The lack of cardiac hypertrophy in newborn Prague hypertensive rats.

Newborn rats of four different strains with spontaneous hypertension show heart enlargement mainly due to cardiac hyperplasia. To determine whether this anomaly is common in all genetically hypertensive rats, we have compared newborns of Prague hypertensive rats (PHR) with their respective normotensive controls (PNR). The heart ventricles, kidneys and livers of newborn animals were analyzed for their weight, protein and DNA content. The total heart weight and the heart/body weight ratio were significantly lower in PHR than in PNR. On the other hand, there were no differences in total or relative kidney weight and in total liver weight. The relative protein content was significantly lower in kidney and liver of PHR but there were no differences between hypertensive and normotensive animals in relative DNA content of all organs studied. Our results suggest a possible dissociation of genes which determine organ weights from those responsible for blood pressure determination.     

Quantity of DNA in the organs of 19-day-old foetuses after AET, MEA, or 5-HT treatment of mice on the first day of gestation

On the first day of gestation, Porton mice were injected intraperitoneally with AET (2-aminoethylisothiouronium bromide hydrobromide), MEA (cysteamine hydrochloride,) or 5-HT (serotonin-creatinine sulphate), in a dose of 40 mg/kg of bodyweight. On the nineteenth day of pregnancy, the fresh weight of both heart and kidneys of foetuses, as well as DNA content in 25 mg of fresh tissue and in these whole organs were analysed. DNA was extracted from the foetal organs by means of Burton's method, which is based on the estimation of deoxiribose content in the colour reaction with diphenylamine. As compared to controls, in the remaining groups of mice lower fresh weight of both heart and kidneys of foetuses, greater DNA content in 25 mg of fresh tissue and smaller total amounts of DNA in the whole organs were found. Among the experimental groups of mice, statistically significant differences in the analysed values were observed between the group of animals treated with 5-HT and the remaining groups, with the exception of statistically non-significant difference in the DNA content of the whole kidneys between those injected with 5-HT and MEA.     

Sexual dimorphism of the weight of internal organs in fetal ontogenesis

The paper contains results of the investigation on the sexual differentiation of the weight of brain, heart, lungs, liver, spleen, kidneys, adrenal glands and thymus. The studies were carried out on a total of 632 fetuses (349 males and 283 females) and 1276 newborns (795 males and 481 females) in the age from 17 to 43 weeks of life. The study of sexual dimorphism of internal organs concludes that in the period of fetal development of man this dimorphism is weakly developed.     

Effects of p-nonylphenol and resveratrol on body and organ weight and in vivo fertility of outbred CD-1 mice

The aim of this study was to analyse the multigenerational effects of para-nonylphenol (NP) and resveratrol (RES) on the body weight, organ weight and reproductive fitness of outbred CD-1 mice. The data indicate that in male mice, NP had an effect on the weight of selected reproductive organs and the kidneys in the parental (P) generation males. Effects on selected reproductive organs, the liver and kidneys in the F1-generation males were also seen. In females, effects of NP on body weight and kidney weight were seen in the P generation, but no effects on any measured parameter were seen in the F1 generation. RES had no effect on body weight but did have some effect on selected male and female reproductive organs in the P generation. RES altered the spleen and liver weights of P-generation males and the kidney weight of F1-generation males. Acrosomal integrity (using a monoclonal antibody against intra-acrosomal sperm proteins) was assessed for both generations of NP- and RES-treated mice. A significant reduction in acrosomal integrity was seen in both generations of NP-treated, but not in RES-treated, mice. Fewer offspring were observed in the second litter of the F2 generation of mice treated with NP; no similar effect was seen in RES-treated mice. The litter sex ratio was not different from controls. Unlike RES, NP had a negative effect on spermatogenesis and sperm quality with a resultant impact on in vivo fertility.     

Mechanisms of changes in the mass of the organs central to immunity during adenovirus carcinogenesis]

The spleen cells transfer from mice CBA at the 25th day of the carcinogenesis latent period induced by adenovirus SA7(S8) to newborn syngeneic animals caused the graft versus host reaction in them. There was splenomegaly and progressive decrease in weight of the recipients' thymus. Analogous alterations of lymphoid organs were noted in the animals infected during the neonatal period by oncogenic adenovirus SA7(C8). Results showed that adenoviral carcinogenesis had some manifestations of autoimmune disease.     

