Apple Cider Vinegar Modulates Serum Lipid Profile,Erythrocyte, Kidney,and Liver Membrane Oxidative Stress in Ovariectomized Mice Fed High Cholesterol

The purpose of this study was to investigate the potentially beneficial effects of apple cider vinegar (ACV) supplementation on serum triglycerides, total cholesterol, liver and kidney membrane lipid peroxidation, and antioxidant levels in ovariectomized (OVX) mice fed high cholesterol. Four groups of ten female mice were treated as follows: Group I received no treatment and was used as control. Group II was OVX mice. Group III received ACV intragastrically (0.6 % of feed), and group IV was OVX and was treated with ACV as described for group III. The treatment was continued for 28 days, during which the mice were fed a high-cholesterol diet. The lipid peroxidation levels in erythrocyte, liver and kidney, triglycerides, total, and VLDL cholesterol levels in serum were higher in the OVX group than in groups III and IV. The levels of vitamin E in liver, the kidney and erythrocyte glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), and erythrocyte-reduced glutathione (GSH) were decreased in group II. The GSH-Px, vitamin C, E, and β-carotene, and the erythrocyte GSH and GSH-Px values were higher in kidney of groups III and IV, but in liver the vitamin E and β-carotene concentrations were decreased. In conclusion, ACV induced a protective effect against erythrocyte, kidney, and liver oxidative injury, and lowered the serum lipid levels in mice fed high cholesterol, suggesting that it possesses oxidative stress scavenging effects, inhibits lipid peroxidation, and increases the levels of antioxidant enzymes and vitamin.     

Constructive effect of exogenous melatonin against osteoporosis after ovariectomy in rats

OBJECTIVE: To analyze histomorphometric, densitometric and biochemical effects of melatonin on osteoporosis in ovariectomized rats. STUDY DESIGN: Wistar rats were divided into 6 groups. Group C: control; Group I: bilateral ovariectomy (OVX); Group II: OVX + vehicle; Group III: OVX + 10 mg/kg/day melatonin (MLT); Group IV: OVX + 30 mg/kg/day MLT; Group V: sham + 10 mg/kg/day MLT. Cortex, trabecula, osteoblast and osteoclast numbers were evaluated on vertebra and femur histomorphometrically. Hydroxyproline analysis was used to determine collagen content of femur and vertebrae. Bone mineral density and bone mineral content were measured. RESULTS: Trabecular thickness and trabecular area of vertebra and femur and cortical thickness of femur showed remarkable decrease after OVX, but increased after MLT treatment in the OVX+MLT groups. Following OVX, no statistically significant difference was found in number of osteoblasts or osteoclasts, trabecular number or levels of hydroxyproline after treatment with MLT. OVX caused significant decrease in bone mineral density, but treatment with MLT was unable to reverse this effect. CONCLUSION: MLT may trigger microscopic changes in bone, and time of application is critical for clinical recovery. It can be effective in helping treat postmenopausal osteoporosis. However, it is contraindicated in women who have normal-functioning ovaries.     

Evaluation of the hormonal function and histological features of heterotopic isogenic ovarian transplantation in rats

The purpose of the study was to determine the feasibility of preserving ovarian function after heterotopic transplantation by means of microvascular anastomosis of the transplanted vascular pedicles to a set of preselected vessels. Six groups of 10 Sprague-Dawley inbred rats were used in this study. Group I underwent bilateral ovariectomy operation and served as the ovariectomy control. Group II underwent bilateral ovariectomy followed by heterotopic isogenic ovarian implantation. Group III underwent bilateral ovariectomy and isogenic heterotopic ovarian transplantation by means of microvascular anastomosis. Group IV served as the laparotomy sham-operated control. Group V served as the ovarian donor for group II. Group VI served as the donor of the ovarian-kidney vascular pedicle complex for group III. Postoperative ovarian estradiol levels were measured, and histological characteristics were elucidated in groups I, II, III, and IV. The results demonstrated that the estradiol level of the transplantation group was comparable to that of the sham operation group and was significantly higher than that of the implantation group. Histologically normal ovarian architecture was observed in the sham group (IV) and also in the transplantation group (III). Altered architecture was observed in the implantation group (II). These findings indicate that extraabdominal heterotopic ovarian transplantation with microvascular anastomosis led to normal ovarian hormonal function and was effective in preserving oocyte production capacity.     

