基于计算机视觉技术评价光照度对斜纹夜蛾幼虫体色的影响

【目的】为揭示光照度对斜纹夜蛾Prodenia litura(Fabricius)幼虫体色变化的影响,建立一套新的昆虫体色评价体系。【方法】采用计算机视觉检测技术,将斜纹夜蛾幼虫的颜色数值化,评价了斜纹夜蛾幼虫体色随日龄的变化规律及光照度对斜纹夜蛾幼虫体色变化的影响。【结果】随着日龄的增加,斜纹夜蛾幼虫的明度(B)和彩色指数(CI)逐渐减少,体色偏差系数(BDV)逐渐增加,色泽从开始的绿色占主导逐渐转变为红色占主导,不同日龄间主观色各颜色指标都差异显著(P<0.01);在低光照度(0~1 000 lx)下,明度(B)和体色偏差系数(BDV)主要受光照影响,而彩色指数(CI)和归一化RGB值主要受发育日龄的影响,在高光照度下(1 000 lx以上),所有颜色指标均受发育日龄影响较大,受光照处理相对较小,光照度对斜纹夜蛾幼虫体色影响的阈值为1 000 lx,在阈值下,明度(B)、彩色指数(CI)及体色分化系数(BDC)都随光照度的增加显著增加,体色偏差系数(BDV)、RGB色差则随光照度的增加而减少。【结论】光照度主要影响斜纹夜蛾幼虫体色的明暗程度,对色彩程度影响不大,且光照度的影响阈值大约为1 000 lx。     

产前应激子代大鼠海马核转录因子-кB表达的性别差异

;本研究采用免疫组织化学和Western blot检测NF-кB p65/p50在产前应激子代海马的表达,并探讨其表达是否存在性别差异.研究结果显示,在雌性子代,中、晚期应激组海马齿状回p65表达显著低于对照组(P＜0.01),而海马各区p50表达均显著高于对照组(P＜0.01),中、晚期应激组间p65和p50表达均有显著差异(P＜0.01).在雄性子代,中、晚期应激组海马齿状回p65表达显著高于对照组(P＜0.01),晚期应激组海马各区p50表达均显著低于对照组(P＜0.05,P＜0.01),中、晚期应激组间p65和p50表达均有显著差异(P＜0.01).雌、雄子代比较,对照组雌、雄p65表达差异极显著(P＜0.01),p50仅在海马CA1区表达差异极显著(P＜0.01);中期应激组雌、雄子代大鼠海马p65/p50表达无显著差异;晚期应激组雌、雄海马p65/p50表达均有极显著差异(P＜0.01).Western blot与免疫组织化学结果基本一致.结果表明,产前不同时期的应激显著影响子代海马NF-кB p65和p50表达,且有性别差异,这可能是产前应激对子代雌、雄大鼠学习记忆能力影响差异的机制之一.     

豹纹鳃棘鲈体色变异的色素细胞差异分析

为了揭示豹纹鳃棘鲈(Plectropomus leopardus)体色变异机制,研究选取了不同体色个体的样本,利用石蜡切片、冰冻切片及体视显微镜观察等方法揭示不同皮肤部位色素细胞的类型、分布和数量的差异,并对应激和非应激状态下色素细胞的变化进行了研究。结果显示,黑色素细胞在背部和尾部分布比较密集,在腹部较为稀疏,黑色个体的黑色素细胞数量较红色个体多;在应激状态下个体能迅速发生体色变化,主要由于色素细胞快速扩张和收缩导致。研究为进一步揭示豹纹鳃棘鲈体色变异的分子机制和优良品种选育奠定了基础。     

