Comparison of urinary creatine with other biomarkers for the detection of 2-methoxyethanol-induced testicular damage

Abstract

This study has compared different biomarkers of testicular damage, in particular evaluating urinary creatine as a non-invasive marker. Male rats were exposed to various doses of 2-methoxyethanol, a known testicular toxicant. Pathological damage, testis weight, urinary creatine and creatinine, serum lactate dehydrogenase, isozyme C4 (LDH-C4), and serum testosterone were determined. 2-Methoxyethanol caused dose-dependent pathological damage to the testes which was detectable at the lowest dose (100 mg kg^?1). Urinary creatine excretion was significantly raised at all doses but testis weight was only significantly decreased at the highest two doses (500, 750 mg kg^?1). Serum testosterone was only significantly decreased at 500 mg kg^?1 and LDH-C4 was not significantly increased at any dose. Therefore urinary creatine was the most sensitive marker of 2-methoxethanol-induced testicular damage and dysfunction.     

Comparison of urinary creatine with other biomarkers for detection of cadmium induced testicular damage

In this study, biomarkers of testicular damage were compared. In particular, urinary creatine was evaluated as a non-invasive marker of damage. Male rats were exposed to various doses of cadmium chloride, an established testicular toxicant. Pathological damage, testes weights, urinary creatine and creatinine, serum LDH-C4 and serum testosterone were determined. Cadmium chloride caused dose-dependent damage to the testes undetectable at the lowest dose (0.75 mg kg-1) but apparent at a dose of 1.125 mg kg-1. Urinary creatine was significantly raised after doses of 1.125 mg kg-1 and above 24-48 hr after dosing, and at the highest dose within 24 hr after dosing. Testes weight and serum testosterone were significantly decreased, and LDH-C4 significantly increased, at the highest dose (3.0 mg kg-l). Therefore urinary creatine was the most sensitive marker of acute cadmium-induced testicular damage and dysfunction.     

Comparison of urinary creatine with other biomarkers for detection of cadmium induced testicular damage

In this study, biomarkers of testicular damage were compared. In particular, urinary creatine was evaluated as a non-invasive marker of damage. Male rats were exposed to various doses of cadmium chloride, an established testicular toxicant. Pathological damage, testes weights, urinary creatine and creatinine, serum LDH-C4 and serum testosterone were determined. Cadmium chloride caused dose-dependent damage to the testes undetectable at the lowest dose (0.75 mg kg-1) but apparent at a dose of 1.125 mg kg-1. Urinary creatine was significantly raised after doses of 1.125 mg kg-1 and above 24-48 hr after dosing, and at the highest dose within 24 hr after dosing. Testes weight and serum testosterone were significantly decreased, and LDH-C4 significantly increased, at the highest dose (3.0 mg kg-l). Therefore urinary creatine was the most sensitive marker of acute cadmium-induced testicular damage and dysfunction.     

Testicular creatine and urinary creatine-creatinine profiles in mice after the administration of the reproductive toxicant methoxyacetic acid

It was previously observed that the acute or subchronic administration of some testicular toxicants, caused a significant raise in urinary creatine in rats. The aim of this study was to verify whether creatinuria could be detected in mice (a species with a different excretion profile of creatine) and whether it could be correlated to the levels of creatine in testis and to other parameters of testicular toxicity. The well known testicular toxicant methoxyacetic acid (MAA) was orally administered as a single dose (400 or 600 mg kg^-) to male adult mice B6C3F1. Twenty-four hours after dosing, urinary creatine and creatinine showed a significant reduction with respect to the pre-treatment values. At the following times post-dosing (48 and 72 h) the creatine exceeded the control and pre-treatment values, while creatinine had not yet recovered. The ratio creatine/creatinine was significantly higher than control and pre-treatment values, at 24 and 48 h after the treatments. In testis a significant, dose-dependent, decrease of creatine was observed 24 h after dosing, with a pattern related to the histopathologic alterations observed at different times after the treatments. Creatine determination was the earlier quantitative parameter of testicular toxicity, since at this time testis weights, sperm head number and enzyme activities (LDH-C4, SDH) were less affected, their maximum decrease being reached at 14 days after the treatments. These data suggest that in mice, 2-MAA could interfere with the metabolism of creatine, both in testis and other biosynthetically active tissues.     

