Interactive effects of intracisternal oxytocin and other centrally active substances on colonic temperatures of mice

Oxytocin (OXY) administered intracisternally to adult male mice produced a significant dose-related (1-4 micrograms) increase in colonic temperatures at an ambient temperature of 25 degrees C. The maximal rise in temperature occurred 30 min after administration of the peptide. The interactive effects on colonic temperature of central OXY with equimolar amounts of neurotensin, bombesin or beta-endorphin or of 2 2 mg/kg of chlorpromazine were investigated. OXY significantly antagonized the hypothermia produced by all of these substances. Pretreatment of mice with haloperidol or naloxone failed to prevent OXY-induced hyperthermia. The hyperthermic action of OXY and the interactive effects of OXY with other peptides on thermoregulation may be physiologically significant during parturition and lactation.     

Thermoregulation dynamics in commercially reared colonies of the bumblebee Bombus terrestris

Thermoregulation, that is, the active control of temperature, is key to ensure proper brood development in both wild and captive bumblebee nests. In this study, thermoregulation dynamics were assessed relative to colony age and ambient temperature using commercially reared Bombus terrestris L. (Hymenoptera, Apidae, Bombus) colonies. We observed a positive relationship between brood and nest temperatures in response to ambient temperature. Thermoregulation investment (by either brooding or fanning) was lowest at brood surface temperatures between 33 and 34 °C and ambient temperatures between 28 and 32 °C. Brood temperature was less stable and thermoregulation investment higher in younger colonies, especially at lower ambient temperatures. Furthermore, queens initiated colonies sooner and colonies developed faster when kept at an ambient temperature of 29 °C as compared to 24 °C. Our results suggest that ambient temperatures are ideally kept between 29 and 31 °C.     

Impact of elevated temperatures on specific leaf weight,stomatal density,photosynthesis and chlorophyll fluorescence in soybean

High-temperature stress is a major environmental stress and there are limited studies elucidating its impact on soybean (Glycine max L. Merril.). The objectives of present study were to quantify the effect of high temperature on changes in leaf thickness, number of stomata on adaxial and abaxial leaf surfaces, gas exchange, chlorophyll fluorescence parameters and seed yield in soybean. Twelve soybean genotypes were grown at day/night temperatures of 30/22, 34/24, 38/26 and 42/28?°C with an average temperature of 26, 29, 32 and 35?°C, respectively, under greenhouse conditions. One set was also grown under ambient temperature conditions where crop season average maximum, minimum and mean temperatures were 28.0, 22.4 and 25.2?°C, respectively. Significant negative effect of temperature was observed on specific leaf weight (SLW) and leaf thickness. Rate of photosynthesis, stomatal conductance and water use efficiency declined as the growing temperatures increased; whereas, intercellular CO₂ and transpiration rate were increased. With the increase in temperature chlorophyll fluorescence parameters such as Fv/Fm, qP and PhiPSII declined while there was increase in qN. Number of stomata on both abaxial and adaxial surface of leaf increased significantly with increase in temperatures. The rate of photosynthesis, PhiPSII, qP and SPAD values were positively associated with leaf thickness and SLW. This indicated that reduction in photosynthesis and associated parameters appears to be due to structural changes observed at higher temperatures. The average seed yield was maximum (13.2 g/pl) in plants grown under ambient temperature condition and declined by 8, 14, 51 and 65% as the temperature was increased to 30/22, 34/24, 38/26 and 42/28?°C, respectively.     

Effects of microwave exposure and temperature on survival of mice infected with Streptococcus pneumoniae

