Comparative ontogenesis and cytomorphology of the nasal organs in some species of cichlid fish (Cichlidae, Teleostei)

This study compares the ontogenesis, morphology and cytology of olfactory organs of several species of Cichlidae (Pisces, Teleostei), from Asia, Africa and America, belonging to the subfamilies Tilapinae and Haplochrominae. Cichlids, in contrast to most other fish families, possess only one naris on each side of the nose that serves as both inlet and outlet opening. The olfactory rosettes are round, 1.8–4.2 mm diameter, and situated directly below the nares. Each rosette consists of a central raphe with attached lamellae whose number increases with age, remains constant in adults and differs in the various species. Onset of organization of the nasal organs from the neuroectoderm begins 14–16 hours after fertilization in bottomspawner cichlids, and 30–53 hours after fertilization in mouthbrooder embryos. A comparative ontogenetic study of embryos and larvae of both ethological types has shown that this difference in timing of morphogenesis also continues in the formation of the nasal pits, the development of the nasal epithelium, and the olfactory nerves. Comparative data are provided for these processes, including LM, TEM and SEM of the stereocilia and kinocilia-bearing cells, as well as of the microvillar cells. The distribution of these cell-types on the olfactory lamellae differs in the various species. The faster development of the nasal organs observed in larvae of bottomspawners as compared to mouthbrooders also matches the development of other vital organs in these two etho-types and seems to be of high adaptive value, providing the bottomspawners at an earlier stage with sensitive organs in the surrounding hostile habitats.     

Cytological ontogenesis and involution of the thymus and head‐kidney in juvenile and old domestic carp: Is ageing in fish a chronological or growth‐related phenomenon?

Samples of the thymus and head-kidney of domestic carp ( Cyprinus carpio ) were studied in order to evaluate the process of functional and cytological change during ageing. We examined larvae from 6 days post-fertilization, 1- to 10-year-old fish from fishponds, and experimentally stunted 15-year-old fish that had attained no more than 100–120 mm total length (TL) and 18–20 g weight. The primordium of the thymus appears 6 days after fertilization as a group of non-specialized cells 0.8 mm³ in volume. Differentiation of cell types, especially thymocytes, starts in fry of 6 mm TL, and the thymus continues to enlarge, attaining 200 mm³ (±3.4 mm³) in 8-year-old fish of 550 mm TL. Throughout its development the thymus remains active, containing various forms of reticulocytes and thymocytes. The head-kidney appears in pre-hatching embryos on either side of the pharynx as renal units, each with a single glomerulus and a short renal tubule. During development the protonephridia pass through three functional stages: (1) excretory, as the primordial kidney, (2) in a mixed renal and glandular function, producing blood cells and adrenergic cells, and (3) in young fish of 80 mm TL and above, they continue to function as blood producing and endocrine organs. At this last stage the renal elements become degraded. The largest head-kidney measured had a volume of 8 cm³ (±0.8 cm³) in an 8-year-old fish weighing 6.5 kg. Retention of thymal cytological integrity in reproductive older carp and other fish would indicate that ageing in fish, and possibly also in other exothermic vertebrates, is not simply a time-related phenomenon, thereby differing greatly from similar processes in endothermic vertebrate.     

Comparative studies of the development and differentiation of chloride cells in tilapine fish with different reproductive styles

