Les cellules neurosecretrices de la chaine nerveuse d'Eisenia foetida

Summary In each ganglion of the nerve chain of Eisenia foetida there are several types of neurosecretory cells. They are constant in number and strictly localized. A. Toward the front of the ganglion, the array includes (a) a pair of small cells in the anterior region, and (b) a pair of voluminous elements close to the origin of nerve 2 of the ganglion. These two types of cells are characterized by the presence of secretory granules in the perikaryon and in the axon. B. Between the origins of nerves 2 and 3 of the ganglion, there are (c) a pair of cells possessing a large apical vacuole filled with a secretory material, and (d) a dozen cells distinguished by a dense, highly chromophilic cytoplasm. Only the cells of group (b) are present when the worm emerges from the cocoon. The cells of group (a) appear in the young worm. The cells of types (c) and (d) are only active in worms on their way to sexual maturity. The term neurosecretory elements, as applied to these different cell types is discussed.

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Dédié au Professeur W. Bargmann À l'occasion de son 60e anniversaire.     

Etude ultrastructurale d'images de fonte holocrine dans la cortico-surrenale

Conclusion La présence d'un phénomène dégénératif dans les couches profondes de la cortico-surrénale de 12 animaux normaux donne à penser qu'il existe dans cette glande un mécanisme physiologique de fonte holocrine. Cette idée est appuyée sur des images de passage de débris cellulaires dans la lumière des vaisseaux. L'influence qui détermine de telles modifications des cellules glandulaires reste à préciser. Ce sera l'objet d'une étude expérimentale en cours d'exécution.     

Etude ultrastructurale des corpora cardiaca et de quelques formations annexes chez Locusta migratoria L.

Résumé Les corpora cardiaca de l'adulte de Locusta migratoria sont formés de deux régions bien individualisées ce qui nous a permis de reconnaître la sécrétion propre des différents types de neurosécrétion. Dans la région nerveuse, nous distinguons par la taille des grains trois types de neurosécrétion dense classique et un quatrième type d'aspect clair. Dans la région »propre« non nerveuse, les cellules ont des caractères nettement endocriniens et sont mélangées à un seul type d'axones neurosécréteurs.

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Ultrastructural study of the corpora cardiaca and affiliated structures in Locusta migratoria L.

Summary The corpora cardiaca of adult Locusta migratoria consist of two well separated areas, a fact which permits the differentiation between intrinsic and extrinsic neurosecretory material. In the neural area three types of electron dense classical neurosecretory granules, and a fourth more lucent type can be distinguished according to size. In the non-neural glandular area typical endocrine cells mingle with only one type of neurosecretory axons.

     

Etude de l'Ultrastructure de Gregarina polymorpha (Hamm.) en Syzygie

SYNOPSIS. The electron-microscope study of syzygy in Gregarina polymorpha , shows that this coupling, a prelude to cyst formation and to sexual phenomena, must not be considered as a simple pairing of individuals, but is rather the response of a gamont to a stimulus coming from another individual of a different sex. This response, in the species studied, can be recognized from the modifications that will appear progressively at the contact surfaces of the two gregarines. They affect only the protomerite apex of the posterior individual. There occur: rapid growth of the protomeritic epicyte; separation of this epicyte from the fibrillar zone underneath; formation of a protomeritic cup containing various inclusions; the disappearance of cuticular digitations and the formation of invaginations which become deeper and deeper.
All these modifications occur as soon as syzygy starts. They seem to indicate a reaction of the satellite epicyte to a possible stimulus coming from the anterior female gamont. This epicyte could play a different part from the initial one.
In the case of association between a primite and several satellites, the posterior gamonts react in a comparable manner but not together.     

