Properties of the enzymes of energy supply in the common frog under various physiological states. II. Changes in the heat resistance of adenosine triphosphatases and succinate dehydrogenase

The heat resistance of SDG, Na, K-ATPase and Mg-ATPase of the grass frog was determined in January, March and May, the number of animals examined being 30-40 in either experiment. It was found that the average level of the heat resistance of the enzymes studied shows significant, often differently directed changes, which depend on the physiological state of an organism. Negligible correlation between the thermal sensitivity of different enzymes of an organism during hibernation, completely disappear during the activity state.     

Morphology and mobility of oyster hemocytes: evidence for seasonal variations.

Hemocytes of Crassostrea virginica were video recorded and tracked to determine their locomotive rates and to assign these rates to Wright-stained morphological variants. From 24 oysters examined in January, February, March, and May, 1571 hemocytes were video recorded, identified, and their rate of locomotion (ROL) measured. Granulocytes (three types) and agranulocytes (one lymphoid and three nonlymphoid types) were recognized. Focusing on 15 oysters in March and May, 20,318 hemocytes were counted from duplicate slides to verify the classification and to show that predominant hemocytes vary greatly between samples and among individual oysters, yet population differences can be detected. Measured rates of locomotion indicate that the granulocyte subpopulation moved significantly faster (3.3 microns/min) than the agranulocyte subpopulation (0.7 microns/min) because most (81%) agranulocytes were not mobile. Of the mobile hemocytes, granulocytes were also significantly faster (4.8 microns/min vs. 3.5 microns/min, P less than 0.0001), and basophilic granulocytes (BASOs) were the most active and abundant cell type. Examination of monthly percentages of cells and ROL indicates, however, that granulocyte dominance and ROL are not invariable. Granulocyte percentages of more than 60% in January, February, and March decreased to 32% in May, and BASO dominance was reduced to 15%. Further, percentages of mobile granulocytes decreased from greater than 65% in January, February, and March to 50% in May. ROL for all cells decreased from greater than 2.3 microns/min in these months to 1.0 microns/min in May. The fewer mobile hemocytes tracked in May had significantly (P less than .05) lower average ROL (4.0 microns/min) than those in January and March (4.7 microns/min each). Agranulocytes increased in May due to an increase in nonlymphoid cells.     

The role of photoperiod on the initiation of the breeding season of the brushtail possum (Trichosurus vulpecula).

The role of photoperiod on the initiation of the breeding season of brushtail possums was investigated in possums housed in three light regimens: a short-day, a natural and a long-day photoperiod. Seven possums were housed in a natural photoperiod. Four possums were transferred to a short-day photoperiod (10 h light, 14 h dark) and eight possums to a long-day photoperiod (14 h light, 10 h dark) on 22 November, when the daylength was 13.34 h. The first rises in plasma progesterone concentrations were observed on 9 January +/- 9 days (n = 4), 11 March +/- 6 days (n = 7) and 6 May +/- 6 days (n = 8), for possums held in short-day, natural or long-day photoperiods respectively. Similarly, births were observed on 12 January and 14 February in the short-day group, from 3 March to 8 May for the natural photoperiod group, and from 5 May to 8 August for the long-day group. These results suggest that photoperiod is important in the timing of the breeding season. However, annual breeding will commence in a nonstimulatory long-day photoperiod. Thus a long-day photoperiod does not prevent breeding activity.     

基于克里格插值的绿华-三横海域渔业资源量空间分布的初步探讨

基于2007年5、9月,2008年7月,2009年3、5、7、10、12月渔业资源拖网调查数据,应用克里格插值法对绿华-三横海域的渔业资源量的空间分布进行了初步分析,得到如下结果:东库鱼礁区和三横鱼礁区聚集生物的作用是显而易见的;三横鱼礁区聚集生物的效果要相对强于东库鱼礁区聚集生物的效果;岛礁周围的渔业资源量分布特征是符合实际情况的。结果表明,应用克里格插值对绿华-三横海域的渔业资源空间分布的分析是可行的。     

The abundance cycle and influence factors on red tide phenomena of Noctiluca scintillans (Dinophyceae) in Dapeng Bay, the South China Sea

The seasonal occurrence of Noctiluca scintillans and the causativemechanisms of red tide phenomena were investigated in the northwesternpart of Dapeng Bay, the South China Sea, from March 1990 toJune 1992. It occurred in the plankton usually from Januarythrough May/June with peak abundance from March to early May.At least eight red tides of this organism, when the surfacewater was covered with the pink patches and slicks, were observedduring the investigation period, and all of them took placebetween March and early May. Noctiluca occurred at temperaturesfrom 15.8 to 2.8.6°C, and the population density was thehighest at temperatures between 19 and 25°C. It disappearedfrom the plankton in summer and fall when the temperature warmedto lethal level of     