The regulation of precopulatory behavior by ovarian hormones in the female Mongolian gerbil

The hormonal regulation of precopulatory behavior in the female Mongolian gerbil was studied using two groups (N = 6) of sexually experienced females. A novel testing procedure was used which involved females living continuously with test males for several days. The test males showed either full sexual behavior (copulating males, C) or only precopulatory behavior (noncopulating males, NC). Experiment 1 investigated changes during the estrous cycle and following ovariectomy in females. Experiment 2 studied the effects of hormonal treatment of these ovariectomized females with 6 micrograms estradiol benzoate (EB) followed by 0.4 mg progesterone (P) or by 0.04 ml arachis oil. When tested with NC males, females displayed a greater range of precopulatory behavior. The patterns could be classified into three groups according to the manner of response to ovariectomy and hormone treatment. Group I patterns (approach, leave, and olfactory investigation of the male's head) were affected by neither ovariectomy nor EB treatment relative to Day 3 levels (Day 3, day preceding estrus; Day 4, estrus), but they were increased to estrous levels by EB and P. Group II patterns (darting, foot-stomping, and the present and piloerection postures) appeared only during estrus, did not appear after ovariectomy, and reappeared only after sequential EB and P treatment. Group III patterns (investigation of the male's anogenital area, allogrooming, ventral gland marking, and sand-rolling) were reduced relative to both estrus and Day 3 levels by ovariectomy and increased above Day 3 levels by EB alone; EB and P treatment further increased Group III patterns to the level of estrus. It is suggested that female precopulatory behavior patterns differ in their responsiveness to ovarian hormones. Estrogen appears to affect those patterns associated with the earliest stages of estrus (Group III).     

Ovariectomy Results in Variable Changes in Nociception,Mood and Depression in Adult Female Rats

Decline in the ovarian hormones with menopause may influence somatosensory, cognitive, and affective processing. The present study investigated whether hormonal depletion alters the nociceptive, depressive-like and learning behaviors in experimental rats after ovariectomy (OVX), a common method to deplete animals of their gonadal hormones. OVX rats developed thermal hyperalgesia in proximal and distal tail that was established 2 weeks after OVX and lasted the 7 weeks of the experiment. A robust mechanical allodynia was also occurred at 5 weeks after OVX. In the 5^th week after OVX, dilute formalin (5%)-induced nociceptive responses (such as elevating and licking or biting) during the second phase were significantly increased as compared to intact and sham-OVX females. However, chronic constriction injury (CCI) of the sciatic nerve-induced mechanical allodynia did not differ as hormonal status (e.g. OVX and ovarian intact). Using formalin-induced conditioned place avoidance (F-CPA), which is believed to reflect the pain-related negative emotion, we further found that OVX significantly attenuated F-CPA scores but did not alter electric foot-shock-induced CPA (S-CPA). In the open field and forced swimming test, there was an increase in depressive-like behaviors in OVX rats. There was no detectable impairment of spatial performance by Morris water maze task in OVX rats up to 5 weeks after surgery. Estrogen replacement retrieved OVX-induced nociceptive hypersensitivity and depressive-like behaviors. This is the first study to investigate the impacts of ovarian removal on nociceptive perception, negative emotion, depressive-like behaviors and spatial learning in adult female rats in a uniform and standard way.     

The Influence of 1800 MHz GSM-like Signals on Hepatic Oxidative DNA and Lipid Damage in Nonpregnant,Pregnant, and Newly born Rabbits

The aim of our study is to evaluate the possible biological effects of whole-body 1800 MHz GSM-like radiofrequency (RF) radiation exposure on liver oxidative DNA damage and lipid peroxidation levels in nonpregnant, pregnant New Zealand White rabbits, and in their newly borns. Eighteen nonpregnant and pregnant rabbits were used and randomly divided into four groups which were composed of nine rabbits: (i) Group I (nonpregnant control), (ii) Group II (nonpregnant-RF exposed), (iii) Group III (pregnant control), (iv) Group IV (pregnant-RF exposed). Newborns of the pregnant rabbits were also divided into two groups: (v) Group V (newborns of Group III) and (vi) Group VI (newborns of Group III). 1800 MHz GSM-like RF radiation whole-body exposure (15 min/day for a week) was applied to Group II and Group IV. No significant differences were found in liver 8 OHdG/10⁶ dG levels of exposure groups (Group II and Group IV) compared to controls (Group I and Group III). However, in Group II and Group IV malondialdehyde (MDA) and ferrous oxidation in xylenol orange (FOX) levels were increased compared to Group I (P < 0.05, Mann–Whitney). No significant differences were found in liver tissue of 8 OHdG/10⁶ dG and MDA levels between Group VI and Group V (P > 0.05, Mann–Whitney) while liver FOX levels were found significantly increased in Group VI with respect to Group V (P < 0.05, Mann–Whitney). Consequently, the whole-body 1800 MHz GSM-like RF radiation exposure may lead to oxidative destruction as being indicators of subsequent reactions that occur to form oxygen toxicity in tissues.     

