大鼠基底动脉和尾动脉平滑肌G蛋白的异质性

用离体血管收缩功能实验法分析了大鼠基底动脉（ＢＡ）和尾动脉（ＣＡ）平滑肌细胞Ｇ蛋白的异质性。结果显示,当ＢＡ和ＣＡ平滑肌被精氨酸血管加压素（ＡＶＰ）激动后,该两种血管对Ｇ蛋白非选择性激活剂ＧＴＰγＳ的收缩反应发生了相反的变化：ＢＡ对ＧＴＰγＳ的收缩增强,并且这种收缩增强不受百日咳毒素（ＰＴ,Ｇｉ和Ｇｏ抑制剂）的影响。而霍乱毒素（ＣＴ,Ｇｓ激活剂）则完全抑制这种收缩,呈单相反应。与ＢＡ相反,ＣＡ对ＧＴＰγＳ的收缩减弱,后者可被ＰＴ预温育反转为收缩增强,而且ＣＴ对这种收缩的抑制作用短暂,呈双相反应。结果提示,ＢＡ和ＣＡ平滑肌细胞介导激动剂收缩反应的Ｇ蚕白存在异质性。     

MORBILLIVIRUS INFECTION IN TWO SPECIES OF PILOT WHALE (GLOBICEPHALA SP.) FROM THE WESTERN ATLANTIC

We report evidence of enzootic morbillivirus infection among long-finned, Globicephala melas, and short-finned, G. macrorhynchus, pilot whales in the western Atlantic. A retrospective serologic survey, using five morbilliviruses, was carried out on 99 G. melas from 14 stranding events between 1982 and 1993 and from 25 G. macrorhynchus stranded in 5 events between 1986 and 1994. A blood sample was also obtained from an adult G. melas by-caught in the western North Atlantic. Tissues were collected from 24 G. melas and 15 G. macrorhynchus for histology and immunoperoxidase staining. Neutralizing antibody titers were found in 92 (92%) of 100 G. melas and 16 (64%) of 25 G. macrorynchus, and titers were highest against cetacean morbilliviruses. Seroprevalence was similar between age classes and sexes. The earliest evidence of infection was in a G. melas that stranded in 1982. Stable antibody titers were observed in pilot whales under rehabilitation for up to eight months. Clinical disease consistent with morbillivirus pneumonia was detected in a G. melas calf. Immunoperoxidase staining confirmed that viral antigen was present in the lesions. We propose that enzootic infection in pilot whales is facilitated by population size, social structure, and migration patterns. Furthermore, through mixing with other odontocetes, pilot whales could act as vectors through the Atlantic. Clinical morbillivirus infection may precipitate mass strandings of highly social odontocetes.     

SPATIAL AND SEASONAL DISTRIBUTION OF THE HUMPBACK WHALE, MEGAPTERA NOVAEANGLIAE, IN THE MEXICAN PACIFIC

From observations of the spatial distribution of humpback whales in the Mexican Pacific between 1981 and 1986, it is possible to recognize four subregions: 1) the southern coast of Baja California; 2) the northern Gulf of California, including the Midriff Islands; 3) the mainland coast of Mexico, including the Isla Isabel and Islas Tres Marias and 4) the Revillagigedo Archipelago. The seasonal distribution of whales near the Mexican mainland and the Revillagigedo Archipelago extends from November to May and is similar to that of other winter breeding grounds, including the Hawaiian Islands. Along the southern coast of Baja California, whales have been observed from September to April, possibly indicating a shorter migratory route. In the northern Gulf of California, however, humpback whales have been reported throughout the year and are occasionally observed feeding during both summer and winter months. The degree of individual movement between the four subregions is still unknown. The number of individual humpback whales identified photographically in recent years suggests that there ate more whales in the Mexican Pacific than previously reported.     

OCCURRENCE AND BEHAVIOR OF THE SOUTHERN RIGHT WHALE DOLPHIN LISSODELPHIS PERONII OFF NAMIBIA

The southern right whale dolphin Lissodelphis peronii is a seldom seen cetacean of southern latitudes. Off southern Africa, observations have been made predominantly in the major upwelling area off Lüderitz, Namibia, but the species has now also been seen south of the Orange River in South African waters. Sightings for the years 1980–1990 are documented and they reveal that L. peronii occurs off southern Africa both inshore and offshore and throughout the year. An opportunity for extended observation in January 1989 afforded the opportunity to record some interesting behavior patterns.     