Female CD-1 mice were injected with an LD₅₀ dose of Streptococcus pneumoniae and then exposed to 2.45 GHz (CW) microwave radiation at an incident power density of 10 mW/cm² (SAR = 6.8 W/kg), 4 h/d for 5 d at ambient temperatures of 19 °C, 22 °C, 25 °C, 28 °C, 31 °C, 34 °C, 37 °C and 40 °C. Four groups of 25 animals were exposed at each temperature with an equal number of animals concurrently sham-exposed. Survival was observed for a 10-d period after infection. Survival of the sham-exposed animals increased as ambient temperature increased from 19 °C–34 °C. At ambient temperatures at or above 37 °C the heat induced in the body exceeded the thermoregulatory capacity of the animals and deaths from hyperthermia occurred. Survival of the microwave-exposed animals was significantly greater than the shams (～20%) at each ambient temperature below 34 °C. Based on an analysis of the data it appears that the hyperthermia induced by microwave exposure may be more effective in increasing survival in infected mice than hyperthermia produced by conventional methods (ie, high ambient temperature). Microwave radiation may be beneficial to infected animals at low and moderate ambient temperatures, but it is detrimental when combined with high ambient temperatures.     

Comparative studies on the interaction of benzpyrene with cells derived from poikilothermic and homeothermic vertebrates. II. Effect of temperature on benzpyrene metabolism and cell multiplication

The effect of incubation temperature on cell multiplication and on the efficiency of benzpyrene (BP) metabolism to water-soluble derivatives was compared in cell cultures derived from three poikilothermic and three homeo-thermic vertebrate species. The fish cells grew optimally at about 20°C and the amphibian and reptilian cells at about 30°C, and in general, these cells multiplied over broader ranges of temperature than the mouse, hamster or chick cells. In each cell system, the maximum temperature supporting efficient BP metabolism exceeded the maximum temperature supporting cell growth by 4 to 8°, but the range of temperatures supporting near-maximal BP metabolism was also considerably broader in the poikilothermic than in the homeothermic vertebrate cultures.     

Effect of environmental embryonic temperature on larval development of Macrobrachium rosenbergii (De Man)

Berried females of Macrobrachium rosenbergii (De Man) from Anuenue stock were allowed to incubate their eggs at three different temperatures (25,29, and 31°C). The newborn larvae were reared in the laboratory from hatch through completion of the metamorphosis to postlarva in 30 combinations of temperature (22–34° C) and salinity (0–34 ppt). Survival and stage attainment rates were observed. Multiple linear regression analysis and response surface methodology were used to estimate the response of larvae to these different temperature and salinity combinations. Dissimilarities in the response of zoeae from the three egg incubation temperatures were found. Larvae from eggs incubated at 25° C during embryonic development showed tolerance to a broader range of temperature and salinity conditions than those incubated at 29 or 31 °C. The response also changed with the ontogeny of the larvae. The zoeae are considered to have undergone acclimation during embryonic development, thus eliciting a different response.     

The influence of internal and skin temperatures on active cutaneous vasodilation under different levels of exercise and ambient temperatures in humans

To clarify the influence of internal and skin temperature on the active cutaneous vasodilation during exercise, the body temperature thresholds for the onset of active vasodilation during light or moderate exercise under different ambient temperature conditions were compared. Seven male subjects performed 30 min of a cycling exercise at 20 % or 50 % of peak oxygen uptake in a room maintained at 20, 24, or 28 °C. Esophageal (Tes) and mean skin temperature (Tsk) as measured by a thermocouple, deep thigh temperature (Tdt) by the zero-heat-flow (ZHF) method, and forearm skin blood flow by laser-Doppler flowmetry (LDF) were monitored. The mean arterial pressure (MAP) was also monitored non-invasively, and the cutaneous vascular conductance (CVC) was calculated as the LDF/MAP. Throughout the experiment, the Tsk at ambient temperatures of 20, 24, and 28 °C were approximately 30, 32, and 34 °C, respectively, for both 20 % and 50 % exercise. During 50 % exercise, the Tes or Tdt thresholds for the onset of the increase in CVC were observed to be similar among the 20, 24, and 28 °C ambient conditions. During 20 % exercise, the increase in Tes and Tdt was significantly lower than those found at 50 %, and the onset of the increase in CVC was only observed at 28 °C. These results suggest that the onset of active vasodilation was affected more strongly by the internal or exercising tissue temperatures than by the skin temperatures during exercise performed at a moderate load in comparison to a light load under Tsk variations ranging from 30 °C to 34 °C. Therefore, the modification by skin temperature of the central control on cutaneous vasomotor tone during exercise may differ between different exercise loads.     