亚洲柑桔木虱体色变化规律的研究

亚洲柑桔木虱Diaphorina citri Kuwayama为黄龙病的媒介昆虫。本文研究了其雌雄成虫在刚羽化、羽化后3 h、交配盛期和产卵盛期的腹部和前翅颜色变化规律,明确了每个时期的主要体色,同时探讨了不同季节、虫口密度和寄主条件对体色变化的影响。结果表明,雌雄木虱羽化后前翅颜色均由白色→黑色→红褐色渐变,木虱雌成虫腹部颜色随时间推移由黄绿色→灰白色→蓝色→橙色渐变,雄虫由黄绿色→灰黑色→橙色渐变。季节、寄主和虫口密度的变化对雌虫腹部颜色构成有一定的影响,但对雄虫基本上没有影响。不同条件下雌虫腹部的主要颜色为蓝色或橙色,雄虫均以橙色为主,其次为灰黑色,表明木虱成虫多处于交配期或产卵期。木虱5龄若虫的体色变化也较大。多数条件下木虱的性比接近于1∶1,仅春秋季雌性比例略低于雄性。通过观察木虱的体色变化规律可以初步判断其羽化情况和性别,估计羽化期、交配期和产卵盛期,作为木虱生物学特性研究和预测预报的参考。     

模拟运输对异育银鲫血液生理生化指标、体色和肉质的影响

实验以异育银鲫“中科3号”[Carassis gibelio var. CAS III, 平均体重(116.46±2.09) g)]为研究对象, 通过模拟汽车运输振动台模拟4h运输, 研究模拟运输对异育银鲫血液生理生化指标、体色和肉质及水质的影响。研究结果表明: 经过模拟运输后, 运鱼袋内水体氨氮显著升高(P<0.01), pH显著下降(P<0.05), 溶解氧含量升高(P<0.05)。模拟运输后异育银鲫血浆中皮质醇、葡萄糖和丙二醛浓度显著升高(P<0.01); 乳酸浓度显著降低(P<0.01); 谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶活力显著降低(P<0.05); 超氧化物歧化酶和过氧化氢酶活力降低但差异不显著(P>0.05)。在模拟运输4h后, 异育银鲫背部亮度值(L*)显著降低(P<0.01), 黄色值(b*)在背部和侧线部较模拟运输前显著降低(P<0.01), 在腹部较模拟运输前显著降低(P<0.05), 侧线部和腹部的亮度值(L*), 以及背部、侧线部和腹部的红色值(a*)下降但差异不显著(P>0.05)。在模拟运输后, 异育银鲫背肌内聚性、咀嚼性和回复性显著降低(P<0.05), 硬度、胶黏性、弹性和黏性变化但差异不显著(P>0.05)。实验结果表明, 4h模拟运输能够引起运鱼袋水体水质情况改变, 诱导异育银鲫鱼体的应激反应, 导致实验鱼体色和鱼肉品质相关指标的变化, 降低了鱼肉品质部分指标。     

橘色双冠丽鱼体色相关基因mc1r的组织表达分析

黑素皮质素受体1基因(mc1r)是动物体色形成的关键调控因子,为探讨mc1r基因在橘色双冠丽鱼(Amphilophus citrinellus)体色褪黑过程中的调控作用,本研究利用cDNA末端快速克隆(RACE)技术首次获得橘色双冠丽鱼mc1r的cDNA全序列,并利用荧光定量PCR分析了橘色双冠丽鱼体色变化不同时期和不同组织中mc1r基因的表达差异。获得cDNA全长序列1 699 bp,共编码氨基酸325个,开放阅读框(ORF)为978 bp,5′非编码区(UTR)497 bp,3′非编码区(UTR)224 bp。氨基酸序列和系统发育分析表明,橘色双冠丽鱼与人(Homo sapiens)、斑马鱼(Danion rerio)、大黄鱼(Larimichthys crocea)和尼罗罗非鱼(Oreochromis niloticus)相似度分别为55.1%、77.1%、90.15%和96.92%。荧光定量PCR结果表明,mc1r在橘色双冠丽鱼胚胎发育9个时期均有不同程度的表达,且随着胚胎发育表达量逐渐减少,推测在胚胎发育的早期阶段该基因的基础表达水平即可启动参与体色细胞形成的腺苷酸循环。在"黑色-灰白色-黄色"三个体色蜕变期,mc1r在尾鳍、鳞片、皮肤的表达均呈先降低再稍升高的变化趋势,均在灰白色过渡期呈现最低值,推测这与mc1r和Agouti存在竞争性结合,及mc1r、tyr、tyr1三者是否处于适当、平衡状态有关。橘色双冠丽鱼长至近成鱼期,非正常褪黑鱼(即未完全褪黑)各组织mc1r表达量均比正常褪黑鱼(完全褪黑)高,其中皮肤组织的相对表达量显著高于正常褪黑鱼(P 0.05),可见鱼体体表褪黑程度与mc1r表达量呈负相关。在成熟鱼体11个组织中mc1r均有不同程度的表达,其中,鳞片显著高于其他组织(P 0.05),说明橘色双冠丽鱼mc1r的主要表达部位是鳞片。本研究通过了解体色变异相关基因表达特征,为鱼类体色遗传和体色改良研究积累资料。     

