达乌尔黄鼠种群繁殖特征的研究

本文主要报道山西省汾阳和曲沃地区以及陕西省合阳和延长地区的达乌尔黄鼠(Sperm-ophilus dauricus)种群的繁殖特征。在曲沃和合阳地区,该鼠3月中旬开始交尾;在汾阳和延长地区则始于3月下旬交尾。雌体妊娠的高峰期在4月下旬至5月上旬,雄体比雌体提前10天左右进入繁殖高峰期。平均胎仔数因地区而异,合阳地区最高(5.43±0.15),次为曲沃、汾阳,延长地区最低(4.65±0.24)。     

达乌尔黄鼠实验室饲养、繁殖及其冬眠阵

为探索实验室条件下达乌尔黄鼠饲养与繁殖的方法及冬眠阵的发生规律,参照野生黄鼠冬眠洞穴的主要生态环境参数,建立人工冬眠屋,采用传统锯末技术记录冬眠阵。结果显示: (1) 处于春季繁殖期的黄鼠应以大鼠饲料为主,辅以少量黄瓜等,夏季活跃期交叉饲喂大鼠饲料与兔饲料,辅以多水的瓜果蔬菜,秋季育肥期以大鼠饲料为主,辅以高脂肪高蛋白的花生、豆类等。(2)雌鼠怀孕期为28 d 左右,哺乳期约一个月,雌鼠每窝产仔4 ～ 8 只,平均5.52 只;初生幼鼠两周内忌换垫料,并避免将异味带入鼠房。(3)黄鼠冬眠期从当年11月下旬至次年3 月上旬,平均93.95 d;冬眠阵睡眠时长平均7. 44 d,阵间激醒时长平均1.36 d,睡眠天数占整个冬眠期的89.9% ;整个冬眠期,黄鼠冬眠阵平均7. 55 个。(4)2009 年秋至2011 年春季,自野外共捕回黄鼠185 只, 存活146 只,存活率78. 9% 。在2006、2009 和2011 年的黄鼠繁殖期,共配对25 对,产仔138 只,成活92 只,成活率为66.7% 。结果表明,野生达乌尔黄鼠可在人工饲养条件下实现繁殖,并可在人工冬眠屋成功冬眠。     

达乌尔黄鼠种群生态的一些资料

本文深入地研究了达乌尔黄鼠性别、年龄、繁殖、存活、死亡及数量种群动态。特別是采用了标志流放法结合洞口系数法科学的研究了达乌尔黄鼠种群的死亡率、存活率以及数量变化。同时分析了种群变动的原因,比较了该地区达乌尔黄鼠两个主要分布生境,得出缓坡丘陵砂质暗棕钙土小叶锦鸡儿+丛生小禾草+冷蒿群丛是最适生境。文章为防治该害鼠提供了科学依据。     

达乌尔黄鼠的田间分布型

达乌尔黄鼠是我国北方地区的主要农田害鼠之一。1986年在山西省山阴县甘庄乡,我们选择鼠口密度中等区域,以一亩土地做一个调查样方,共查样方731个,分别记载其有鼠数量。依据所得资料,分别采用频数分布比较法和四种聚集指标测定法测定,均证实达乌尔黄鼠在黄土高原的旱源坡区的田间分布型为聚集分布型。这一结果为研究其田间生态学特性和行为学及对种群数量消长分析提供了科学依据。     

