棘胸蛙的性腺分化及温度对其性别决定的影响

单性养殖在棘胸蛙(Quasipaa spinosa)养殖中意义显著。为了了解棘胸蛙性腺分化,并探讨在不同的培育温度条件下性腺分化的差异。通过组织切片观察了棘胸蛙原始性腺的形成和性腺分化。棘胸蛙的性腺分化有其特殊性:生殖嵴形成时,其中既有体细胞,又有原始生殖细胞(PGCs);无论原始性腺是分化成为精巢还是卵巢,其中都出现一个带有单层扁平上皮初生性腔,当单层扁平上皮逐渐消失后形成次生性腔。性腔周围的PGCs开始长大2—3倍时,性腺将分化成为卵巢;体细胞渗入性腔中,使腔隙变小直至消失,这种原始性腺分化成为精巢。棘胸蛙蝌蚪孵化后的l7—80 d(Gosner 25—26期)为性腺分化的敏感时期。实验选取同一批次刚孵出蝌蚪(Gosner 24期),分别用不同水温(16±1)℃、(27±1)℃、(31±1)℃3组实验组及自然水温(23±1)℃对照组条件下的培育蝌蚪。结果显示,对照组的雌、雄性比为26∶24,雄性率接近50%;(16±1)℃实验组的雌、雄比例为33∶17,雄性率仅34%(P0.05);从(27±1)℃实验组起,雄性率提高,(31±1)℃实验组的雄性率达70%(P0.05)。棘胸蛙的性别分化属于温度依赖型性决定(TSD)。较高的培育温度可使棘胸蛙蝌蚪性别分化趋向雄性,而较低的培育温度则使蝌蚪雌性化。     

温度对江黄颡鱼性分化的影响

通过组织学方法观察江黄颡鱼原始生殖细胞(PGCs)迁移、生殖嵴生成和性腺分化,并且探讨在不同温度培育下性腺分化的差异。实验结果显示:1日龄仔鱼PGCs位于鱼体中肠背方的脏壁中胚层中;5日龄时,PGCs迁移到背方的腹膜上皮;8日龄时,生殖嵴形成;14日龄时,原始性腺形成;23日龄时,性腺开始分化。从孵化后的第10天开始,分别用(20±0.5)、(24±1.0自然水温、对照组)、(30±0.5)和(34±0.5)℃4种水温培育仔鱼达25天。实验结束后统计结果显示:对照组和(20±0.5)℃组的雌、雄性比接近1∶1(分别为1∶1.09和1.22∶1);(30±0.5)℃组的为1∶4.89,雄性率达(83.3±0.7)%;(34±0.5)℃组的为2.85∶1,雄性率仅为(26.4±0.4)%。提示(30±0.5)℃可使幼鱼性腺发育趋向雄性,(34±0.5)℃则使幼鱼性腺发育趋向雌性。实验结果表明,江黄颡鱼的性分化是属于温度依赖型性别决定。     

温度对江黄颡鱼性分化的影响

通过组织学方法观察江黄颡鱼原始生殖细胞(PGCs)迁移、生殖嵴生成和性腺分化，并且探讨在不同温度培育下性腺分化的差异。实验结果显示：1日龄仔鱼PGCs位于鱼体中肠背方的脏壁中胚层中；5日龄时，PGCs迁移到背方的腹膜上皮；8日龄时，生殖嵴形成；14日龄时，原始性腺形成；23日龄时，性腺开始分化。从孵化后的第10天开始，分别用(20±0.5)、(24±1.0自然水温、对照组)、(30±0.5)和(34±0.5)℃4种水温培育仔鱼达25天。实验结束后统计结果显示：对照组和(20±0.5)℃组的雌、雄性比接近1∶1(分别为1∶1.09和1.22∶1)；(30±0.5)℃组的为1∶4.89，雄性率达(83.3±0.7)%；(34±0.5)℃组的为2.85∶1，雄性率仅为(26.4±0.4)%。提示(30±0.5)℃可使幼鱼性腺发育趋向雄性，(34±0.5)℃则使幼鱼性腺发育趋向雌性。实验结果表明，江黄颡鱼的性分化是属于温度依赖型性别决定。     

温度对鲫鱼性腺分化的影响

鱼类的性腺分化受各种环境因素的影响,而温度的影响是重要因素之一.本文通过组织学方法观察了鲫鱼(Carassius auratus)原生殖细胞的迁移、生殖嵴形成和性腺分化,并探讨温度对性腺分化的影响.孵化后12～40 d是鲫鱼性腺分化的敏感期.从第12 d起,仔鱼分成7组,每组分别用下列7种水温中的一种培育28 d:(16±1)℃、(20±1)℃、23～25℃、(27±1)℃、(30±1)℃、(32±1)℃、(34±1)℃.其中23～25℃组是对照组.结果显示,对照组幼鱼的雌雄比例大致是1:1(1:1.07).(20±1)℃组的幼鱼雌雄比例也接近1:1(1.09:1).在(27±1)℃组,雌性率上升,为55.3%(P<0.05).在低温组(16±1)℃,雌雄比例是1:1.45,雌性率达40.8%.然而,在高温组(30±1)℃、(32±1)℃、(34±1)℃中,雌雄比例分别是6.14:1、2.51:1和2.14:1.其中(30±1)℃实验组的雌性率最高,达到86.0%(P<0.01),性腺分化趋向雌性化.研究提示,鲫鱼的性别分化属于温度依赖型.当前全球性气候变暖,以及各种环境因素所产生的温室效应,有可能对鲫鱼的性别平衡产生影响.     