Reproductive activity in the commercially exploited mediterranean muricid <Emphasis Type="Italic">Hexaplex trunculus</Emphasis> collected from Boughrara lagoon (Southern Tunisia)

The banded murex Hexaplex trunculus (Linnaeus, 1758) is a commercially exploited gastropod in the Mediterranean region including Tunisia where it has become an important fishery resource these last years. In the present investigation, some reproductive aspects of this species were described in the population of Boughrara lagoon based on macroscopic examination of the gonads (gonadic conditional indices) together with observation of the seasonal hypertrophy of the penis in males and capsule gland in females. This procedure of assessing reproductive activity was validated by field observations of copulation and spawning. Mature females were found during 10 months and mature males during 8 months being both frequent in January and February. Reproductive activity was slightly asynchronous between sexes with males reaching maturity before females. Gonadic release occurred earlier in males between January and March against February to April in females. These findings were in agreement with field observations of copulation in January and February and egg-capsule laying in late February and March. Hatching juveniles were observed in the field in April and May.     

Oviductal Function during the Annual Ovarian Cycle of a Wild Avian Species, the Tree Pie Dendrocitta vagabunda

The present investigation was carried out on oviductal activity during the annual ovarian cycle of the Indian tree pie ( Dendrocitta vagabunda ). The oviductal activity was evaluated by weight, length, histology (gross and quantitative) and peroxidase, acid phosphatase, alkaline phosphatase, sialic acid, glycogen, RNA and protein concentrations of different regions of the oviduct. All these values w ere low during the nonbreeding phase (August to January), increased during the progressive phase (February to March), became maximum during breeding (April to May) and decreased in the regression phase (June to July). The functional change of the oviduct is suggested to be due to fluctuation of ovarian steroid activity in this avian species.     

Larval ecology and reproductive activity of Metapenaeus ensis and M.endeavouri in the Gulf of Carpentaria, Australia, assessed from the distribution and abundance of the protozoeal stages

Plankton samples were collected during six cruises in the Gulfof Carpentaria, Australia, between May 1976 and March 1977.Prawn larvae were identified to genus level, and then Metapenaeusprotozoeae were identified using discriminant analysis of morphologicalcharacters. The majority of larvae identified were either Metapenaeusensis or Metapenaeus endeuvouri. Metapenaeus endeavouri larvaewere only found in coastal regions. Although numbers of thisspecies were low during most months sampled, abundance peakedduring January and March 1977. Metapenaeus ensis larvae werewidely distributed, in both coastal and offshore areas, andwere present throughout the year. Highest abundances were observedin January 1977. The Gulf-wide distribution of adult prawnswas also assessed by exploratory trawling during one cruisein May 1976; during this cruise, adult M.ensis were also foundoffshore, in areas not frequented by commercial fishing vessels.Therefore, this species may be more widely distributed thanwas previously thought.     

A study of seasonally delayed puberty in the male hare, Lepus Europaeus.

The brown hare, Lepus europaeus, has a mating season which extends from January to September. Adult males exhibit pronounced seasonal changes in the reproductive tract which are associated with changes in LH secretion. Maximum plasma levels of immunoreactive LH occur between March and June and minimal levels in the autumn non-mating period from September to December; this seasonal cycle in gonadotrophin output is reflected by the appropriate changes in the secretion of testosterone from the testes and in the activity of the accessory sex glands. Juvenile animals reach puberty only during the adult mating season, and the age of puberty thus varies with the date of birth. Males born before May reach puberty and become fertile at 3 months of age, while those born from May to July grow to a mature body size during the autumn non-mating season but puberty is delayed for several months. Since some animals experiencing delayed puberty were found to have elevated plasma levels of LH and testosterone, it is concluded that puberty is not completely suppresed by the environmental effects of the autumn, but that the developmental process is prolonged, resulting in the juveniles being synchronized with the adults in their reproductive activity.     

Somatolactin mRNA expression during the parr–smolt transformation in hatchery-reared Atlantic salmon Salmo salar smolts

Expression of somatolactin (SL) mRNA was quantified during smoltification at 2 week intervals during January and February and weekly during March, April and May 2004 in a line-bred ranching stock of Atlantic salmon Salmo salar . Gene expression of SL (and a splice variant termed SL₁₈₀) was lower in fish sampled in the later weeks of smoltification than in those at the beginning, a pattern opposite to that of gill Na⁺ K⁺-ATPase activity.     