基底颜色对两种沙蜥体色变异的影响

生存在不同基底颜色环境下的爬行动物种群通常表现出丰富的体色地理变异, 其体色变化的潜在机制具有多样性。变色沙蜥(Phrynocephalus versicolor)和草原沙蜥(P. frontalis)具有较近的遗传关系, 曾被认为与荒漠沙蜥(P. przewalskii)组成同一系统发育种组。本文应用光纤光谱仪(AvaSpec-2048), 通过记录沙蜥背部体表12个部位的皮肤光反射率, 定量比较在黑化环境下的深色变色沙蜥与非黑化环境下的浅色草原沙蜥自然体色变异, 研究其种群体色变异是否具有时间可逆性, 并探讨基底颜色对沙蜥体色的影响机制。研究结果表明, 黑化生境下的变色沙蜥体色显著深于非黑化枯黄色生境下的草原沙蜥。此外, 对黑化与非黑化样本开展的生境互换移植围栏实验, 即把枯黄色生境中非黑化的草原沙蜥移植于黑色的基底环境中饲养, 把黑化生境中黑化的变色沙蜥移植于枯黄色生境中饲养。结果表明, 饲养1周后黑化群体背部6个检测部位的光反射率显著变大, 其他部位均无显著变化; 而非黑化群体只有左后肢和背部右上方2个部位的皮肤光反射率发生显著变化, 其他部位反射率无显著变化。结果表明, 变色沙蜥体色变异能力比草原沙蜥强, 体色表型可能已经在两个近缘沙蜥物种中稳定遗传, 基底生境颜色的短期变化在统计学上能引起肉眼难以识别的轻微的体色变异, 个体发育相关的一些遗传因素可能对体色变异起控制 作用。     

利用计算机视觉技术量化解析食物颜色与斜纹夜蛾幼虫体色变化的关系

【目的】为了明确食物颜色对不同日龄昆虫体色的影响,并推广利用计算机视觉研究昆虫体色的技术。【方法】本研究以斜纹夜蛾Prodenia litura幼虫为实验材料,采用计算机定量分析的方法,对取食不同颜色型人工饲料的斜纹夜蛾幼虫头部、胸部斑纹、胸腹部和背中线的红色(R)、绿色(G)、蓝色(B)和明度(L)值进行了定量化分析。【结果】结果表明:幼虫的斑纹、胸腹部背面及侧面主色和背中线的R,G,B和L值随日龄增加而下降;头部R,G,B和L值在1-3日龄增加,后随日龄的增加而下降。幼虫体色变化也受食物颜色的影响,以对1-7日龄的影响为最大;红色型食物r∶g∶b=(128~251)∶(3~129)∶(6~96)对幼虫各部位体色的影响大于黄色、绿色和紫色的食物;幼虫取食不同颜色型食物后,各部位的变异系数大小依次为:斑纹胸腹部头部背中线。最后,建立了幼虫体色与食物色彩r,g,b值及日龄的回归方程。【结论】斜纹夜蛾幼虫体色受到食物颜色的影响,且在低龄时更为显著。     