Poikilothermic traits in Mashona mole-rat (Fukomys darlingi). Reality or myth?

The African mole-rats (Bathyergidae, Rodentia) is a mammalian family well known for a variety of ecophysiological adaptations for strictly belowground life. The smallest bathyergid, the hairless naked mole-rat from arid areas in Eastern Africa, is even famous as the only truly poikilothermic mammal. Another bathyergid, the Mashona mole-rat (Fukomys darlingi) from Zimbabwe, is supposed to have strong poikilothermic traits, because it is not able to maintain a stable body temperature at ambient temperatures below 20 °C. This is surprising because, compared to the naked mole-rat, this species, together with all congenerics, is larger, haired, and living in more seasonal environment. In addition, other Fukomys mole-rats show typical mammalian pattern in resting metabolic rates. In our study, we measured resting metabolic rate and body temperature of Mashona mole-rats from Malawi across a gradient of ambient temperatures to test its poikilothermic traits. We found that the adult mass specific resting metabolic rate was 0.76±0.20 ml O₂ g⁻¹ h⁻¹ and body temperature 34.8±1.1 °C in the thermoneutral zone (27–34 °C). Body temperature was stable (33.0±0.5 °C) at ambient temperatures from 10 to 25 °C. We thus cannot confirm poikilothermic traits in this species, at least for its Malawian population. Factors potentially explaining the observed discrepancy in Mashona mole-rat energetics are discussed.     

The antiteratogenic effects of hypo- and hyperthermia in trypan blue-treated chick embryos

Fertile White Leghorn chicken eggs (N = 174) were incubated under optimum conditions until the embryos had reached Hamburger-Hamilton stage 12 (about 48 hr). At that time, 20 μl of 1% trypan blue solution, dissolved in 0.85% NaCl (wt/vol) was injected through the yolk sac into the liquid yolk found just under the embryo. After injection, the eggs were separated into groups and returned to the incubator under control conditions (38°C), or at temperatures lower (35°C) or higher (41°C) than optimum.After an additional 24 hr of incubation, the embryos incubated at 35°C (N = 53) exhibited significantly fewer caudal hematomas (P < 0.02) than did embryos incubated at 38°C (N = 51). Similarly, embryos incubated at 41°C (N = 40) also exhibited significantly fewer caudal hematomas (P < 0.05) than did their corresponding (38°C) controls (N = 30). There was no significant difference between the 35°C group and their controls, or the 38°C group and their controls, in embryonic dry weight, dry weight of the area vasculosa, or crown-rump length. The only other significant difference detected between groups was a very slight but significant (P < 0.0005) decrease in Hamburger-Hamilton stage (0.4 stage unit) between embryos incubated at 35°C and the corresponding controls.Since incubation temperatures either above or below optimum result in a marked reduction in the teratogenic response to trypan blue treatment, we conclude that there exists a temperature optimum for the development of caudal hematomas.     

Effect of high air and soil temperature on dry matter production,pod yield and yield components of groundnut

Groundnuts (Arachis hypogaea L.) grown in the semi-arid tropics are commonly exposed to air and soil temperatures above 35 °C during the reproductive period causing significant yield losses. The objectives of this study were to determine: (i) whether effects of high air and/or high soil temperature in two contrasting cultivars were similar; (ii) the effects of the timing of imposition of high air and soil temperature; (iii) the effects of high air, high soil and both stresses combined on yield and yield components; and (iv) whether the effects of high air and high soil temperature were additive or multiplicative. Plants were grown at optimum and ambient soil temperature from planting until start of podding at 45 d after planting (DAP) in Experiment 1, and until start of flowering at 28 DAP in Experiment 2. Thereafter, plants of each cultivar were exposed to a factorial combination of two air temperatures (optimum: 28°/22 °C and high: 38°/22 °C) and two soil temperatures (ambient: 26°/24 °C and high: 38°/30 °C) until final harvest at 90 DAP. The effects of high air and high soil temperatures imposed from start of flowering or podding were similar. Exposure to high air and/or high soil temperature significantly reduced total dry matter production, partitioning of dry matter to pods, and pod yields in both the cultivars. High air temperature had no significant effect on total flower production but significantly reduced the proportion of flowers setting pegs (fruit-set) and hence fruit numbers. In contrast, high soil temperature significantly reduced flower production, the proportion of pegs forming pods and 100 seed weight. The effects of high air and soil temperature were mostly additive and without interaction. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Der Einfluß der Umgebungstemperatur auf Motilität,Körpertemperatur und Sauerstoffverbrauch von normalen und Pervitin-behandelten Mäusen

