Biological functions as affected by summer season-related multiple environmental stressors (heat,nutritional and walking stress) in Malpura rams under semi-arid tropical environment

The study was conducted with the primary objective to establish the impact of simultaneously imposed multiple stressors (thermal, nutritional and walking) on various biological functions in Malpura rams. The study was conducted for a period of 45 days. Twenty adult Malpura rams (average BW 44.9 Kg) were used in the present study. The rams were divided into two groups, CON (n = 10; Control) and MS (n = 10; multiple stressors). Both body weight (p < 0.05) and body condition scoring (p < 0.01) were lower in MS compared with CON rams. All the scrotal measurements reduced significantly (p < 0.01) in MS rams. All the testicular measurements also reduced significantly (p < 0.01) in MS as compared to CON rams. The seminal attributes, individual motility (p < 0.05), rapid motility (p < 0.05) and curvilinear velocity (p < 0.05) were significantly reduced in CON rams. However, slowness (p < 0.05), linearity (p < 0.05) and straightness (p < 0.05) parameters significantly increased in MS as compared to CON rams. In addition, plasma testosterone concentration was lower (p < 0.05) in MS rams. The study established the impact of multiple stressors on growth and reproductive performance of Malpura rams. Further, the results revealed that the only semen quality was affected by multiple stressors, but the semen production remained intact between the groups, indicating the extreme adaptive capability of Malpura rams to hot semi-arid tropical environment.     

Effect of walking stress on growth,physiological adaptability and endocrine responses in Malpura ewes in a semi-arid tropical environment

Sheep in hot semi-arid environments are mostly reared using extensive systems. In addition to thermal stress and feed scarcity, the animals need to walk long distances for grazing in this ecological zone. A study was conducted to assess the effect of long-distance walking on adaptive capability in terms of physiological, biochemical and endocrine responses in Malpura ewes. Fourteen adult Malpura non-pregnant ewes weighing between 33 and 35 kg were used in the study. The ewes were randomly allocated into two groups of seven animals each: GI (n = 7; Control), and GII (n = 7; walking stress). The animals were stall-fed with a diet consisting of 70% roughage and 30% concentrate. Both GI and GII ewes had uniform access to feed and water. The walking stress group (GII) ewes were made to walk 14 km in two spans between 0900 and 1500 hours with 1 h 30 min for each span (7 km) of walking. The ewes subjected to walking stress (GII) were prevented from grazing by applying a face mask made of cotton thread. The study was conducted for a period of two estrous cycles (35 days) during the autumn season (October–November). Physiological responses were recorded twice daily at 0800 and 1400 hours at weekly intervals. Blood samples were collected from the jugular vein at weekly intervals to study the effects of walking stress on blood biochemical and endocrine parameters. The results indicate that walking stress had significant (P < 0.05) influence on body weight, average daily gain, respiration rate (RR), rectal temperature (RT), haemoglobin (Hb), packed cell volume (PCV), plasma glucose, calcium, phosphorus, aspartate amino transferase (AST), alanine amino transferase (ALT), tri-iodo-thyronine (T₃), thyroxin (T₄), and cortisol. However, walking stress did not influence the reproductive hormone levels. The significant changes in RR, RT, plasma cortisol, T₃ and T₄ show that Malpura ewes have the capability to adapt to long-distance walking, and that adrenal and thyroid gland hormones play a significant role in such adaptation.     

Biological ability of Malpura rams to counter heat stress challenges and its consequences on production performance in a semi-arid tropical environment

A study was conducted to assess the biological ability of Malpura rams to counter heat stress challenges and its impact on the productive performance in a semi-arid tropical environment. The eighteen adult Malpura rams (average body weight 55.0 kg) were divided into two groups, GI (n = 9; Control) and GII (n = 9; heat stress). The study was conducted for a period of 60 days. The results showed that body weight, body condition score, heart girth and feed intake were significantly (p < 0.05) lower in GII as compared to GI rams. The physiological responses i.e. respiration rate, pulse rate, rectal temperature and sweating rate (body and scrotum) were significantly (p < 0.05) higher in rams exposed to heat stress. Among the endocrine parameters, plasma T₃, T₄ and testosterone concentrations were significantly (p < 0.05) lower in GII rams, while cortisol concentration was significantly (p < 0.05) higher in GII rams. In addition, heat stress significantly (p < 0.05) reduced semen volume, total sperm motility, sperm concentration and progressive sperm motility in GII rams. The results indicated that Malpura rams adapted to the heat stress condition, however, while doing so their production performances were compromised.     

