胎仔数与父本缺失对棕色田鼠幼仔体重发育的影响

室内饲养条件下,测量了出生后不同发育阶段棕色田鼠Microtus mandarinus的体重,并探讨了胎仔数(分别为1只、2只、3只和4只)及父本缺失(母鼠单独抚育)对幼仔体重发育的影响.结果表明,棕色田鼠出生后第一周体重的瞬时生长率最高,此后逐步下降;出生后28～35 d,体重增益最大(P<0.05).出生后7 d,不同胎仔数的体重没有明显差异,但至断乳时(出生后21 d),胎仔数为2只的幼仔平均体重明显高于其它胎仔数的平均体重(P<0.05).与双亲抚育相比,母鼠单独抚育的幼仔在断乳时的体重明显下降(P<0.05).这些结果说明,哺乳期内棕色田鼠幼仔的体重发育与胎仔数有关.由于棕色田鼠是单配制,双亲育幼,父本雄鼠的缺失减少了亲本投资,影响了幼仔的身体发育.     

肝毛细线虫对雌性布氏田鼠繁殖参数的影响

2005年5月,在内蒙古锡林郭勒盟阿巴嘎旗北部,研究了肝毛细线虫(Capillaria hepatica)对典型草原区雌性布氏田鼠(Lasiopodomys brandtii)繁殖参数的影响。采用标准夹线法捕获鼠类,对捕获的鼠类进行常规生物学解剖,根据虫卵有无确定肝毛细线虫病感染情况,记录鼠类名称、体长、体重、胴体重、繁殖特征以及肝毛细线虫病感染情况。由于体重是划分鼠类年龄的常用指标之一,结合布氏田鼠的繁殖特征研究数据,采用25.1~55.0 g之间的雌性个体作为本研究分析样本,并将其分为25.1~35.0 g、35.1~45.0 g和45.1~55.0 g体重(年龄)组。采用卡方检验比较分析同一体重(年龄)组内,肝毛细线虫病感染情况与雌性布氏田鼠妊娠率的关系,T检验分析感染情况与胎仔数的关系。结果显示,在各个体重(年龄)组中,感染肝毛细线虫组布氏田鼠雌鼠妊娠率均略低于未感染组,但感染情况与妊娠情况无显著相关关系(P0.05);感染肝毛细线虫布氏田鼠胎仔数低于未感染布氏田鼠,感染情况与胎仔数有显著相关关系(P0.05)。结果表明,肝毛细线虫病对布氏田鼠妊娠率无明显影响,但对布氏田鼠胎仔数有明显的负面影响。     

黑线仓鼠繁殖输出与基础代谢率的关系

为了解黑线仓鼠繁殖输出与基础代谢率(BMR)的关系,阐明最大持续能量收支(SusMR)的限制水平, 揭示哺乳期能量收支对策,本文测定了哺乳期黑线仓鼠的体重、摄食量、BMR 和身体组成,以及哺乳期的胎仔数、胎仔重和泌乳能量支出(MEO)。结果显示,黑线仓鼠哺乳期体重降低了15.0 ± 0.8% , 摄食量显著增加, 哺乳高峰期平均摄食量为13.9 ± 0.3 g /d, 摄入能为222.1 ± 5.3 kJ/ d, 比哺乳初期增加121% , 比对照组高288% ;哺乳高峰期MEO 为62.4 ± 2.3 kJ/ d, 哺乳末期BMR 为49.7 ± 1.1 kJ/ d; 断乳时平均胎仔数4.7 ± 0.2、窝胎仔重50.5 ±1.6 g; 哺乳末期BMR 比对照组增加48% ,BMR 与消化系统各器官的相关性高于对照组; BMR 与胎仔数、胎仔重、乳腺重量和MEO 显著正相关。结果表明:初次繁殖的黑线仓鼠哺乳期SusMR 限制为4.47 ×BMR, 在自身维持和繁殖输出之间采取了“权衡分配”的原则,通过体重降低以减少BMR 的增加幅度, 从而有利于繁殖输出。     