阿奇霉素对阿霉素与白蛋白致小鼠肾损害的保护作用*

目的:研究阿奇霉素对阿霉素与白蛋白致小鼠肾损害的肾脏保护作用。方法:取BALB/c雄性小鼠40只,按照随机数表法平均分为空白对照组(Ctrl组)、肾损害模型组(ADR+BSA组)、阿奇霉素治疗组(Azm组)及醋酸泼尼松阳性对照组(Pdn组);ADR+BSA、AZM及Pdn三组每周5 d尾静脉注射9.8 mg·kg^-1阿霉素,腹腔注射10 mg·kg^-1血清白蛋白,对照组注射生理盐水,持续4周造模;之后,AZM组每天给予62.5 mg·kg^-1阿奇霉素灌胃,Pdn组每天给予12.5 mg·kg^-1醋酸泼尼松灌胃,其余两组给予等量生理盐水,持续6周后,收集并记录24 h尿量,检测尿蛋白量、内生肌酐清除率,取血检测血清生化指标和免疫因子。结果:与Ctrl组相比,ADR+BSA组小鼠24 h尿蛋白定量显著升高(P＜0.05),Ccr显著降低(P＜0.05);经过阿奇霉素治疗后的小鼠,24 h蛋白定量相比于ADR+BSA组显著降低(P＜0.05),Ccr显著升高(P＜0.05)。结论:阿奇霉素对阿霉素与白蛋白致小鼠的肾损害有一定的保护作用。     

外源铁对铅污染土壤中宽叶香蒲铅积累的影响

采用温室盆栽方法,研究添加外源铁对不同铅浓度(0、100、500和1000 mg·kg^-1)污染土壤中宽叶香蒲铅积累的影响.结果表明： 各铅浓度条件下,与添加100 mg Fe·kg^-1相比,添加500 mg Fe·kg^-1处理的宽叶香蒲地上部和根的铅含量均增高.土壤铅浓度为1000 mg·kg^-1时,添加500 mg Fe·kg^-1处理根的铅含量比100 mg Fe·kg^-1处理增加33.7%,地上部铅含量增加50.5%.添加500 mg Fe·kg^-1处理的根际土壤中可交换态铅比100 mg Fe·kg^-1处理增加77.0%～114.6%.除500 mg·kg^-1铅浓度外,各铅浓度条件下添加500 mg Fe·kg^-1理根干质量均显著低于100 mg Fe·kg^-1处理.在铅污染的湿地环境中添加适量铁可以提高铅的有效性,促进铅积累.     

Effect of sub-chronic endosulfan exposures on plasma gonadotrophins, testosterone, testicular testosterone and enzymes of androgen biosynthesis in rat

Insecticide endosulfan significantly inhibited testicular androgen biosynthesis in adult rats, when fed (po) at 7.5 and 10 mg/kg body weight dose levels, consecutively for 15 and 30 days. No appreciable alterations were apparent in body weights, testicular wet weights, and cytosolic and microsomal protein contents of testis in treated rats. Profound decrease in the levels of plasma gonadotrophins (FSH and LH) along with plasma testosterone and testicular testosterone were observed at both the doses of endosulfan, particularly after the longer exposure of 30 days. Activities of steroidogenic enzymes studied (3 beta- and 17 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases) were considerably lowered on longer exposure of endosulfan. A significant decrease in the contents/activities of microsomal cytochrome P-450 and related mixed function oxidases (MFOs) in testis of treated rats was also observed, along with a marked inhibition in the activity of cytosolic conjugation enzyme, glutathione-S-transferase at both doses studied. These biochemical changes were reversed when the endosulfan treatment was withdrawn.     

Stimulation of testicular function by exogenous testosterone in male protandrous black porgy, Acanthopagrus schlegeli

When 4 mg of testosterone (T) per kg food was given to 1-year-old protandrous male black porgy Acanthopagrus schlegeli for 7 months, gonadosomatic index was significantly higher than when the dose was 0.5 mg kg⁻¹ food. Both doses of T prolonged the spawning season, and increased the number of spermiating fish and milt volume. Sperm concentrations were similar in spermiating black porgy from the treated and control groups. Low levels of oestradiol-17β were observed during the experimental period while elevated levels of plasma T were observed only in March in both control and T-treated groups. Significantly higher levels of plasma 11-ketotestosterone (11-KT) were observed in the 0.5- and 4.0-mg T-treated groups during the spawning season as compared to the control group. The present data suggest that both 0.5- and 4·0-mg T doses stimulate testicular weight, increase numbers of spermiating males and milt volume without affecting the sperm concentrations. Plasma 11-KT concentrations were elevated during T treatment and closely correlated with testicular development and spermiation.     