三角褐指藻对黑暗胁迫的生理响应

为了研究黑暗条件对三角褐指藻生长及生化组成的影响,并探讨三角褐指藻对黑暗环境的生长适应能力,我们对该藻进行12 d的黑暗处理,着重测定了藻细胞密度、生物量、叶绿素a、可溶性糖和蛋白含量等指标。结果表明,三角褐指藻对黑暗环境表现出一定的适应性忍耐能力,在12 d的长期黑暗胁迫条件下依然可以存活,而藻细胞生化组成对黑暗的响应程度很可能是该藻得以维持细胞低水平生长的主要原因。随着黑暗处理时间的延长,三角褐指藻生长状况受抑制的程度增大,其生长及生化组成与对照组相比发生了极显著的变化。实验结束时,黑暗处理下的藻细胞密度和生物量分别降低到2.93×10⁵ cells·ml^-1和0.011 g·ml^-1,仅为对照的8.0%和37.3%。同样地,黑暗环境也明显地抑制了三角褐指藻体内生化物质的合成与积累,黑暗处理12 d时藻细胞的叶绿素a、可溶性糖和蛋白含量分别比对照降低了约89%、87%和85%。研究结果可为海洋微藻种质的筛选、种质资源库的构建及微藻生物资源的综合开发利用提供参考依据。     

Adaptive capability as indicated by endocrine and biochemical responses of Malpura ewes subjected to combined stresses (thermal and nutritional) in a semi-arid tropical environment

A study was conducted to assess the effect of combined stresses (thermal and nutritional) on endocrine and biochemical responses in Malpura ewes. Twenty eight adult Malpura ewes (average body weight 33.56 kg) were used in the present study. The ewes were divided into four groups viz., GI (n = 7; control), GII (n = 7; thermal stress), GIII (n = 7; nutritional stress) and GIV (n = 7; combined stress). The animals were stall fed with a diet consisting of 60% roughage and 40% concentrate. GI and GII ewes were provided with ad libitum feeding while GIII and GIV ewes were provided with restricted feed (30% intake of GI ewes) to induce nutritional stress. GII and GIV ewes were kept in climatic chamber at 40°C and 55% RH for 6 h a day between 1000 hours and 1600 hours to induce thermal stress. The study was conducted for a period of two estrus cycles. The parameters studied were Hb, PCV, glucose, total protein, total cholesterol, ACP, ALP, cortisol, T₄, T₃, and insulin. Combined stress significantly (P < 0.05) affected all parameters studied. Furthermore, the results revealed that, compared to thermal stress, nutritional stress had a less significant effect on the parameters studied. However, when both these stresses were coupled, they had a severe impact on all the parameters studied in these ewes. It can be concluded from this study that two stressors occurring simultaneously may impact severely on the biological functions necessary to maintain homeostasis in sheep.     

棘孢木霉菌对钠胁迫的生理响应机制

[背景]棘孢木霉菌制剂被广泛应用于生物防治和次生盐渍化土壤的微生物修复,但是关于棘孢木霉在盐渍化胁迫条件下生长的耐盐机理及其富集盐离子的能力尚缺乏深入研究.[目的]揭示一株耐盐棘孢木霉菌(Trichoderma asperellum)CTCCSJ-W-SBW10264(T264)对钠胁迫的生理响应机制及其对钠离子的吸附...     

罗布麻对不同浓度盐胁迫的生理响应

利用网室盆栽实验,研究不同浓度的NaCl（100-400mmol·L^-1）胁迫对罗布麻（Apocynum venetum）生长及生理特性的影响。结果表明,100mmol·L^-1NaCl处理显著降低了罗布麻植株的鲜重,但对其干重影响不大;随着盐浓度继续增加,罗布麻鲜重和干重显著下降。在盐胁迫下,罗布麻叶片内的丙二醛含量、电解质渗漏率、根部和地上部Na^＋的含量明显增加,K^＋的含量随着盐离子浓度的增加而降低。盐胁迫显著降低了地上部Ca^2＋的含量,而对根部Ca^2＋的含量没有影响。植株K^＋/Na^＋和Ca^2＋/Na^＋比值随着盐胁迫强度的增加而降低。盐胁迫显著促进了罗布麻根部对K^＋和Ca^2＋的选择性吸收及对K^＋的选择性运输。当NaCl浓度小于或等于200mmol·L^-1时,随着盐离子浓度的增加,罗布麻叶片内的脯氨酸和可溶性糖积累显著增加,而当NaCl浓度大于200mmol·L^-1时,这2种有机溶质含量显著下降。总体上,罗布麻通过积累无机离子、合成有机溶质及维持较高的K^＋、Ca^2＋选择性吸收和运输来适应一定浓度（≤200mmol·L^-1NaCl）的盐胁迫。     

