Genetic variation in a population of the wild quail Coturnix coturnix japonica

To investigate genetic variation and to compare it with those of domestic quail populations, enzymatic and non-enzymatic proteins in a wild quail population were examined electrophoretically.
The wild quail population had a genetic variability considerably lower than those of domestic populations. The average heterozygosity estimated for 22 loci was 0.090 in the wild quail population.     

Protein polymorphism in two populations of the wild quail Coturnix coturnix japonica

To evaluate genetic variability in two populations of the wild quail Cofurnix coturnix japonica , proteins and enzymes were examined by starch gel electrophoresis.
Rare variants so far not observed in domestic quail were found in the following five enzymes; aspartate aminotransferase, acid phosphatase, pancreatic esterase, isocitrate dehydrogenase and lactate dehydrogenase. The proportion of polymorphic loci ( P _poly) and the expected average heterozygosity ( H ) in one of the two populations were estimated to be 0.484 (15/31) and 0.085, respectively. Those in another population were 0.433 (13/30) and 0.086, respectively. The genetic distance (Nei, 1975) between the two wild quail populations was D = 0.0074. D values of 0.0321 and 0.0189 were estimated between the laboratory quail population previously examined (Kimura et al., 1982) and each of these two wild populations.     

Ghrelin在成年中国黄羽鹌鹑消化道中的定位

为探讨Ghrelin免疫反应阳性细胞在成年中国黄羽鹌鹑(Coturnix japonica)消化道的分布规律及形态学特点。应用免疫组织化学SABC法对成年中国黄羽鹌鹑消化道各段Ghrelin阳性细胞进行定位和形态学研究;利用SPSS 17.0软件,对所得数据进行单因素Dunnett多重比较分析。结果显示,Ghrelin阳性细胞在成年中国黄羽鹌鹑腺胃、十二指肠、空肠、回肠和盲肠均有分布,其中在腺胃分布密度最高,为30.70±6.50,盲肠最低,为1.70±1.56,分布密度从腺胃至盲肠呈逐渐降低的趋势。Ghrelin阳性细胞主要分布于腺胃腺叶细胞、肠道黏膜上皮细胞、肠腺上皮细胞和肠固有层之间,细胞形态多为球形、长柱状和三角形。上述结果说明,Ghrelin阳性细胞在成年中国黄羽鹌鹑消化道分布广泛,根据其细胞形态推测中国黄羽鹌鹑消化道Ghrelin阳性细胞可能具有内分泌和外分泌功能。     

Association of the FADS2 Gene with ω-6 and ω-3 PUFA Concentration in the Egg Yolk of Japanese Quail

This study focused on the association of polymorphisms of the FADS2 gene with fatty acid profiles in egg yolk of eight Japanese quail lines selected for high and low ω-6:ω-3 PUFA ratio (h2 = 0.36–0.38). For the identification of polymorphisms within the FADS2 gene 1350 bp of cDNA sequence were obtained encoding 404 amino acids. Five synonymous SNPs were found by comparative sequencing of animals of the high and low lines. These SNPs were genotyped by single base extension on 160 Japanese quail. The association analysis, comprising analysis of variance and family based association test (FBAT), revealed significant effects of SNP3 and SNP4 genotypes on the egg yolk fatty acid profiles, especially the ω-6 and ω-3 PUFAs (P < 0.05). No effects of the other SNPs were found—indicating that these are not in linkage disequilibrium with the causal polymorphism. The results of this study promote FADS2 as a functional candidate gene for traits related to ω-6 and ω-3 PUFA concentration in the egg yolk.     

Validation of the doubly labeled water method in Japanese Quail Coturnix c. japonica chicks: is there an effect of growth rate?

The Doubly Labeled Water (DLW) method was validated against respiration gas analysis in growing Japanese Quail chicks (between 1 week and 3 weeks of age) as well as in birds after having achieved sexual maturity (7 weeks of age). A comparison was made between a strain selected for high growth rates (P-strain, n=18), and a non-selected strain (C-strain, n=18). Relative growth rates of individual chicks during the measurement ranged from −13.8% day⁻¹ to 23.1% day⁻¹. When employing a single-pool model (eq. 34, Lifson and McClintock 1966), it was found that the relative error of the DLW method was sensitive to assumptions concerning fractional evaporative water loss. The best fit was obtained after taking a fractional evaporative water loss value of 0.33. When applying this value for all chicks, it was found that neither strain, relative growth rate of the chick during measurement, nor age significantly contributed to the explained variance. When employing two-pool models, it was found that the DLW method significantly underestimated the true rates of CO₂ production at all assumed levels of fractional evaporative water loss. Based on an evaluation of DLW validation studies in growing shorebirds, terns, and quail we recommend Speakman's Eq. 7.17 (Speakman 1997) for general use in young birds. Accepted: 14 April 2000     

