Circadian and circannual rhythms of LH, FSH, testosterone (T), prolactin, cortisol, T3 and T4 in plasma of mature, male white-tailed deer

Circadian and circannual rhythm of plasma LH, FSH, testosterone (T), prolactin, cortisol, triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4) were investigated in two mature male white-tailed deer. No circadian rhythms were detected. Seasonal levels of LH and FSH were reached in September and October; troughs occur in May and June. Maximal T values were detected in November and December (the time of the rut); minimal levels occur between February and July. Prolactin peaked in May and June; minimal levels were detected between October and February. T3 exhibited two maxima; the first in the May-June period, the second in the September-October period. T4 showed no recognizable circannual rhythm. Cortisol levels were found to be much higher during cold months (December-April) than during the rest of the year. The least variable circadian levels were that of FSH and prolactin, with LH, T4, T3, cortisol and testosterone following in descending order. Cannulation stress might have some effect on the levels of testosterone, LH and cortisol. Correlation between LH and testosterone levels were detected mainly during sexually active periods.     

Seasonal levels of cortisol, triiodothyronine and thyroxine in male axis deer

1. Seasonal plasma levels of thyroxine (T4), triiodothyronine (T3) and cortisol were investigated between November and June in seven penned male Axis deer. 2. No distinct seasonal variation of cortisol has been detected. The levels oscillated between 1 and 5 micrograms/dl. 3. The stress of immobilization and sampling had little effect on cortisol levels. Concentrations remained mostly stable in three consecutive samples taken 10 min apart. 4. T3 concentrations were stable between November and March (average values 110-120 ng/dl). After a sharp decline in April (average 70 ng/dl), a strong rebound in May and June was observed. 5. A distinct seasonal peak of T4 (highest individual value, 12.1 micrograms/dl) was detected in March. After a sharp decline in April (lowest individual value, 4.5 micrograms/dl) a strong rebound followed in May.     

Effects of glucocorticoids on plasma levels of thyroid hormones (T4 and T3) and testicular activity in catfish, Clarias gariepinus during different phases of annual breeding cycle

Effects of short-term administration of corticosterone and cortisol on plasma levels of thyroid hormones, gonado-somatic index and testicular histology have been reported in catfish, Clarias gariepinus during different phases of its breeding cycle. Corticosterone administration had no significant effect on plasma levels of T4, T3 and T3/T4 ratio, irrespective of doses and phases of breeding cycle. However, 5 microg dose of cortisol significantly increased plasma levels of T3 and the T3/T4 ratio during quiescent and regressive phases, while it significantly decreased plasma levels of T4 during progressive phase. During breeding phase, 2 microg and 5 microg doses of cortisol significantly decreased plasma levels of T4 and T3, respectively, while 5 microg dose of cortisol alone reduced T3/T4 ratio. Irrespective of phases of annual breeding cycle and doses, short-term administration of corticosterone and cortisol had no significant effect either on GSI or testicular histology. These findings suggest that corticosterone is ineffective in stimulating plasma levels of thyroid hormones, while cortisol, depending on dose and phase/season, may differentially increase, decrease or have no effect on plasma levels of thyroid hormones in C. gariepinus.     

Thyroxine levels and antler growth in white-tailed deer

1. Five normal male, 5 female, and 3 castrated fawns and 5 adult male white-tailed deer were housed in individual pens for one year to compare the relationships between thyroxine (T4) and other blood parameters and the antler cycle. 2. Biweekly serum samples were examined for T4 titers and levels of serum calcium (Ca), inorganic phosphorus (P), and alkaline phosphatase activity (AP). 3. Seasonal T4 changes were found in all deer groups, with elevated titers in the fall. Female fawns had overall lowered T4 levels. In male fawns and adult bucks, T4 seemed to play a synergistic role in antler initiation and growth. 4. Serum Ca levels remained constant throughout the year, but with lower levels in the female fawns. 5. Serum P levels were also constant seasonally, but with higher levels in the female fawns. There was no age effect on either Ca or P. 6. An age effect was evident on plasma alkaline phosphatase with lower activity in adult bucks. There was no sex effect on AP activity. 7. T4 might have an indirect association with the enzyme AP in Ca and P transport system in white-tailed deer.     