Using light and electron microscopy and fluorescent probes, we followed the ontogenesis of selected organs in embryos of several species of tilapia (Cichlidae, Pisces) with emphasis on chloride cell differentiation in species with two different reproductive styles: we compared the substrate-brooder Tilapia zillii and the mouth-brooders Oreochromis niloticus, O. aureus, Sarotherodon galilaeus, and Tristramella sacra. In all species a transitory blood network system nurtured by the vena caudalis inferiores supplied the yolk sac and preanal finfold during the advanced stages of embryonic and initial stages of larval development. During these stages chloride cells occurred on the yolk sac, as a part of the abdominal epithelium. The cells and their associated blood plexus remained active here until the gill-lamellae, operculum, and mouth became functional. The chloride cells of their epithelium and blood system then took over, concomitant with a gradual degradation of the transitory blood system on the yolk sac. Ontogenesis of these systems (transitory and permanent) progressed at a higher rate in substrate-brooders than in mouth-brooders and was correlated with the earlier functioning of the gill-operculum system. Thus, at a constant temperature of 26 degrees C, the more exposed T. zillii progeny completed metamorphosis at 7-8 days after fertilization, calculated around 5,000 +/- 80 h/temp, whereas juveniles of more protected mouth-brooders attained a similar stage only 15 +/- 1 days after fertilization and around 9,000 +/- 200 h/temp. This earlier development of chloride cells and other pivotal organs in environmentally exposed progeny of substrate-brooders, as compared to the protected progeny of mouth-brooders, shows that their ontogeny was selected for the optimal survival style under specific etho-ecological conditions.     

Functional morphology of the interrenal and chromaffin cells in the teleosts, Rasbora daniconius (Hamilton), Barbus stigma (Cuv. et Val.) and Channa gachua (Hamilton).

The interrenal cells in Rasbora daniconius, Barbus stigma and Channa gachua are mainly found around the postcardinal vein and its major branches in the haemopoietic head-kidney. The chromaffin cells which are identified by the positive chromaffin reaction are found in the walls of the postcardinal vein or dispersed among the interrenal cells. delta5-3beta-HSDH and G-6-PDH activity was observed in the interrenal cells of all three teleosts. The present work indicates that the interrenal cells are capable of steroid biosynthesis and the chromaffin cells contain biologically active catecholamines.     

Differentiation of the epithelium of the pronephros and the primary kidney in frogs]

The kidneys of tadpoles of different developmental stages were examined in preparations processed histologically and histochemically. It was found that differentiation of the provisory excretory organ tubules in frogs was "shortened" or "accelerated" after P. P. Ivanov's terminology, and developed differently as compared with differentiation of tubules of the definitive organ of excretion -- the primary kidney. When differentiating the epithelium of the proximal portion of the primary kidney nephron passes the stage of the high prismatic false-stratified epithelium. The pronephros tubules do not pass this stage and the epithelium becomes a strict monolayer from the very beginning. No mitoses are observed in the pronephros tubule epithelium even at the earliest differentiation stages. Later on, the beginning of tubule functioning, and with the reduction, and later disappearance of yolk granules in the epithelium solitary mitoses make their appearance. The mitotic activity of the primary kidney tubule epithelium is very high (70%) at the early stage of differentiation. Then its mitotic activity decreases (30%), and after the beginning of the tubule functioning mitoses in its epithelium become solitary.     

Development of the mouse hematopoietic system. II. Estimation of spleen and liver "stem" cell number

Colony-forming cells (CFU), which have the general properties of hemopoietic “stem” cells, appear to be augmented in the mouse fetal liver from 12–18 days gestation and then decrease in the newborn. This finding suggests that few, if any, hemopoietic “stem” cells remain in the adult liver, an organ which appears to be unable to function erythropoietically, even at times of severe crises. In the spleen, and active adult as well as embryonic hematopoietic organ, the total number of CFU increases from 18 days gestation until at least 7 days after birth. Spleen and liver CFU augmentation seems to occur in cojunction with an analogous expansion of non-hematopoietic cells. The data suggests, in fact, that while there is an increase in the total number of liver CFU, there is also a dilution of liver CFU in the total cell population at successively later gestational ages.     