Effects of carvacrol on defects of ischemia-reperfusion in the rat liver

Many plants found in nature have been used to treat various illnesses. One such plant is oregano (Kekik in Turkish). Health beneficial effects of carvacrol obtained from oregano oil have been shown scientifically. We have investigated the comparative effects of carvacrol in the liver of rats subjected to ischemia-reperfusion defect, with silymarin. To test the effects we formed four groups using male Wistar albino rats. Group I was control. The other three groups of animals were administered 60 min prior to surgical operation single doses of physiological serum, carvacrol and silymarin, respectively. Group II, III and IV animal were subjected to 45 min long liver ischemia and 60 min reperfusion. Blood and tissue samples were collected for biochemical and histological analysis following the test.AST and ALT values obtained after biochemical analysis of the serums showed statistically significant difference in group II than the other three groups. A statistical evaluation of the serum AST levels among the groups II, III and IV showed that both groups III and IV which had no difference in between were significantly different in a positive way from group II (p<0.001). As to the serum ALT levels, difference between group II and group III (p<0.001) and group II and group IV (p<0.01) was found significant. No statistical difference was observed in groups I, III and IV for GSH, MDA and CAT levels of the liver. A statistical evaluation of the GSH level in group III and group IV was found to be significantly different from group II (p<0.001) without any difference between them. A similar evaluation for MDA and CAT levels among the revealed no difference between group III and group IV, however, group II showed difference with group II and group IV (p<0.05).Histological findings were in harmony with the biochemical results. We conclude that carvacrol protects the liver against defects caused by ischemia and reperfusion, and carvacrol is not hepatotoxic at the applied dosage.     

17β-Estradiol and Vitamin E Modulates Oxidative Stress-Induced Kidney Toxicity in Diabetic Ovariectomized Rat

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) and 17β-estradiol (E(2)) supplementation on malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH), vitamin A, beta carotene, selenium-dependent glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), zinc-dependent superoxide dismutase (SOD), and copper/zinc-dependent catalase (CAT) values in the kidney of ovariectomized (OVX) diabetic rats. Forty-two female rats were randomly divided into seven equal groups as follows: group I, control; group II, OVX; group III, OVX+E(2); group IV, OVX+E(2)+alpha-tocopherol; group V, OVX+diabetic; group VI, OVX+diabetic+E(2); and group VII, OVX+diabetic+E(2)+alpha-tocopherol. E(2) (40?μg?kg(-1)/day) and alpha-tocopherol (100?μg?kg(-1)/day) were given. Bilateral ovariectomy was performed in all groups except group I. After 4?weeks, antioxidant and MDA levels in the kidney for all groups were analyzed. GSH-Px, CAT, SOD, GSH levels, vitamin A, and beta carotene levels were decreased in OVX group compared to those in the control group but MDA level was elevated via ovariectomy. However, E(2) and E(2)+alpha-tocopherol supplementations in OVX group was associated with an increase in the GSH-Px, GSH, CAT and Zn-SOD values, vitamin A, and beta carotene levels but a decrease in MDA levels in kidney. The MDA levels in the kidney of diabetic OVX rats were found higher than those in the control and OVX groups. However, GSH, GSH-Px, CAT, SOD, vitamin A, and beta carotene levels in kidney were lower in OVX diabetic rats. On the other hand, E(2) and E(2)+alpha-tocopherol supplementations to OVX diabetic rats have caused an increase in GSH-Px, CAT and SOD, GSH, vitamin A, and beta carotene levels but a decrease in MDA levels. In conclusion, the E(2) and E(2)+alpha-tocopherol supplementations to diabetic OVX and OVX rats may strengthen the antioxidant defense system by reducing lipid peroxidation, and therefore they may play a role in preventing renal disorders.     