Genetic aspects of species structure of the compost worm Eisenia foetida (Sav.) (Oligochaeta, Lumbricidae)

Distribution of frequencies alleles of polymorphous loci of peroxidase (Pox), leucineaminopeptidase (Lap), phosphoglucomutase (Pgm) and octanoldehydrogenase (Odh) were studied by electrophoresis in polyacrylamide gel in 22 local samples of Esenia foetida in Russia (European part), Ukraine, Kazakhstan and Kirghizia. The samples form two spatial groups--"northern" and "southern", distinguished by set of alleles in every studied locus. The "northern" groups is formed by local populations of European Russia from Murmansk region on the north to Smolensk region on the south, and also by cultivated population of selection line "red California hybrid". The "southern" group is formed by local populations on the territory of Russia from middle Volga to the North Caucasus, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Kirghizia, cultivated populations from Kirghizia and Portugal. High degree of genetic difference between samples and independence of alleles frequencies distribution from geographical location and habitat allows to consider almost all studied groups as separate populations. Statistical processing of Nei genetic distances (Nei, 1972) revealed reliable differences between averages of within- and intergroup distances. Besides, discrete differences between intervals of significance of genetic distances were revealed. The results indicate that on the studied territory E. foetida has hierarchical two level structure. The first level is formed by local populations differed by frequency of the same alleles. The second level is formed by local populations, united into spatial groups, that are qualitatively distinguished by the set of alleles in the same loci.     

Etude ultrastructurale des corps ultimobranchiaux du poulet

Résumé Les corps ultimobranchiaux du poulet sont constitués de cordons glandulaires composés de cellules principales sécrétrices et de cellules bordantes. D'après le diamètre des grains de sécrétion, on peut distinguer au moins deux types de cellules principales, les cellules à petits grains (autour de 200 m) et les cellules à gros grains (250–300 m). Cette variation morphologique n'implique pas obligatoirement des sécrétions hormonales différentes. Les grains de sécrétion ne sont pas conservés par la fixation osmiée simple; ils se comportent sur ce point comme ceux des cellules parafolliculaires thyroïdiennes du mammifère dont les corps ultimobranchiaux représentent probablement les homologues fonctionnels.Les corps ultimobranchiaux du poulet restent actifs durant toute la vie de l'animal. L'apparition constante de formations folliculaires et kystiques, qui augmentent avec l'âge, ne traduit pas une involution globale de la glande.L'étude du développement embryonnaire permet d'expliquer certaines particularités morphologiques des corps ultimobranchiaux. Les premiers signes d'activité sécrétoires sont décelables à 11 jours d'incubation. La glande paraît très active vers la fin de la vie embryonnaire; un stockage important de matériel sécrétoire s'observe immédiatement après l'éclosion.

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Ultrastructure of the ultimobranchial body of the chickI. Normal aspect and development

Summary The ultimobranchial body of the chick consists of glandular cords made up of main secretory cells and supporting cells. According to the diameter of the secretory granules at least two main cell types can be distinguished: cells with small granules (200 m) and cells with large granules (250–300 m). This morphological difference does not necessarily implicate different hormonal secretions. The secretory granules are not preserved by simple osmium fixation; in as much as this point is concerned they behave like the granules of the parafollicular thyroid cells of mammals with which the ultimobranchial bodies are probably homologous.The ultimobranchial body of the chick remains active during the whole life of the animal. The constant appearance of follicular and cystic structure, which increase with aging, does not demonstrate an overall involution of the gland.The study of the embryonic development explains different morphological pecularities of the ultimobranchial body. The first indications of secretory activity are seen eleven days after incubation. The gland appears to be highly active towards the end of the embryonic life. An important accumulation of secretory material is observed immediately after hatching.

     

Etude de la globuline des graines de Tournesol (Helianthus annuus L.) accumulation au cours de la maturation et localisation intracellulaire

Protein synthesis and accumulation in growing sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.cv.Airelle) seeds are studied. The salt soluble fraction, globulin, is the main soluble protein component. The earlier stages of seed development (10 days after flowering) are characterized by high M_r polypeptides (74, 58 and 44 kDa). Later stages mainly show nature globulin polypeptides. Thus, protein synthesis in seed occurs at a specific period of seed development which follows a period of fast cell divisions (0–14 days after flowering). Protein bodies are isolated and their protein composition analyzed. Globulin subunits are the main polypeptides of protein bodies soluble fraction. Mature globulin is only stored in protein bodies.      