Development of various nephron populations in birds during ontogenesis

Microanatomy of nephrons during ontogenesis has been studied in domestic hens. In the bird kidneys, as well as in mammalian kidneys, three populations of nephrons can be detected: juxtamedullary, or deep nephrons, superficial and situating between them intracortical nephrons. In formation of the bird renal medulla only loops of the juxtamedullary nephrons participate. During ontogenesis in the kidneys of birds, like in mammalians, juxtamedullary nephrons are the first to be formed; they can be obtained from kidneys of 14-day-old chicken embryos, however, a complete formation of the nephron structure is terminated after hatching. During development the length of the juxtamedullary nephrons increases nearly by one order, while the length of the superficial and intracortical nephrons increases no more than twice. The diameter of the glomeruli in the juxtamedullary nephrons during development increases nearly twice, in the superficial and intracortical nephrons only a slight increase is noted. A relative length of the proximal canaliculus of the intracortical and superficial nephrons gradually increases during ontogenesis and practically does not change in the juxtamedullary nephrons, in them the nephron loop becomes longer. The developmental pattern in various parts of the superficial, intracortical and juxtamedullary nephrons in general features is similar in mammalians and birds.     

Response to confinement in sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) is characterised by an increased biosynthetic capacity of interrenal tissue with no effect on ACTH sensitivity

Two experiments were carried out to investigate the influence of confinement stress on plasma cortisol levels and on the sensitivity of the interrenal cells to adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) stimulation in sea bass Dicentrarchus labrax. Confining sea bass at 70 kg m(-3) for 24 h resulted in elevated plasma cortisol levels at all times (0.1, 1, 4 and 24 h) and corresponded to a reduced cortisol content in head-kidney homogenates after 0.1 and 1 h of confinement. An increased activity of the interrenal cells was also indicated by the enlarged nuclear diameters measured after 1 and 4 h of confinement. In vitro superfusion experiments showed that 4 h of confinement resulted in an increased basal unstimulated release of cortisol from head-kidney tissues compared with that in unstressed control fish. Although the stimulation factor (cortisol release as percent increase above basal) of the stressed fish was significantly lower than in controls, no difference in the maximal stimulated release (in absolute amounts) was evident between stressed and control fish. Care must be taken when interpreting superfusion data, as to whether the stressor actually leads to a reduction in interrenal sensitivity, or is due to an alteration in the basal release of cortisol.     

Cre/loxP approach-mediated downregulation of Pik3c3 inhibits the hypertrophic growth of renal proximal tubule cells

Nephron loss stimulates residual functioning nephrons to undergo compensatory growth. Excessive nephron growth may be a maladaptive response that sets the stage for progressive nephron damage, leading to kidney failure. To date, however, the mechanism of nephron growth remains incompletely understood. Our previous study revealed that class III phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (Pik3c3) is activated in the remaining kidney after unilateral nephrectomy (UNX)-induced nephron loss, but previous studies failed to generate a Pik3c3 gene knockout animal model. Global Pik3c3 deletion results in embryonic lethality. Given that renal proximal tubule cells make up the bulk of the kidney and undergo the most prominent hypertrophic growth after UNX, in this study we used Cre-loxP-based approaches to demonstrate for the first time that tamoxifen-inducible SLC34a1 promoter-driven CreER^T2 recombinase-mediated downregulation of Pik3c3 expression in renal proximal tubule cells alone is sufficient to inhibit UNX- or amino acid-induced hypertrophic nephron growth. Furthermore, our mechanistic studies unveiled that the SLC34a1-CreER^T2 recombinase-mediated Pik3c3 downregulation inhibited UNX- or amino acid-stimulated lysosomal localization and signaling activation of mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) in the renal proximal tubules. Moreover, our additional cell culture experiments using RNAi confirmed that knocking down Pik3c3 expression inhibited amino acid-stimulated mTORC1 signaling and blunted cellular growth in primary cultures of renal proximal tubule cells. Together, both our in vivo and in vitro experimental results indicate that Pik3c3 is a major mechanistic mediator responsible for sensing amino acid availability and initiating hypertrophic growth of renal proximal tubule cells by activation of the mTORC1–S6K1–rpS6 signaling pathway.     