布氏田鼠双亲低体重导致雄性后代生长和繁殖间的权衡

动物出生前后阶段是发育可塑性的关键时期,众多生理或环境因素可长期改变个体的生长发育和代谢表型。双亲效应是造成后代表型差异的重要原因。为研究双亲体重对后代断乳后的生长发育及成年期体重和能量代谢的影响,选取了体重差异显著的布氏田鼠,分别雌雄配对,形成高体重双亲组后代(雌性,51.5 g±1.6 g;雄性,60.4 g±2.5 g;Parental high body mass,HBM)和低体重双亲组后代(雌性,35.5 g±1.2 g;雄性,49.6 g±2.8 g;Parental low body mass,LBM)。检测了后代(胎仔数为6-8)4-13周龄的体重、能量摄入(摄入能、消化能和消化率);12周龄时静止代谢率、非颤抖性产热、葡萄糖耐受;13周龄的血清瘦素水平及身体组织器官重等。发现:(1)低体重双亲组后代发育过程中的摄入能和消化能均显著高于高体重双亲组,雄性后代睾丸湿重和干重显著降低。(2)在雄性后代,双亲低体重导致静止代谢率显著升高,但雌性后代组间差异不显著。(3)成年(12周龄后)时的体重、非颤抖性产热、血清瘦素和葡萄糖耐受在高、低体重双亲组间无显著差异。结果表明:双亲低体重导致后代发育过程中将更多的能量用于生长,雄性后代繁殖器官的发育明显受到抑制,表现出生长和繁殖间的权衡。     

高蛋白食物和繁殖对布氏田鼠能量摄入和产热的影响

为探讨高蛋白食物和繁殖对布氏田鼠食物摄入和产热等特征的效应,将成年雌性布氏田鼠分为非繁殖对照食物组、非繁殖高蛋白组、繁殖对照食物组和繁殖高蛋白组。对照食物蛋白含量为17.7%,高蛋白食物的蛋白含量为36.6%。实验过程中测定动物的体重、食物摄入量、静止代谢率(RMR)、身体成分、内脏器官重量、褐色脂肪组织(BAT)解偶联蛋白1(UCP1)含量、血清瘦素和催乳素水平等。结果发现:高蛋白食物明显抑制布氏田鼠的体重,但动物在妊娠期和哺乳期,这种抑制作用消失。高蛋白食物明显抑制非繁殖组动物的干物质摄入、摄入能和消化能,但对哺乳期动物没有影响。高蛋白食物提高了非繁殖期和繁殖期动物的消化率,降低了血清瘦素浓度,但仅提高了繁殖期动物肾脏的重量,而降低了盲肠的重量。RMR、UCP1含量和血清催乳素浓度等则不受高蛋白食物的影响。繁殖期动物的体重、能量摄入、RMR和血清催乳素浓度等均高于非繁殖动物。这些结果表明,食物蛋白含量可影响布氏田鼠的能量代谢和产热特征等,且在繁殖期和非繁殖期有不同的反应方式。     

剃毛和增加胎仔数对KM 小鼠哺乳期能量收支的影响

为探讨最大持续能量收支限制的因素和生理机理,本文测定了增加胎仔数和背部剃毛的KM 小鼠的哺乳
期摄食量和繁殖输出。基础代谢率(BMR)以封闭式流体压力呼吸计测定。结果发现,增加胎仔数对哺乳期体
重、摄食量、热传导率、BMR 和胎仔重的影响不显著;与非剃毛对照组相比,剃毛使哺乳高峰期日平均摄食量
增加了13.8% (P<0.001)、BMR 增加了18.1% (P< 0.01)、热传导增加了30.8% (P< 0.01),但剃毛对体
重、胎仔数和胎仔重的影响不显著;胎仔数与断乳时胎仔重显著正相关,与幼体平均体重显著负相关。BMR 与
母体体重和胎仔重显著正相关。这些结果表明,KM 小鼠哺乳期能量收支受到了限制,剃毛显著增强了KM 小鼠
的散热能力,但未影响繁殖输出;支持“外周限制假说”,不符合“热耗散限制假说”。     