短光照诱导达乌尔黄鼠产热

本文通过测定静止代谢率(RMR)、非颤抖性产热(NST)、线粒体呼吸酶、脂肪代谢酶活力、褐色脂肪 组织(BAT)线粒体GTP 结合能力、下丘脑促甲状腺激素释放激素(TRH)和促肾上腺激素释放激素(CRH)等指标,探讨短光照对达乌尔黄鼠产热的诱导和调节。结果表明,温暖(22℃ ) 短光照(8D∶ 6L)组,达乌尔黄鼠的RMR、NST、肝脏和BAT 线粒体细胞色素C 氧化酶活力以及BAT 线粒体GTP 结合能力均明显高于温暖长光照(16D∶ 8L)组中的动物,而体重、BAT 重量、肝细胞呼吸、BAT α - 磷酸甘油氧化酶活力则没有明显变化。短光照组黄鼠下丘脑TRH 水平显著高于长光照组,而血清中三碘甲腺原氨酸(T₃ )及甲状腺素(T₄ )浓度、T₃ / T₄ 以及BAT 中T₄ - 5’脱碘酶的活性没有明显变化。短光照组黄鼠下丘脑CRH 水平显著高于对照组,而肾上腺皮质酮含量无明显变化。结果表明短光照能够诱导达乌尔黄鼠产热增加,主要是通过激活细胞色素C 氧化酶活性和增加BAT 中解偶联蛋白浓度;短光照可能激活下丘脑TRH 和CRH,但它们没有直接诱导产热增加,推测其增加了黄鼠潜在的产热能力。     

达乌尔黄鼠精母细胞联合复合体的电镜观察

本文采用表面铺展法,应用ＡｇＮＯ３及ＰＴＡ染色技术研究了乌乌尔黄鼠精母细胞联合复合体。根据对１０个精母细胞ＳＣ的测量结果,作出达乌尔黄鼠ＳＣ的核型,并与有丝分裂核型进行了比较,本文对ＸＹ配对行为进行了讨论,同时按性染色体配对特征划分了ＳＣ在粗线期的不同发展阶段。     

吉林省达乌尔黄鼠种动态分析

根据吉林省１４个区县市１９５３￣１９９４年达乌尔黄鼠密度监测资料,利用折线回归求出黄鼠密度转年份和动态模型,得到结论。４２年的黄鼠密度分为２个阶段,１９５３￣１９５４年为黄鼠密度从原始状态经灭鼠后迅速下降阶段：１９５５￣１９９４年为黄鼠平均密度稳定在１只ｈｍ＾２以下阶段。最后,用移动平均数法和折线回归对黄鼠密度进行了预测。     

吉林省达乌尔黄鼠种群动态分析

根据吉林省１４个区县市１９５３～１９９４年达乌尔黄鼠密度监测资料,利用折线回归求出黄鼠密度转变年份和动态模型,得到结论。４２年的黄鼠密度分为２个阶段,１９５３～１９５４年为黄鼠密度从原始状态经灭鼠后迅速下降阶段;１９５５～１９９４年为黄鼠平均密度稳定在１只／ｈｍ２以下阶段。最后,用移动平均数法和折线回归对黄鼠密度进行了预测。     

腹腔注射对氯苯丙氨酸对达乌尔黄鼠冬眠的影响

本工作采用腹腔注射5-羟色胺合成抑制剂对氯苯丙氨酸降低脑内5-HT含量的方法,观察了脑内5-HT系统在达乌尔黄鼠自然冬眠和脑室注射6-羟多巴胺促进入眠效应中的作用。结果表明;在自然情况下,达乌尔黄鼠入眠后脑内5-HT含量增加,腹腔注射对氯苯丙氨酸后动物入眠诱导期明显延长;在脑室注射6-羟多巴胺人为地降低脑内NE系统活动的条件下,脑内5-HT含量即使处于较低水平,动物也能很快入眠,但入眠时脑内5-HT含量需要恢复到一定的基础水平。提示脑内NE系统功能活动的降低或/和5-HT系统功能活动加强同是触发动物入眠的重要因素。周期性入眠和觉醒可能依赖于脑内这两个系统功能活动的平衡。     