Neutron irradiation of late mouse embryos (15-19 days) in utero

Pregnant female C57B1/6 mice were irradiated with a single whole-body dose of 0.5 Gy neutrons. The F1 hybrid embryos were exposed to the neutrons in utero on Day 17 +/- 2 of gestation. 178/439 (40.6%) of the irradiated fetuses and 26/217 (12%) of the control mice died within 2 weeks after birth. In both irradiated and control mice, most deaths (95 and 77%, respectively) occurred within 3 days of birth: most animals in both groups died on Day 2. There was no significant difference in the number of living young born per litter (7.2) between the neutron-irradiated mothers and their unirradiated controls. The irradiated mice weighed significantly less than their controls. On the first day after birth, body weights of mice irradiated in utero averaged only 85% of control weights. Body weights did not reach control levels until 6 months after birth. Several organs were weighed at regular intervals in both irradiated and control mice. Spleens and thymus glands showed no significant differences between the two groups. The livers and kidneys of the irradiated mice weighed slightly less than their controls. The brain weight of 21-day-old neutron-irradiated mice was 30-35% less than control brains. The weight loss of the brain was not only a relative loss, but also an absolute one, based on brain weight/body weight ratios. Histological analysis of the central nervous system showed pycnotic nuclei, inhibition of mitosis in neuroblasts, and cell death in the irradiated brains. The weight reduction of the brain was not due to water loss. Our hypothesis is that the early mortality after birth is related to the killing of the radiation-sensitive neuroblasts. When newborn mice (1-7 days old) were irradiated in vivo with the same neutron dose of 0.5 Gy, neither the reduction in brain weight nor the early mortality was observed. The early deaths of the neutron-irradiated mouse embryos does not appear to be caused by either the hematological or the gastrointestinal radiation syndrome.     

Dependence between Cu concentration in the liver,kidneys and skeletal muscles of canine females

The aim of the investigations was the determination of the Cu contents in the liver, kidneys and skeletal muscles of canine females. Material for research was collected post mortem from 45 animals aged 1 to 18 years coming from the Warsaw area. The effect of the health state, age and life conditions on the distribution of copper in the investigated organs was estimated. That element was determined using the method of inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES). In the liver, the average Cu contents amounted to 24.04 mg kg⁻¹ wet weight, in kidneys to 2.90 mg kg⁻¹ wet weight and in muscles to 0.94 mg kg⁻¹ wet weight. The highest values of copper content in particular tissues and organs were noted in the group of animals with neoplastic changes. In respect to the animal age the highest mean values of the copper content were noted in the oldest animals. They amounted to 30.97 mg kg⁻¹ in the liver, 3.34 mg kg⁻¹ in kidneys and 1.18 mg kg⁻¹ wet weight in muscles. Considering life conditions of the dogs it was observed that the higher mean values in all the investigated organs occurred in dogs coming from the urban areas.     

Study of the metanephros of fetuses, newborn and 2-month-old mice developing under conditions of kidney damage to the females by nephrocytotoxic serum]

In the metanephros of foetuses beginning from the 14 days of development and in the newborn mice from females with injured kidneys, marked defects of proximal convoluted tubules and less marked defects of glomeruli were noted what corresponded to the character of kidney injury in their mothers. At the same time the diameter of glomeruli and convoluted tubules, the height and width of their cells increased, but the diameter of their nuclei decreased. These changes are accompanied by distrophic changes, mainly in the cells of convoluted tubules, the most markedly expressed in the newborn mice. No marked histological changes were found in the metanephros of two months old experimental mice.     

Problems in the genetics of stress. II. Genetic analysis of endocrine gland weight in mice under normal conditions and during exposure to stress]

Relative weight of adrenals, thymus, hypophysis and gonads was studied in female mice after 21 days after parturition and in intact males. One group of females was stressed during pregnancy, and another group was intact. All these animals were a progeny of the full diallele cross of 4 inbred mice strains (BALB/c, C3H/He, C57BL/6, AKR/J). On the basis of analysis of general and specific combining ability the conclusion is drawn that the relative weight of the endocrine glands is inherited additively in females of both experimental groups. However, it was found that the size of additive genetic variation for these characters in the population of females, which had been stressed during their pregnancy was larger, than in the control population. A significant role of non-additive genes in the determination of these characters was observed in males. The degree of hypertrophy of adrenals and lysis of thymus in stressed females corresponded to their emotional reactivity. Significant genotypic correlations between the weight of some endocrine glands, on one hand, and the emotional reactivity and the rate of sexual maturation, on the other hand, were found in both experimental groups of females. In the stressed group these correlations were higher.     