Endotoxin-induced changes in sex steroid hormone levels in male rats

Intravenous administration of Escherichia coli endotoxin (ENDO) was found to induce profound time and dose dependent changes in the serum steroid hormones, oestrone (E1), oestradiol (E2), corticosterone (B), progesterone (P4), 17 alpha-OH progesterone (17 alpha OHP4), and testosterone (T) of intact male rats. These changes were rapid, with a maximal response at 2 h and a return to close to normal values by 4 h. Non-lethal doses (0.01-2 mg/kg) of ENDO induced large increases in oestrogens (3-9-fold), P4 (4-fold) and B (2-3-fold) and decreased serum T (2-fold). The greatest increase in E2 level was seen with an ENDO dose of 2 mg/kg. Serum E1, E2 and T did not change in response to lethal ENDO doses (4-8 mg/kg); B, P4 and 17 alpha OHP4 levels alone were moderately elevated. Systemic mean arterial pressure was unchanged, except at the highest ENDO dose used. Thus, the hormonal responses are unlikely to be the result of hemodynamic changes. Low doses of ENDO did not produce an increase in serum E1 and E2 in adrenalectomized or orchidectomized rats. These results indicate that oestrogens are largely produced in the testis. The aromatization of the testicular and adrenal androgens can be stimulated by glucocorticoid.     

小兴安岭酸性泥炭土硝化作用的类型及其驱动因子

以小兴安岭酸性森林泥炭土为研究对象,通过加入10 mL·L^-1乙炔及不同浓度的外源硫酸铵(0、1.2、6.0 mmol N·kg^-1)进行硝化培养试验,探究酸性泥炭土中硝化作用类型及主要驱动因子.结果表明:无论有无外加氮源,酸性泥炭土均存在较强的矿化作用(0.9～1.4 mg N·kg^-1·d^-1),经过2周的培养均发生了硝化作用(0.4～0.6 mg N·kg^-1·d^-1),且不同浓度硫酸铵处理之间无显著差异;而乙炔处理虽有较强的矿化作用(0.8 mg N·kg^-1·d^-1),但未发生明显的硝化作用(0 mg N·kg^-1·d^-1),说明该酸性泥炭土以自养硝化为主,外源无机氮源浓度对硝化作用无显著影响,硝化底物NH₃的主要来源不是外源硫酸铵,更可能来源于土壤中有机氮的矿化.培养0～14 d,无论有无外加氮源,酸性泥炭土氨氧化细菌(AOB)和古菌(AOA)丰度均显著增加,但不同浓度硫酸铵处理间无显著差异,表明外源无机氮浓度对氨氧化微生物的生长无显著促进作用.与不加乙炔的对照相比,乙炔处理AOB和AOA丰度随时间均无显著变化,推测AOA与AOB在该酸性泥炭土的硝化过程中都可能起一定的作用.     

Ferulic acid in the treatment of post‐diabetes testicular damage: relevance to the down regulation of apoptosis correlates with antioxidant status via modulation of TGF‐β1, IL‐1β and Akt signalling

The aim of this study was to investigate the protective effect of ferulic acid at different doses (50 mg kg^?1 alternative day and 50 mg kg^?1 daily) on the streptozotocin (STZ)‐induced post‐diabetes rat testicular damage. Diabetes was induced by a single intraperitoneal injection of STZ (50 mg/kg). Rats treated with ferulic acid were given once a day orally for 10 weeks, starting 3 days after STZ injection. Testis tissue and blood samples were collected for investigating biochemical analysis, antioxidant status, sperm parameters, and histopathological, immunohistochemical and apoptotic studies. Treatment with ferulic acid to diabetic rats significantly improved the body weight, testis weight, serum insulin level, serum testosterone level and sperm parameters (viability, motility and count). Histopathological study also revealed that ferulic acid‐treated diabetic rats showed an improved histological appearance. Our data indicated that significant reduction in the activity of apoptosis by using terminal deoxyuridine triphosphate nick end‐labelling and reduced expression of transforming growth factor‐β1 and interleukin‐1β in the testis tissue of ferulic acid‐treated diabetic rats. Conversely, it was also revealed that ferulic acid‐treated diabetic rats markedly enhanced the serine/threonine protein kinase protein expression in the testis tissue. Our result suggests that ferulic acid inhibits testicular damage in diabetic rats by declining oxidative stress. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