Single mice were kept in various ambient temperatures (15° to 35° C) and motility, oxygen consumption, and body temperature were recorded. Untreated animals: Motility was least at 25° C room temperature. Relations between motility and body temperature were linear at all ambient temperatures. The body temperatures of very agile mice did not vary at ambient temperatures from 15° to 30° C whereas that of quiet mice was strongly influenced by the milieu. The relations between oxygen consumption and body weight were also linear at all ambient temperatures; the corresponding regression coefficients decreased progressively with rising ambient temperatures. Oxygen consumption increased at a constant rate with motility, independent of ambient temperatures. Animals treated with methamphetamine: The LD₅₀ of methamphetamine decreased considerably with rising ambient temperature. The influence on body temperature of methamphetamine was very variable and depended on both dose and ambient temperature. Toxic doses of methamphetamine induced hyperthermia in warm surroundings and hypothermia in a cool milieu. Under the influence of methamphetamine, oxygen consumption increased or decreased considerably with the body temperature. Ambient temperatures exerted an essential influence on the cause of death after toxic doses of methamphetamine.     

Body temperature in the mouse,hamster, and rat exposed to radiofrequency radiation: An interspecies comparison

• 1.1.|Colonic temperatures of BALB/c and CBA/J mice, golden hamsters, and Sprague-Dawley rats were taken immediately after exposure for 90 min to radiofrequency (RF) radiation.
• 2.2.|Exposures were made in 2450 MHz (mouse and hamster) or 600 MHz (rat) waveguide exposure systems while the dose rate, specific absorption rate (SAR), was continuously recorded. Experiments were performed on naive, unrestrained animals at ambient temperatures (T_a) of 20 and 30°C.
• 3.3.|Body mass and T_a) were found to be significant factors in influencing the threshold SAR for the elevation of colonic temperature. The threshold SARs at T_a's of 20 and 30°C were respectively: 27.5 and 12.1 W/kg for the BALB/c mouse; 40.7 and 8.5 W/kg for the CBA/J mouse; 8.7 and 0.61 W/kg for the golden hamster; and 1.58 and 0.4 W/kg for the Sprague-Dawley rat.
• 4.4.|The relationship between threshold SAR or SAR for a 1.0°C elevation in colonic temperature vs body mass were linearly and inversely related on a double logarithmic plot. The results of this study suggest that the thermoregulatory sensitivity to RF radiation in these rodent species is heavily dependent on body mass and T_a.

     

Zur fortpflanzungsbiologie von mesostoma ehrenbergii (Focke, 1836) (Turbellaria)

1. At temperature levels from 10 to 25°C animals from resting eggs produce subitaneous eggs independent on temperature. In contrast animals from subitaneous eggs produce subitaneous eggs dependent on temperature. At a high rate subitaneous eggs are only formed at temperature levels above 20°C.
2. Below 10°C no development occurs in the juveniles. At temperatures of 30/22°C (24.7°C) the first subitaneous eggs are formed after 6–9 days, at 14/9°C (10.7°C) they are formed after 34 days. At different temperature levels the developmental rate of the young is from 10.5 to 42 days. One generation extends over 16.5 (30/22°C) to 75 days (14/9°C). The average egg production is 10–20 subitaneous eggs or 30–60 resting eggs. The maximum egg production of one individual is 50 subitaneous eggs or 84 resting eggs. 50% of the animals have just formed resting eggs, before the juveniles are hatched. Resting eggs in the first egg-batch are formed 6–20 days later than subitaneous eggs. The duration of life is between 65 (30/22°C) and 140 days (19/13°C).
3. Young worms in resting eggs have a dormance period of at least 15–30 days.