The possible role of estrogen and selective estrogen receptor modulators in a rat model of Parkinson's disease

AimThe aim of the present study was to assess and compare the effect of 17β-estradiol and two different selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs), tamoxifen and raloxifene, as well as a selective estrogen receptor alpha agonist, propyl-pyrazole-triol (PPT) and a selective estrogen receptor beta agonist, diarylpropionitrile (DPN), on behavioral and biochemical alterations in 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA)-induced nigral dopaminergic cell death in rats.Main methods80 female Wister rats were used. Animals were divided into eight equal groups: Group I; Sham operated, Group II; subjected to ovariectomy (OVX), Group III; OVX rats received striatal injection of 6-OHDA, Groups IV–VIII; OVX rats received striatal injection of 6-OHDA and were injected daily with 17β-estradiol, tamoxifen, raloxifene, PPT and DPN respectively for 5 days before 6-OHDA and continued for further 2 weeks.Key findingsResults showed that striatal injection of 6-OHDA produced significant behavioral alteration suggestive of PD, together with significant decrease in striatal dopamine, homovanillic acid (HVA) and 3,4-dihydroxyphenyl acetic acid (DOPAC) concentrations. 6-OHDA-induced nigral dopaminergic cell death was characterized by oxidative stress, evidenced by significant decrease in striatal glutathione peroxidase activity, as well as apoptosis, evidenced by significant increase in nigral caspase-3 activity. Treatment with 17β-estradiol, raloxifene, PPT, but neither tamoxifen nor DPN, resulted in significant amelioration of the behavioral and biochemical alterations induced by 6-OHDA.SignificanceThese findings suggest that estrogen and some SERMs having estrogenic agonist activity in the brain, like raloxifene, might exert beneficial effect in PD.     

Antioxidant enzyme activity and lipid peroxidation in the blood of rats co-treated with vanadium (V<Superscript>+5</Superscript>) and chromium (Cr<Superscript>+3</Superscript>)

Selected biochemical parameters were studied in the blood of outbred, male Wistar rats which daily received to drink deionized water (Group I, control) or solutions of: sodium metavanadate (SMV; 0.100 mg V/mL)—Group II; chromium chloride (CC; 0.004 mg Cr/mL)—Group III; and SMV-CC (0.100 mg V and 0.004 mg Cr/mL)—Group IV for a 12-week period. The diet and fluid intake, body weight gain, and food efficiency ratio (FER) diminished significantly in the rats of Groups II and IV, compared with Groups I and III. The plasma total antioxidant status (TAS) as well as the MDA and the l-ascorbic acid level in the erythrocytes (RBCs) remained unchanged in all the groups, whereas the plasma l-ascorbic acid concentration decreased markedly in Group II, compared with Group III. The activities of Cu,Zn-superoxide dismutase (Cu,Zn-SOD), catalase (CAT), cellular glutathione peroxidase (cGSH-Px), and glutathione reductase (GR) in RBCs remained unaltered in all the treated rats. However, the activity of glutathione S-transferase (GST) and the content of reduced glutathione (GSH) in RBCs decreased and increased, respectively, in Groups II, III, and IV, compared with Group I. A vanadium–chromium interaction which affected the GST activity was also found. To summarize, SMV and CC administered separately or in combination in drinking water for 12 weeks did not alter either lipid peroxidation (LPO) or the activities of Cu,Zn-SOD, CAT, cGSH-Px, and GR, which allows a conclusion that both metals in the doses ingested did not reveal their pro-oxidant potential on RBCs.     

Ovariectomy worsens secondary hyperparathyroidism in mature rats during low-Ca diet