达乌尔黄鼠产热的季节性变化

达乌尔黄鼠（Ｃｉｔｅｌｌｕｓｄａｕｒｉｃｕｓ）的产热表现出明显的季节性变化。在非冬眠期,静止代谢率（ＲＭＲ）和非颤抖性产热（ＮＳＴ）于春季最高,秋季次之,夏季最低。冬眠期,ＲＭＲ降到极低水平,只为春季的３．０％。肝脏的线粒体蛋白含量、线粒体呼吸和细胞色素Ｃ氧化酶活力在秋季显著高于其它各季。褐色脂肪组织（ＢＡＴ）的重量、线粒体蛋白含量、细胞色素Ｃ氧化酶活力和α－磷酸甘油氧化酶活力,在夏季处于一年中的最低水平,到了冬季这些指标达到一年中的最高水平。在非冬眠季节ＢＡＴ产热能力升高时,ＮＳＴ能力也相应升高,这表明ＢＡＴ产热能力的增强是ＮＳＴ能力提高的部分机制。达乌尔黄鼠血清Ｔ＿４含量在年周期中没有明显改变,冬眠时血清Ｔ＿３含量显著高于其它各季。     

冬眠对达乌尔黄鼠盲肠菌群的影响

冬眠哺乳动物的肠道微生物会发生季节性变化,同时在冬眠期间动物处于禁食状态,对肠道微生物的多样性和组成也产生影响。本研究通过16S rRNA基因高通量测序分析达乌尔黄鼠育肥阶段 (起始育肥期、快速育肥期、育肥完成期) 和冬眠阶段 (冬眠早期、冬眠晚期、出眠期) 共6个时期盲肠菌群的多样性、组成和功能,并通过冗余分析 (RDA) 探究其生理特征与菌群组成和功能之间的关系,揭示达乌尔黄鼠盲肠菌群的季节性变化。菌群组成的分析显示达乌尔黄鼠盲肠菌群主要由厚壁菌门 (Firmicutes)、拟杆菌门 (Bacteroidetes) 和疣微菌门 (Verrucomicrobia) 组成。与其他时期相比,冬眠早期厚壁菌门的相对丰度减少,拟杆菌门和疣微菌门的相对丰度增加。在Alpha多样性中,起始育肥期、快速育肥期和冬眠早期的Chao1和ACE指数显著低于出眠期,育肥完成期的Simpson指数显著低于快速育肥期 (P < 0.05) 。通过加权和非加权的UniFrac距离矩阵的主坐标分析发现盲肠菌群均显示出了明显的季节性聚类。PICRUSt分析中,丁酸代谢等代谢通路在育肥阶段富集,冬眠阶段集中在氮代谢等相关通路中。RDA分析显示达乌尔黄鼠不同时期的生理特征与其盲肠菌群的组成和功能显著相关。本研究表明,冬眠使达乌尔黄鼠盲肠菌群的多样性和相对丰度发生改变,盲肠菌群组成和功能的变化调节了达乌尔黄鼠的生理代谢,使达乌尔黄鼠适应季节性的环境变化。     

冬眠和非冬眠状态达乌尔黄鼠肾单位及相关功能因子的比较

冬眠是动物应对冬季低温和食物匮乏的一种生存策略。达乌尔黄鼠(Spermophilus dauricus)是典型的贮脂类冬眠动物。为研究冬眠动物肾脏的适应机制,本实验采用组织学、血液生化分析及酶联免疫方法检测了夏季活动期(7月)、冬眠期(12月)和早春出眠后(3月)达乌尔黄鼠肾单位形态学及血清肌酐、尿素和抗利尿激素(ADH)的变化,并用qPCR方法检测了肾脏水通道蛋白基因(AQP1、AQP2和AQP3)、ADH受体(V2R)及内皮型一氧化氮合酶基因(eNOS)的表达。结果发现,冬眠期和早春出眠期的达乌尔黄鼠肾小球密度、近曲小管和远曲小管的相对管径、皮质部近曲小管数与远曲小管数比值均低于夏季活动期;冬眠期血清肌酐和尿素浓度高于夏季活动期和早春出眠期,ADH浓度及其受体V2R基因表达低于夏季活动期;冬眠期AQP1基因表达高于早春出眠期,AQP3基因表达低于夏季活动期,AQP2基因表达无显著差异;冬眠期eNOS基因表达低于早春出眠期。这些结果表明冬眠的达乌尔黄鼠表现出较低的肾功能;不同时期的水通道蛋白,eNOS及ADH表现出适应性的功能调节。该实验结果丰富了对冬眠动物肾脏适应机制的认识。     