蝙蝠蛾拟青霉菌Cs-4菌株对腺嘌呤造成肾脏和睾丸损伤的恢复作用

本文用腺嘌呤建立肾脏和睾丸损伤的小鼠模型,探索蝙蝠蛾拟青霉菌Cs-4菌株对腺嘌呤造成的肾脏和睾丸损伤的恢复作用。将小鼠随机分为空白组、模型组和蝙蝠蛾拟青霉菌Cs-4菌粉的5个剂量组（350mg/kg、550mg/kg、750mg/kg、1 500mg/kg、3 000mg/kg）,连续给予相应药物21d,对各组小鼠的肾脏、睾丸通过HE染色、Masson染色,进行组织病理学检查,测定各组小鼠血清中尿素氮（BUN）、肌酐（Cr）、促卵泡刺激素（FSH）、黄体生成素（LH）含量,测定睾丸组织匀浆中的酸性磷酸酶（ACP）、琥珀酸脱氢酶（SDH）和乳酸脱氢酶（LDH）水平。结果表明,蝙蝠蛾拟青霉菌Cs-4菌株具有使小鼠体重逐渐恢复上升趋势、使受损的肾脏和睾丸组织结构恢复的作用,能使BUN、Cr、FSH、LH、ACP、SDH和LDH水平趋于正常化。     

Effects of diallyl sulfide and zinc on testicular steroidogenesis in cadmium-treated male rats

Cadmium (Cd) is one of the environmental pollutants that affect various tissues and organs including testis. Harmful effect of cadmium on testis is known to be germ cell degeneration and impairment of testicular steroidogenesis. In the present study, the effect of diallyl sulfide (DAS), a sulfur-containing volatile compound present in garlic, and zinc (Zn) was investigated on cadmium-induced testicular toxicity in rats. Male adult Wistar rats treated with cadmium (2.5 mg/kg body wt, five times a week for 4 weeks) showed decreased body weight, paired testicular weight, relative testicular weight, serum testosterone, luteinizing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone, and testicular total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and protein levels. Testicular steroidogenic enzymes, such as 3beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3beta-HSD) and 17beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (17beta-HSD), and marker enzymes, such as sorbitol dehydrogenase (SDH), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), acid phosphatase (ACP), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD), showed a significant decrease in activities whereas that of gamma-glutamyl transferase was significantly increased after cadmium exposure. The results have revealed that concurrent treatment with DAS or zinc restored key steroidogenic enzymes, SDH, LDH, and G6PD and increased testicular weight significantly. DAS restored the TAC level and increased testosterone level and relative testicular weight significantly. Zinc restored testicular protein level and body weight. It can be concluded that cadmium causes testicular toxicity and inhibits androgen production in adult male rats probably by affecting pituitary gonadotrophins and that concurrent administration of DAS or zinc provides protection against cadmium-induced testicular toxicity.     

我国北方几种玉米和设施菜地土壤的N2O和N2排放特征

为了探究旱地土壤施入氮肥后的气态氮(N₂O和N₂)损失规律,本研究通过室内好氧培养试验(60 d,25 ℃,80%孔隙含水量),运用¹⁵N同位素示踪技术,研究了4个玉米地土壤(哈尔滨、沈阳、栾城、寿光)和2个设施菜地土壤(沈阳、寿光)在施入尿素后的氮转化、N₂O和N₂排放动态。试验中尿素添加量为167 mg N·kg^-1,以模拟田间氮肥施用量200 kg N·hm^-2。结果表明: 在4个玉米地土壤中,尿素施用60 d内N₂O累积排放量为寿光(20 mg N·kg^-1)>栾城(14 mg N·kg^-1)>沈阳(5 mg N·kg^-1)>哈尔滨(0.5 mg N·kg^-1),N₂累积排放量为栾城(176 mg N·kg^-1)>沈阳(106 mg N·kg^-1)>寿光(75 mg N·kg^-1)>哈尔滨(12 mg N·kg^-1);在2个设施菜地土壤中,寿光土壤N₂O累积排放量(21 mg N·kg^-1)是沈阳(2 mg N·kg^-1)的10倍,而两个站点N₂累积排放量分别为28和24 mg N·kg^-1。不同土壤N₂O排放占两种气体排放总量的5%～40%,其中寿光土壤(30%～40%)显著高于其他样地土壤(1%～10%)。在土壤排放的N₂O和N₂中,土壤氮库分别贡献了56%和61%,高于添加当季氮肥的贡献率。相关分析表明,N₂O累积排放量与本底土壤pH呈正相关,说明土壤本底pH可能是调控不同旱地土壤N₂O和N₂排放的重要环境因子。在华北碱性土壤区,采用能降低土壤pH值的措施可能具有较好的气态氮减排效果。     

