A solid phase radioimmunoassay for detection of early pregnancy in the South Indian bonnet monkeyMacaca radiata

Using an antibody raised in the rabbit to ovine leutenizing hormone β subunit coupled to activated cellulose, a solid phase radioimmunoassay to detect early pregnancy in the South Indian bonnet monkey has been developed. Non-specific inhibition due to serum was eliminated by inclusion of new born calf serum in the assay tubes. The assay is simple, needs only one centrifugation and can be completed in 6 h at room temperature with no false positive results.     

An immunogold,cryoultrastructural study of sites of synthesis and storage of chorionic gonadotropin and placental lactogen in human syncytiotrophoblast

Summary The sites of intracellular synthesis and storage of human placental lactogen (hPL) and human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) are controversial. We have used one of the most sensitive methods, cryoultramicrotomy and immunogold labelling, to localise these hormones at the electron-microscopic level. In both 12-week and term placentas hCG and hPL are present throughout the rough endoplasmic reticulum cisternae, in the Golgi bodies, and in the infrequent small dense granules of the syncytiotrophoblast. Previous assays have shown that hCG is at a higher concentration in early pregnancy and hPL peaks in late pregnancy, and our results corroborate these findings. No significant localisation of either hormone was seen in the cytotrophoblast or villous stroma. The results suggest that both hCG and hPL are synthesised and packaged by the classical secretory pathway, although the level of hormone stored in granules at any one time is small.     

The cephalometric analysis of Cercopithecus aethiops

A Steiner-based cephalometric study of 46 adult Vervet monkeys was undertaken using craniometric points as closely correlated to those in the human as possible. On tracings of each cephalogram 13 measurements were recorded. The results were statistically analysed. Whilst the monkey face does vary individually this variation is apparently much less than is that of the human face. It is possible that the positions of the monkey incisor crowns bear a relatively constant relationship to the soft tissue profile. The establishment of some cephalometric norms for the Vervet monkey may be useful for future growth studies.     

雌性川金丝猴尿中生殖激素变化的研究

用人促黄体生成素／绒毛膜促性腺激素诊断药盒及雌激素诊断药盒,定期测定４只雌性川金丝猴尿中黄体生成素和绒毛膜促性腺激素的活性及其与雌激素含量的关系。实验证明,两种人用诊断药盒可以测出金丝猴尿中的促黄体生成素（ＬＨ）／绒毛膜促性腺激素（ＣＧ）及雌激素（Ｅ）的变化情况。基本上反映了金丝猴的卵泡形成、排卵和黄体生成的时间以及妊娠的情况。ＬＨ／ＣＧ及Ｅ,每月有一个大的峰值,其后１－４天内有月经或尿潜血出现。妊娠初期ＬＨ／ＣＧ急剧上升,持续一个月达到最高峰后即急剧下降。Ｅ在ＬＨ／ＣＧ下降后开始升高,持续３－４个月达到最高峰,高峰下降后半个月左右分娩,分娩后重新升高,但低于原水平。金丝猴的繁殖行为,主要表现为邀配和交配,９－１２月频率最高。根据ＬＨ／ＣＧ曲线的变化可以推断受精的大约日期。     

IL-10 is up regulated in early and transitional stages in vervet monkeys experimentally infected with Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense

IL-10 has been suggested as a possible parameter for human African trypanosomiasis stage determination. However, conclusive experimental studies have not been carried out to evaluate this, which is a prerequisite before a potential test can be validated in humans for diagnostic purposes. We used the vervet monkey model of trypanosomiasis to scrutinize IL-10 in blood and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Five adult males were experimentally infected with T. b. rhodesiense. The infected animals became anemic and exhibited weight loss. Parasitemia was patent after 3 days and fluctuated around 3.7 × 10⁷ trypanosomes/ml throughout the experimental period. The total CSF white cell counts increased from pre-infection means around 3 cells/μl to a peak of 30 cells/μl, 42 days post-infection (DPI). IL-10 was not detectable (< 2 pg/ml) in serum prior to infection. IL-10 serum concentrations increased to 273 pg/ml 10 DPI coinciding with the first peak of parasitemia. Thereafter the levels declined to a mean value of 77 pg/ml 34 DPI followed by a significant rise to a second peak of 304 pg/ml (p < 0.008) 42 DPI. There was no detectable IL-10 in CSF. IL-10 synthesis is thus stimulated both in the early and transitional stages of experimental trypanosomiasis. That IL-10 is produced in early stage disease is an interesting finding unlikely to be detected in humans where it is difficult to determine the exact time of infection. The IL-10 peak observed on day 42 of infection might indicate onset of parasite neuroinvasion coinciding with a peak in white blood cell counts in the blood and CSF.     