Localization of serotonin and fmrfamide in the bivalve molluscMytilis edulis at early stages of its development

Location and time of appearance of serotonin and FM RFamide in ontogenesis of the bivalve mollusc Mytilus adulis L. has been studied. Serotonin first appears at a transfer from the last trochophore stage to the early veliger stage, 30–32 h after fertilization and is detected in a large cell located immediately at the base of the apical plume. FMRFamide appears 14–15 h after fertilization, during the transfer from the conchostoma stage to the early trochophore stage before the turning out of the shell gland and is a marker of the future shell site. It is located as a transverse stretch on the back of the larva in the area of the future shell. After the turning out of the shell gland the stretch is markedly shortened, while its processes approach the larval surface and are located under the shell. A suggestion is made about a morphogenetic function of FMRFamide.     

Morpho‐histological and ultra architectural changes during early development of endangered golden mahseer Tor putitora

Ultrastructural and histological changes in the embryonic and larval surface during ontogenesis of the endangered golden mahseer Tor putitora is studied here for the first time. Embryonic development was completed 91–92 h after fertilization at an ambient temperature of 23° ± 1° C (mean ± s.d. ). The gastrula stage was characterized by presence of the Kupffer's vesicle, notochord, ectoderm and endoderm cells. Primordial germ cells were clearly identifiable from c. 55 h post‐fertilization at the organogenesis stage. Mean total length of newly hatched larvae was 7·0 ± 0·5 mm. Scanning electron microscopy of newly hatched larvae demonstrated vitelline arteries, microridged epithelial cells and mucous gland openings over much of the body surface. Eye, oral cavity, pharyngeal arches, heart, intestinal loop, prosencephalon, cephalic vesicle and nasal epithelium were clearly distinguished in 3 day old hatched individuals. In 6 day old individuals, caudal‐fin rays and internal organs were evident. The dorsal fin became prominent at this stage and larvae began swimming at the surface. The reserved yolk material was totally absorbed 8–11 days after hatching and larvae began feeding exogenously. Tor putitora exhibited a longer early developmental period than other cyprinids reared at similar temperatures.     

Recapitulation in the development of the components of the counterflow system in the vertebrate metanephros

The investigation has been performed on 107 renal preparations obtained from persons of various age (from 5-month-old fetuses up to 45 years of age), certain representatives of other classes of the Vertebrata are also included: fish, amphibia, reptile and mammalia at various stages of pre- and postnatal periods of ontogenesis by means of preparing graphic and plastic reconstructive models, histological investigation and microdissection. The complexity of the intrarenal branching of derivatives of the mesonephric duct diverticulum, development and structure of the canalicular part in nephrons directly depend on the phylogenetic position of the animal. Complexity of the nephron architectonics occurs along the progressive line of taxonomic groups of higher Vertebrata. The nephron loop becomes longer, thin segment of the nephron canalicular part increases in its length and, at last, in mammalia a cone-shaped fasciculus appears as a structural-functional unit of the osmoregulating apparatus of the constant kidney. In the comparative anatomical and comparative embryological aspects recapitulation is observed concerning certain morphological signs of derivatives of the metanephric duct and nephron.     

Appearance of Muscle Proteins in Ontogenesis of the Mussel <Emphasis Type="Italic">Mytilus trossulus</Emphasis> (Bivalvia)

The appearance of muscle proteins in the contractile apparatus of the mussel Mytilus trossulus was subjected to comparative analysis during ontogenesis. It was established, with the use of Western blot analysis and electrophoresis in polyacrylamid gel in the presence of sodium dodecylsulfate, that proteins of the contractile apparatus of mussel muscles express long before the formation of the first functionally active muscle system of the veliger larvae. Paramyosin is present in egg cells; twitchin, myorod, and actin appear at the stage of blastula (12 h after fertilization), and myosin appears at the trochophore stage (17 h after fertilization). The quantitative relation of muscle proteins was studied in actomyosin extracts of larvae obtained from different developmental stages. It was shown that the ratios actin/myosin and paramyosin/myosin at the veliger stage (96 h after fertilization) were found to be similar to those in the striated muscles of invertebrates.     