3种番荔枝属植物对低温胁迫的生理响应及抗寒性评价

选取凤梨释迦Annona×atemoya、圆滑番荔枝A.glabra、刺果番荔枝A.muricata等3种番荔枝属2年生苗进行低温胁迫处理,并以自然状态下生长为对照,测定可溶性总糖、可溶性蛋白、丙二醛(MDA)含量,以及过氧化物酶(POD)、超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活性。通过对抗寒性生理指标对比分析,得出3种番荔枝抗寒能力强弱顺序为刺果番荔枝>圆滑番荔枝>凤梨释迦。     

Physiological responses of CHO cells to repetitive hydrodynamic stress

A majority of the previous investigations on the hydrodynamic sensitivity of mammalian cells have focused on lethal effects as determined by cell death or lysis. In this study, we investigated the effect of hydrodynamic stress on CHO cells in a fed‐batch process using a previously reported system which subjects cells to repetitive, high levels of hydrodynamic stress, quantified by energy dissipation rate (EDR). The results indicated that cell growth and monoclonal antibody production of the test cells were very resistant to the hydrodynamic stress. Compared to the control, no significant variation was observed at the highest EDR tested, 6.4 × 10⁶ W/m³. Most product quality attributes were not affected by intense hydrodynamic stress either. The only significant impact was on glycosylation. A shift of glycosylation pattern was observed at EDR levels at or higher than 6.0 × 10⁴ W/m³, which is two orders of magnitude lower than the EDR where physical cell damage, as measured by lactate dehydrogenase release, was observed. While not as extensively investigated, a second monoclonal antibody produced in a different CHO clone exhibited the same glycosylation change at an intensive EDR, 2.9 × 10⁵ W/m³. Conversely, a low EDR of 0.9 × 10² W/m³ had no effect on the glycosylation pattern. As 6.0 × 10⁴ W/m³, the lowest EDR that triggers the glycosylation shift, is about one order of magnitude higher than the estimated, maximum EDR in typically operated, large‐scale stirred tank bioreactors, further studies in a lower EDR range of 1 × 10³–6.0 × 10⁴ W/m³ are needed to assess the glycosylation shift effect under typical large‐scale bioreactor operation conditions. Follow‐up studies in stirred tanks are also needed to confirm the glycosylation shift effect and to validate the repetitive hydrodynamic stress model. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2009;103: 1103–1117. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Physiological responses of four herbaceous plants to aluminum stress in South China

Different plants have physiological responses under A1 stress,but there is no systematic study to examine physiological responses of herbaceous plants under Al stress.The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of Al on physiological characteristics of four herbaceous plants,which distributed in red soil area in South China,and to analyze the differences in physiological responses to Al stress between the four herbaceous plants.Four herbaceous plants(Pharbitis nil,Cassia occidentlis,Echinochloa colonum and Aeschynomene indica)were used,and the seed germination percentage,the contents of chlorophyll,proline,and malondialdehyde(MDA),membrane permeability(MP),soluble sugar,and activities of peroxides(POD)and cata lase(CAT)in leaves under five Al3+ treatments(0,80,400,2000,and 10000 mg/L)were assayed with the sand culture method.The results showed remarkable effects of Al3+ on physiological characteristics of these four herbaceous plants.The seeds of all the four species could not germinate at 10000 mg/L.and the growth of all plants were retarded under the 2000 mg/LAr3+ treatment.Compared with the control,2000 mg/L Al3+ significantly(P＜0.05)reduced the contents of chlorophyll a and chlorophyll a+b,and increased the contents of MDA and MP.The content of proline in creased very significantly(P＜0.01)and activities of POD and CAT were depressed.The contents of MDA and MP in leaves of P.nil and A.indica decreased,and the activities of POD and CAT in leaves of the two plants increased under 80mg/L and 400 mg/L.However,the changes in C.occidentlis leaves were opposite to those of the above two plants.The changes in leaves of E.colonum were similar to those of P.nil and A.indica at 80 mg/L.but were opposite to those at 400mg/LAr3+.It is suggested that plants with higher activities of POD and CAT,more contents of chlorophyll and proline,and lower contents of MDA and MP consequently improve the tolerance to Al stress under low and middle Al treatments.     