Milk composition of captive vervet monkey (Chlorocebus pygerythrus) and rhesus macaque (Macaca mulatta) with observations on gorilla (Gorilla gorilla gorilla) and white handed gibbon (Hylobates lar)

The nutrient content and fatty acid composition of vervet monkey milk has been determined and is compared with rhesus macaque, and two hominoid apes, the white handed gibbon and gorilla. With 15.7 ± 4.1 g protein, 33.1 ± 9.4 g fat, and 85.1 ± 7.5 g lactose per kg milk, vervet monkey milk does not differ from that of rhesus macaque, and is within the range of other primates. Small amounts (> 1 g kg^− 1) of oligosaccharides, glucose, galactose and fucose were noted. In comparison, gorilla milk has a low fat content of 13.8 g kg^− 1, but contains high levels of oligosaccharides at 7.0 g kg^− 1 milk. The hominoid partner, the white handed gibbon, contains no oligosaccharides and a milk fat content similar to other hominoid species. Differences between vervet monkey and rhesus macaque milks were observed in the electrophoretic pattern of the milk proteins, mainly amongst the κ- and γ-caseins, which also differ from that of the hominids. The fatty acid contents of these milks differ from studies where a natural diet of leafy material was available in that a low content of α-linolenic acid (18:3n−3) was noted. A phylogenetic effect is observed for the content of 8:0, 10:0 fatty acids between the Cercopithecidae and Hominoidea, and a further phylogenetic effect suggested between the Hylobatidae and Hominidae.     

The ultrastructure of the Sertoli cell of the vervet monkey, Chlorocebus aethiops

The ultrastructure of the Sertoli cell of the vervet monkey was studied using both scanning and transmission electron microscopic techniques. SEM micrographs revealed perforated sleeve-like processes which encased mature elongated spermatids which are ready for spermiation. TEM micrographs showed a large Sertoli cell nucleus characterized by many lobes (4–5) and consisting of a homogenous nucleoplasm and a distinctive nucleolus. The nucleus occupies a significant portion of the basal region of the cell. The distribution of chromatin clearly shows high activity of these cells. Lipid droplets and free ribosomes are also found scattered throughout the cytoplasm. Well-developed Golgi apparatus is found in the basal region of the cell. There is phagocytic activity in the Sertoli cells as revealed by the presence of numerous phagosomes. Numerous mitochondria with well-developed tubular cristae are found on the basal side of the nucleus, whereas few mitochondria are located on the apical side of the nucleus. Distinct desmosomes are located between cells. A well-developed smooth endoplasmic reticulum and granular endoplasmic reticulum are frequently found in the cytoplasm of the Sertoli cells. The results of this investigation showed that Sertoli cells of the vervet monkey are almost similar to those of humans and show many similarities with other mammalian species.     

Ultrastructure of the ovarian medulla in the newly hatched chick treated with human chorionic gonadotropin

Summary The ultrastructural characteristics of the ovarian medulla of the newly hatched white leghorn chick were studied in control animals and compared with chicks that were treated with human chorionic gonadotropin during embryonic development. The ovarian medulla was mainly occupied by epithelial cells which formed cords or islets surrounded by a basal lamina. Within this epithelial compartment, steroidogenic cells, poorly differentiated cells and a lacunary system could be recognized. When chicks were treated with human chorionic gonadotropin, steroidogenic cells became discernible; there was an increment in the amount of cytoplasm and the area of mitochondria. Poorly differentiated cells exhibited signs of stimulation, and transitional images suggested the transformation of these cells into steroidogenic cells. The epithelial cells of the lacunar system also displayed stimulated cytoplasmic organelles. Evidence was supplied suggesting that relatively undifferentiated cells persist in the ovarian medulla until hatching and can develop into steroidogenic cells under gonadotropic stimulation.     