温度对十种赤眼蜂体色的影响

【目的】本研究旨在明确温度对赤眼蜂Trichogramma spp.成蜂体色的影响。【方法】分别在18和30℃条件下饲养卷蛾赤眼蜂T.cacoeciae、食胚赤眼蜂T.embryophagum、短管赤眼蜂T.pretiosum、螟黄赤眼蜂T.chilonis、广赤眼蜂T.evanescens、玉米螟赤眼蜂T.ostriniae、松毛虫赤眼蜂T.dendrolimi、微小赤眼蜂T.minutum、土耳其赤眼蜂T.turkestanica和稻螟赤眼蜂T.japonicum 10种赤眼蜂成蜂,并采用RGB色彩模式作为体色判别标准对比18和30℃条件下饲养的赤眼蜂的体色差异。【结果】18和30℃下饲养的10种赤眼蜂成蜂体色存在明显差异,表现为18℃下饲养的赤眼蜂成蜂较30℃下饲养的赤眼蜂成蜂体色深。其中卷蛾赤眼蜂成蜂体色的变化最明显：18℃下饲养时胸部为黄褐色、腹部为黑褐色;30℃时胸腹部均为浅黄色。在18和30℃下饲养时,10种赤眼蜂成蜂胸部中胸盾片与小盾片、腹部第1-3节或腹中部的体色变化明显。18℃下饲养的10种赤眼蜂成蜂体色RGB值显著低于30℃下饲养的,且螟黄赤眼蜂、广赤眼蜂、玉米螟...     

模拟微重力对热应激时人血浆中单胺类递质含量的影响

目的和方法采用高效液相色谱-电化学检测法,分析7d-6°头低位卧床模拟微重力,40～60℃热应激及其复合因素作用下人外周血中单胺类递质的含量,研究模拟微重力对热应激时人外周血中单胺类递质含量的影响,以探讨航天热应激的人体反应机理.结果①模拟微重力单一因素暴露后,5-HT,NE,E含量与对照组相比均无显著变化(P＞0.05);②热应激单一因素暴露40℃,50℃,60℃热应激时,与对照组相比,5-HT含量均显著降低(P＜0.01),而NE,E含量,在40℃热应激时无显著变化(P＞0.05),50℃,60℃热应激时均显著增加(P＜0.001);③热应激与模拟微重力复合因素暴露时,与对照组相比,5-HT含量显著降低(P＜0.01),而NE,E含量均无显著变化(P＞0.05).与热应激单一因素暴露组相比,50℃,60℃热应激时,NE,E含量均显著降低(P＜0.001),5-HT的含量则无显著变化(P＞0.05).结论模拟微重力可使热诱导的NE,E含量显著降低,而对热应激引起的5-HT含量降低无显著影响.模拟微重力引起热应激时NE,E含量显著降低的变化,可能在航天热应激的人体反应机理中起重要的作用.     

Variation of coat color in house mice throughout Asia

Coat color variation due to melanin pigment synthesis in house mice Mus musculus in Asia is described and found to be consistent with Gloger's rule, which states that individuals of endothermic animals are darker in humid habitats than those in drier habitats. Three properties of coat color (hue, value and chroma) were measured, and a lightness variable was derived from a principal components analysis using 428 skin specimens representing three subspecies from 85 localities. Dorsal coat color ranged from yellow through brown to black, whereas ventral coat color ranged from white to black. Dorsal coat color varied less than the ventral color. In our samples, the variation in coat color in natural populations was far less than that observed in the laboratory. We found a significant correlation between the lightness variable of dorsal coat color and precipitation. Dark coat color was observed in more humid and closed habitats (darker background color), and pale coat color in drier, more open habitats (lighter background color). This result might imply the role of concealment as a selective force affecting dorsal coat color that was observed in house mice. We also discussed other selective forces that could affect the coat color variation in house mice, such as resistance to bacterial degradation and thermoregulation. In addition, the color spectra of the dorsal pelage among the three subspecies were different, the major distinction being the environmental background color of the habitats in which they are distributed.     