Levels of T4, T3 and cortisol in the blood serum of the European bison (Bison bonasus) in the winter period

1. In the blood of 56 European bison, the levels of T4, T3, and the ratio of T3:T4 and cortisol were studied. 2. Between December and March, the T4 level changed from about 53 to 83 ng/ml of blood serum but in April it increased to 90 ng/ml. 3. The level of T3 in this period was 0.817-1.475 ng/ml and in April it was 2.40-3.40 ng/ml. 4. The ratio of T3:T4 was 0.015-0.024 and in April it increased to 0.027-0.052. 5. The level of cortisol changed from 1.00 to 6.70 ng/ml and in April it was from 1.00 to 14.00 ng/ml.     

Effects of xylazine immobilization on biochemical and endocrine values in white-tailed deer

The effect of xylazine hydrochloride on biochemical and endocrine parameters in plasma was examined in adult white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus (Zimmermann]. In the first experiment, seven animals were injected intramuscularly via a blowgun dart with 0.65 mg/kg xylazine (100 mg/ml) and were bled 10, 20, 30, and 60 min post-injection. In the second experiment, eight animals were manually restrained for the first blood sampling and then injected manually and bled as before. Plasma calcium (Ca), inorganic phosphorus (P), and alkaline phosphatase (AP) were measured spectrophotometrically. Plasma parathyroid hormone (PTH), calcitonin (CT), thyroxine (T4), triiodothyronine (T3), and cortisol were measured by radioimmunoassay. Plasma PTH, CT, T4, T3, and AP activity did not differ (P greater than 0.05) during the 1 hr period studied in either experiment. Plasma Ca and P decreased significantly (P less than 0.05) in the second experiment, whereas cortisol levels increased significantly (P less than 0.05) 10 min post-injection in both experiments. The results may have been due to a drug effect or a combined drug and stress effect. It is suggested that xylazine may be safely used as an anesthetic in measuring PTH, CT, T4 and T3, and plasma AP up to 60 min post-injection in deer. Caution should be taken in using xylazine as an anesthetic to study adrenocortical function.     

Seasonal relationships of thyroid, sexual and adrenocortical hormones to nutritional parameters and climatic factors in white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) of south Texas

Annual cycles of serum testosterone (T), estradiol 17-beta (E), thyroxine (T4), triiodothyronine (T3) and cortisol (C) and their relationship with dry matter intake (DMI), ambient temperature and daylength (DL) were examined in four male and four female white-tailed deer. Serum T in bucks correlated (P less than 0.05) with DMI during the rut. In does, E correlated (P less than 0.05) with DMI and body wt. Both serum T and E were DL and temperature dependent. Serum T4 in bucks correlated (P less than 0.05) with body wt and increasing temperature while T3 correlated (P less than 0.05) with DMI and body wt. In does, T4 was significantly (P less than 0.05) correlated with DMI and body wt, while T3 was not. Serum C levels were not correlated (P greater than 0.05) with either DMI or body wt. It appears that serum T4 and T3 in bucks and T4 in does offer the best year-round indicators of nutritional stress in deer. Male DMI was temperature and DL dependent. In does, only a short-term effect on DMI was found. After the breeding season in bucks, and throughout the year in does, DL and temperature may control intake via the thyroid hormones.     

Influence of pregnancy on diurnal and seasonal changes in cortisol, T3 and T4 levels in the mare blood serum.