At room temperatures (20°C) no juvenile in resting eggs hatches from water. By combining room and refrigerator (3.5°C) temperatures the hatching rate increases to a maximum of 85%. To reach a hatching rate of 50–65% the influence of low temperatures must be at least 30 days. At room temperatures 60% of the young in resting eggs hatch from mud covered with water. Combining high and low temperatures the hatching success is between 67 and 81%, where the highest percentage of the young may hatch at room temperature. Up to 90 days low temperatures cause a maximum hatching rate of 79%. It decreases to approximately 30% after 180 days. At high temperatures resting eggs preserved in 100% moist mud, survive for two months. By adding a period of low temperatures the hatching rate increases to a maximum of 52%. Low temperatures are survived for more than 6 months. Up to 30 days preservation at 3.5°C causes a maximum hatching rate of 61%, up to 12o days it decreases to 30%. At room temperature the young in resting eggs are not resistant against air-dried mud (30–40% rel. air moisture). Combining high and low temperatures air-dried mud is endured 1 month (hatching rate 5–14%). Preservation of 30–120 days at 3.5°C and 70% rel. air moisture result in a hatching rate of 43–61%. li]4. In the open air in Middle-Europe there occur 5–6 generations of M. ehrenbergii per life-cycle. The first generation hatches from resting eggs in May, where the production of subitaneous eggs is independent on temperature. All other generations up to October hatch from subitaneous eggs. The egg-production of those worms is dependent on environmental factors. In summer subitaneous egg production prevails, in autumn resting egg production. The abundance during the life-cycle is dependent on the number of animals which produce subitaneous eggs. Resting eggs are predestinated to endure periods of dryness and cold. The life-cycles of the species M. lingua and M. productum are different from those of M. ehrenbergii in length and in the number of generations. In both species 7 generations occur over 8 to 8.5 respectively 5.5 months. M. nigrirostrum only forms resting eggs. The life-cycle consists of one generation from February/March to May/June.     

Growth and physiological responses in largemouth bass populations to environmental warming: Effects of inhabiting chronically heated environments

Ectotherms are susceptible to increasing environmental temperatures associated with anthropogenic warming. Supra-optimum temperatures lead to declining aerobic capacity and can increase exposure to lethal temperatures, resulting in reduced performance. Although the capacity of phenotypic plasticity to minimize the effects of temperature on physiological processes is well studied, evidence of generational changes (e.g. transgenerational plasticity and rapid adaptation) in response to environmental warming is limited in natural populations. We investigated metabolism, growth, and thermal tolerance of largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) populations inhabiting thermally altered lakes (i.e. power plant cooling lakes) which have year-round elevated temperature regimes and exhibit supra-optimum temperatures on a yearly basis, and compared these traits with those in largemouth bass populations from ambient lakes. Largemouth bass from ambient and heated groups (n = 3 populations per group) were spawned in an ambient, common garden pond environment, then acclimated to either a normal summertime temperature (24 °C) or a supra-optimum temperature (30 °C). Fish from heated populations had significant reductions in the resting metabolic rate at both temperatures and markedly increased growth rates at 30 °C. By comparing pond-raised fish to fish removed directly from heated lakes, we showed that developmental plasticity played little role in establishing the metabolic rate. A lower resting metabolic rate contributed to an increase in the conversion efficiency of food to biomass of largemouth bass from heated lakes, regardless of temperature. Despite inhabiting heated lakes for many decades, neither critical thermal maximum nor minimum were altered in heated populations when raised in a common garden environment. These results suggest that largemouth bass can lessen sub-lethal effects of warming by altering physiological processes to reduce the impact of warming on aerobic scope and that these changes are generationally transient, but changes in maximum thermal tolerance in response to warming is limited to phenotypic plasticity.     