2016年南极斯科舍海南极大磷虾种群结构的时空变化

斯科舍海是南极大磷虾资源分布最为密集的海域,也是磷虾的传统渔场,但该海域磷虾种群结构存在较为显著的年际、季节性与区域性差异.为了解该海域磷虾种群动态,本研究利用2016年1—9月由渔业调查随机收集的样本,对该海域磷虾种群结构的时空变动进行了分析.结果表明: 各月磷虾性比存在显著的差异,1—5月雌性明显占优,而6—9月则呈现相反的趋势.1—9月期间,仅1月出现幼体,且雌性成体的比例与2月相当,占比超过了40%;3—5月,雌性未成体的比例均超过了50%,而雌性成体的比例开始逐月下降;6—8月,雄性未成体的比例达到峰值;9月,雌性未成体的比例显著增加,而雄性成体的比例呈下降趋势.在布兰斯菲尔德海峡内,2—5月,雌性未成体的比例超过一半;1月,乔治王岛东北水域已排卵个体的比例(25.6%)显著高于其他个体,雌性临产个体的比例也较高;6—9月,南乔治亚岛东北水域雄性成体的比例约占一半,雌性成体的比例极低.性成熟度组成显示,1—2月为磷虾产卵盛期,而产卵场出现在乔治王岛东北水域以及布兰斯菲尔德海峡.     

Circannual and seasonal variations in plasma luteinizing hormone levels of ovariectomized ground squirrels (Spermophilus lateralis)

Plasma luteinizing hormone (LH) levels were determined at monthly intervals in intact and ovariectomized squirrels maintained in a constant 14L:10D photoperiod at a temperature of 23 +/- 2 degrees C. LH was undetectable (less than 0.9 ng/ml) in plasma of intact females at all times of year. Females ovariectomized (OVX) at 9.5 months of age in March showed substantial increases in plasma LH in May and June but LH was undetectable between July and November. Females ovariectomized at 13 months of age in July first manifested detectable LH levels the following January and February (6-7 months post-ovariectomy). Very few adult females trapped in May and ovariectomized in August had detectable LH levels within 2 months of ovariectomy; however, females ovariectomized the following February had detectable LH titers 1 month later. Long-term studies of individual OVX squirrels indicated peak LH levels between March and June, 1980, relatively low or undetectable titers between August and December and elevated LH levels between January and March, 1981. The results are suggestive of a circannual rhythm of LH secretion which appears restricted to one season of the year and occurs independently of steroid feedback from the ovaries; ovarian steroids only modulate the levels of plasma LH during the brief annual period of hypothalamo-hypophysial activity. We suggest that onset and termination of LH release are mediated by central nervous system circannual clocks.     

Annual variations of adrenal gland hormones in the lizard <Emphasis Type="Italic">Podarcis sicula</Emphasis>

The adrenal gland regulates metabolism and maintains normal electrolyte balance. Adrenal hormones are equivalent in all vertebrates; the chromaffin tissue produces adrenaline and noradrenaline and the steroidogenic tissue produces most of the steroid hormones present in mammals. Podarcis sicula belongs to the Squamata family of lizards and it is the most abundant lizard species in southern Italy. This species shows a reproductive annual cycle and the presence of seasonal variations in the activity of the hypothalamus-hypophyseal-thyroid axis. To investigate the existence of an annual cycle of lizard adrenal gland, we have measured plasma concentrations of corticosterone, ACTH, noradrenaline and adrenaline. We have shown that corticosterone rapidly increased from January to March to reach a peak value that persisted until July, then, it slowly decreased until December. ACTH levels increased from January to May and slowly decreased from July to December. Noradrenaline levels were higher in March and then decreased until December. On the contrary, adrenaline levels increased from March to July and slowly decreased until December. Our results demonstrate the existence of an annual cycle of the lizard adrenal gland activity. This is very interesting because its activity is important to rightly regulate the reproductive status of the Podarcis sicula lizard.     