GPR143在绵羊皮肤组织中的表达及定位分析

G蛋白偶联受体143(G-protein coupled receptor143, GPR143)在黑素体的生物合成中起重要作用,本文旨在研究GPR143基因在不同毛色绵羊皮肤组织中的差异表达及定位,探索GPR143基因与毛色形成的相关性。通过qRT-PCR方法和免疫印迹方法分别检测不同毛色绵羊皮肤组织中GPR143基因mRNA水平和蛋白水平的表达差异;运用免疫荧光法对不同毛色绵羊皮肤组织中的GPR143基因进行定位并对结果进行光密度值分析。qRT-PCR结果显示,GPR143基因在黑色绵羊皮肤组织中mRNA相对表达量为白色绵羊的7.84倍,二者差异极显著(P<0.01);免疫印迹结果显示,黑色绵羊皮肤组织中GPR143蛋白表达量是白色绵羊的1.3倍,二者差异显著(P<0.05)。免疫荧光结果显示,GPR143蛋白的主要表达部位为绵羊皮肤组织毛囊外根鞘和表皮层,经光密度值分析后发现,GPR143在黑色绵羊皮肤毛囊外根鞘和表皮层的表达量显著高于白色绵羊。本研究结果表明不同毛色绵羊皮肤组织均能表达GPR143基因,但黑色绵羊皮肤组织中该基因的mRNA和蛋白水平都显著高于白色绵羊,说明GPR143的mRNA和蛋白在黑色绵羊皮肤组织中表达上调,在白色绵羊皮肤组织中表达下调。GPR143基因可能通过调控MITF水平和黑素体的数量、大小、运动和成熟进而参与绵羊毛色的形成过程。     

The effect of exposure to black background and to α-MSH on black-white background preference in the amphibian Xenopus laevis (Daudin)

Young frogs, Xenopus laevis, raised on a white background showed a slight preference for the black background of a black-white preference testing apparatus. Keeping frogs for either 24 hr or 20 days on a black background resulted in a further increase in their preference for black. Injecting 1 μg of synthetic α-MSH into white-adapted frogs had no effect on their black-white preference. On the other hand, Xenopus laevis tadpoles, at an early stage of metamorphosis, raised on a white background showed a significant preference for white. Keeping these tadpoles for 24 hr on a black background resulted in a shift from white to black preference. Injecting synthetic α-MSH into white-adapted tadpoles resulted in an increase in their preference for black. A behavioral feedback mechanism appears to exist between the release of endogenous MSH when a tadpole is exposed to a black background and its subsequent preference for background color.     

Depigmenting action of phenylhydroquinone,an O-phenylphenol metabolite,on the skin of JY-4 black guinea-pigs

The effects of o-phenylphenol (OPP) and its metabolite, phenylhydroquinone (PHQ) on the skin of JY-4 black guinea-pigs were studied. Topical application of 1 or 5% PHQ on the black skin of the back caused marked depigmentation and hypopigmentation of the skin after 5 weeks, whereas OPP applied at the same concentrations had little effect. Depigmented skin had an increased L* (lightness) value in the CIE-L*a*b* color system. This corresponded with a decreased number of melanocytes and melanosomes in the melanocytes and keratinocytes, the disruption of melanosomes in the melanocytes, and destruction of the membranous organelles of the melanocytes. These morphological and numerical changes in epidermal melanocytes indicate that selective melanocyte toxicity occurred. Furthermore, application of PHQ to the skin of white guinea-pigs caused skin irritation, as shown by a colorimetric increase in a* value (redness) and by histological observation of inflammation. This study confirmed that OPP, which is a reported depigmenter, has little depigmenting action, while its metabolite, PHQ, is a potent depigmenter preferentially affecting melanocytes.     