光周期对布氏田鼠幼仔生长发育的影响

通过比较法对实验室内布氏田鼠 (Microtusbrandti)幼仔生长发育与光周期关系的研究表明 ,尽管出生和断乳时的窝仔数及断乳时窝仔存活率不受光周期的影响 (t test,P >0 0 5 ) ,每种光周期条件下出生和断乳时雌雄比例差异不显著 (Chi square检验 ,P >0 0 5 ) ,不同光周期间雄性比例无明显差异 (百分数的检验 ,P >0 0 5 ) ,但是 ,随着幼仔的生长 ,出生并饲养在长光照周期 (LD ,14L∶10D)下的个体体重、体长和肥满度显著大于短光照周期 (SD ,10L∶14D)下的幼体 ,尤在出生 9或 14天以后的各阶段 (t test,P <0 0 5 )。在 6 0日龄时 ,LD雄鼠的睾丸、附睾及储精囊成熟指数显著高于SD鼠 (t test,睾丸 ,t =3 30 9,df =14,P <0 0 1;附睾 ,t=3 6 2 2 ,df =14,P <0 0 1;储精囊 ,t=3 379,df =14,P <0 0 1)。但LD组的皮毛厚度和绒毛长度显著低于SD组 (t test,皮毛厚度t=- 5 185 ,df =14,P <0 0 1;绒毛长度t=- 2 415 ,df =14,P <0 0 5 )。作者认为体重、肥满度和性腺成熟指数 (GSI)高的LD鼠较SD鼠更适应于繁殖期的繁殖生存 ;而生长发育缓慢 ,皮毛厚度、绒毛长度高的SD鼠更能适应越冬生存。在自然环境中 ,光周期可能被布氏田鼠作为季节环境变化的信号 ,使其在形态和生殖方面提前作好准备 ,采取不同的策略以适     

粪便激素水平反映不同出生时期雄性布氏田鼠的繁殖策略

布氏田鼠是我国内蒙古草原的主要害鼠之一,具有明显的季节繁殖特征,不同季节出生个体可能具有不同的繁殖策略,但尚缺乏内分泌证据支持。本研究采用标志重捕法,连续监测大型自然围栏中不同年龄雄性布氏田鼠的繁殖状态和应激水平的季节变化,分析各年龄组雄鼠的繁殖发育策略。结果表明,越冬雄鼠可保持较高的睾丸下降率和睾酮水平至8月初;而部分5月生雄鼠的繁殖期睾酮水平较接近越冬鼠,但8月初已降至年内最低水平,而6月及以后出生雄鼠睾酮始终处于较低水平;这说明越冬鼠的繁殖状态可贯穿繁殖期始终,只有部分5月生雄鼠可能参与当年繁殖,而6月及以后出生雄鼠则不能在当年繁殖。越冬鼠皮质醇水平高于当年鼠,繁殖期高于非繁殖期,这可能是越冬鼠由于繁殖需要而保持较高应激状态,从而造成繁殖盛期后死亡率升高。这些结果说明,不同时期出生的雄性布氏田鼠具有不同的出生后性腺发育模式和繁殖策略,反映出生存与繁殖之间的权衡。     