Cytotoxic activity in the coelomic fluid of the annelidEisenia foetida Sav

The annelid Eisenia foetida not only causes hemolysis of red blood cells of several vertebrate species, but also has a toxic effect on a variety of cell types, such as chicken fibroblasts, guinea-pig polymorphonuclear leukocytes and insect hemocytes. However, it has no influence on the vitality of the coelomocytes of Lumbricus terrestris and other lumbricides, nor on the hemocytes of the snail Helix pomatia, the mussels Anodonta cygnea and Unio tumidus, free cells of the turbellarian Euplanaria sp. or whole Rhabditis oxycerca (nematode) and the protozoons Paramaecium caudatum and an amoeba of the Proteus-type. By electrofocussing the hemolytic activity of pooled coelomic fluid was separated into 7 hemolytic bands. Three of them are cytotoxic. The cytotoxic effect is a result of the destruction of the cell membrane, as shown by measuring the release of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). The bacteriostatic and bacteriocidal action of the coelomic fluid of E. foetida against a broad spectrum of gram positive and gram negative bacteria was tested. An antibacterial activity could be observed only against Proteus vulgaris and Bacillus megaterium. It was noted that the so-called Eisenia foetida-factor acts on an antigenic structure at the cell surface when anti-sheep-E-antibody was used under competitive conditions. The binding between the Eisenia foetida-factor and this membrane structure is relatively strong as it cannot be removed by subsequent treatment with anti-sheep-E-antibody or 2 M KCl.     

Etude de melanges binaires de triglycerides derives des acides palmitique et stearique

The phase diagrams of the SSS—PSP, PSP—SPP and SSS—SPP systems have been established, using DTA and X-ray diffraction, In all cases, a demixtion was found in the solid state, and an intermediate phase was evidenced for the PSP—SPP and SSS—SPP systems.Relations between the diagrams of stable and unstable forms are considered for the system SSS—PSP. Moreover, the influence of structuration in the liquid state on the drawing of liquidus is discussed.     

Etude comparative de la densite de groupes de poissons cavernicoles et epiges (characidae,cyprinidae, clariidae)

The group density of four species of cave fishes (Caecobarbus geertsi, Barbopsis devecchii, Astyanax gen. and Uegitglanis zammaranoi) and of two taxonomically related epigean species (Barbus conchonius and Hyphessobricon scholzei) was measured tridimensionally in an experimental aquarium, using a video recorder and a mirror inclined at 45° placed on top of the aquarium. The experiments were conducted in dim red light. The illumination was continuous in the case of cave fishes. For the epigean forms a 12/12 LD cycle was superimposed using dim achromatic sources. The relative positions of individuals within their own specific group were registered hourly during a week (168 h). Results show that in cave forms, the mean density of groups falls within the theoretical limits of random distribution values in all cases, whereas epigean species display a non-random aggregation tendency.     

Caracterisation morphologique,chimique et serologique d'un mutant albinos de Neurospora crassa shear et dodge isole de semences de mache (Valerianella olitoria (L.) Poll.)

Résumé Un mutant albinos (sans carotènes) a deNeurospora crassaShear &Dodge a été isolé de semences de mâche (Valerianella olitoria L.) sur le marché à Genève. Son appartenance à l'espècecrassa est démontrée sur les plans morphologique et sexuel, et il est désignéN. crassa al-Chg a. Il se distingue du type sauvage et d'un mutant albinos (al-2 15.300 a) étudié près du lieu de vente des semences, par la température optimum de croissance. Des tests sérologiques (immunoélectrophorèse) et des séparations de protéines sur gel d'acrylamide ont mis en évidence le degré beaucoup plus élevé de corrélation entre les mutants albinos (al-Chg et al-2) et le type sauvage deN. crassa qu'avec celui deN. sitophila. La valeur taxonomique de ces deux techniques est discutée, de même que l'origine éventuelle du mutant isolé.