1. The diurnal changes in the level of total protein, cortisol, T3 and T4 were studied in four barren and four pregnant standard-bred mares, kept and examined under the same conditions. 2. Blood samples were taken every 4 hr. for one day each month, throughout one year. 3. In barren mares, a diurnal rhythm in cortisol level (acrophase at 0530 hr in summer and at 0830 hr in winter) and in T3 level (acrophase at 1330 hr in summer and at 1800 hr in winter) was found. 4. In pregnant mares, a diurnal rhythm in cortisol level only till 5th month of pregnancy was observed. 5. A diurnal rhythm in T3 level was found throughout the pregnancy, with acrophase always at 1400 hr. 6. No diurnal rhythm in the total protein content and in the T4 level was observed. 7. In both groups of mares the seasonal cyclicity in T3 and T4 levels were found. A seasonal cyclicity in cortisol level was found only in pregnant mares. 8. Pregnancy abolished seasonal cyclicity in total protein and showed it in cortisol level. 9. Pregnancy in mares modifies diurnal rhythms as well as seasonal cycles in secretion and metabolism of the hormones studied.     

The effect of thyroxine (T4) administration on plasma levels of tri-iodothyronine (T3) and T4 in male white-tailed deer

Plasma concentrations of thyroxine (T4) and tri-iodothyronine (T3) were monitored for 6 hr in mature male white-tailed deer following i.m. administration of synthetic T4. Oral administration of 600, 800 and 1000 micrograms of T4 was mostly ineffectual in increasing plasma levels of T3 and T4. On the other hand i.m. administration of similar doses of T4 was followed by a higher degree of increase in T3 and lesser degree of increase in T4 levels. It appears that high doses of T4 (e.g. 1000 micrograms) are less effective in raising plasma values of T3 or T4 than low or intermediate doses.     

Development of diurnal rhythm in some metabolic parameters in foals

1. The development of diurnal rhythm activity of FDPA, AspAT and A1AT and in levels of cortisol, T3 and T4 was observed in the blood serum of six foals. 2. The studies began when a foal was 7 days old and were repeated every month until foals reached 1 year of age. Blood samples were taken every 4 hr for one day each month. 3. As a control group four barren mares were used, kept and examined in the same conditions. 4. In mature mares, diurnal rhythms in activity of A1AT (acrophase at 2200 hr), AspAt (2400 hr) and cortisol (0630 hr) but in T3 only in summer months (acrophase at 0100 hr) were observed. 5. During the first 6 months of foal life, significantly higher mean levels of FDPA, A1AT, T3 and T4 than in control mares were found. 6. The cortisol level in foals was half as much as that of mature mares throughout the year. 7. In foals the diurnal rhythm in A1AT activity occurred in the 5th month and in AspAt--in the 12th month (acrophase at 2400 hr), but in cortisol levels it was developed already in the second month of foal life (acrophase at 0830 hr).     

Expression of cell surface Lewis X and Y antigens and FUT4 mRNA is increased in Jurkat cells undergoing apoptosis

Cell surface molecules undergo specific changes during apoptosis, including the expression of phosphatidylserine (PS) and some proteins and alterations in sugar chains. Among the various sugar chains on the cell surface, Lewis X (Le(X)) and Lewis Y (Le(Y)) antigens are key determinants for a variety of biological processes. We studied the changes in Le(X) and Le(Y) expression in Jurkat cells, a human T cell line, during apoptosis. Flow cytometry showed that Le(X) and Le(Y) antigen expression was enhanced on the cell surface during apoptosis induced by anti-Fas antibody. To clarify the mechanism of enhanced Le(X) and Le(Y) expression, we assessed the expression levels of fucosyltransferase (FUT1, 2, 3-5-6, 4, and 9) mRNAs that are predominantly expressed in Jurkat cells and which are considered to form Le(X) and Le(Y). The expression of FUT4 mRNA was up-regulated after exposing cells to anti-Fas antibody. Moreover, the increase in Le(X) and Le(Y) antigen levels was significantly suppressed by caspase 3 or 8 inhibitors. These results indicated that the induction of FUT (mainly FUT4), the gene expression of which is mediated by signals downstream of caspase 3, increases Le(X) and Le(Y) expression in apoptotic cells.     