Localization of serotonin and FMRFamide in the bivalve molluscMytilis edulis at early stages of its development

Location and time of appearance of serotonin and FMRFamide in ontogenesis of the bivalve mollusc Mytilus adulis L.has been studied. Serotonin first appears at a transfer from the last trochophore stage to the early veliger stage, 30–32 h after fertilization and is detected in a large cell located immediately at the base of the apical plume. FMRFamide appears 14—15 h after fertilization, during the transfer from the conchostoma stage to the early trochophore stage before the turning out of the shell gland and is a marker of the future shell site. It is located as a transverse stretch on the back of the larva in the area of the future shell. After the turning out of the shell gland the stretch is markedly shortened, while its processes approach the larval surface and are located under the shell. A suggestion is made about a morphogenetic function of FMRF-amide.     

Structural and functional state of the renal transplant after spontaneous and surgical restoration of the lymph outflow pathways

In 62 dogs, presenting a model of the renal autotransplantation into the pelvis on the iliac vessels, a comparative estimation of morpho-functional state of the transplanted organ has been performed at a spontaneous (control) and surgical (experiment) restoration of the lymphatic outflow pathways during the postoperative period from 1 day up to 6 years. Three periods of morpho-functional restoration of the transplant renal tissue have been revealed: I (period of decreased functional activity) lasts in the control from 1 up to 14 days, in the experiment--up to 7 days after the operation; II (period of restoration of the functional activity) lasts in the control from 14 up to 90 days, in the experiment--from 7 up to 30 days after the operation; III (steady functioning of the renal transplant) begins in the control on the 90th day, in the experiment--on the 30th day after the operation and lasts up to the end of the observations. Such signs as lymphostasis and certain disturbances of oxidation-reduction and physical-chemical processes in the renal tissue are specific features. Time of normalization of the processes mentioned and degree of their manifestation depend on spontaneous or surgical restoration of the lymphatic outflow pathways. The surgical relymphatization of the renal transplant contributes to a more rapid and complete restoration of its morphofunctional state in comparison to a traditional method of the kidney transplantation.     

The opisthonephros of Rana esculenta (Anura). I. Nephron development

The development of opisthonephric nephrons in Rana esculenta generally follows the vertebrate scheme: mesenchymal cells from a blastemal cap that develops into an epitheloid, a comma-shaped, then an S-shaped body. The S-shaped body stage is followed by nephron stages I–IV. A standard pattern of nephrogenesis is maintained up to nephron stage I. In later stages (nephron stages II–IV) the arrangement of tubule loops and the position of the renal corpuscle depends on the space available in the kidney. As in mammals, anuran nephrogenesis is determined by coordinated differentiation processes: (1) induction, (2) cell polarization and proliferation, (3) morphogenetic processes, and, finally, 4) segmentation. It is further supported by growth processes of renal blood vessel analagen adjoining the nephron analoge. Ingrowth of glomerular capillary sprouts into the capsule analage is important for glomerulogenesis and differentiation of the adhesive zone. © 1995 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Development of the sand dollar <Emphasis Type="Italic">Scaphechinus mirabilis</Emphasis>

Under laboratory conditions, the development of larvae of the sand dollar Scaphechinus mirabilis (Agassiz) took 28.5–29 days from fertilization to settling and the end of metamorphosis at a temperature 20°C and salinity 32.2–32.6‰ The cleavage divisions were completed in 12 hours after fertilization (AF) by the release of free swimming ciliary blastula from the egg membrane. The larvae attained pluteus I stage with one pair of arms at an age of 40 hours. In 4.5–5 days the pluteus II stage with three pairs of arms, and in 9 days the pluteus III stage with four pairs of arms were formed. On the 20–21st day AF the larvae developed a vestibule, in which the adult skeleton rudiments, spicules, plates and pedicellariae were formed on the 26–27th day AF. The size of the larvae at an age of 22.5 days was 1064.3 ± 44.7 μm. The settling of larvae was recorded on the 28–29th day of development. Most of the larvae completed their metamorphosis in 4.5–5 hours after settling.     