酮康唑对小鼠肝脏和睾丸生理功能的影响*

目的: 观察不同剂量的酮康唑(KCZ)对昆明小鼠的肝脏和睾丸生理功能的影响。方法: 将 40 只雄性昆明小鼠随机分为 4 组(n=10):正常组、酮康唑低剂量组(30 mg/kg)、酮康唑中剂量组(50 mg/kg)、酮康唑高剂量组(70 mg/kg)。药物组小鼠按0.1 ml/10 g给药体积每日单次皮下注射酮康唑,酮康唑低、中、高剂量组药物浓度各为3 mg/ml、5 mg/ml、7 mg/ml,正常组注射等量生理盐水,连续 3 周。测定血清谷草转氨酶(AST)、谷丙转氨酶(ALT),以及睾丸组织 γ-谷氨酰胺转肽酶(γ-GT)、乳酸脱氢酶(LDH)和酸性磷酸酶(ACP)活性;HE 染色观察肝脏、睾丸病理组织改变。结果: 与正常组比较,酮康唑组AST、ALT活性显著升高(P＜0.01);γ-GT、ACP、LDH活性显著下降(P＜0.01),且以上指标的改变均随剂量增加而损伤加重。HE 染色显示小鼠肝细胞变性,排列松散,胞质色浅;睾丸曲细精管管腔增大,各级生精细胞、精子数量减少。结论: 酮康唑能导致小鼠肝脏、睾丸组织生理功能损伤与病理组织学改变,升高肝转氨酶水平,降低睾丸特异性酶活性,且损伤程度随剂量的升高而增大。     

Preclinical toxicity biomarkers for combination treatment with clotting factors rFXIII and rFVIIa

Combination treatment with the clotting factors recombinant activated factor VII (rFVIIa), serine protease, and recombinant factor XIII (rFXIII), protransglutaminase, is being explored for haemostatic therapy. We performed a single-dose toxicology study in the cynomolgus monkey, with four dose groups receiving 0.1 + 0.34 mg kg^-1 (group 1), 0.33 + 1.12 mg kg^-1 (group 2), 1.67 + 5.60 mg kg^-1 (group 3) and 5.00 + 16.80 mg kg^-1 (group 4) of a rFVIIa + rFXIII combination. In the three lower dose groups, no clinical, histopathological or blood chemistry changes were observed. In group 4, the animals died at 4 h post-dosing, with histopathology revealing a systemic coagulopathy resembling, but distinct from, disseminated intravascular coagulation. Due to the absence of toxicity warning signs, toxicity biomarkers were identified by a Western blot-based screening of approximately 20 plasma proteins known to be involved in the clotting cascade. Three of the examined proteins were specifically affected by rFVIIa + rFXIII treatment. Fibronectin and fibrinogen exhibited dose-dependent reductions from less than 10% reduction (group 2) to more than 90% reduction (group 4). These reductions were reversible, and specific. For vitronectin, a dose-dependent conversion to the 65-kDa form was found to occur in groups 3 and 4. Thus, fibrinogen, fibronectin and vitronectin represent the first biomarkers for clotting factor toxicity.     

Modulatory effects of lipoic acid and selenium against cadmium-induced biochemical alterations in testicular steroidogenesis

Exposure to toxic metals including cadmium has become an increasingly recognized source of illness worldwide. Cadmium (Cd(2+) ) is one of the environmental pollutants affecting various tissues and organs including testis. The protective effect of lipoic acid and selenium on Cd(2+) -induced testicular damage was investigated. Accordingly, male Wistar rats were allocated into four groups (n = 8; each). Gp I: (control), whereas the other 3 groups received CdCl(2) (2 mg/kg, i.p. for 28 days) alone or in combination with either (i) lipoic acid (35 mg/kg, p.o) or (ii) selenium (0.35 mg/kg, p.o) throughout the experiment. Serum testosterone, luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone levels significantly decreased in the Cd(2+) -exposed rats. The activities of testicular key androgenic enzymes, 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase and 17 β-HSD significantly decreased in Cd(2) exposed rats compared to the control counterparts. In addition, the activities of testicular marker enzymes were significantly altered in cadmium-treated animals. Significant reductions in body and testicular weight as well as antioxidant status were also observed in Cd(2+) -exposed rats. Moreover, some testicular metal levels were altered. Lipoic acid and selenium significantly increased serum testosterone level and restored testicular activity of 3β-HSD and 17 β-HSD and were effective in modulation of most of the measured biochemical parameters. The biochemical parameters were further confirmed with histopathological findings. In conclusion, the present study demonstrated the beneficial influences of lipoic acid and selenium in reducing harmful effects of Cd(2+) in rats' testes.     