半胱胺对断奶前后仔猪血清皮质醇、T3、T4和IL-2水平的影响

选取新生仔猪18窝,随机分为对照组和处理组各9窝。从12日龄开始,对照组饲喂基础乳猪料;处理组在基础乳猪料中添加半胱胺,剂量为120mg／kg饲料。两组仔猪均在35日龄断奶。分别于断奶前7d(28日龄,D28),断奶当天(D35),断奶后36h(D36．5)、72h(D38)、7d(D42)、10d(D45),随机选取对照组和处理组仔猪各6头,屠宰采集血样。采用放射免疫分析法测定仔猪血清皮质醇、三碘甲腺厚氨酸(T3)、甲状腺激素(T4)和白细胞介素-2(IL-2)水平。结果表明：(1)对照组血清皮质醇水平在断奶前保持稳定,在D36．5时升高,在D42时恢复至D35水平,随后保持稳定;处理组血清皮质醇水平在D36．5时较D35有升高趋势,在D38时恢复至D35水平,随后保持稳定。对照组血清T3水平在D36．5显著高于D28,其他日龄点间无显著差异,处理组基本保持稳定。对照组血清T4水平在D36．5时升高,在D38日时恢复至D35水平,随后保持稳定;处理组血清T4水平从D35至D45基本保持稳定。两组中血清IL-2水平在D28至D42保持稳定,D45升高。(2)在D36．5时,处理组血清皮质醇水平较对照组降低30％,处理组血清T3水平在D35和D45较对照组提高49．2％和38．6％,T4水平在D35和D45提高31％和45．8％,在其他日龄点,处理组T3、T4水平较对照组有升高趋势,但差异不显著。处理组IL-2水平在D36．5、D38、D45也分别较对照组提高22．1％、12．6％和17．8％,在其他日龄点有升高趋势。以上结果提示半胱胺能抵抗仔猪断奶应激,提高仔猪血清T3、T4水平,增强仔猪的免疫力。     

寄主植物对瓜蚜酯酶活性及其耐药性的影响

寄主植物对瓜蚜无翅胎生雌蚜体重、体色、体内酯酶活性均有明显影响。取食笋瓜、南瓜、瓠子、黄瓜和冬瓜的瓜蚜,体重依次增加,体色渐深,而体内羧酸酯酶活性依次渐低。取食不同奇主植物的瓜蚜对杀虫剂的耐药性与其体内酯酶活性呈正相关。瓜蚜体内羧酸酯酶活性（X）与乐果对瓜蚜的LC50（Y）附会Y=8．3827X－67．8530（r=0．952）,与功夫菊酯对瓜蚜的LC50（Y）附合Y=1．040X－28．89（r=0．985）的线性关系。     

Bacteriophage T4 DNA primase-helicase. Characterization of oligomer synthesis by T4 61 protein alone and in conjunction with T4 41 protein