用绒毛组织微核评价母亲因素对人胚的致突变性

对507对欲作人工流产的夫妇进行断面调查及绒毛组织微核的测定,以探讨父母吸烟、饮酒及采取避孕措施等因素对子代的致突变性。结果显示:微核的发生率与母亲年龄、孕次、孕龄、既往流产史等自身的因素无关;各种避孕措施及少量饮酒均不具有诱发绒毛微核细胞率增加的作用。然而,男方吸烟、女方被动吸烟其微核细胞率为0.7645±0.0561‰高于饮酒组(0.5667±0.2004‰)和非吸烟对照组(05522±0.0616‰),与对照组有显著性统计学意义(P<0.05)。男方配偶吸烟兼饮酒者其微核发生率最高(0.7944±0.0754‰),说明吸烟与饮酒对诱发绒毛微核的产生有协同作用的趋势。本文并对男方吸烟和/或女方被动吸烟可诱发胚胎绒毛组织细胞DNA和/或纺锤体装置的损伤,进行了探讨,提出应引起人们的高度重视,并建议利用人类绒毛组织微核测定法作为监测环境致突变因子对人类下一代影响的方法。     

Use of nonhuman primates in cancer research

A short historical review of the use of primates in cancer research is presented followed by a review of various forms of neoplasma observed in the oldest existing Primate Center. Special attention is paid to baboon lymphomas studied for the past two decades at the U.S.S.R. Primate Center at Sukhumi.     

Ontogenetic adaptation to bipedalism: age changes in femoral to humeral length and strength proportions in humans, with a comparison to baboons

The increase in lower/upper limb bone length and strength proportions in adult humans compared to most other anthropoid primates is commonly viewed as an adaptation to bipedalism. The ontogenetic development of femoral to humeral proportions is examined here using a longitudinal sample of 20 individuals measured radiographically at semiannual or annual intervals from 6 months of age to late adolescence (a subset of the Denver Growth Study sample). Anthropometric data (body weights, muscle breadths) were also available at each examination age. Results show that while femoral/humeral length proportions close to those of adults are already present in human infants, characteristically human femoral/humeral diaphyseal strength proportions only develop after the adoption of bipedalism at about 1 year of age. A rapid increase in femoral/humeral strength occurs between 1 and 3 years, followed by a slow increase until mid-late adolescence, when adult proportions are reached. When age changes in material properties are factored in, femoral strength shows an almost constant relationship to body size (body mass.bone length) after 5 years of age, while humeral strength shows a progressive decline relative to body size. Femoral/humeral length proportions increase slightly throughout growth, with no apparent change in growth trajectory at the initiation of walking, and with a small decline in late adolescence due to later growth in length of the humerus. A sex difference in femoral/humeral strength proportions (females greater) but not length proportions, develops early in childhood. Thus, growth trajectories in length and strength proportions are largely independent, with strength proportions more responsive to actual changes in mechanical loading. A cross-sectional ontogenetic sample of baboons (n=30) illustrates contrasting patterns of growth, with much smaller age changes in proportions, particularly strength proportions, although there is some indication of an adaptation to altered limb loadings early in baboon development.     