Effects of prenatal exposure to alcohol on the binding of H3-diazepam to the synaptic membranes of the cerebral hemisphere cortex at various stages of ontogenesis in the rat offspring

Exposure to ethanol during pregnancy results in the alteration of (3H)-diazepam binding to synaptosomal neocortical membranes from the rat offspring. In male rats, 14 days of age, binding level diminished to 11%. In two-month-old control rats Scatchard plot was biphasic. It has been shown that prenatal exposure to ethanol leads to changes in the nature of binding in two-month-old experimental animals, as compared with the control ones. Possible relationship is discussed between the brain benzodiazepine system disorders and behaviour.     

Role of eicosanoids in relative oxygen tolerance of newborn rabbits

Prolonged exposure to hyperoxia can result in significant lung injury, although newborn animals are more oxygen-tolerant than adults. Mechanisms affording tolerance to the newborn are incompletely understood. This study examined the hypothesis that eicosanoids play a significant role in newborn oxygen tolerance. One litter of term newborn albino rabbits and 15 adult rabbits were exposed to 65 hours of greater than 95% O2. An additional litter of newborns served as a normoxic control. Normoxic newborn rabbits had very high quantities of 6-keto-PGF1a and low TXB2 in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid. Sixty-five hours of oxygen exposure in newborn rabbits produced no evidence of lung injury on light microscopy, 97% of BAL white cells were alveolar macrophages and BAL protein was low. An equal period of oxygen exposure produced significant lung injury in adult rabbits. BAL fluid from oxygen-injured adults contained a 17-fold greater percentage of PMN and 16-fold higher protein than oxygen-exposed newborns. Hyperoxic adults had significantly lower 6-keto-PGF1a, and significantly higher LTB4 and LTC4 in BAL compared to hyperoxic newborns. This study confirms the hypothesis of relative oxygen tolerance in newborn rabbits compared to adults, and suggests that this tolerance may have been afforded by higher pulmonary levels of the protective prostacyclin metabolite.     

Effect of bacterial lipopolysaccharide on the content of lipid peroxidation products in lungs and other organs of mice

The influence of lipopolysaccharide fromEscherichia coli (LPS, 17 mg/kg body weight) on the lipid peroxidation process in organs of mice was studied. The content of conjugated dienes (CD), lipid peroxides (LP), malondialdehyde (MDA) (all three lipid peroxidation by-products), peroxidase (PO) activity and wet-to-dry weight ratio in lungs, heart, spleen, kidneys and liver were determined 1.5 h after intravenous injection of LPS. Animals observed at this time-point had reduced activity and decreased body temperature by about 2°C, however, all analysed organs did not reveal any changes of wet-to-dry weight ratio comparing to organs from mice injected with sterile, pyrogen free 0,9% NaCl. Only extracts from heart and lungs showed significant increase in the tissue level of at least two lipid peroxidation products. The heart content of CD, MDA, and LP was about 1.5-, 1.3-, and 2.4-fold higher than in control group. In lungs CD and MDA increased 3.3- and 1.3-times but in spleen only content of LP was elevated. In these organs the suppression of PO activity was also observed. Liver and kidneys did not reveal any convincing enhancement of lipid peroxidation process and alterations of PO activity. Since free radical reactions are involved in lipid peroxidation process and inactivation of PO these results suggest that heart, lungs and spleen are the organs mostly exposed to oxidative stress during the first 1.5 h after single injection of LPS in mice.Abbreviations CD conjugated dienes - LP lipid peroxides - LPS lipopolysaccharide - MDA malondialdehyde - PMNL polymorphonuclear leukocytes - PO peroxidase - TBA thiobarbituric acid     

The effect of carbohydrate metabolic changes during pregnancy on the capacity of liver mitochondria in rat progeny to oxidize the lipid intermediate]

Respiration rate, respiration control and ADP of liver mitochondria were studies in one-, ten-, and twenty-day-old rats born of females who had received subcutaneous insulin injections (0.25 U/100 g body weight) on days 5-7, 11-13 and 19-21 of pregnancy or glucose (1 g/100 g body weight, in the morning before feeding). Caprylate, an intermediate of the lipid metabolism, was used as the substrate for oxidation. In the control, caprylate oxidation in one-day old rats occurred at a low rate without providing for synthesis of ATP from ADP and phosphate. Insulin administration and alimentary hyperglycemia in females on days 5-7 of pregnancy had no significant effect on respiration rate of liver mitochondria in progeny of all ages tested. Administration of the above preparations on days 11-13 and 19-21 of pregnancy improved caprylate oxidation in mitochondria of the newborn rats. In other series the difference between experiments and the control was insignificant. Metabolic changes in the newborns are shown to be related to hyperinsulinemia in pregnant females.     