达乌尔黄鼠冬眠期间体温的变化和冬眠模式

用植入式半导体温度记录元件iButton 记录了达乌尔黄鼠冬眠季节及其前后的体温,分析了其冬眠模式和体温调节特点。结果显示:1)实验室条件下,达乌尔黄鼠冬眠季节长短的个体差异较大,可以分成深冬眠型、
少冬眠型和不冬眠型三种类型;2)达乌尔黄鼠在冬季表现出深冬眠阵(最低体温Tbm in <20℃ ,冬眠阵的持续时间BD >24 h)、短冬眠阵(T_bmin < 20℃ , BD≤24h)和日眠阵(T_bmin ≥20℃ , BD≤24 h)3 种类型,最低体温分别
为2.54℃ ± 0.35℃ 、10.05℃ ± 1.97℃ 和23.09℃ ± 0.40℃ ,彼此之间差异显著。日眠阵阵间产热阶段的最高体温为38.09℃ ±0.17℃ ,高于深冬眠阵(37.31℃ ±0.15℃ )和短冬眠阵(37.22℃ ±0.31℃ ); 3)深冬眠阵和日
眠阵中最低体温均与环境温度显著相关,冬眠过程中的最低体温为-2.43℃ ;4)深冬眠过程中,多数个体可以短时(≤3 h)耐受- 2℃ ～ 0℃ 的低温,激醒或继续维持深冬眠,无致死效应,但长时间(15 h)或过度低温
(- 5℃ 以下)的条件下,深冬眠的达乌尔黄鼠被激醒(70% )或死亡(30% ),不能持续冬眠; 5)入眠前10 d体温日波动幅度显著增加,高于出眠后的日体温波动,且多数个体入眠前出现体温的“试降”。表明,冬眠前
入眠的准备阶段,动物的体温调节已开始发生变化;冬季日眠的调节机制可能与冬眠不同;短时- 2℃ ～ 0℃ 的体温对深冬眠的达乌尔黄鼠无致死效应。     

Phase control of circadian activity in the antelope ground squirrel

Abstract

Wheel‐running activity of forty antelope ground squirrels, Ammospermophilus leucurus, was monitored for several months in both an outdoor cage and in the laboratory. The squirrels demonstrated a highly diurnal pattern which persisted in “constant conditions.” After removal from the field the initial free‐running period was close to 24 hrs, but typically lengthened in a nearly linear fashion at least for the first few months. There was no evidence of any difference in this trend for squirrels, in D/D, L/L 100 lx, 250 lx or 1200 lx. Eventually, about 90 percent of the squirrels had periods longer than 24 hrs.

The synchronizing capacity of the natural photoperiod was used to “catch the free‐running rhythm” and thereby demonstrate a response curve. Synchronization occurred by a shortening of the period when the time of sunrise was between 125° and 0° (subjective night) and by a lengthening of the period when the time of sunrise was between 0° and 125° (subjective day).

To more thoroughly examine the underlying mechanisms of phase control, phase‐response curves based on sixty one light‐pulse experiments were constructed. Comparisons of curves based on 6‐hr and 15‐min pulses, showed that the integral action of light is important (i.e., the entire pulse is involved in phase shifting). It was found that light pulses not only affected the phase of the rhythm but also the phase. Large phase shifts were usually associated with decreases in free‐running period. Several hypotheses on the controlling mechanisms were advanced.     