Pyrenophora teres: Population structure,virulence and aggressiveness in Southern Russia

The barley net blotch agent Pyrenophora teres (Died) Drechs. is one of the dominant fungal pathogens in agricultural crops worldwide. Here we aim to study the aggressiveness and virulence of P. teres populations collected at different ontogenesis stages (BBCH 30 and BBCH 47) from winter barley cultivars of various resistance types: moderately resistant, moderately susceptible and highly susceptible. We observed a direct proportional relationship between cultivar resistance and the aggressiveness of P. teres populations collected in both growth phases of the host plant. The isolates collected at an early stage of host plant development have a large difference in aggressiveness criteria: colony growth rate, sporulation intensity, latency period, plant damage degree, and the number of identified races. At the BBCH 30 growth stage, the growth rate of fungus colonies selected from a resistant cultivar is 1.2 times higher than that of a susceptible cultivar. The growth rate of colonies selected from resistant and susceptible cultivars in the earlier BBCH 30 stage is 1.04 times higher than the growth rate of colonies selected from the later phase. The sporulation intensity of fungal populations selected from a resistant cultivar is higher than that of populations selected from a susceptible cultivar (for BBCH 30–5.4 times, for BBCH 47–4.0 times); and it is 1.3 times higher in an earlier phase of plant development. Correlation between colony growth rate and spore formation rate in the BBCH 30 is r = 0.4. A high correlation level (r = 0.9) and notable difference between the variants were revealed when studying the duration of the latent period. The average value of plant damage by the P. teres from resistant cultivar is 4 times higher than from the susceptible cultivar in the BBCH 30 stage; and 12 times – in the BBCH 47 stage. There is a moderate negative correlation between the plant damage degree and the number of races identified from the fungal population, r = ?0.59 for the BBCH 30, r = ?0.8 for the BBCH 47. The number of races identified from P. teres populations collected in the late phase of plant growth was one third less. Our study helped to acquire new knowledge about intrapopulation processes under the influence of various factors – plant growth stage and cultivar genotype. The results obtained are the basis for the development of adaptive-integrated techniques for managing populations of the hemibiotrophic pathogen, barley net blotch.     

Development of Embryo and Fruit in Ipomoea batatas Lam

This paper deals with the development of the embryo and the formation of the fruit for lpomoea batatas Lam. based on the observation of its flower bud differentiation, megasporogenesis and the development of the female gametophyte, microsporogenesis and the development of the male gametophyte. The pollen grain germinated on the stigma about 10–30 min. after pollination. The pollen tube penetrated the transmitting tissue in the middle of the style between 30–60 min. after pollination. After 2 hours the tip of the pollen tube reached the micropyle. Double fertilization completed after 5 or 12 hours then the zygote and the endosperm nucleus formed. The first mitotic division of the endosperm nucleus takes place about 12 hours after pollination, earlier about 3 hours than the first division of the zygote, the latter gives rise to a terminal cell and a basal cell by a transverse division. The second division is transverse in the terminal cell, forming two cells. The basal cell divides longitudinally into two adjoining cells. The terminal cell becomes the proembryo with four cells, and at the same time, the basal cell becomes the suspensor with four cells after 41–52 hours. The proembryo gradually becomes globular, cordate and torpedo-shaped, respectively about 96–120, 144–156, 168-192 hours after pollination. The cotyledons of the embryo gradually prolongate 10 days after pollination. The embryo almost completes its development within 21–30 days after pollination. he fruit is a capsule. The ovary gradually swells 3–4 days after pollination, then forms fruit, which ripens about 21–30 days after pollination, 2R.=4–8 mm. A fruit contains 1–4 seeds. 7,000 fruits were analysed in 1983, the results are as follows: 64.6% of then with only one seed in a capsule, 31.8% two seeds, 5.48% three seeds and 0.1% four seeds. The seeds are small, 2R. from 3.84 mm to 2.84 mm. The shape and the weight of the seeds are different from each other because of difference in number of seeds within a capsule.