SURFACE MORPHOLOGY OF THE FOREBRAIN OF THE BOWHEAD WHALE, BALAENA MYSTICETUS

Observations were made on 11 brains from bowhead whales subsistence-harvested by Alaskan Eskimos under International Whaling Commission guidelines. This study is part of a larger project to determine the basic morphology of this endangered species. The bowhead brain is similar to other cetacean brains, particularly that of the southern right whale. Long olfactory peduncles are reflected upon the rostrodorsal surface of the cerebral hemispheres. Olfactory bulbs have not been recovered but are presumed to exist since nerve fibers have been identified histologically in the olfactory peduncles. The induseum griseum is evident on the corpus callosum. The hippocampus proper is small but protrudes into the lateral ventricle. The cruciate sulcus runs diagonally across the rostral surface, limiting a small frontal lobe. The structure of the floor of the sylvian fissure varies from a few short gyri radiating toward the circular sulcus to a more extensive and complex two-tiered arrangement including numerous gyri perpendicular to the gyrus bordering the paleocortex. Pineal-body-like tissue was present in one specimen. There is no interthalamic adhesion. The lateral geniculate body is elevated but smaller than the large medial geniculate body. The neurohypophysis was adherent on most brain specimens received.     

OBSERVATIONS OF AN UNIDENTIFIED BEAKED WHALE (MESOPLODON SP.) IN THE EASTERN TROPICAL PACIFIC

Multiple sightings of a distinctive but unidentified species of beaked whale have been made in the eastern tropical Pacific. The unidentified whale has two color morphs: a conspicuously marked black and white form (judged to be larger), and a uniformly gray-brown form. Maximum length estimates have been 5–5.5 m. Other features include a relatively flat head, with a small, distinct melon; a moderately long beak; and a low, wide-based, triangular dorsal fin. On most animals the trailing edge of the dorsal fin is only slightly falcate and often appears straight. On the black and white morph, a broad white or cream-colored swathe originates immediately posterior to the dorsal surface of the head and runs posterio-ventrally on either side of the animal. The prevalence of scarring on the black and white animals suggests sexual dimorphism and that these larger, more conspicuously marked animals are adult males, while the smaller, browner, unscarred animals are females and young. Possibilities for identification include: 1) a well-marked race of a known Mesoplodon sp., 2) Mesoplodon (Indopacetus) pacificus or 3) an undescribed species.     

THE MICROSCOPIC AND IMMUNOHISTOLOGIC ANATOMY OF THE ENDOCRINE PANCREAS OF PYGMY AND DWARF SPERM WHALES (KOGIIDAE)

Histologic studies of pancreatic tissues of one pygmy sperm whale, Kiogia breviceps , and one dwarf sperm whale, K. simus , demonstrated rather typical exocrine pancreatic anatomy. Peroxidase-antiperoxidase (PAP) techniques determined that the cell composition of the islets of Langerhans resembled that of other mammals. Within islets, cells secreting insulin (B-cells) and glucagon (A-cells), were clearly demonstrated, but, surprisingly, isolated A- and B-cells were also found among pancreatic acinar cells. PAP techniques demonstrated the presence of neuron-specific enolase within islets, but failed to provide a sufficiently clear reaction to demonstrate the presence of somarostatin-producing D-cells. No positive PAP reaction for serotonin occurred.     

ESTIMATED POPULATION SIZE OF THE CALIFORNIA GRAY WHALE

Abstract: The 1987-1988 counts of gray whales passing Monterey are reanalyzed to provide a revised population size estimate. The double count data are modeled using iterative logistic regression to allow for the effects of various covariates on probability of detection, and a correction factor is introduced for night rate of travel. The revised absolute population size estimate is 20,869 animals, with CV = 4.37% and 95% confidence interval (19,200, 22,700). In addition the series of relative population size estimates from 1967-1968 to 1987-1988 is scaled to pass through this estimate and modeled to provide variance estimates from interannual variation in population size estimates. This method yields an alternative population size estimate for 1987-1988 of 21,296 animals, with CV = 6.05% and 95% confidence interval (18,900, 24,000). The average annual rate of increase between 1967-1968 and 1987-1988 was estimated to be 3.29% with standard error 0.44%.     

