞外基质的组成和代谢产物在同一肿瘤中明显不同。肿瘤细胞周围的间质细胞状态对肿瘤的转移产生重要影响,甚至可以用来预测肿瘤复发。肿瘤的发生发展包括众多成分之间的相互作用,本文论述了这一复杂网络的各个组成部分。     

乌梢蛇卵泡不同发育期颗粒细胞的显微结构变化

采用光学显微镜主要观察了乌梢蛇(Zaocys dhumnades)卵泡发育过程中颗粒细胞的显微结构变化.结果表明,乌梢蛇的滤泡前体细胞在形态、大小与嗜色性上均与生殖基的表面上皮相似;在原始卵泡期,卵母细胞周围的滤泡前体细胞围绕成一圈;在颗粒层细胞期的时期I至时期Ⅲ,颗粒细胞分化为由小细胞、梨形细胞与中间型细胞构成的异型颗粒细胞;在时期Ⅳ,这些异型颗粒细胞又转变成为只有小细胞的同型颗粒细胞.乌梢蛇卵泡颗粒细胞来源于生殖基的表面上皮,其发育特征是首先由同型发育成为异型,再由异型转变为同型颗粒细胞,具有同源异型的特征.     

Patchy basement membrane of rat Leydig cells shown by ultrastructural immunolabeling

Summary Rat testes were examined by conventional and immunolabeling transmission electron microscopy. Ultrastructurally identifiable continuous basement membranes were found around seminiferous tubules and the interstitial capillaries. Patches of basement membrane were, additionally, found on free surfaces of Leydig cells, between two Leydig cells, and in macrophage-Leydig cell contact sites. The ultrastructural findings were confirmed by immunocytochemical localization of laminin and collagen type IV in the same areas. A close association between the capillary basement membranes and the surfaces of perivascular Leydig cells was also observed. The possible basement membrane-mediated interactions of Leydig cells with other testicular structures, together with the novel bioactive products and regulators of Leydig cells, support the role of these cells as exceptionally complex regulatory centers of testicular functions.     

Characterization of filaments within Leydig cells of the rat testis

Rat Leydig cells were permeabilized and the cytoplasm partially extracted to visualize, describe, and characterize filamentous elements of the cytoskeleton. It was demonstrated by immunofluorescence microscopy that vimentin is abundant within Leydig cells. Ultrastructurally, intermediate filaments in Leydig cells were concentrated at perinuclear sites and comprised bundles that coursed through the cytoplasm. Actin was identified in Leydig cells with the F actin probe, NBD-phallacidin. Fluorescence was strongest at the cortex of the cell. With myosin S-1 subfragments, sparse actin was found positioned almost exclusively in cortical regions of the cell associated with coated pits and in Leydig cell processes.     

Selective destruction and regeneration of rat Leydig cells in vivo

Summary The effect of a single i.p. administration of ethane dimethanesulphonate (EDS) upon rat testicular histology was studied by light microscopy and morphometry up to 4 weeks after treatment. One day after injection the interstitial tissue exhibited degenerating Leydig cells, abundant pyknotic interstitial cells, deposition of cellular debris and extensive networks of fibrillar material. Macrophages contained greatly increased numbers of cytoplasmic inclusion bodies. From 3 to 7 days morphometric analysis showed that Leydig cells and cellular debris had disappeared from the interstitial tissue, leaving only macrophages, fibroblasts and lymphatic endothelial tissue. A very small number of new Leydig cells were seen on day 14, often located in peritubular or perivascular positions. Regeneration of foetal-like Leydig cells occurred by 4 weeks, their cytoplasm containing large lipid inclusions and, numerous Leydig cells were often observed closely applied to the walls of the seminiferous tubules. The observations suggest that, after experimental destruction and depletion of Leydig cells, an interstitial precursor cell, as yet unidentified, gives rise to a new Leydig cell population. EDS thus offers a valuable opportunity to study further the interactions between the seminiferous tubules and the interstitial tissue following the destruction and subsequent regeneration of the Leydig cells.     