Response of Antarctic, temperate, and tropical microalgae to temperature stress

The global temperature increase has significant implications on the survival of microalgae which form the basis of all aquatic food webs. The aim of this study was to compare the response of similar taxa of microalgae from the Antarctic (Chlamydomonas UMACC 229, Chlorella UMACC 237, and Navicula glaciei UMACC 231), temperate (Chlamydomonas augustae UMACC 247, Chlorella vulgaris UMACC 248, and Navicula incerta UMACC 249), and tropical (C. augustae UMACC 246, C. vulgaris UMACC 001, and Amphiprora UMACC 239) regions to changing temperature. The Antarctic, temperate, and tropical strains were grown over specific temperature ranges of 4 °C to 30 °C, 4 °C to 32 °C, and 13 °C to 38 °C, respectively. The three Antarctic strains survived at temperatures much higher than their ambient regime. In comparison, the tropical strains are already growing at their upper temperature limits. The three Chlorella strains from different regions are eurythermal, with a large overlap on tolerance ranging from 4 °C to 38 °C. The specific growth rate (μ) of the Antarctic Navicula decreased (<0.34 day^?1) at temperatures above 4 °C, showing it to be sensitive to temperature increase. If further warming of Earth occurs, N. glaciei UMACC 231 is likely to have the most deleterious consequences than the other two Antarctic microalgae studied. The percentage of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) decreased with increasing temperature in the Antarctic Navicula. As temperature increases, the growth and nutritional value of this commonly occurring diatom in the Antarctic may decrease, with consequences for the aquatic food web. Of the three Chlamydomonas strains, only the Antarctic strain produced predominantly PUFA, especially 16:3 (48.4–57.2 % total fatty acids).     

Effects of ambient temperatures on blood viscosity and plasma protein concentration of broiler chickens (Gallus domesticus)

This paper describes the effects of ambient temperatures on whole blood viscosity and plasma protein concentration in broiler chickens. Whole blood viscosity and haematocrit, compared at 7 and 20°C, decreased significantly at or above 25°C of ambient temperature. However, no marked difference were found between 7 and 20°C or between the temperatures of 25, 30 and 35°C. The heat-induced decrease of whole blood viscosity was found after exposure for 1 h. These results suggest that the heat-induced decrease in blood viscosity is only a level change, which occurs between thermoneutral and high ambient temperature.     

Life history parameters of the cattle long‐nosed sucking louse,Linognathus vituli

Cattle sucking lice, Linognathus vituli (L.) (Phthiraptera: Linognathidae), were obtained from naturally infected cattle and maintained within ‘arenas’ affixed to the backs of cattle confined in controlled environment chambers maintained at a constant temperature of 15 °C. Temperatures measured within the arenas at an ambient temperature of 15 °C were constant at about 34 °C and only slightly above the temperature on nearby skin. The effect of temperature on egg development was determined using a gradient of temperatures between 25 °C and 41 °C. Eggs did not develop at temperatures of < 26 °C or > 39 °C. Survival of eggs was highest at temperatures of 30 °C and 35 °C. The earliest hatch was observed at 5 days post‐oviposition (at 33–35 °C). Development was extended to as long as 13 days at the lower temperatures. Kaplan–Meier survival probabilities were compared for lice kept at two densities in the arenas and showed there to be no effect of density on louse survival. Similarly, the mean number of eggs/louse/day over an 8‐day period was not influenced by louse density.     

TEMPERATURE-GROWTH RESPONSES OF ALGAL ISOLATES FROM ANTARCTIC OASES1

Thirty-five taxa (128 clonal cultures) of Antarctic algae isolated from various habitats were assayed for growth over a range of 2–34°C. Isolates, all unialgal and two axenic, varied markedly in their temperature-growth responses. Only four taxa belonging to either the Chlamydomonadaceae or Ulotrichaceae were obligately cold-adapted and incapable of growth at ≥20°C. All isolates grew at temperatures ranging from 7.5 to 18°C, and a few were incapable of growth at ≤5°C. Over one-third of the isolates grew at 30°C, but none grew at 34°C. Percentages of cold-adapted clones correlated well with the more stable low temperature habitats. Four chlamydomonad isolates displayed optimum temperatures for growth near their maximum temperatures for growth, both temperatures being well above those of the native habitats. This temperature-growth response suggests a closer relationship to algae from more moderate thermal regions than one might have supposed. However, the ability to grow at low temperatures and the inability to grow at 34°C suggest that these Antarctic algae are cold temperature adapted. Growth capability at low in situ temperatures is considered more useful ecologically than physiologically-defined categories for algae based on their maximum temperature for growth.     

