Steroid biosynthesis by reptilian adrenals

Incubations of whole homogenates of. the tiju lizard ($\text{Tupinambis sp}$.) adrenals tissue were carried out using ¹⁴C-labelled progesterone^1*, pregnenolone and cholesterol. ¹⁴C-progesterone was metabolized to labelled 18-hydroxycorticosterone, aldosterone, corticosterone and 11-deoxycorticosterone. Identical metabolites plus ¹⁴C-progesterone were obtained from pregnenolone. Cholesterol-4-¹⁴C was transformed into products similar to those obtained from progesterone. In all these studies the elaboration of cortisol or any other 17-hydroxylated steroids could not be demonstrated. In another set of experiments, whole homogenate preparations from adrenals of the green lizard ($\text{lacerta viridis}$) were incubated with ¹⁴C-labelled androstenedione and testosterone. Ahdrostenedione was converted to testosterone and 11β-hydroxyandrostenedione. Testosterone was metabolized to 11β-hydroxyandrostenedione and androstenedione. The results indicate that the $\text{in vitro}$ transformation of C-27 or C-21 radioactive substrate by lizard adrenals is similar to the other reptiles studied. However, it appears to possess 17β-hydroxysteroid oxido-reductase, though the adrenal tissue itself lacks 17α-hydroxylase activity.     

Reinforced drawing in Macaca mulatta

Two male Macaca mulatta were trained with food reinforcement to make marks with a crayon on an opaque plastic surface. Both subjects used repetitive arm movements in their drawing. One monkey produced fanlike patterns which have also appeared in the drawings of other primate species, including humans. It is suggested that the forms produced by reinforced drawing are similar to those found in the non-reinforced artwork of other primates and that the development of all primate art may be dependent on simple mechanical arm movements.     

Placental transfer of phenylalanine in Macaca mulatta and Macaca fascicularis

We investigated placental transport mechanisms of phenylalanine in Macaca mulatta and Macaca fascicularis. In the beginning of the third trimester we administered i.v. phenylalanine and p-chlorophenylalanine to pregnant animals. Initial higher phenylalanine concentrations were observed followed by a rapid decrease in both rhesus mothers and fetuses when compared with phenylalanine levels in fascicularis mothers and fetuses. In general, however, placental transfer mechanisms of phenylalanine did not differ significantly between the two species.     

A cytogenetic analysis of oocytes from Macaca mulatta and Nemestrina matured in vitro

Summary Cytogenetic analysis of first and second metaphase configurations of oocytes from M. mulatta and M. nemestrina matured in vitro were carried out. 76 diakinesis/metaphase I cells from M. mulatta obtained after 19–30 hrs of culture revealed an average chiasmata frequency per bivalent of 1.58 and 119 second metaphase cells all contained 21 pairs save for one cell with 22.51 oocytes from M. nemestrina cultured for 24–31 hrs revealed diakinesis/first metaphase configurations with an average chiasmata frequency of 1.52. 54 second metaphase cells were normal. Two peaks of timing for second metaphase were observed in both species.

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Zusammenfassung Eine cytogenetische Analyse der ersten und zweiten meiotischen Teilungen von Oocyten von M. mulatta und M. nemestrina wurde nach Reifung in vitro durchgeführt. 76 Diakinese/Metaphase I-Zellen von M. mulatta, die nach einer Kulturzeit von 19–30 Std gewonnen wurden, ergaben eine durchschnittliche Chiasmahäufigkeit von 1,58/Bivalent; von 119 Zellen der Metaphase II zeigten 21 Chromosomenpaare, während eine Zelle 22 Chromosomenpaare aufwies. 51 Oocyten von M. nemestrina zeigten nach einer Kulturzeit von 24 bis 31 Std Diakinese/Metaphase I-Konfigurationen mit einer durchschnittlichen Chiasmafrequenz von 1,52. 54 Metaphase II-Zellen waren normal. In beiden Species war die Zeitkurve der Metaphase II zweigipfelig.