卷蛾分索赤眼蜂雌蜂的颜色偏好性

为了确定卷蛾分索赤眼蜂Trichogrammatoidea bactrae Nagaraja 雌蜂的颜色偏好性, 在室内通过在培养皿底部黏贴彩纸的方法测定卷蛾分索赤眼蜂雌蜂对红、 黄、 黑、 紫、 绿、 白、 蓝7种颜色的行为趋性反应。结果表明, 卷蛾分索赤眼蜂雌蜂在红、 黄、 紫、 绿和蓝5种颜色上的滞留时间都极显著地高于对照（P<0.01）, 在黑和白2种颜色上的滞留时间与对照没有显著差异（P>0.05）; 对黄色的首次选择率极显著高于对照(P< 0.01), 对红、 紫、 绿和蓝色的首次选择率均显著高于对照(P＜0.05), 对黑色和白色的首次选择率与对照没有显著差异。当雌蜂分别在黄与红、 紫、 绿和蓝两两颜色之间选择时, 雌蜂在黄色彩纸上的滞留时间显著长于其他4种颜色。当雌蜂对红、 紫、 绿、 蓝和黄色5种颜色一起选择时, 在首次选择率、 滞留次数上5种颜色间都没有明显差异(P＞0.05); 但在红色和蓝色上的滞留时间显著长于紫色(P＜0.05), 在这3种颜色上的滞留时间与在黄色和绿色上的滞留时间均无显著差异(P＞0.05)。卷蛾分索赤眼蜂雌蜂在7种颜色卵卡上分别与透明纸（对照）上的米蛾卵的选择寄生时, 在黄色卵卡上的寄生卵量极显著多于对照(P＜0.01), 黑色卵卡上的寄生卵量极显著少于对照(P＜0.01), 其他5种颜色的卵卡上的寄生卵量与对照没有显著差异(P＞0.05)。结果说明, 卷蛾分索赤眼蜂雌蜂对黄色最为偏好, 其次偏好红、 紫、 绿和蓝色, 较不喜好白色和黑色。     

Evidence for a direct role of α-MSH in morphological background adaptation of the skin in Sarotherodon mossambicus

Summary The skin colour of the cichlid teleost Sarotherodon mossambicus adapted rapidly to changes in background colour. The physiological adaptation was associated with morphological changes in the dermis. Differences in the dermis were found between fish adapted to a black or white background for 14 days. Number and size of the melanophores as well as the amount of pigment in the cytoplasm of the melanophores were significantly increased in fish adapted to a black background. Changes in the dermis parallelled changes in the state of activity of the two endocrine cell types in the pars intermedia of the pituitary. Both the PAS positive cells and the MSH producing cells were more active when the fish were exposed to a black rather than a white background. Fish continuously infused with -MSH, using an osmotic minipump, had more melanophore cytoplasm and pigment per dermis surface unit area than untreated fish. The activity of the MSH cells in MSH-infused fish exposed to a black background was reduced to a level comparable to the MSH cell activity of untreated fish on a white background. -MSH treated fish that were exposed to a white background had many disintegrating MSH cells. These findings point to inactivation of these cells by exogenous -MSH. The activity of the PAS positive cells was not influenced by treatment with -MSH.     

Depigmenting Action of Phenylhydroquinone,an o‐Phenylphenol Metabolite,on the Skin of JY‐4 Black Guinea‐Pigs

The effects of o‐phenylphenol (OPP) and its metabolite, phenylhydroquinone (PHQ) on the skin of JY‐4 black guinea‐pigs were studied. Topical application of 1 or 5% PHQ on the black skin of the back caused marked depigmentation and hypopigmentation of the skin after 5 weeks, whereas OPP applied at the same concentrations had little effect. Depigmented skin had an increased L* (lightness) value in the CIE‐L*a*b* color system. This corresponded with a decreased number of melanocytes and melanosomes in the melanocytes and keratinocytes, the disruption of melanosomes in the melanocytes, and destruction of the membranous organelles of the melanocytes. These morphological and numerical changes in epidermal melanocytes indicate that selective melanocyte toxicity occurred. Furthermore, application of PHQ to the skin of white guinea‐pigs caused skin irritation, as shown by a colorimetric increase in a* value (redness) and by histological observation of inflammation. This study confirmed that OPP, which is a reported depigmenter, has little depigmenting action, while its metabolite, PHQ, is a potent depigmenter preferentially affecting melanocytes.     