不同抗性砧木嫁接黄瓜幼苗对NaCl胁迫的生理响应

在对系列黄瓜嫁接砧木进行耐盐性鉴定的基础上,选择夏尔巴、新土佐、铁力砧和云南黑籽南瓜4种抗性不同的砧木品种嫁接‘新泰密刺’黄瓜,以自根苗为对照,研究了幼苗对NaCl胁迫的生理响应差异.结果表明:在100 mmol·L-1 NaCl胁迫条件下,嫁接苗的电解质相对渗漏率和丙二醛含量均显著低于自根苗,其中黑籽南瓜嫁接苗最低,其次是铁力砧、新土佐和夏尔巴嫁接苗;NaCl胁迫下嫁接苗叶片中脯氨酸、可溶性糖含量及过氧化物酶(POD)、超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)、抗坏血酸过氧化物酶(APX)活性均显著高于自根苗,其中黑籽南瓜嫁接苗最高,铁力砧和新土佐嫁接苗间无显著差异,夏尔巴嫁接苗最低.NaCl胁迫后,嫁接苗叶片中Na+含量为黑籽南瓜＜铁力砧＜新土佐＜夏尔巴＜自根苗,K+含量在黑籽南瓜、铁力砧和新土佐嫁接苗间差异不大,但均明显高于夏尔巴嫁接苗,自根苗含量最低;嫁接苗Na+/K+显著低于自根苗,以黑籽南瓜嫁接苗最低.     

Physiological responses of four herbaceous plants to aluminum stress in South China

Different plants have physiological responses under Al stress, but there is no systematic study to examine physiological responses of herbaceous plants under Al stress. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of Al on physiological characteristics of four herbaceous plants, which distributed in red soil area in South China, and to analyze the differences in physiological responses to Al stress between the four herbaceous plants. Four herbaceous plants (Pharbitis nil, Cassia occidentlis, Echinochloa colonum and Aeschynomene indica) were used, and the seed germination percentage, the contents of chlorophyll, proline, and malondialdehyde (MDA), membrane permeability (MP), soluble sugar, and activities of peroxides (POD) and catalase (CAT) in leaves under five Al³⁺ treatments (0, 80, 400, 2 000, and 10 000 mg/L) were assayed with the sand culture method. The results showed remarkable effects of Al³⁺ on physiological characteristics of these four herbaceous plants. The seeds of all the four species could not germinate at 10 000 mg/L, and the growth of all plants were retarded under the 2 000 mg/L Al³⁺ treatment. Compared with the control, 2 000 mg/L Al³⁺ significantly (P < 0.05) reduced the contents of chlorophyll a and chlorophyll a + b, and increased the contents of MDA and MP. The content of proline increased very significantly (P < 0.01) and activities of POD and CAT were depressed. The contents of MDA and MP in leaves of P. nil and A. indica decreased, and the activities of POD and CAT in leaves of the two plants increased under 80 mg/L and 400 mg/L. However, the changes in C. occidentlis leaves were opposite to those of the above two plants. The changes in leaves of E. colonum were similar to those of P. nil and A. indica at 80 mg/L, but were opposite to those at 400 mg/L Al³⁺. It is suggested that plants with higher activities of POD and CAT, more contents of chlorophyll and proline, and lower contents of MDA and MP consequently improve the tolerance to Al stress under low and middle Al treatments. __________ Translated from Acta Phytoecologica Sinica, 2005, 29(4): 644–651 [译自: 植物生态学报, 2005, 29(4): 644–651]     

不同西瓜基因型对干旱胁迫的生理响应及其抗旱性评价

以来源于不同地区的12个西瓜基因型为试材,采用盆栽控水的方式进行持续干旱处理,研究干旱胁迫对西瓜幼苗株高、根长、鲜质量及干物质积累等生长状况的影响,比较不同基因型材料对干旱胁迫的生理响应差异,同时依据旱害指数对其抗旱性进行直接评价,并采用隶属函数法进一步验证和综合评价.结果表明: 干旱处理下,12个西瓜基因型对干旱胁迫的耐受能力存在明显差异,各基因型开始出现旱害症状的时间和发生旱害的程度各不相同.干旱胁迫降低了西瓜幼苗的株高、地上、地下鲜质量和地上干物质积累量,普遍提高了根冠比,而对根长和地下干质量存在正向和负向两种不同的影响.干旱处理后,西瓜叶片的相对含水量和叶绿素含量均不同程度降低,丙二醛、过氧化氢和超氧阴离子含量增加,脯氨酸大量积累,而可溶性蛋白含量以及抗氧化酶活性则因基因型的不同而表现出不同的结果.分析认为,3个野生型材料M20、KY-3和Y-2为抗旱性强的西瓜种质,Y34、金美人和04-1-2为敏感种质,而其余基因型为中抗种质.     