SEXUAL COMPOSITION and ANALYSIS OF REPRODUCTIVE FEMALES IN THE NORTH ATLANTIC RIGHT WHALE, EUBALAENA GLACIALIS, POPULATION

To test hypotheses involving reproduction and demographics, the sex of individuals must be established, but many species of Cetacea are not obviously dimorphic. In the North Atlantic right whale, Eubalaena glacialis , population, the sex of 61 males and 55 females had been determined previously by observation of the urogenital region, and the sex of 43 more females had been inferred from repeated sightings with a calf. To confirm the sex of some of these animals and to identify the sex of mote animals, genomic DNA was isolated from skin samples of 95 individual right whales (54 from among those described above and 41 additional recognizable individuals). The DNA was surveyed using the human Y-chromosome probe pDP1007. With Eco RI-digested DNA, a clear, sex-discriminating banding pattern was apparent. This method verified the sex of all 54 animals whose sex was previously known or inferred and identified the sex of an additional 41 recognizable individuals. A total of 89 male and 111 female right whales was identified in the population. The most unbiased estimate of sex ratio available is the 36 male and 34 female calves identified by genital morphology and DNA techniques. The sex ratio of this sample does not differ significantly from unity (P = 0.811). Only 38% (58/152) of the females in the North Atlantic population are known to have been reproductively successful compared with 54% in the population of right whales in the western South Atlantic. The population growth rate reported for the North Atlantic population is only 33% of that reported for right whales in the South Atlantic. Thirteen adult North Atlantic females have been identified that have not been known to calve during the past 11 yr. These data suggest that the absence of measurable recovery may be due to a combination of fewer actively reproducing females and lower reproductive rates of some females.     

我国沿海拟虎鲸骨骼研究

本文对我国沿海所捕获的拟虎鲸骨骼系统,进行了较全面的研究和测量,并对其骨骼特点及形态、功能方面也做了些探讨。     

THE UROPHYSIS AND THE CAUDAL NEUROSECRETORY SYSTEM OF FISHES

1. The caudal neurosecretory system is defined in teleosts as a complex of secretory neurones (Dahlgren cells) in the caudal spinal cord leading by a tract to neurohaemal tissue organized as a typical neurosecretory storage-release organ: the urophysis. 2. The teleost urophysis is generally a distinct, easily recognizable, lobate structure of variable external form. Significant morphological variations lie in the organization of the neurosecretory fibres in relation to the vascular bed and in the degree of penetration of the meninx by the neurosecretory fibres to form an organ external to the spinal cord proper. 3. The elasmobranch caudal system is composed of large cells with short axons projecting to a diffuse vascular bed; there is no organized urophysis. 4. The caudal neurosecretory system and its urophysis appear late in post larval development by comparison with the hypothalamic neurosecretory system. The Dahlgren cells originate from the ependyma in development and also during regeneration of the caudal system in adult life. 5.The elasmobranch system may represent the more primitive condition, and stages in the evolution of the advanced urophysial types can be visualized. The particular histology shown by the caudal system appears to have taxonomic significance. 6.The cytology of the Dahlgren cell and its neurosecretory material is described. The proteinaceous neurosecretory material has an affinity for acid stains but not for the Gomori stains or reagents demonstrating SH/SS groups. The inclusions visible at the light-microscope level are aggregates of elementary neurosecretory granules, 800–2500A diameter, which originate from Golgi centres. The possible participation of preterminal axonal regions–and tubular systems evident therein—in the formation of neurosecretory material is considered. 7.The structure of the axon terminals raises questions about the way in which neurohormone may be released into the blood. Small vesicles have been variously interpreted as cholinergic synaptic vesicles and as products of the fragmentation of membranes of elementary neurosecretory granules. Evidence for the release of ‘neuro-secretion centripetally’ into the cerebrospinal fluid also exists. 8.Functional analysis of the caudal neurosecretory system has proven most difficult, The bulk of earlier data and more recent information indicate a role in ionic regulation. Increased sodium uptake by the gills of goldfish has been reported, as a result of administration of urophysial extract, and electrophysiological studies indicate a responsiveness of the system to variations in blood sodium ion concentration. The urophysis also has a definite pressor effect in eels and will stimulate water retention in anurans. The early claim of Enami that the system was involved in buoyancy regulation has never been substantiated. It must be admitted that the function of this system, virtually ubiquitous in teleost and elasmobranch fishes at least, has been anything but established and still represents a major challenge to comparative physiologists.     