Heat shock response of Dictyostelium

In response to a shift from 22 to 30°C the relative rate of synthesis of a small number of proteins is dramatically increased in Dictyostelium discoideum. The cells neither grow nor develop at this temperature but die slowly with a half-life of 18 hr. The major protein synthesized in response to a heat shock to 30°C in either growing cells or developing cells has an apparent molecular weight of 70,000 (70K). An increase in the relative rate of synthesis of 70K can be seen as early as 20 min following heat shock. Synthesis of 70K remains high for 4 hr at 30°C and then decreases. Similar kinetics of 70K synthesis occur during recovery at 22°C following a 1-hr heat shock. RNA synthesis during the first half-hour of heat shock is essential for the high rate of 70K measured 2 hr later. By isoelectric focusing the 70K protein can be separated into two spots, one of which overlaps one of the major heat shock proteins of Drosophila melanogaster. The relative rate of synthesis of several other proteins (82K, 60K, 43K) increases less dramatically in Dictyostelium during heat shock at 30°C. A heat shock to 34°C results in rapid synthesis of these proteins but not of 70K. The relative rates of synthesis of most other proteins made at 22°C decreases, most notably that of actin. Synthesis of heat shock proteins at 30°C does not significantly affect viability at 30°C but dramatically prolongs the period of time the cells can survive at 34°C. Thus, 30°C appears to be a stasis condition for Dictyostelium which elicits a response essential for protection from lethal temperatures. The similarity of the heat shock response in Dictyostelium to that in Drosophila and vertebrate cells suggests that certain aspects of the response may be universal in eukaryotes.     

Elevated [CO2] and growth temperature have a small positive effect on photosynthetic thermotolerance of Pinus taeda seedlings

Key message

Growth temperature had little effect on the response of net photosynthesis to high temperatures (up to 47 °C). On the other hand, elevated [CO ₂ ] increased net photosynthesis at high temperatures.

Abstract

We investigated whether Pinus taeda seedlings grown under elevated CO₂-concentration ([CO₂]) and temperature would be able to maintain positive net photosynthesis (A _net) longer than seedlings grown under ambient conditions when exposed to temperatures up to 47 °C. Additionally, we investigated whether a locally applied temperature increase would yield the same short-term gas exchange response to temperatures up to 47 °C as a naturally occurring latitudinal temperature increase of equal magnitude. Growth conditions were applied for 7 months (February to August) in treatment chambers constructed at two sites in the native range of P. taeda in the southern US. The sites were located 300 km apart along a north–south axis with a natural temperature difference of 2.1 °C. Seedlings were grown under ambient temperature and [CO₂] conditions at both sites. At the northern site, we also applied a temperature increase of 2 °C (T _E), ensuring that this treatment equalled the mean temperature at the southern site. Additionally, at the northern site, we applied a treatment of elevated [CO₂] (C _E). Gas exchange was measured on all plants in walk-in environmentally controlled chambers. Under C _E, there was no difference in A _net of seedlings grown in ambient or ambient +2 °C temperatures at any measurement temperature, while differences were present under ambient [CO₂]. Furthermore, A _net was higher under C _E than under ambient [CO₂]. At 47 °C, A _net was negative in all seedlings except those in the C _E and ambient temperature treatment combination. Seedlings at the northern site in the T _E treatment showed no significant differences in A _net compared with seedlings grown at ambient temperature at the southern site, indicating that the plants responded equally to a manipulated temperature increase and a latitudinal increase in temperature. Our results suggest that elevated [CO₂] increases photosynthetic thermotolerance at high temperature (>41 °C), but this effect diminishes as temperature increases further. Temperature manipulations could provide accurate information on the effect of latitudinal differences in temperature on leaf gas exchange of P. taeda.