黑线仓鼠自身生存和繁殖输出间的权衡不受温度影响

  为阐明野生小型哺乳动物哺乳期能量收支对策,深入理解最大持续能量摄入（SusEI）限制的因素和机理,测定了不同环境温度下（21℃、30℃和5℃）与哺育不同胎仔数（自然胎仔数Con、减少Minus和增加胎仔数Plus）的黑线仓鼠哺乳期体重、摄食量、基础代谢率（BMR）、非颤抖性产热（NST）,以及褐色脂肪组织（BAT）细胞色素C氧化酶（COX）活性、血清T₃、T₄和催乳素水平。结果显示,哺乳期体重显著降低,摄食量显著增加,21℃和30℃组间差异不显著。最大持续摄食量约为14g/d,Minus组比Con和Plus组低20.3%和18.6%。温度对摄食量的影响显著,5℃下摄食量达16g/d,比21℃和30℃组高14%（P<0.05）。Con和Minus组胎仔数维持稳定,而Plus组胎仔数显著降低,断乳时Con和Plus组胎仔数差异不显著。Minus组胎仔重显著低于Con和Plus组。断乳时Minus组平均幼体体重比Con和Plus组分别高17.9%和24.9%（P<0.05）。5℃下BMR、NST、COX活性、血清T₃、T₄和催乳素水平显著高于21℃和30℃,而21℃和30℃组间差异不显著。结果表明：黑线仓鼠SusEI水平为5×BMR,低温下可通过增加能量摄入应对代谢产热的能量支出,在自身维持和繁殖输出之间采取了“权衡分配”的能量学策略,研究结果支持热耗散限制假说,也符合外周限制假说的预测。     

啮齿动物胎仔数与生活史变量的关系

胎仔数是影响哺乳动物繁殖率的基本参数 ,与动物的生活史变量密切相关。胎仔数及其相关的生活史变量 ,包括后代的质量、幼体的生存、母体的体重及母体的生存等 ,共同影响繁殖适合度。简述了胎仔数与生活史变量关系的研究方法及研究对象的选择 ,着重介绍了胎仔数与幼体和母体生活史变量的关系 :胎仔数与后代的质量呈负相关 ,后代的质量又决定了幼体的生存 ;胎仔数与母体体重相关不显著 ,而且可能对母体的生存产生负面影响。有关胎仔数与其生活史变量的关系还有待于进一步的探索 ,更多先进技术手段与方法的交叉运用将补充和完善胎仔数研究的内容     

炔雌醚对布氏田鼠繁殖的抑制效果

明确炔雌醚对鼠类繁殖抑制最适剂量及持续有效作用时间,对其后续相关理论研究和实践应用具有基础性作用。本研究以0.5 mg/kg、1.0mg/kg、2.0mg/kg、3.0mg/kg、6.0mg/kg浓度炔雌醚分别连续灌胃雄性和雌性布氏田鼠7d 后,与正常异性配对观察90ｄ。按繁殖启动期、繁殖率和繁殖力等最直观的指标综合评价了5个浓度炔雌醚对雌雄布氏田鼠的不育效果。室内条件下,炔雌醚能够延迟雌雄布氏田鼠的生殖启动,但可能由于样本量小,未达统计显著性。90ｄ 内,一定浓度的炔雌醚能够降低雌雄个体的繁殖率和平均每窝产仔数,同样未达统计显著性。一些浓度的药物能够显著降低布氏田鼠的繁殖力,其抑制效果无剂量相关性。推断炔雌醚对雄性布氏田鼠的最适不育作用浓度为2.0mg/kg左右,对雌性的最适不育作用浓度为1.0mg/kg左右。实际综合应用剂量2.0mg/kg左右,能有效降低布氏田鼠产仔总数,其持续时间可达90d。     

Different physiological roles of serum leptin in the regulation of energy intake and thermogenesis between pregnancy and lactation in primiparous Brandt's voles (Lasiopodomys brandtii)

Reproduction, especially lactation, is associated with major metabolic adaptive changes. In this study, we investigated the metabolic changes and the roles of leptin during different periods of reproduction in primiparous Brandt's voles (Lasiopodomys brandtii). Energy intake, thermogenic capacity and serum leptin levels were examined in non-reproductive, mid pregnant, late pregnant, early lactating and peak lactating voles. Voles increased body mass by nearly 70% during late pregnancy compared to the non-breeding controls. The increase in body mass was mainly due to the increase in body fat mass which increased by 56%, and the growth of the reproductive tissues and digestive organs. Lactating voles decreased body fat by nearly 27% at peak lactation compared to the controls, and 53% compared to late pregnant voles. At the same time they increased food intake significantly. Uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1) content in brown adipose tissue (BAT) decreased significantly at peak lactation. Serum leptin increased significantly in the mid pregnancy, at a time when there was no increase in body fat, and remained at this high level in late pregnancy. Leptin levels decreased after parturition and reached a nadir at peak lactation. Serum leptin was negatively correlated with energy intake during lactation, but not during pregnancy. These data suggest that Brandt's voles adjust energy intake, thermogenic capacity and body reserves to match the high energy demands for reproduction. Hyperleptinemia, without decreased energy intake suggests a state of leptin resistance during pregnancy, and hypoleptinemia during lactation might act as a signal to stimulate energy intake.     