Physiological alterations of a Fusobacterium nucleatum strain exposed to oxidative stress

AIM: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of oxidative stress on physiological and genetic characteristics of Fusobacterium nucleatum and its interference on this microbial identification methods. METHODS AND RESULTS: Fus. nucleatum ssp. nucleatum ATCC 25586 (wt-strain) and an oxidative-stress-adapted strain derived from the wt-strain (aero-strain) were employed in the study. Cell-free crude protein extracts were obtained from both strains and differentially expressed proteins were identified by two-dimensional electrophoresis. Bacterium identification was performed by conventional biochemical tests, automated Rapid ID 32A system and specific PCR analysis. Genetic diversity between wt- and aero-strain was assessed by arbitrarily-primed (AP)-PCR. There were significant changes in the protein profile of aero-strain. The identification of the wt-strain was confirmed by all methods employed. Similar results were obtained for aero-strain when conventional biochemical tests and PCR were used. However, aero-strain was identified as Fusobacterium varium when submitted to Rapid ID 32A system. According to AP-PCR analysis, no significant genetic alteration was detected in aero-strain. CONCLUSIONS: The adaptive response of Fus. nucleatum to oxidative stress is associated with changes on its biology, which may lead to misidentification of the organism, according to the conventional identification methods. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Oxidative stress may act as a cause of adaptive response in Fus. nucleatum with consequences to its biology, such as alterations on biochemical and physiological profile.     

Respiratory changes due to extreme cold in the Arctic environment

Effects of acute exposure and acclimatisation to cold stress on respiratory functions were investigated in healthy tropical Indian men (n=10). Initial baseline recordings were carried out at Delhi and thereafter serially thrice at the arctic region and once on return to Delhi. For comparison the respiratory functions were also evaluated on Russian migrants (RM;n=7) and Russian natives (RN;n=6). The respiratory functions were evaluated using standard methodology on a Vitalograph: In Indians, there was an initial decrease in lung vital capacity (VC), forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume 1st s (FEV1), peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) and maximum voluntary ventilation (MVV) on acute exposure to cold stress, followed by gradual recovery during acclimatisation for 4 weeks and a further significant improvement after 9 weeks of stay at the arctic region. On return to India all the parameters reached near baseline values except for MVV which remained slightly elevated. RM and RN showed similar respiratory functions at the beginning of acute cold exposure at the arctic zone. RN showed an improvement after 10 weeks of stay whereas RM did not show much change. The respiratory responses during acute cold exposure are similar to those of initial altitude responses.     

Genotype by environment interaction in response to cold stress in a composite beef cattle breed

Extreme weather conditions such as cold stress influence the productivity and survivability of beef cattle raised on pasture. The objective of this study was to identify and evaluate the extent of the impact of genotype by environment interaction due to cold stress on birth weight (BW) and weaning weight (WW) in a composite beef cattle population. The effect of cold stress was modelled as the accumulation of total cold load (TCL) calculated using the Comprehensive Climate Index units, considering three TCL classes defined based on temperature: less than −5°C (TCL5), −15°C (TCL15) and −25°C (TCL25). A total of 4221 and 4217 records for BW and WW, respectively, were used from a composite beef cattle population (50% Red Angus, 25% Charolais and 25% Tarentaise) between 2002 and 2015. For both BW and WW, a univariate model (ignoring cold stress) and a reaction norm model were implemented. As cold load increased, the direct heritability slightly increased in both BW and WW for TCL5 class; however, this heritability remained consistent across the cold load of TCL25 class. In contrast, the maternal heritability of BW was constant with cold load increase in all TCL classes, although a slight increase of maternal heritability was observed for TCL5 and TCL15. The direct and maternal genetic correlation for BW and maternal genetic correlation for WW across different cold loads between all TCL classes were high (r > 0.99), whereas the lowest direct genetic correlations observed for WW were 0.88 for TCL5 and 0.85 for TCL15. The Spearman rank correlation between the estimated breeding value of top bulls (n = 79) using univariate and reaction norm models across TCL classes showed some re-ranking in direct and maternal effects for both BW and WW particularly for TCL5 and TCL15. In general, cold stress did not have a big impact on direct and maternal genetic effects of BW and WW.     