Annual reproductive cycle and growth of the pen shell Atrina maura (Pterioidea: Pinnidae) on sand-bottom culture in the Ensenada Pabellones lagoon system,Gulf of California,Mexico

Abstract

The reproductive cycle and growth of the pen shell, Atrina maura, which was cultured in the Ensenada Pabellones lagoon system, Gulf of California, from March 2008 to March 2009, is described in this article. Histological techniques and the condition index were used to determine its reproductive condition. The sex ratio was 0.57 females:1.72 males within the population studied. There were no differences (χ², p < 0.05) in shell length (SL) between males and females. The mean length of the sampled specimens ranged between 50.99 ± 4.86 mm and 218.16 ± 8.87 mm. The histological results confirmed that A. maura is a gonochoristic organism that presents synchronic development of the gonads. The maturity and spawning phases were observed throughout the study period, with the exception of March and May 2008. The frequency of the gonad development stages obtained per month suggests that this species reproduced two times annually, with one important reproductive period from June to September, a minor reproductive period from November to February, and two resting periods as follows: July to August and January to February 2009.     

Annual gametogenic cycle of the freshwater pearl mussel,Lamellidens marginalis (Lamarck, 1819) collected from a perennial lentic habitat of Bangladesh

ABSTRACT

We investigated the annual gametogenic phenology of the freshwater pearl mussel, Lamellidens marginalis (Lamarck, 1819), collected from a lentic habitat at Mymensingh, Bangladesh, using biometry and histology through monthly sampling from August 2015 to July 2016. After biometric measurements, thin slices of dorso-ventral sections were cut from the middle of the mussels for histology to determine sex and level of gonadal maturation. The condition index (CI) ranged from 0.64 (March) to 0.99 (January) over the study period. The CI peaked three times (January, April and July) indicating that the mussels were ripe during these months and subsequent decreases in CI indicated spawning, which was consistent with histology. Both males and females exhibited similar patterns in terms of gonadal development, maturation and spawning activity. It was confirmed that natural populations of L. marginalis spawn throughout the year with remarkable temporal variations, except during December when the surface water temperature reaches annual minima (16.5°C). Highest spawning activity of L. marginalis was noted during February–March, May and July–November. The data obtained in the present study could be useful for the conservation managers of this commercial species by allowing harvesting of better quality mussels to be timed without interrupting major spawning activity.     

Reproductive biology of the indian freshwater leech,Poecilobdella viridis (Blanchard)

Annual reproductive cycle of the protandrous hermaphroditic freshwater leech, Poecilobdella viridis has been traced from August 1974 to July 1975. Spermatogenesis initiated a little earlier than oogenesis. The reproductive programme is as follows; commencement of spermatogenesis in February followed by oogenesis in March. Breeding begins in late March extending upto late May and early June while breeding terminated towards late June. From August to January reproductive quiescence was observed. Among the environmental factors temperature, possibly coupled with photoperiod, plays a key role in synchronising the reproductive cycle.     

Seasonal rhythms in the functioning of the hypophyseo-thyroid system of the suslik Citellus parryi

In experiments on the Arctic ground squirrel Citellus parryi, radioimmune assay of the content of thyrotropin of the hypophysis and thyroxine and triiodothyronine of the thyroid in the peripheral blood has been made at monthly intervals from July until May. It was found that during hibernation period, thyroxine and triiodothyronine concentrations in the blood of sleeping animals are high as compared with those during pre-hibernation period in autumn and active period in May. Thyrotropin content of the blood increases from October to May, being the lowest however during the season of the deepest hibernation from December to February. It is suggested that activation of the hypophysial--thyroid system after resting period in summer and autumn begins in October. During deep sleeping, it is depressed, being recovered in March. High levels of the thyroid hormones during hibernation period may be explained by metabolic strategy of the organism in hibernating animals which is directed to optimization of energy supply of hibernation.     

Seasonal changes in serum glucose and condition of the plaice, Pleuronectes platessa L.

Monthly sampling of plaice caught off the north-east coast of Scotland between February 1983 and May 1984 revealed a seasonal increase in condition factor, hepatosomatic index and serum glucose, which appeared to be related to the period of active feeding. The spleen indices followed a similar seasonal increase, although this was not statistically significant, while the kidney indices showed little change over the 16 months. The peak for the gonadosomatic index was in February/March 1984, but among these plaice (aged 4–5 years) there were still large numbers of immature males and females and there was no increase in 1983. Apart from the hepatosomatic index for January 1984, there was no significant difference between male and female plaice.     

Seasonal variation of reproductive parameters in the laboratory-housed male cynomologus macaque (Macaca fascicularis).

Changes in body weight, sperm concentration and testicular volume were monitored for a 13-lunar month period in seven laboratory-housed adult male Macaca fascicularis. No significant change was noted in body weight or sperm concentration between periods of maximal and minimal mean values nor between periods standardized for comparison between the three parameters. Testis volumes were significantly greater during the months of July through early September and during the standardized period of May through July than during January through March and the standardized interval October through January.