Short photoperiod influences energy intake and serum leptin level in Brandt's voles (Microtus brandtii)

Photoperiod cues play important roles in the regulation of seasonal variations in body mass (BM) and energy balance for many small mammals. The present study was designed to examine the effects of photoperiod acclimation on BM, energy intake, and serum leptin levels in Brandt's voles (Microtus (Lasiopodomys) brandtii). After 4 weeks of acclimation to either long (LD; light:dark, 16:8) or short (SD; 8:16) photoperiod, SD voles had lower BM, body fat mass, and dry mass of liver and kidneys, but higher digestible energy intake in comparison to LD voles. SD voles also showed a lower level of serum leptin than did LD voles. Furthermore, the level of serum leptin was correlated positively with body fat mass and negatively with gross energy intake. Together, these data suggest that Brandt's voles employ a strategy of minimizing body growth, increasing energy intake, and mobilizing fat deposition in response to cues associated with short photoperiod. Furthermore, leptin seems to be involved in the regulation of BM and energy balance mediated by photoperiod.     

Large litter size increases maternal energy intake but has no effect on UCP1 content and serum-leptin concentrations in lactating Brandt’s voles (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Lasiopodomys brandtii</Emphasis>)

Lactation is the most energetically demanding period in the female mammal's life. We measured maternal energy intake, uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1) content in brown adipose tissue (BAT), serum-leptin concentration, and litter growth in lactating Brandt's voles (Lasiopodomys brandtii) with different litter sizes. Litter mass was positively related to litter size but there was no difference in pup mass at birth. Maternal gross energy intake at peak lactation was positively correlated with litter size and litter mass. Maternal resting metabolic rate (RMR) was positively correlated with litter mass, but not with litter size. No significant differences were detected in body-fat mass, serum-leptin concentration, or UCP1 in lactating voles with different litter sizes. Serum-leptin concentration was negatively correlated with energy intake during lactation. Our data did not support the hypothesis that there is a trade-off in energy allocation between maternal maintenance and offspring growth in lactating Brandt's voles, but support the idea that if the mothers with ten pups should have less energy available for their maintenance than mothers raising fewer pups. Also, leptin is probably not the only factor that induces the high energy intake in mothers with large litter sizes, although it was involved in the regulation of energy intake during lactation.     

Regulation of body weight and thermogenesis in seasonally acclimatized Brandt's voles (Microtus brandti)

Seasonal changes in an animal's morphology, physiology, and behavior are considered to be an adaptive strategy for survival and reproductive success. In the present study, we examined body weight and several behavioral, physiological, hormonal, and biochemical markers in seasonally acclimatized Brandt's voles (Microtus brandti) to test our hypothesis that Brandt's voles can decrease energy intake associated with decrease in body weight, body fat content, serum leptin level, and increasing thermogenesis in winter conditions. We found that the body weight of Brandt's voles was lowest in winter (December to February) and highest in spring and early summer (May to June). This seasonal variation in body weight was associated with changes in other markers examined. For example, the winter decrease in body weight was accompanied by increased energy intake and enhanced nonshivering thermogenesis (NST) as well as by decreased body fat mass and reduced levels of circulating leptin. Further, circulating levels of leptin were positively correlated with body weight and body fat mass, and negatively correlated with energy intake and uncoupling protein 1 contents. Together, these data do not support our hypothesis and suggest that leptin may be involved in this process and serve as a starvation signal in Brandt's voles.     