Alteration of trace element distribution and testis ACE activity in mice with high peritoneal aluminum

The present investigation was conducted to assess the effects of subacute aluminum (Al) exposure on testicular zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), and iron (Fe) distribution in mice. Animals were intraperitoneally exposed to 0, 13, or 35 mg Al/kg body weight/d for a period of 14 d. Al concentrations in serum and testis in Al-treated animals were significantly higher than those of controls. The serum concentrations of Fe were lower, whereas serum Zn and Cu showed a pattern comparable to that of controls. The accumulation of testicular Fe and Cu remarkably increased in Al-exposed groups, whereas the Zn concentration in testis was significantly reduced only at the highest dose of Al exposure. The values of testicular thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) were also increased after Al administration, indicating increased lipid peroxidation and oxidative stress. In addition, when the testicular Al was increased, the testis-specific angiotensin-converting enzyme (testis ACE) was noted. The results of this study indicated that part of the effect of Al intoxication on testis might contribute to abnormal metabolism of other minerals, such as Fe, Zn, and/or Cu. It was also suggested that reduced testis ACE activity presumably plays an important role in oxidative damage of Al-induced testicular toxicity.     

Testosterone response of cryptorchid and hypophysectomized rats to human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) stimulation

The testosterone responses to a single injection of hCG (100 i.u.) in hypophysectomized (hypox.), cryptorchid or sham-operated rats were followed over a 5-day period. In sham-operated rats, hCG induced a biphasic rise in serum testosterone, peaks being observed at 2 and 72 h. Reduced testis weights, elevated FSH and LH levels and reduced serum testosterone levels were found after 4 weeks of cryptorchidism, but hCG stimulation resulted in a normal 2 h peak in serum testosterone. However, the secondary rise at 72 h in cryptorchid rats was significantly lower than sham-operated rats. Reduced testis weight and undetectable serum FSH and LH levels together with decreased testosterone levels were found 4 weeks after hypophysectomy. Serum testosterone levels rose 2 h after hCG in comparison to hypox. controls but this peak was significantly reduced compared with sham-operated rats. The second rise in serum testosterone began on day 2, peaking on day 4 at levels comparable to that seen in sham-operated rats after hCG. The in vitro basal and hCG stimulated secretion of testosterone by cryptorchid testes was greater than that secreted by normal rat testes (518.0 +/- 45.9 and 3337.6 +/- 304.1 pmol per testis per 4 h compared with 223.6 +/- 24.9 and 1312.9 +/- 141.4 pmol per testis per 4 h for normal rat testes). In cryptorchid animals a single injection of 100 i.u. hCG resulted in a pattern of in vitro refractoriness similar to normal rats, lasting from 12 h to 2 days, during which testosterone secretion was reduced to near basal levels. The in vitro basal and hCG-stimulated secretion of testosterone by hypox. rat testes was severely diminished compared with normal rat testes. The temporal pattern of in vitro secretion of testosterone from hypox. rat testes mimicked the in vivo serum testosterone pattern seen in these animals. This study demonstrates important differences in the in vivo and in vitro testosterone response to hCG after testicular damage.     

饲料中酵母免疫多糖对七彩神仙鱼仔幼鱼非特异性免疫的影响

该研究采用在饲料中添加0～2500 mg·kg^-1的酵母免疫多糖的方法,对900尾七彩神仙鱼仔幼鱼血清的替代补体活力、溶菌酶活力和白细胞吞噬活性影响进行了研究.结果表明,当饲料中酵母免疫多糖添加剂量达到500 mg·kg^-1(Ⅴ组)以上时,七彩神仙鱼仔幼鱼血清替代补体活力、溶菌酶活力和白细胞吞噬活性均开始显著高于对照组(P<0.05),且同一水平随时间的增加而升高.添加量达2000mg·kg^-1(Ⅷ组)及以上时,随着饲料中的酵母免疫多糖添加量的进一步增加,各组数据反而呈下降变化趋势.可见饲料中适量添加酵母免疫多糖能够提高七彩神仙仔幼鱼的非特异性免疫力,缺乏和过量都会对七彩神仙仔幼鱼带来不利影响.