Estrogen deficiency impairs intestinal Ca absorption and induces bone loss, but its effects on the vitamin D-endocrine system are unclear. In the present study, calciotropic hormones levels, renal vitamin D metabolism, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 [1,25(OH)2D3]-dependent intestinal calcium absorption, and bone properties in 3-mo-old sham-operated (sham) or ovariectomized (OVX) rats fed either a normal-Ca (NCD; 0.6% Ca, 0.65% P) or a low-Ca (LCD; 0.1% Ca, 0.65% P) diet for 2 wk were determined. LCD increased serum 1,25(OH)2D3 levels in both sham and OVX rats. Serum parathyroid hormone [PTH(1-84)] levels were highest in OVX rats fed LCD. Renal 25-hydroxyvitamin D1alpha-hydroxylase (1-OHase) protein expression was induced in both sham and OVX rats during LCD, while renal 1-OHase mRNA expression was highest in OVX rats fed LCD. Renal vitamin D receptor (VDR) and mRNA expressions in rats were induced by ovariectomy in rats fed NCD but suppressed by ovariectomy in rats fed LCD. The induction of intestinal calcium transporter-1 and calbindin-D9k mRNA expressions by LCD were not altered by ovariectomy. As expected, bone Ca content, cancellous bone mineral density, and bone strength index in proximal metaphysis of rat tibia were reduced by both ovariectomy and LCD (P<0.05) as analyzed by two-way ANOVA. Taken together, the data demonstrate that ovariectomy alters the responses of circulating PTH levels, renal 1-OHase mRNA expression, and renal VDR expression to LCD. These results suggest that estrogen is necessary for the full adaptive response to LCD mediated by both PTH and 1,25(OH)2D3.     

Bone metabolism in ovariectomized rats with induced hyperthyroidism: the effect of estrogen replacement

We aimed to investigate whether or not the estrogen is playing any role in the effect of thyroid hormones on bone metabolism. The rats were divided into five groups. In the first group L-thyroxine-induced hyperthyroid rats were ovariectomized (OVX) while the OVX rats were administered L-thyroxine in the second group. 17beta-Estradiol (E2) was replaced in OVX rats in Group III. L-thyroxine and E2 were simultaneously administered to OVX rats in Group IV. The fifth group received sham operation. Blood samples taken from the tail vein of rats were analyzed for plasma T3, T4, TSH and serum interleukin (IL)-1beta, IL-6, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)alpha, calcium (Ca), phosphorous (P), parathyroid [corrected] hormone (PTH), alkaline phosphatase (t-ALP), bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (b-ALP) and E2. The levels of cytokines, t-ALP and b-ALP increased but PTH decreased, while there was no change in Ca and P levels in L-thyroxine-administrated rats. However, the levels of cytokines, Ca, P, PTH, t-ALP and b-ALP did not change in L-thyroxine-administered OVX rats. In OVX rats, the cytokines, t-ALP and b-ALP increased while Ca, P remained the same, but PTH decreased. L-thyroxine administration to OVX rats did not change the cytokines, Ca, P, PTH, t-ALP and b-ALP levels. The replacement of E2 in OVX rats decreased the cytokines, t-ALP and b-ALP values, increased PTH levels while there was no change in Ca and P. L-thyroxine and E2 administration to OVX rats increased the cytokines, t-ALP and b-ALP levels and decreased PTH, but Ca and P remained the same. In sham-operated rats, there was no change in all parameters compared to initial values. This study suggests that estrogen may play a role in the effects of thyroid hormones on bone metabolism.     

Protective effect of omega-3 fatty acid against mercury chloride intoxication in mice

The aim of this study was to investigate the protective effect of omega-3 fatty acid in HgCI₂ toxicity in mice. Levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), reduced glutathione (GSH), nitric oxide (NO) and total sialic acid (TSA), and histopathological changes in selected organs were evaluated. Twenty-eight mice were equally divided into 4 groups, namely Groups I–IV. Group I animals received intraperitoneal (ip) injection of physiological saline solution; Group II animals received ip injection of 0.4 mg/kg/day HgCI₂; Group III animals received ip injection of 0.4 mg/kg/day HgCI₂ in addition to subcutaneous (sc) injection of 0.5 g/kg/day omega-3 fatty acid; and Group IV animals received sc injection of 0.5 g/kg/day omega-3 fatty acid. All treatments lasted 7 days. The levels of MDA, NO and TSA were significantly higher in Group II and lower in Groups III and IV as compared to the Group I. GSH level was the highest in Group IV. In histopathology, severe degeneration in liver and kidney was observed in Group II animals. These degrading changes were seen to be reduced greatly in Group III animals. The results suggested that omega-3 fatty acid might attenuate HgCI₂-induced toxicity by improving antioxidant status and acute phase response in mice.     