The bacteriophage T4 41 and 61 proteins function as a primase-helicase which in vitro both unwinds double-stranded DNA and synthesizes the pentaribonucleotides used to initiate DNA synthesis on the lagging strand. We demonstrate that 61 protein alone possesses a weak DNA template-dependent oligomer synthesizing activity, whose products differ in size and nucleotide specificity from those made by the 61 and 41 proteins together. We have previously shown that the 61 and 41 proteins make primarily ribonucleotide pentamers of the sequence pppApC(pN)3, although some pentamers beginning with G were also detected on phi X174 single-stranded DNA. The pentamers pppApC(pN)3 have also been shown to initiate T4 DNA chains in vivo (Kurosawa, Y., and Okazaki, T. (1979) J. Mol. Biol. 135, 841-861). We now show that in contrast, the major products made by 61 protein alone on phi X174 DNA with [alpha-32P]CTP and the other three ribonucleoside triphosphates are not pentamers, but the dimers pppApC and pppGpC. In addition, minor amounts of products from 3 to approximately 45 nucleotides in length are also synthesized. Unlike the 61/41 protein reaction, 61 protein alone can substitute dATP or dGTP for ATP or GTP. Addition of 41 protein greatly stimulates oligomer synthesis, especially the synthesis of products made with ATP and CTP and products 5 nucleotides in length. Thus, both 61 and 41 proteins are needed to obtain efficient synthesis of the biologically relevant pentamers pppApC(pN)3. We demonstrate that the glucosylated hydroxymethylcytosines present in T4 DNA do not support the initiation of primer synthesis by the 61 protein on this template. With glycosylated hydroxymethyl T4 DNA, pppApC but not pppGpC oligomers are detected. If the T4 DNA is modified by hydroxymethylation but not glucosylation, pppApC and only a trace of pppGpC products are seen. In the accompanying paper (Nossal, N.G., and Hinton, D.M. (1987) J. Biol. Chem. 262, 10879-10885), we examine DNA synthesis primed by 61 protein in the absence of 41 protein.     

Do X and Y spermatozoa differ in proteins?

This article reviews the current knowledge about X- and Y-chromosomal gene expression during spermatogenesis and possible differences between X- and Y-chromosome-bearing spermatozoa (X and Y sperm) in relation to whether an immunological method of separation of X and Y spermatozoa might some day be feasible. Recent studies demonstrated that X- and Y-chromosome-bearing spermatids do express X- and Y-chromosomal genes that might theoretically result in protein differences between X and Y sperm. Most, if not all, of these gene products, however, are expected to be shared among X and Y spermatids via intercellular bridges. Studies on aberrant mouse strains indicate that complete sharing might not occur for all gene products. This keeps open the possibility that X and Y sperm may differ in proteins, but until now, this has not been confirmed by comparative studies between flow-cytometrically sorted X and Y sperm for H-Y antigen or other membrane proteins.     

T cell regulation of polyclonally induced immunoglobulin secretion in humans

We measured the pokeweed mitogen (PWM)-induced secretion of IgG by the unfractionated mononuclear cells (MNC) of young adult donors, and correlated the results with the functional activity of cell suspensions enriched for T helper (T4+) and T suppressor/cytotoxic (T8+) cells. The distribution of IgG levels secreted by MNC differs from a Gaussian curve, implying that the group is composed of distinct heterogeneous populations. When donors were compared who were judged to be very low responders or very high responders on the basis of IgG secretion levels by MNC (less than 700 ng/ml or greater than 2500 ng/ml), no differences were found in the capacity of T4+-enriched cells to support PWM-driven IgG secretion by a common B cell pool. In contrast, the addition of 0.2 X 10(5) T8+ cells from these low responders to PWM-stimulated cultures of 0.5 X 10(5) T4+ cells plus 0.5 X 10(5) B cells resulted in significantly less IgG secretion (389 +/- 121 ng/ml) than did the addition of the same number of T8+ cells from the high responders (2241 +/- 548 ng/ml, p less than 0.01). Normalized percent suppression by T8+ cells was higher in low responders than in high responders (77.0 +/- 9.9% vs 33.0 +/- 8.5%, p less than 0.01). Both high and low responders markedly suppressed IgG secretion when 0.5 X 10(5) T8+ cells were added. No correlation was found either between proportion of T3+, T8+, T4+, or M1+ cells within the MNC population and levels of IgG secretion by MNC or between T8+ numbers and levels of suppression induced by a constant number of T8+-enriched cells. Our data indicate that differences in the functional activity of T8+ cells, rather than quantitative differences, account for the wide range of PWM-induced IgG secretion by MNC.     