低温胁迫下西番莲叶片的生理反应及超微结构变化

以西番莲扦插苗为实验材料,比较预冷处理和常温处理(对照)情况下,西番莲叶片对-6℃低温胁迫的生理反应及叶肉细胞的超微结构变化,以探讨预冷处理对西番莲的抗寒作用及其机理。结果显示:(1)常温处理组在-6℃低温胁迫处理后,西番莲叶片的质膜相对透性、MDA含量随着低温处理时间的延长而逐渐增加,而预冷处理组这两个指标在处理期间都比常温处理组低;(2)常温处理组叶片H2O2含量在48h时达到峰值后出现下降,而预冷处理组的H2O2含量都低于对照,在48h时对照的H2O2含量比预冷锻炼的高1.14倍;(3)常温处理组的脯氨酸含量在24h内增加以后出现下降,而预冷处理组在处理期间逐渐增加且高于对照;(4)常温处理组的POD活性在12h时最高,CAT、SOD活性在24h时最高,以后出现下降。预冷处理组提高了3个酶的活性,其中POD在12h时是对照的2.73倍,CAT、SOD活性在24h时比对照分别提高18.7%和42.7%。(5)超微结构研究显示,预冷处理组在低温胁迫72h时虽出现叶绿体片层肿胀、核膜消失、质膜内陷等症状,但叶绿体伤害症状轻于常温处理。研究表明,低温预冷处理能够提高西番莲的抗寒性。     

幼苗期不同水稻材料应答盐胁迫的生理差异分析

为了解耐盐水稻HD96-1幼苗期耐盐生理调控特性，该研究以籼型水稻HD96-1(耐盐性强)和93-11(耐盐性弱)为材料，采用营养液水培法，设置3种NaCl盐浓度(0、60、120 mmol·L^-1),对3叶期幼苗进行了7 d盐处理，测定和分析了两个材料的生长参数和生理生化指标。结果表明：(1)在盐胁迫下，水稻幼苗均表现为株高和假茎宽减小，根冠比增加；与93-11比，HD96-1株高和茎宽减小幅度低，根冠比增加幅度高；地上部和根系干重，HD96-1增加，而93-11减少。(2)盐胁迫后，水稻幼苗的丙二醛(MDA)、超氧阴离子(O₂^-)和过氧化氢(H₂O₂)含量均上升，但HD96-1增幅较93-11低。(3)在盐胁迫下，水稻幼苗体内的超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化物酶(POD)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)、抗坏血酸过氧化物酶(APX)的活性，以及抗坏血酸(AsA)、谷胱甘肽(GSH)、脯氨酸、可溶性糖和可溶性蛋白的含量均升高，HD96-1增幅高于93-11。综上表明，两个水稻材料幼苗...     

Stress response to cold in Trichinella species

Trichinella-type larvae (L(1)) are found in the muscles of infected wild animals and domestic pigs and are the cause of trichinosis in man and other animals throughout the world. These parasites are exposed to low temperatures during their life cycle. On this premise, three Trichinella species of different types of habitat (the arctic T. nativa, the cosmopolitan T. spiralis, and the tropical T. nelsoni) were selected to examine the effect of a shift in temperature, from 37 to 4 degrees C, on long-term survival. Evaluation was then made of whether these effects were related to differential protein synthesis and/or heat shock protein (Hsp) expression. Test samples at 0, 2, 4, or 8 h and 1, 5, or 9 days after the temperature shift were obtained and subjected to Hsp determination by Western blotting. Total protein changes were explored by SDS-PAGE followed by densitometric analysis of the gels. During the "acclimatization phase" (at 2, 4, and 8 h), a different total protein and a depressed Hsp expression pattern were shown in each Trichinella species. Following acclimatization, Hsp70, but not Hsp60 or Hsp90, markedly increased above control levels in the three species, indicating a role for this Hsp as a classic stress protein. The synthesis of a 50-kDa Hsp was significantly induced in T. spiralis larvae, suggesting its potential function as a cold shock protein in this species.