OVX1 and CEA in patients with colon carcinoma, colon polyps and benign colon disorders

The OVX1 tumor marker promises to complement CA125 for detection of early stage ovarian carcinoma. OVX1 has also been shown to be elevated in colon cancer patients. This study is designed to assess serum OVX1 levels in patients with specific stages of colon cancer, colon polyps or other GI disorders. Serum OVX1 and CEA were measured by radioimmunoassay or enzyme immunoassay for 206 patients at the time of colonoscopy or staging for colon carcinoma. In patients with stage I, II, III, or IV colon carcinoma, serum OVX1 was positive in 37%, 48%, 74% and 63%, respectively. Fifty-three percent of patients with colon polyps had elevated OVX1 levels, while OVX1 levels were positive in only 7% of healthy controls. If both OVX1 and CEA were considered, at least one of these markers was elevated in 36%, 60%, 79% or 89% of patients with stage I, II, III or IV colon carcinoma, respectively. The majority of patients with inflammatory bowel disease or diverticulosis also had elevated OVX1 levels. Both markers were positive in 27% of patients with colon carcinoma, and not in any patients with a normal colonoscopy or with a diagnosis of diverticulosis or hemorrhoids. In conclusion, serum OVX1 improves the sensitivity of CEA for detecting colon polyps and colon cancer; however, the use of OVX1 in this setting is hindered by its elevation in non-malignant colonic processes.     

Effect of ghrelin on chronic liver injury and fibrogenesis in male rats: Possible role of nitric oxide

Recent studies have revealed that ghrelin may be an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent in many organs, however its role in chronic liver injury (CLI) remains unclear. The role of nitric oxide (NO) in CLI is controversial as evidence suggests that NO is either a primary mediator of liver cell injury or exhibits a protective effect against injurious stimuli. Recent evidence demonstrated that the therapeutic potential for ghrelin was through eNOS activation and increase in NO production. However, its role on NO production in the liver has not been previously investigated. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of ghrelin in treatment of CLI, and whether this action is mediated through NO. Forty male rats were divided into four groups: Group I: Control; Group II: chronic liver injury (CLI); Group III: CLI + Ghrelin; and Group IV: CLI + Ghrelin + l-NAME. Liver enzymes and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), were measured to assess hepatocellular injury. Liver tissue collagen content, malondialdehyde (MDA), gene expression of Bax, Bcl-2, and eNOS were assessed to determine the mechanism of ghrelin action. Results showed that ghrelin decreased serum liver enzymes and TNF-α levels. Ghrelin also reduced liver tissue collagen, MDA, and Bax gene expression, and increased Bcl-2 and eNOS gene expression. The effects on TNF-α, collagen, MDA, Bax, and eNOS were partially reversed in Group IV, suggesting that ghrelin's action could be through modulation of NO levels. Therefore, ghrelin's hepatoprotective effect is partially mediated by NO release.     

PLOIDAL CHANGES IN CLONAL CULTURES OF SPIROGYRA COMMUNIS AND IMPLICATIONS FOR SPECIES DEFINITION

A clonal culture of Spirogyra filaments of initially uniform width produced filaments of three additional significantly different widths. Group I filaments of the original clone were 30.9 ± 0.7 μm wide (mean ± SD, N = 50). Group I filaments produced Group II filaments (22.0 ± 1.1 μm) through vegetative growth and sexual reproduction. Zygospores from homothallic Group I filaments produced germlings representative of Groups I and II; zygospores from homothallic Group II filaments produced germlings representative of Group II only. Germlings of Groups III (27.7 ± 1.0 μm) and IV (44.9 ± 0.8 μm) were produced in the cross of I × II. Viable zygospores from homothallic Group III filaments were obtained. Cells of Group IV filaments were initially binucleate and did not conjugate. Of the six intergroup crosses possible, four resulted in conjugation-tube formation only; two crosses yielded zygospores (I × II and III × IV). Germlings from the successful cross of Groups III and IV produced filaments of all four groups. Chromosome counts were: Group I (24), Group II (12), Group III (18), and Group IV (24, one nucleus). Relative nuclear fluorescence values of mithramycin-stained DNA were (mean ± SD, N ≥ 30): Group I (11.1 ± 1.4), Group II (5.7 ± 0.7), Group III (8.8 ± 1.3), and Group IV (10.0 ± 0.9, one nucleus). Cytologically, Group II appears to be a diploid (2x), Group I a tetraploid (4x), and Group III a triploid (3x). Systematically, Groups I, II, and III key out to Spirogyra singularis, S. communis, and S. fragilis, respectively, using Transeau's mongraph of the family Zygnemataceae. These species are interpreted to represent a species complex of S. communis (whose name has priority) with the ancestral haploid (x = 6) missing.     