Cortisol response of wild ungulates to trauma situations: hunting is not necessarily the worst stressor

Animal welfare concerns are becoming a central issue in wildlife management and conservation. Thus, we investigated stress response of wild ungulates to potentially traumatic situations (shooting injuries, vehicle collisions, entanglement, injuries or diseases) and hunting methods (stalking, battues and hunts with dogs) by means of serum cortisol concentrations from blood collected from killed animals. Cortisol levels in roe deer ranged below and in wild boar above levels for moose, red deer and fallow deer (hence, pooled as a group “deer”). Apart from species, cortisol concentration in trauma situations was mainly explained by trauma type and presence of disturbance after the trauma event. Effect of trauma type differed significantly for “deer”, with animals caught in fences and suffering vehicle collisions experiencing higher cortisol levels than animals injured by shooting. Differences between hunting methods were observed in the cervids (“deer” and roe deer), with stalking leading to lower cortisol levels than hunts with dogs (both groups) and battues (roe deer). Events both before and after the shot, such as duration of pursuit prior to shooting, location of injury, trauma length and presence of disturbance after the shot were relevant for cortisol levels in hunted cervids. Our results indicate that search teams tracking and euthanising wounded animals should behave in a calm way to minimise disturbance. Still, it is important to acknowledge that many situations described in the literature, i.e. reindeer handling, roe deer captures and red deer yarding, seem even more stressful, beside vehicle collisions, than most hunting methods.     

温度和食物对黑肩绿盲蝽发育、存活和繁殖的影响

黑肩绿盲蝽Cyrforhinus livisipennis(Reuter)取食白背飞虱卵时,其未成熟期的发育速率与温度呈逻辑斯蒂曲线,世代发育起点和有效积温分别为9‘83℃,359.05日度。在21-29℃时,世代存活率y₁,种群内禀增长力Y₂：和成虫产卵量y₃：粒/雌)较高,高低温区均呈下降趋势,各参数与温度X的关系方程分别为 Y₁=cxp(-3.0031+0.5223X-0.0105X²), Y₂=-0.5971+0.0535X-0.0010X²,Y₃=exp(-12.0791十1.3869X-0.0278X² 理论上26℃时周限增长率又最大,达1.1044倍/天。以褐飞虱卵、白背飞虱卵、褐飞虱低龄若虫和白背飞虱低龄若虫四种食物作为猎物下,黑肩绿盲蝽成虫的产卵量分别为247.63±94.73、237.25±118.62、196.83±69.08、128.14±81.29粒/雌,其卵孵化率分别为59.83、58.26、44.35、46.96%。结果表明,褐飞虱卵是黑肩绿盲蝽发育、存活和繁殖的适宜食物。     

橘皮素与乳清蛋白的合用对短跑运动员冬训期间血清睾酮、皮质醇水平的影响*

目的:探讨补充橘皮素对短跑运动员冬训期间血清睾酮、皮质醇水平的影响。方法:将24名短跑运动员配对、随机分为试验组和对照组。冬训期间,试验组补充橘皮素补剂(含橘皮素200 mg),对照组补充安慰剂,为期4周。分别在每周第一天(T1、T2、T3、T4)及干预结束次日(T5)采集血液样本,检测血清睾酮、皮质醇、超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、促肾上腺皮质激素(ACTH)等指标,并在干预开始和结束时测试身体成分。结果:干预4周后,①对照组的血清皮质醇水平上升,血清睾酮和SOD活性水平显著下降(P＜0.05);②试验组的血清皮质醇(P＜0.05)和ACTH(P＜0.01)均显著下降,血清睾酮维持稳定,SOD活性水平小幅上升;③试验组和对照组的肌肉量均有增加,但前者的增加量显著大于后者。结论:补充4周橘皮素能减少冬训期间高强度运动引起的机体氧化应激反应,维持机体血清睾酮水平稳定,抑制皮质醇过度分泌,促进肌肉合成。