Homologue of mammalian apolipoprotein A-II in non-mammalian vertebrates

Although apolipoprotein with molecular weight 14 kDa （apo-14kDa） is associated with fish plasma highdensity lipoproteins （HDLs）, it remains to be determined whether apo-14 kDa is the homologue of mammalian apoA-II. We have obtained the full eDNA sequences that encode Japanese eel and rainbow trout apo-14 kDa. Homologues of Japanese eel apo-14 kDa sequence could be found in 14 fish species deposited in the DDBJ/EMBL/GenBank or TGI database. Fish apo- 14 kDa lacks propeptide and contains more internal repeats than mammalian apoA-II. Nevertheless, phylogenetic analysis allowed fish apo-14 kDa to be the homologue of mammalian apoA-II. In addition, in silico cloning of the TGI, Ensembl, or NCBI database revealed apoA-IIs in dog, chicken, green anole lizard, and African clawed frog whose sequences had not so far been available, suggesting both apoA-I and apoA-II as fundamental constituents of vertebrate HDLs.     

不同径级国槐行道树重金属富集效能比较

采用ICP-OES测定北京市台基厂大街行道树国槐各器官中7种重金属(Cd、Cr、Ni、Cu、Mn、Pb、Zn)含量,比较不同径级国槐重金属富集效能。结果表明:国槐中重金属含量因胸径级、器官、元素种类不同而存在差异。各径级国槐重金属含量大小总体趋势为ZnMnCuPbCrNiCd,各器官中树皮和根对重金属的吸收能力最强,其次是叶和枝,树干对重金属的吸收能力最弱。不同径级国槐对重金属的富集能力存在差异,表现为小径级中径级大径级。国槐各器官中重金属积累量大小顺序为根干枝叶,重金属积累量随着胸径级扩大和生物量的增加而增加。综合比较不同径级国槐重金属年均积累量、单位面积富集量和单位空间富集量,小径级(20≤DBH30 cm)国槐富集效能最高。     

基于边际回归的沈阳市绿化树种人工油松冠形模拟

构建城市典型绿化树种树冠外部轮廓预估模型,可以为城市绿化树种的空间配置优化奠定基础。本研究以辽宁省沈阳市典型绿化树种人工油松为对象,基于Crown Window装置获取60株样木树冠形状,利用幂函数、分段抛物线方程和修正Kozak方程选取基础模型,通过再参数化引入树冠结构因子(最大树冠半径)和相邻木竞争变量(相邻木平均树高、平均胸径、平均冠幅、相邻木株数,以及样木与其相邻木平均树冠接触高),构建耦合相邻木竞争及树冠结构因子的油松树冠外部轮廓预估模型。结果表明: 修正Kozak方程R_a²最大、均方根误差(RMSE)最小,模型稳定性良好,选取其为构建油松冠形模型的基础模型。通过再参数化在基础模型中引入最大树冠半径和相邻木平均胸径后,模型的R_a²提高0.0693,MSER为14.4%。分析最大树冠半径和相邻木竞争对油松树冠形状的影响发现,最大树冠半径对树冠形状影响较大,树冠半径随最大树冠半径增大而增大;相邻木平均胸径对树冠形状影响相比最大树冠半径较弱,树冠上半部分随相邻木竞争增强而增大,树冠下半部分随相邻木竞争增强而变小。本研究构建的耦合相邻木竞争及最大树冠半径的油松树冠外部轮廓边际回归模型具有良好的拟合优度,能够合理地模拟及预测沈阳市典型绿化树种人工油松的树冠形状。     

Immunohistochemical localization of corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF)-containing neurons in the hypothalamus of the Japanese quail,Coturnix coturnix

Immunohistochemical localization of corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF)-like immunoreactivity in the brain of the Japanese quail was studied by means of the peroxidase anti-peroxidase (PAP) method. CRF-immunopositive perikarya of parvocellular neurons were observed mainly in the nucleus praeopticus medialis and nucleus paraventricularis. Additional perikarya were also detected in the nucleus hypothalamicus posterior medialis in the hypothalamus and in the non-hypothalamic nucleus accumbens, nucleus septalis lateralis and nucleus dorsomedialis and dorsolateralis thalami. No CRF immunoreaction was found to coexist with the vasotocin (Vt)-containing system in comparative examination of consecutive sections treated with anti-vasopressin (Vp) serum. The CRF-immunoreactive fibers were detected mainly in the external layer of the anterior median eminence but not in its posterior division. Unilateral adrenalectomy induced the marked reduction in number of the CRF immunopositive fibers in the anterior median eminence.     