Influence of vincristine on the Golgi apparatus in preimplantation development of the mouse embryo

The aim of our study was the evaluation of the action of vincristine (VCR) on the Golgi apparatus of mouse embryos from females receiving this drug. Quantitative and qualitative changes were investigated in 1-, 2-, 4-, and 8-cell embryos, morulae, and blastocysts from female mice treated with VCR in the amount of 0.075 mg/kg body weight 5 times once weekly. The number of embryos was decreased in all the examined developmental stages of preimplantation development. Electron microscopic investigation demonstrated translocation and dispersion of the Golgi apparatus components and changes in their relative volume as compared with that of control animals. The widest changes were noted on the 4-, 8-cell embryos and morulae in the experimental group. In the blastocyst stage, statistically significant differences in the Golgi apparatus were not demonstrated between the experimental and the control group. The present results seem to suggest the existence of remote effects of VCR which may influence the development of the progeny of females treated with this drug.     

Reproductive inhibition and serum prolactin concentrations in laboratory populations of the prairie deermouse

Radioimmunoassay (RIA) of prolactin in the prairie deermouse was established and validated. Serum samples were taken from reproductively inhibited animals grown in experimental populations and compared with reproductively capable control animals of both sexes. At the time of assay, serum prolactin concentrations was unaffected by the length of time a control female was exposed to the olfactory stimulation of bedding soiled by her mate or the stage of the estrous cycle as indicated by vaginal cytology. The reproductively inhibited males and females had significantly reduced reproductive organ weights, body weights, and serum prolactin concentrations compared with their respective controls. Also, the relative mean adenohypophysial weight was greater in the inhibited males. Several significant correlations between prolactin and various gravimetric measures are reported for both males and females. Possible relationships between prolactin and other endocrine systems are discussed.     

Effect of intestinal gamma-glutamyl transferase inhibitor on the amount of gamma-glutamyl metabolites in mouse.

Experimental mice fed a balanced rodent chow, called LSM fodder, had markedly lower gamma-glutamyl transferase activity in the epithelium of intestinal villi then control mice fed wheat. After oral administration of gamma-14C-glutamyglycine, oxidized 14C-glutathione or gamma-glutamyl-p-amino-benzoate the amounts of gamma-glutamyl substrates and their metabolites in intestines, livers and kidneys of experimental mice were significantly lower than those in control mice. L-serine simultaneously administered with gamma-14C-glutamylglycine reduced the radioactivity of gamma-glutamyl substances in organs of the control mice. No differences in organ radioactivity of experimental and control mice were observed when some uniformly labeled with 14C amino acids were given. The obtained results are not in aggreement with hypothesis on a role of gamma-glutamyl transferase in amino acid transport.     

Influence of zymosan A on the content of ascorbic acid in mice

The aim of the study was to determine the effects of single intraperitoneal injections of zymosan A on changes in the content of ascorbic acid (ASC) in the brain, liver, spleen and kidneys of mature male mice, line Swiss. The experiments were carried out on 54 mice divided into 3 control groups and 6 experimental groups. Samples for analysis were collected after 3 h (experimental group I), 6 h (experimental group II) and 24 h (experimental group III) after the injection of zymosan A at the dose of 1 mg/kg body weight (b.w.). For groups IV, V and VI, the organs were removed at the same time as for the previous groups, but the animals were administered zymosan A at the dose of 100 mg/kg b.w. The content of ASC was then determined. The results showed that zymosan A significantly reduced the content of ASC in the brain of the mice in all the experimental groups, in the spleen in all the experimental groups except of group I (after 3 h since injection of zymosan A at 1 mg/kg b.w.), in the liver only in experimental groups IV, V and VI (after the injection of zymosan A at 100 mg/kg b.w.), while in the kidneys the effects were observed for groups III, V and VI. The data suggest that the observed decrease in the content of ASC is caused by the oxidative activity of zymosan A.     