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An albino mutant (without carotenes) ofNeurospora crassaShear &Dodge has been isolated from seeds ofValerianella olitoria L. on sale in Geneva, Switzerland. Its taxonomic position was demonstrated morphologically and sexually. It is described asN. crassa al-Chg a. By its optimal growth temperature it differs from the wild type and from an albino mutant (al-2 15.300 a) studied near the selling place of the seeds. Serological tests (immunoelectrophoresis) and separation of proteins on acrylamide gel have made conspicuous the considerably higher degree of relationship existing between thealbino mutants (al-Chg and al-2) and the wild type ofN. crassa than between these mutants and the wild type ofN. sitophila. The taxonomic value of these methods and the possible origin of the isolated mutant are discussed.

     

Morphogenèse de Régénération chez le CiliéCondylostoma magnum (Spiegel): Etude ultrastructurale

SYNOPSIS Cortical events occurring in the course of regeneration in Condylostoma magnum (Spiegel) were studied by electron microscopy. The zone of regeneration is very rich in vacuoles and small vesicles formed from the plasma membrane. Multiplication of kinetosomes starts on the left side of kineties in the V-shaped left ventral area, normally implicated in stomatogenesis, at the level of the anterior kinetosomes of the somatic pairs. The proliferation proceeds by the appearance of young kinetosomes most often orthogonal to the old ones. This process of multiplication is very rapid and terminates in the formation of an “anarchic field” in which one observes that: (a) the newly formed kinetosomes do not possess all the associated postciliary fibers; and (b) when these fibers are detected, the kinetosomes are not in the same orientation. Differentiation of the adoral organelles takes place in the left part of the field (left primordium) by an alignment of the kinetosomes into 2 rows for each organelle (oriented perpendicularly to the antero-posterior axis of the ciliate), of which only one has the postciliary fibers. Ciliatogenesis occurs in numerous kinetosomes of the anarchic field; in certain kinetosomes it is achieved at the onset of their arrangement into organelles and is concomitant with growth of the nematodesmata. The 3rd (anterior) row of the organelles, the interkinetosomal desmata, and connections among neighboring organelles appear only secondarily. Differentiation of the paroral cilia occurs later. It takes place in the interior of the primordium, whose organization is primarily anarchic, and is accompanied by a progressive resorption of the major part of the newly formed kineties. Numerous kinetosomes of the right field have the associated postciliary fibers, which are not found at the level of the regenerated “polystichomonad” (paroral organization characteristic of C. magnum). Finally, the formation of new kinetosomes within a somatic kinety at the time of its elongation is described.     

Etude ultrastructurale des anomalies cellulaires produites chez la levureSchizosaccharomyces pombe par divers anti-inositols

Résumé La microscopie électronique des cellules normales deSchizosaccharomyces pombe, une levure qui se reproduit par scission, montre en addition d'un noyau bien défini relativement peu de mitochondries; une partie du réticulum endoplasmique est accolée à la membrane plasmique. Lors de la division cellulaire l'élément interne du réticulum endoplasmique s'accumule sur le plan de formation du septum.Dans les conditions d'hypovitaminose à inositol la paroi stratifiée s'épaissit localement et l'on observe des vacuoles de formes irrégulières.En présence d'un anti-inositol, l'isomytilitol, la séparation des cellules-filles reste incomplète; du matériel de paroi s'accumule aux angles de septa, souvent placés en position anormale.Un autre anti-inositol, l'oxyde de méthylène-2-pentahydroxy-1,3,5/4,6-cyclohexane induit une élongation unilatérale qui n'est pas généralement suivie de division nucléaire.

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Ultrastructural investigation of cellular anomalism in the yeastSchizosaccharomyces pombe caused by different inositol inhibitors

Summary The main ultrastructural features ofSchizosaccharomyces pombe, a fission yeast, are a well defined nucleus, relatively few mitochondria, and an endoplasmic reticulum which lies partly under the cell membrane. During cell division the internal elements of endoplasmic reticulum are found to lie on the plane of cell plate formation.When the supply of myo-inositol is limiting, a stratified cell wall, thickened at one end, is produced. Vacuoles of irregular shape are also observed.When grown in presence of isomytilitol, an anti-inositol, cell separation is not complete; abnormal cell wall and septa are frequently present.Another anti-inositol, 2-methyleneoxide-1,3,5/4,6-pentahydroxycyclohexane, induces unilateral elongation of the cells and usually inhibits nuclear division.