The fate of fetal Leydig cells during the development of the fetal and postnatal rat testis

The ultrastructure and developmental fate of the fetal generation of Leydig cells of the rat testis was studied from the 17th day of fetal life up to 100 days after birth. The number of fetal Leydig cells per testis was determined by light microscopic morphometric analysis of semithin plastic sections. In fetal testes (days 17-22 postconception), Leydig cells exhibited a characteristic ultrastructure, containing smooth endoplasmic reticulum, many lipid inclusions and glycogen. Testes of 17-day-old fetuses contained about 25 x 10(3) fetal Leydig cells, rapidly increasing to 90 x 10(3) per testis in 21-day-old fetuses. After birth, fetal Leydig cells per testis remained relatively constant up to 2 weeks (80-90 x 10(3) per testis) and were identified by light and electron microscopy which showed their numerous lipid inclusions, their tendency for clustering and their association with interstitial tissue fibroblasts which partly encapsulated the fetal Leydig cells. From 21-100 days after birth, fetal Leydig cell numbers were quite variable with a mean of 45-60 x 10(3) per testis. These results are the first to show that the fetal generation of Leydig cells persist in the adult testis and do not undergo early postnatal degeneration or dedifferentiation into other interstitial cells. The simultaneous occurrence of the fetal Leydig cells and the adult population of Leydig cells indicates that these cells are distinct cell generations which are developmentally unrelated.     

The organization of testicular interstitial tissue and changes in the fine structure of the Leydig cells of European moles (Talpa europaea) throughout the year

Seasonal changes of the testicular interstitial tissue were studied by electron microscopy. During the breeding season in spring, clusters of Leydig cells are surrounded by wide lymphatic sinusoids. In sexually quiescent moles, these sinusoids collapse, and the abundant Leydig cells become closely packed and occupy most of the testis. During sexual activity, the Leydig cells contain abundant smooth endoplasmic reticulum (SER), mitochondria with tubular cristae, and lipid droplets. Some areas of the cytoplasm are occupied exclusively by tubular SER, arranged in parallel. During regression the SER appears tortuous, and large lipid droplets are found in the cytoplasm, although these gradually become smaller. During the long period of sexual quiescence, the size and abundance of Leydig cells and the appearance of SER, lipid droplets and mitochondria were similar to those observed during sexual activity.     

Effect of photoperiod on the size of the Leydig cell population and the rate of recruitment of Leydig cells in adult Syrian hamsters

The number of Leydig cells was determined by stereologic procedures in adult Syrian hamsters housed in long days (14L:10D) to maintain testicular activity (active), in short days (5L:19D) for 12-13 wk to induce testicular regression (photoperiod-induced regressed), or in short days for a period of 21 wk or more to allow spontaneous gonadal recrudescence (spontaneously recrudesced). Testes were removed, sliced, fixed, embedded in Epon 812, and observed by bright-field microscopy. Testicular and seminal vesicle weights, plasma testosterone concentration, total Leydig cell volume per testis, and volume of single Leydig cell were greater (p less than 0.01) in active and recrudesced animals than in regressed animals. The density of Leydig cells was greater in the regressed testes, but the total number per testis was not influenced by photoperiod. In Experiment 2, the rate of recruitment of Leydig cells was determined in 5 adult hamsters exposed to long days (active) or 5 hamsters whose testes were regressed by exposure of animals to short days for 13 wk followed by long-day exposure to initiate testicular growth (photoperiod-induced recrudescing). Hamsters were injected for 3 days/wk for 3 wk with tritiated thymidine, 0.5 or 1 microCi/g body weight. Testes were fixed and tissues prepared, as above, and processed for autoradiography. Again, the photoperiod did not influence the number of Leydig cells per testis. Labeling of Leydig cell nuclei revealed that recruitment of new Leydig cells occurred at approximately 1.3% per day in recrudescing testes but also occurred at approximately 0.6% per day in active testes. Without change in the total number of Leydig cells, new Leydig cells were added continually to the existing population in adult hamsters with either recrudescing or active testes.     