IN VITRO FERTILIZATION OF IN VITRO MATURED MINKE WHALE (BALAENOPTERA ACUTOROSTRATA) FOLLICULAR OOCYTES

In vitro fertilization of follicular oocytes harvested from ovaries and matured in vitro was attempted for 55 minke whales ( Balaenoptera acutorostrata ) captured for Japanese research purposes in the Antarctic Ocean during the period from November 1995 to March 1996. In Experiment 1, effects of culture duration (96 h or 120 h) on maturation of follicular oocytes and addition of caffeine (5 mM) and/or heparin (100 pg/ml) on sperm penetration and pro-nuclear formation were investigated. Spermatozoa recovered from the vasa deferentia of four mature males were diluted (5-fold) and frozen at - 80°C. The post-thawed and pooled spermatozoa were used for in vitro insemination. A higher ( P < 0.05) proportion of the oocytes cultured for 120 h (34.2% of 260) progressed beyond the second metaphase stage than of the oocytes cultured for 96 h (26.0% of 262). For the matured oocytes, higher rates of penetration ( P < 0.05) and pronuclear formation ( P < 0.01) were obtained in the oocytes cultured for 120 h (55.1% and 40.4%) than in those cultured for 96 h (32.4 % and 20.6%). Addition of caffeine and heparin did not show a significant effect. In Experiment 2, follicular oocytes matured for 120 h and then inseminated were cultured to examine the subsequent development in two culture systems (with and without co-cultured cumulus cells). Of 448 inseminated oocytes, cleaved embryos (2–16 cells) were observed with (5.8%) and without (4.9%) co-cultured systems. No cleavage was observed in 54 ova without insemination. These results indicate that in vitro fertilization of minke whale in vitro matured follicular oocytes with cryopreserved spermatozoa is possible, yielding cleaved embryos.     

兔心脏左室乳头肌的形态和动脉分布

乳头肌可因缺血、纤维化或梗塞而影响其收缩功能,并产生二尖瓣关闭不全(朱清于等,1980)。致成乳头肌功能不全最常见的原因是心肌供血不足,因此研究乳头肌的动脉,具有实用意义。一些作者(Estes,1966;Farrer-Brown,1968;Ranganathan,1969等)对人心脏乳头肌动脉来源、分支分布作过研究,但关于实验动物家兔乳头肌的动脉的研究文献尚少报道。本文为了开展实验性乳头肌梗塞的研究,对兔心脏左室乳头肌的形态、动脉来源、分布类型以及口径、血管密度等进行了研究。     

刺猬的皮肌及其神经支配

刺猬的皮肤,包括皮肤肌和皮下脂肪,是一个质量很大的器官,平均占体重43形,最多可达57％以上。刺猬的皮肌,如果不是动物界中最发达的,也是非常发达的,尤其环状皮肌带约占体重11％(赵以炳等1958)。在功能上,刺猬的皮肌是重要的生理性体温调节器官,背面带针刺的部分有保温御寒作用,腹部有散热机能(赵以炳等1950a)。清醒的刺猬当遇到强敌或其它干扰时,常蜷缩成带剌的球。不活动的冬眠刺猬也取同样姿势,以防侵害。可以说,蜷缩是一种主动的保护性行为,这种强烈的蜷缩主要是由于环状皮肌带持续有力的收缩。尤其令人惊奇的是冬眠时的蜷缩,这是在一般生理活动明显降低的