Actions and interactions of growth hormone and insulin-like growth factor-II: body and organ growth of transgenic mice

To characterize long-term actions and interactions of growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor-II (IGF-II) on postnatal body and organ growth, hemizygous phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK)-human IGF-II transgenic mice were crossed with hemizygous PEPCK-bovine GH transgenic mice. The latter are characterized by two-fold increased serum levels of IGF-I and exhibit markedly increased body, skeletal and organ growth. Four different genetic groups were obtained: mice harbouring the IGF-II transgene (I), the bGH transgene (B), or both transgenes (IB), and non- transgenic controls (C). These groups of mice have previously been studied for circulating IGF-I levels (Wolf et al., 1995a), whereas the present study deals with body and organ growth. Growth curves (week 3 to 12) were estimated by regression with linear and quadratic components of age on body weight and exhibited significantly (p < 0.001) greater linear coefficients in B and IB than in I and C mice. The linear coefficients of male I and C mice were significantly (p < 0.001) greater than those of their female counterparts, whereas this sex-related difference was absent in the bGH transgenic groups. The weights of internal organs as well as the weights of abdominal fat, skin and carcass were recorded from 3.5- to 8- month-old mice. In addition, organ weight-to-body weight-ratios (relative organ weights) were calculated. Except for the weight of abdominal fat, absolute organ weights were as a rule significantly greater in B and IB than in I and C mice. IGF-II overproduction as a tendency increased the weights of kidneys, adrenal glands, pancreas and uterus both in the absence and presence of the bGH transgene. Analysis of relative organ weights demonstrated significant (p < 0.05) effects of elevated IGF- II on the relative growth of kidneys (males and females) and adrenal glands (females), confirming our previous report on organ growth of PEPCK-IGF-II transgenic mice. In females, IGF-II and GH overproduction were additive in stimulating the growth of spleen and uterus, providing evidence for tissue-specific postnatal growth promoting effects by IGF-II in the presence of elevated IGF-I     

Effect of D-penicillamine on rat lung elastin cross-linking during the perinatal period

This study was designed to clarify the effects of D-penicillamine (DPA), a drug used for treatment of various pathological events, on lung elastin formation and maturation of the newborn in the perinatal period. The investigation was conducted on 20 newborn rats bred from 40 female and six male rats. DPA doses 400 mg kg(-1) day(-1) and physiological saline were given intraperitoneally (i.p) to experimental and control groups. To assess newborn maturation, their body and lung weights were determined. Serum Cu levels were measured by atomic absorption spectroscopy and ceruloplasmin (Cp) activities were measured spectrophotometrically. Newborn lung tissue elastin, desmosine (DES) and isodesmosine (IDES) levels were measured by HPLC. The results showed that DPA treatment caused loss of skin elasticity and reduction in body and lung weight in newborns of the experimental group. The serum Cu levels and Cp activity were found to be significantly lower in both maternal and newborn of the experimental groups compared with the control group. The lung DES, IDES and elastin values of newborns in the experimental group were decreased compared with the control group. In conclusion, our results indicate that 400 mg kg(-1) day(-1) DPA, a dose that is used in the treatment of Wilson's disease, rheumatoid arthritis and cystinuria, caused the retardation of newborn maturation, a decrease in DES-IDES cross-links and levels of lung elastin of offspring in the perinatal period. Another conclusion to be drawn from this study is that even low levels of Cu depletion due to DPA administration induces a change in cross-linking in lung elastin during the perinatal period.     

Protective effect of Ocimum sanctum L after high-dose 131iodine exposure in mice: an in vivo study

Radioprotective effect of aqueous extract of Ocimum sanctum (40 mg/kg body weight, for 15 days) in mice exposed to high-doses (3.7 MBq) of oral 131iodine was investigated by studying the organ weights, lipid peroxidation and antioxidant defense enzymes in various target organs like liver, kidneys, salivary glands and stomach at 24 hr after exposure in adult Swiss mice. The mean weight of the salivary glands showed significant increase after 131iodine administration. 131iodine exposure significantly increased lipid peroxidation in kidneys and salivary glands in comparison to control animals. Pretreatment with O. sanctum in radioiodine exposed group showed significant reduction in lipid peroxidation in both kidneys and salivary glands. In liver, reduced glutathione (GSH) levels showed significant reduction after radioiodine exposure while pretreatment with O. sanctum exhibited less depletion in GSH level even after 131iodine exposure. However, no such changes were observed in stomach. The results indicate the possibility of using aqueous extract of O. sanctum for ameliorating 131Iodine induced damage to the salivary glands.