银杏大蚕蛾卵空间分布与环境关系的研究

银杏大蚕蛾DictyoplocajaponicaMoore在重庆市城口县 1年发生 1代 ,以卵越冬。卵分布与树龄、树干的关系为 :卵主要分布于 2 0～ 30年盛果期的核桃果树上 ,2 0年生以下及 30年以上的果树则分布较少 ;树干 1m以下的粗皮裂缝内分布的卵占总卵量的 72 5 % ;卵在林间的分布呈低密度、高聚集块状 ,为该虫的预测预报和生产防治提供科学依据。     

Enhanced yolk testosterone influences behavioral phenotype independent of sex in Japanese quail chicks Coturnix japonica

Studies have demonstrated an effect of yolk testosterone levels on the physiology and behavior of nestling birds. In order to investigate this phenomenon experimentally in a precocial bird, we enhanced yolk testosterone, but within the physiological range, by injecting 50 ng testosterone in ethanol into Japanese quail Coturnix japonica eggs prior to incubation. The chicks hatching from these as well as from control eggs that had received the carrier-only or were left unmanipulated were subject to a number of behavioral tests from hatching to the age of 3 weeks. In addition, fecal samples were taken during a 90-min isolation period to determine a physiological response to a stressor. Experimental chicks performed a detour task faster and approached novel objects sooner than did the controls. Chicks from treated eggs took a longer time to start distress vocalizing and also produced less distress calls during open-field trials, took on average a larger number of trials for them to show tonic immobility and also excreted lower levels of corticosterone metabolites (BM) than did the controls. In response to a stressor, excreted BM was initially higher in the control chicks, as compared to the experimental birds. Induced behavioral effects were independent of sex with no sex treatment interactions found. In sum, experimentally enhanced testosterone levels in the eggs shifted individual behavioral phenotype towards "bold" or "proactive", irrespective of sex. We conclude that testosterone in the yolk influences the coping style of hatchlings and may be a potential means of maternal influence on offspring phenotype.     

骨骼形态发生蛋白受体的研究进展

介绍了骨骼形态发生蛋白的结构和生物学功能;骨骼形态发生蛋白受体的种类、结构、信号传递机制、生物学功能;骨骼形态发生蛋白15基因和骨骼形态发生蛋白受体IB基因与繁殖性能的关系。     

Combined effects of experimental heavy-metal contamination (Cu, Zn, and CH3Hg) and starvation on quail’s body condition

Combined effects of heavy-metal contamination (Cu, Zn, and CH₃Hg) and starvation were tested on common quails (Coturnix coturnix japonica) and used as a model for comparison with a wild common guillemot (Uria aalge) population found stranded at the Belgian coast. Appropriate heavy-metal levels were given to the quails to obtain concentrations similar to those found in the seabirds’s tissues. The contaminated animals were then starved for 4 d to simulate the evident malnutrition symptoms observed at the guillemot’s level. In such conditions, food intake and total-body weight are shown to decrease in contaminated individuals with simultaneous significant hepatic and renal increase of the heavy-metal concentrations. Like guillemots, higher heavy-metal levels were observed in those contaminated quails that had also developed a cachectic status characterized by a general atrophy of their pectoral muscle and complete absence of subcutaneous and/or abdominal fat depots. Although likely the result of a general protein catabolism during starvation, it is suggested that these higher metal levels could as well enhance a general muscle wasting process (cachectic status).     

Axis differentiation in two South American Nothofagus species (Nothofagaceae)

An analysis was carried out on the length, diameter and number of leaves, and the ratios between these variables for current-year growth units (sibling growth units) derived from different nodes of previous-year growth units (parent growth units) of young Nothofagus dombeyi and Nothofagus pumilio trees. Changes in sibling growth unit length, diameter, and number of leaves with position on the parent growth unit were assessed. In both species, sibling-growth unit morphology varied according to both the axis type of the parent growth unit and the position of the sibling growth unit on its parent growth unit. For the largest parent growth units, the length, diameter and number of leaves of their sibling growth units decreased from distal to proximal positions on the parent growth unit. Distal sibling growth units had a more slender stem and longer internodes than proximal sibling growth units. Sibling growth units in equivalent positions tended to have a more slender stem for N. dombeyi than for N. pumilio. Long main-branch growth units of N. pumilio had longer internodes than those of N. dombeyi; the converse was true for shorter growth units. The growth unit diameter/leaf number ratio was consistently higher for N. pumilio than for N. dombeyi. Nothofagus pumilio axes would go through a faster transition from an 'exploring' morphology to an 'exploiting' morphology than N. dombeyi axes. Within- and between-species variations in growth unit morphology should be considered when assessing the adaptive value of the branching pattern of plants.