绒毛膜促性腺激素对复发性流产大鼠子宫内膜厚度、雌激素受体表达及免疫因子表达的影响

摘要 目的：探讨绒毛膜促性腺激素对复发性流产大鼠的治疗效果,为临床中优化复发性流产的治疗方案提供理论基础。方法：选取未交配生育的SPF级雌性大鼠共40只,随机分为对照组（A组）、模型组（B组）、常规治疗组（C组）、绒毛膜促性腺激素治疗组（D组）,每组各10只。雌鼠妊娠后开始干预。A组大鼠全天仅灌服生理盐水。B组大鼠上午灌服生理盐水,C组大鼠上午灌服地屈孕酮水溶液,D组大鼠上午注射绒毛膜促性腺激素注射液,下午B、C、D组大鼠灌服羟基脲溶液。妊娠第十天给予各组大鼠灌服米非司酮。比较各组大鼠胚胎吸收率、炎性因子水平、免疫因子水平、雌激素受体表达水平及子宫内膜损伤程度。结果：干预后,与A组相比,各组大鼠胚胎吸收率增高,与B组大鼠相比,C组、D组大鼠的胚胎吸收率降低,且D组大鼠低于C组;与A组相比,各组大鼠IL-17水平、IL-17/ TGF-β、Th17细胞比例、Th17/Treg升高,且TGF-β水平、Treg细胞比例下降,同时C组、D组大鼠的IL-17水平、IL-17/TGF-β、Th17细胞比例、Th17/Treg均低于B组,且D组低于C组,同时TGF-β水平、Treg细胞比例高于B组,且D组高于C组;干预后,与A组相比,各组大鼠子宫内膜厚度下降,纤维化面积比例增加,与B组相比,C组、D组大鼠的子宫内膜厚度增加且D组高于C组,同时子宫内膜纤维化比例低于B组,且D组低于C组;与A组相比,各组大鼠ER、PR、PRLR mRNA表达水平明显降低,与B组相比,C组、D组大鼠的ER、PR、PRLR mRNA表达水平有所增加,且D组高于C组,差异均具有统计学意义（P＜0.05）。结论：绒毛膜促性腺激素可能通过调节炎性因子水平和免疫微环境,提高性激素、受体表达,进而修复子宫内膜损伤,降低胚胎吸收率,促进复发性流产的恢复。     

ELISA for the measurement of serum and urinary chorionic gonadotropin concentrations in the laboratory macaque

A rapid, sensitive, enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay (ELISA) for the measurement of chorionic gonadotropin (CG) in serum and urine samples of laboratory macaques is reported. The ligand (CG) is captured by a readily available, widely used, and well-characterized monoclonal anti-body (Mab, 518B7) generated against the β subunit of bovine luteinizing hormone (LH). This Mab, while specific for LH, shows very little species specificity, and has been shown to detect LH and CG by radioimmunoassay (RIA) in both human and non-human primates. A polyclonal antiserum raised in rabbits against human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is conjugated to horseradish peroxidase, and is used as the second anti-body signal. This anti-hCG antiserum cross reacts with CG secreted by both the human (hCG) and macaque (mCG). The ELISA utilizes hCG as the standard, and results are based on the relative concentrations of mCG in serum and urine. Total assay time is less than 5 hours. Range of the standard curve is 0.002 to 0.5 ng hCG/well, and the least detectable concentration of hCG is 0.0023 ± 0.0007 ng/well. Pregnancy was detected in early pregnant macaques (M. fascicularis) on 9 (N = 1/16), 10 (N = 1/16), 11 (N = 1/16), 12 (N = 6/16), 13 (N = 1/16), 14 (N = 4/16), and 15 (N = 2/16) days following the pre-ovulatory urinary estrone conjugate peak. The detection of pregnancy by urinary mCG occurred approximately 24 to 72 hours after its detection in serum. Am. J. Primatol. 41:307–322, 1997. © 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

人绒毛膜促性腺激素β亚基酶解片段特性的研究

以嗜热菌蛋白酶水解人绒毛膜促性腺激素,亚基(hCG_β),用HPLC分离制备酶解产物。酶解片段经竞爭性放射分析,不能与LH/hCG受体结合,但保留近乎全部hCG_β的免疫反应性.园二色谱分析,与hCG_β比较,酶解片段所含α螺旋减少,β折叠与无规卷曲含量增多。表明hCG_β可能有几个肽段和/或糖链参与hCG受体相互作用;酶解片段中仍含有hCG_β的主要决定簇,该决定簇与hCG_β结合受体的结构有区别。