Plasma free fatty acids, inhibitor of extrathyroidal conversion of T4 to T3 and thyroid hormone binding inhibitor in patients with various nonthyroidal illnesses.

In order to clarify the role of free fatty acid (FFA) in thyroid hormone abnormalities in patients with nonthyroidal illness, thyroid function, FFA, inhibitor of extrathyroidal conversion of T4 to T3 (IEC) and thyroid hormone binding inhibitor (THBI) were studied in 99 patients with various nonthyroidal illnesses including diabetes mellitus (DM) (n = 35), liver cirrhosis (LC) (n = 33), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) (n = 17) and chronic heart failure (CHF) (n = 14). Patients were divided into three groups based on the level of serum T3: Group I (T3 < 50 ng/dl), Group II (50 < or = T3 < 80) and Group III (80 < or = T3). Serum T4, FT3 and the T3/T4 ratio decreased significantly in the order Group III, Group II and Group I (Group III > II > I). The plasma FFA level was 0.91 +/- 0.12 mmol/l in Group I (P < 0.05, vs. Group III), 0.65 +/- 0.06 in Group II and 0.54 +/- 0.04 in Group III, respectively. The incidence of positive IEC was 80.0% in Group I (P < 0.05, vs. Group III), 53.7% in Group II (P < 0.05, vs. Group III) and 34.2% in Group III. However, IEC was not correlated with the serum T3 concentration. The incidence of positive THBI was 80% in Group I (P < 0.05, vs. Group III), 68.3% in Group II and 47.4% in Group III, but THBI was not correlated with the serum T4 level. Positive correlations were observed among FFA, IEC and THBI (P < 0.001).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Fertility trial in Zebu cattle after a natural or controlled estrus with prostaglandin F2 Alpha, comparing natural mating with artificial insemination

With the object of comparing reproductive efficiency obtained by natural mating and by artificial insemination (AI), not only following a natural estrus but also after an induced estrus with PGF2Alpha in Zebu cattle in the tropics, 244 adult cows were divided into 4 groups. Group I (N = 69) and Group III (n = 62) were injected with 25 mg of PGF2Alpha when a functional CL was found on rectal examination. Group I was inseminated and group III was served by natural mating, both groups within five days after injection. Groups II (n = 57) and IV (n = 56) were left untreated, group II being AI and group IV ran with a fertile bull for 22 days. Estrus detection was carried out only in the injected groups (I and III) for 15 minutes every three hours between 0600 and 1800. All information was analyzed by linear trigonometric models. The onset of estrus occurred on average 68.7 h after injection in group I and 59.5 h in group III. However only 46.3% and 54.8% of animals were detected in estrus in group I and III respectively, the difference being significant (P < 0.10). Conception rates were 18.6%, 29.8%, 19.3% and 33.9% for groups I, II, III, and IV respectively. A significant difference (P < 0.10) existed between the injected groups and the untreated ones.     

The effect of estradiol valerate on follicular dynamics and superovulatory response in cows with Syncro-Mate-B implants

Two experiments were designed to evaluate the effect of estradiol valerate on follicular dynamics and superovulatory response in cows with Syncro-Mate-B (SMB)implants. In Experiment 1, 5 mg estradiol valerate (E(2)), injected at the same time as superstimulation treatments were initiated, resulted in fewer corpora lutea (CL), ova/embryos collected and fertilized ova (P<0.05) than if E(2) was administered with the SMB implant 7 days earlier. In Experiment 2, 31 beef cows and 26 Holstein cows were placed in one of four treatment groups. Group I (control) cows were superstimulated on Day 9 (estrus=Day 0). On Day 2, cows in Groups II, III, and IV received SMB and cows in Group III received E(2). On Day 9, cows in Group IV received E(2), and all cows were superstimulated with Folltropin. The number of CL did not differ (P>0.19) among groups. However, there were more follicles < 10 mm and fewer fertilized ova and transferable embryos (P<0.02) in Group IV cows. Ovarian ultrasonography revealed that the diameter of the largest follicle in Group III cows declined from Day 2 to Day 7 and subsequently increased until Day 13. In contrast, Groups I, II and IV were characterized by apparently linear growth between Days 2 and 13. Differences (P<0.05) were detected between Days 5 and 9. Mean diameter of the largest follicle was smaller for cows in Group III than for the remaining groups on Day 9. It was concluded that SMB did not adversely affect superovulatory response and that E(2) administration resulted in atresia of the antral follicles in the cows with SMB implants.