Uncoupling protein mRNA, mitochondrial GTP-binding, and T4 5′-deiodinase activity of brown adipose tissue in Daurian ground squirrel during hibernation and arousal

The mRNA level of uncoupling protein (UCP) specific for brown adipose tissue (BAT) in Daurian ground squirrel, was detected by using a [32P]-labeled oligonucleotide probe. The UCP concentration in mitochondria was indirectly determined by titration with its specific ligand [H3]-labeled GTP. Type II T4 5'-deiodinase of BAT was assayed concomitantly. We found two species of mRNA for UCP with lengths of about 1.9 and 1.5 kb, respectively, both occurring in almost the same concentration. UCP mRNA content was elevated significantly during hibernation, but the UCP concentration did not change compared with that of nonhibernating controls kept at room temperature. When hibernating squirrels were aroused, the UCP mRNA remained at the elevated level as during hibernation, but the UCP concentration increased in comparison with that of nonhibernating controls or during hibernating. Changes in T4 5'-deiodinase activity in BAT were similar to the variations of the UCP mRNA level. These results suggest that the activation of T4 5'-deiodinase in BAT may be an important factor for the up-regulation and maintenance of UCP mRNA content needed for the synthesis of sufficient UCP to acquire the thermogenic capacity for arousal from hibernation.     

Uncoupling protein1 mRNA, mitochondrial GTP-binding, and T4 5′-deiodinase of brown adipose tissue in euthermic Daurian ground squirrel during cold exposure

Regulation of thermogenic activity and uncoupling protein1 (UCP1) expression in brown adipose tissue (BAT) were studied in euthermic Daurian ground squirrel after acute and chronic cold exposure at 4°C. The UCP1 concentration was indirectly determined by titration with its specific ligand [³H]-labeled GTP, and Ucp1 mRNA was detected by using a [³²P]-labeled antisense oligonucleotide probe. Both acute and chronic cold exposure stimulated up-regulation of Ucp1 mRNA. Although UCP1 concentration is not significantly increased after 24 h of cold exposure, it is markedly elevated by 75% in squirrels after 4-week cold adaptation compared with controls raised at 22°C. Changes in T₄ 5′-deiodinase activity were closely associated with variations of Ucp1 mRNA level. Ucp1 gene expression is significantly affected by cold exposure in BAT from euthermic Daurian ground squirrels. In addition, the activation of T₄ 5′-deiodinase may be an important regulatory factor in cold-induced Ucp1 expression.     

Energetic costs of parasitism in the Cape ground squirrel Xerus inauris

Parasites have been suggested to influence many aspects of host behaviour. Some of these effects may be mediated via their impact on host energy budgets. This impact may include effects on both energy intake and absorption as well as components of expenditure, including resting metabolic rate (RMR) and activity (e.g. grooming). Despite their potential importance, the energy costs of parasitism have seldom been directly quantified in a field setting. Here we pharmacologically treated female Cape ground squirrels (Xerus inauris) with anti-parasite drugs and measured the change in body composition, the daily energy expenditure (DEE) using doubly labelled water, the RMR by respirometry and the proportions of time spent looking for food, feeding, moving and grooming. Post-treatment animals gained an average 19g of fat or approximately 25kJd-1. DEE averaged 382kJd-1 prior to and 375kJd-1 post treatment (p>0.05). RMR averaged 174kJd-1 prior to and 217kJd-1 post treatment (p<0.009). Post-treatment animals spent less time looking for food and grooming, but more time on feeding. A primary impact of infection by parasites could be suppression of feeding behaviour and, hence, total available energy resources. The significant elevation of RMR after treatment was unexpected. One explanation might be that parasites produce metabolic by-products that suppress RMR. Overall, these findings suggest that impacts of parasites on host energy budgets are complex and are not easily explained by simple effects such as stimulation of a costly immune response. There is currently no broadly generalizable framework available for predicting the energetic consequences of parasitic infection.