Monoclonal antibodies against rat Leydig cell surface antigens

Monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) directed against the Leydig cell surface may be used to identify this cell in testicular preparations. Collagenase-dispersed adult rat interstitial cells were fractionated on Percoll density gradients, and Leydig cell-enriched fractions were used to prepare MAbs. Hybridomas were screened by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), indirect immunofluorescence assay (IIF) on isolated testicular cells and immunocytochemical localization on paraffin sections of adult testes. In density gradient fractions, immunoglobulin (Ig) M MAbs (LC-1C6 and LC-6H6) labeled the surface of cells possessing the morphological characteristics of Leydig cells. The density gradient profiles of MAb-binding activity observed by IIF and ELISA were parallel with the Leydig cell distribution as determined by [125I]-human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) binding, testosterone response to hCG in vitro, 3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase histochemistry and electron microscopy. The MAbs prominently labeled most interstitial cells in sections, but there was little or no labeling of connective tissue, endothelial or seminiferous tubule cells. Both MAbs recognized components of Mr 58,000 in Western blots of Leydig cell-enriched extracts. The results indicate that LC-1C6 and LC-6H6 recognize antigens on the Leydig cell surface that are not present on other isolated testicular cells from the adult rat. These MAbs are specific markers of the Leydig cell in situ and in vitro.     

Analysis of the developmental expression of small VCP-interacting protein and its interaction with steroidogenic acute regulatory protein in Leydig cells

Small VCP-interacting protein (SVIP) is a 9-kDa protein that is composed of 76 amino acids, and it plays a role in the endoplasmic reticulum-associated protein degradation (ERAD) pathway. Recent studies have shown that SVIP is an androgen-responsive protein and its expression is regulated by androgens. Because no data are available regarding the cellular localization and expression of SVIP in the mouse testis, where androgens are highly expressed, immunohistochemistry and western blotting were performed. In the fetal testis, we found that moderate but consistent staining of SVIP is present in the cytoplasm of Leydig cells. In prepubertal and adult life, SVIP remains present in Leydig cells as well as in the cytoplasm of some peritubular and Sertoli cells. From postnatal day 15 onward, SVIP is strongly expressed in the cytoplasm of Leydig cells.Furthermore, TM3, MA-10 Leydig and Sertoli cell lines were also used to evaluate the expression of SVIP. To identify the interacting partners, such as steroidogenic acute regulatory (STAR) protein, colocalization studies were performed by fluorescence microscopy, showing that STAR colocalized with SVIP in the adult mouse testis. The expression changes of STAR were studied by using SVIP siRNAs in Leydig cell line cultures. Depletion of SVIP resulted in decreased expression of STAR. Additionally, the number and size of lipid droplets were significantly increased in SVIP-depleted Leydig cells. Taken together, our data identify SVIP as a marker of Leydig cell lineage and as a regulator of STAR protein expression and lipid droplet status in Leydig cells.     

Abnormal development of the testis after administration of the Leydig cell cytotoxic ethylene-1,2-dimethanesulphonate to the immature rat

Male rats were injected with 50 mg ethylene-1,2-dimethanesulphonate/kg from Day 5 to Day 16 after birth and control rats received injections of the same volume of vehicle. Testes were studied at various times from Day 6 to Day 108 using histochemistry, light and electron microscopy. Fine structural degenerative changes were observed in the Leydig cells and seminiferous tubules of EDS-treated animals as early as Day 6. By Day 11 no Leydig cells could be detected and the interstitia of EDS-treated testes contained large numbers of fibroblast-like cells which formed peritubular collars 3-5 cells thick; the tubules contained Sertoli cells with heterogeneous inclusions and large numbers of lipid droplets. A small number of Leydig cells was found at Day 14 and their numbers increased so that, in animals of 28 days and older, large clusters of Leydig cells were present between severely atrophic tubules. These tubules contained Sertoli cells with few organelles; germinal cells were not observed after 28 days in EDS-treated animals. These results show that EDS destroys the fetal population of Leydig cells postnatally and this mimics the well documented effect of EDS on adult Leydig cells. The seminiferous tubules were permanently damaged by EDS in the present experiments. Tubular damage could have been due to a direct cytotoxic effect of multiple injections of EDS on the tubule before the blood-testis barrier develops or due to withdrawal of androgen support secondary to Leydig cell destruction.     

Changes in the fine structure of the testicular Leydig cells of the seasonally-breeding bat,Myotis adversus

Summary Leydig cells of the bat, Myotis adversus, have been examined by electron microscopy throughout fourteen months. During the breeding season the Leydig cells become hypertrophied and are characterised by prominent areas of agranular endoplasmic reticulum and numerous small, membrane-bound granules. Microperoxisomes are also observed. During the period of testicular regression. Leydig cell size and the number of membrane-bound granules are greatly reduced. Lipid droplets and dense bodies are more numerous.