A batch staining method for brain slices allowing volume measurements of grey and white matter using an image analyzing computer (Quantimet 720)

Normal formalin-fixed gelatin-embedded cerebral hemispheres were serially sliced and the 25 to 30 slices form each hemisphere were batch stained by a modification of Mulligan's method. following washing in water the slices were immersed in Mulligan's acid/copper sulfate/phenol solution for 20 minutes at room temperature, treated with a xylene/Polyclens mixture for 20 seconds and immediately transferred to a 2% sodium hydroxide solution for 10 seconds. Final staining was by immersion in 2% potassium ferrocyanide which was followed by washing in tap water. The grey matter was stained a brick red color while the whiteness of the white matter was accentuated. Following staining the slices were stored between sheets of black paper in 2% aqueous formalin prior to measurement of the respective areas of grey and white matter using a Quantimet 720 image analyzing computer. The method is rapid and color stable, and reduces the risk of exposure to toxic fumes by eliminating the need for hot phenol solutions. This technique is also suitable for the macroscopic demonstration and quantitation of demyelinating conditions in the brain.     

A Batch Staining Method for Brain Slices Allowing Volume Measurements of Grey and White Matter Using an Image Analyzing Computer (Quanttmet 720)

Normal formalin-fixed gelatin-embedded cerebral hemispheres were serially sliced and the 25 to 30 slices from each hemisphere were batch stained by a modification of Mulligan's method. Following washing in water the slices were immersed in Mulligan's acid/copper sulfate/ phenol solution for 20 minutes at room temperature, treated with a xylene/Polyclens mixture for 20 seconds and immediately transferred to a 2% sodium hydroxide solution for 10 seconds. Final staining was by immersion in 2% potassium ferrocyanide which was followed by washing in tap water. The grey matter was stained a brick red color while the whiteness of the white matter was accentuated. Following staining the slices were stored between sheets of black paper in 2% aqueous formalin prior to measurement of the respective areas of grey and white matter using a Quantimet 720 image analyzing computer. The method is rapid and color stable, and reduces the risk of exposure to toxic fumes by eliminating the need for hot phenol solutions. This technique is also suitable for the macroscopic demonstration and quantitation of demyelinating conditions in the brain.     

The influence of long-term chromatic adaptation on pigment cells and striped pigment patterns in the skin of the zebrafish, Danio rerio

The striped pigment patterns in the flanks of zebrafish result from chromatophores deep within the dermis or hypodermis, while superficial melanophores associated with dermal scales add a dark tint to the dorsal coloration. The responses of these chromatophores were compared during the long-term adaptation of zebrafish to a white or a black background. In superficial skin, melanophores, xanthophores, and two types of iridophores are distributed in a gradient along the dorso-ventral axis independent of the hypodermal pigment patterns. Within one week the superficial melanophores and iridophores changed their density and/or areas of distribution, which adopted the dorsal skin color and the hue of the flank to the background, but did not affect the striped pattern. The increases or decreases in superficial melanophores are thought to be caused by apoptosis or by differentiation, respectively. When the adaptation period was prolonged for more than several months, the striped color pattern was also affected by changes in the width of the black stripes. Some black stripes disappeared and interstripe areas were emphasized with a yellow color within one year on a white background. Such long-term alteration in the pigment pattern was caused by a decrease in the distribution of melanophores and a concomitant increase in xanthophores in the hypodermis. These results indicate that morphological responses of superficial chromatophores contribute to the effective and rapid background adaptation of dorsal skin and while prolonged adaptation also affects hypodermal chromatophores in the flank to alter the striped pigment patterns.