Developmental expression of galanin-like immunoreactivity by members of the avian sympathoadrenal cell lineage

The developmental coexpression of galanin-like immunoreactivity with the catecholamine-synthesizing enzyme tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) was studied in the avian embryo sympathoadrenal system using double-labeling immunocytochemistry. Galanin-like immunoreactivity is expressed by various catecholaminergic cell populations, namely sympathoblasts, chromaffin and small intensely fluorescent (SIF) cells, but not by principal neurons of the paravertebral sympathetic ganglia. Both galanin and somatostatin immunoreactivities are coexpressed in the adrenal and sympathetic ganglion primordia by the neural precursors, but the subsequent expression pattern of both peptides differs. Our results support the hypothesis that early sympathoblasts express a large repertoire of neuroactive substances and that the expression of these becomes restricted during further development as the sympathoblasts become principal neurons.     

THY1 as a reliable marker for enrichment of undifferentiated spermatogonia in the goat

Spermatogonial stem cells are unique cells of testes that can restore fertility upon transplantation into recipient testes. However, use of suitable markers for enrichment of these cells have important potential application. THY1, is an established conserved marker of spermatogonial stem cells in bovine, rodents, and primates, but there is no information available in goats. After three rounds of enzymatic digestion of prepubertal goat testicular tissues, undifferentiated spermatogonia positive for THY1 were isolated by magnetic-activated cell sorting and were used for immunocytochemistry, real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis for gene expression, protein expression, and transplantation into recipient mice. Immunocytochemical analyses showed that significantly higher percentage of THY1⁺ cells were positive for PLZF and VASA when compared with unselected population. This result for PLZF was further confirmed at the protein level. Real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis revealed that expression of THY1, PLZF, VASA, BCL6B, and UCHL1 as SCCs characteristic genes in THY1⁺ cells was significantly higher than in the initial population. Finally, transplantation of PKH26-labeled cells revealed that THY1⁺ cells had higher capacity for colony formation when compared with unselected cells. In conclusion, the results provide indications that THY1 surface marker can be reliably used for enrichment of undifferentiated spermatogonial in the goats.     

Identification of chemical compounds of the pheromone in different ages of female adults of the clearwing moth,Paranthrene diaphana Dalla Torre & Strand

The clearwing moth, Paranthrene diaphana Dalla Torre & Strand (Lep.: Sesiidae) is one of the most destructive pests of willow trees in Tehran province which leads to dieback. In this study, female volatile compounds were identified. For this purpose, female volatile substances were extracted using Solid Phase Micro Extraction and then were identified using Head Space Chromatography method. Female insects were assessed separately at ages of 2–4, 4–6 and 6–8 days of preparation. Among the various compounds identified by GC/MS in the volatile compounds of female insect, 27 compounds were introduced while seven combinations have also been produced and released at all ages of insect which include: Pentadecane, Heptadecane, Dodecane, Tetradecane, Hexadecane, Eicosane and Tridecane. The peak area of curve (log scale) and frequency of these compounds, demonstrate that five combinations including: Tetradecane, Hexadecane, Tridecane, Eicosane and Dodecane are more important. In addition, five compounds including: Octadecane, Palmitic acid (Hexadecanoic acid), 9-Octadecenoic acid, Tricosane and Hexacosane have been released only from fourth to the eighth day of adult life. Therefore, it seems that female sex pheromone is a combination of these 12 compounds.     

A Novel Chromatographic Method for the Preparation of High Density Lipoproteins

High density lipoproteins (HDL) were isolated by a procedure employing polyanion precipitation and column chromatography. The product was free of low density lipoproteins (LDL) but serum albumin (HSA) was still present. The remaining HSA was removed by an immuno-adsorbent column. The HDL isolated by our method was compared to another HDL preparation isolated from the same plasma sample by the combination of ultra centrifugation and gel chromatography.¹ It was found to have approximately the same lipid and protein composition as the HDL isolated by conventional techniques.¹ Minor differences included a higher phospholipid and apoprotein E content and lower triglyceride and ApoC II content of the HDL isolated by column chromatography. The method described here is considerably less tedious than earlier techniques, can be scaled up without substantial increase in labor and results in an approximately 30% higher yield than the method described by Rudel et al.¹