No evidence for a trade-off between reproductive investment and immunity in a rodent

Life history theory assumes there are trade-offs between competing functions such as reproduction and immunity. Although well studied in birds, studies of the trade-offs between reproduction and immunity in small mammals are scarce. Here we examined whether reduced immunity is a consequence of reproductive effort in lactating Brandt's voles (Lasiopodomys brandtii). Specifically, we tested the effects of lactation on immune function (Experiment I). The results showed that food intake and resting metabolic rate (RMR) were higher in lactating voles (6≤ litter size ≤8) than that in non-reproductive voles. Contrary to our expectation, lactating voles also had higher levels of serum total Immunoglobulin G (IgG) and anti-keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH) IgG and no change in phytohemagglutinin (PHA) response and anti-KLH Immunoglobulin M (IgM) compared with non-reproductive voles, suggesting improved rather than reduced immune function. To further test the effect of differences in reproductive investment on immunity, we compared the responses between natural large (n≥8) and small litter size (n≤6) (Experiment II) and manipulated large (11-13) and small litter size (2-3) (Experiment III). During peak lactation, acquired immunity (PHA response, anti-KLH IgG and anti-KLH IgM) was not significantly different between voles raising large or small litters in both experiments, despite the measured difference in reproductive investment (greater litter size, litter mass, RMR and food intake in the voles raising larger litters). Total IgG was higher in voles with natural large litter size than those with natural small litter size, but decreased in the enlarged litter size group compared with control and reduced group. Our results showed that immune function is not suppressed to compensate the high energy demands during lactation in Brandt's voles and contrasting the situation in birds, is unlikely to be an important aspect mediating the trade-off between reproduction and survival.     

Photoperiodic regulation in energy intake, thermogenesis and body mass in root voles (Microtus oeconomus)

The present study was designed to examine whether photoperiod alone was effective to induce seasonal regulations in physiology in root voles (Microtus oeconomus) from the Qinghai-Tibetan plateau noted for its extreme cold environment. Root voles were randomly assigned into either long photoperiod (LD; 16L:8D) or short photoperiod (SD; 8L:16D) for 4 weeks at constant temperature (20 degrees C). At the end of acclimation, SD voles showed lower body mass and body fat coupled with higher energy intake than LD voles. SD greatly enhanced thermogenic capacities in root voles, as indicated by elevated basal metabolic rate (BMR), nonshivering thermogenesis (NST), mitochondrial protein content and uncoupling protein-1 (UCP1) content in brown adipose tissue (BAT). Although no variations in serum leptin levels were found between SD and LD voles, serum leptin levels were positively correlated with body mass and body fat mass, and negatively correlated with energy intake and UCP1 content in BAT, respectively. To summarize, SD alone is effective in inducing higher thermogenic capacities and energy intake coupled with lower body mass and body fat mass in root voles. Leptin is potentially involved in the photoperiod induced body mass regulation and thermogenesis in root voles.     

Effects of photoperiod on energy intake, thermogenesis and body mass in Eothenomys miletus in Hengduan Mountain region

The present study was designed to examine whether photoperiod alone was effective to induce seasonal changes in physiology in voles (Eothenomys.) from the Hengduan Mountain region. Eothenomys miletus were randomly assigned into either long photoperiod (LD; 16L: 8D) or short photoperiod (SD; 8L: 16D) for 4 weeks at constant temperature (25 °C). At the end of acclimation, SD voles showed lower body mass and body fat coupled with higher energy intake than LD voles. SD greatly enhanced the thermogenic capacity of E. miletus, as indicated by an elevated nonshivering thermogenesis (NST), mitochondrial protein in brown adipose tissue (BAT); basal metabolic rate (BMR) was also raised. Although no variations in serum leptin levels were found between SD and LD voles, serum leptin levels were positively correlated with body mass and body fat mass, and negatively correlated with energy intake and UCP1 content in BAT, respectively. To summarize, SD alone is effective in inducing higher thermogenic capacities and energy intake coupled with lower body mass and body fat mass in root voles. Leptin is potentially involved in the photoperiod induced body mass regulation and thermogenesis in E. miletus. Our study shows that SD alone is effective.