黄颡鱼性腺分化的组织学观察

运用组织学方法,观察黄颡鱼(Pelteobagrus fulvidraco)性腺分化过程.结果表明,在水温(20±1)℃条件下,卵巢分化时间明显早于精巢.卵巢分化最早发生于孵出后13 d左右,其主要标志为原始性腺横切面上出现一个组织突起,进而形成卵巢腔;精巢分化的最早标志为精小叶和输精管的形成,开始于孵出后55 d.在发育早期,雌性生殖细胞的活动及分化明显早于雄性生殖细胞.孵出后25 d,卵原细胞开始通过有丝分裂快速增殖,孵出后34 d左右进入成熟分裂阶段;精原细胞在孵出后55 d时才开始大量增殖,成熟分裂最早发生于孵出后64 d.     

温度对中国林蛙卵孵化和孵出热耐受性的影响

为了解中国林蛙(Rana chensinensis)卵的孵化率、发育起点温度、发育有效积温、孵化后蝌蚪的成活率和蝌蚪的热耐受性,将当天产出的中国林蛙卵采集回实验室,分别置于5个不同温度(10℃、15℃、20℃、25℃和30℃)下孵化,观察和测量记录卵的孵化率、孵化3d后蝌蚪的成活率、全长及每个温度下卵的发育历期。利用温度梯度装置观察记录孵化10d后蝌蚪的最适温度、逃避温度和致死温度。光照周期设为14L∶10D,湿度设为85%。结果表明,温度对中国林蛙卵的孵化率影响显著;孵化3d后蝌蚪的成活率随着温度的升高而降低,30℃下孵化的蝌蚪在2d之内全部死亡;温度对中国林蛙卵孵化3d后蝌蚪全长的影响极显著,蝌蚪的全长随着温度的升高而增加;应用直线回归法和直接最优化法计算中国林蛙卵的发育起点温度和有效积温,分别为0.51℃、65.29日度和0.38℃、65.52日度,直接最优化法优于直线回归法。经过4个不同温度(10℃、15℃、20℃和25℃)孵化10d后蝌蚪的最适温度分别为(13.2±1.6)℃、(15.7±1.9)℃、(17.3±2.1)℃和(19.5±2.3)℃;逃避温度分别为(28.8±1.4)℃、(30.2±1.6)℃、(31.6±1.3)℃和(33.1±1.8)℃;致死温度分别为(32.9±1.7)℃、(33.8±1.5)℃、(35.2±1.2)℃和(36.7±0.9)℃。经过不同温度孵化10d后蝌蚪的最适温度、逃避温度和致死温度都存在显著差异。     

南方鲶性腺分化的组织学观察

用芳香化酶抑制剂(Fadrozole)、雌激素受体拮抗剂(Tamoxifen)对人工孵化的南方鲶(Silurus meridionalis)幼鱼进行雄性化诱导处理(口服),获得雄鱼。对孵化后第5—130d的南方鲶幼鱼性腺进行组织学观察,结果表明,在实验条件下,南方鲶性腺分化发生在孵化后7d左右,雌雄性分化过程差异明显。雌鱼卵巢腔在孵化后12d左右形成,生殖细胞在孵化后35d左右快速增殖,成熟分裂最早发生在孵化后55d左右;雄鱼生殖细胞在孵化后130d左右快速增殖,成熟分裂最早发生在孵化后130d左右。雌性性腺分化早于雄性。     

中国林蛙性腺的发育及温度对其性别分化的影响

为探讨幼蛙性别分化与温度的关系,在恒温和变温条件下培养中国林蛙（Rana chensinensis)受精卵至变态完成,结果表明：（1）胚胎发育到24期时生殖嵴开始出现,25期个别原始生殖细胞（PGCs)已迁移到生殖嵴中,生殖细胞与生殖嵴共同发育成生殖腺;（2）胚胎发育到31期生殖腺出现性别分化,卵巢分化初期较易识别,而精巢分化不明显;…（3）卵巢分化完成于37期,精巢分化完成于变态之后,两侧生殖腺等大;（4）胚胎发育从30期开始,性别分化对温度较为敏感,低温利于雌性化,高温利于雄性化;（5）15－25℃为变温培养时性比发生变化的敏感温度区,缓慢升温雄性比较显著增加,缓慢降温雌性比例显著增加。     

青鳉(Oryzias latipes)性腺分化与发育的组织学观察

青鳉(Oryzias latipes)繁殖力强、繁殖周期短,为硬骨鱼类研究领域的模式生物。目前,尚无青鳉性腺分化与发育过程的系统资料。该文以青鳉孵化后不同时期的生殖腺为材料,经石蜡切片和HE染色后,于光学显微镜下观察其性腺的出现、分化及成熟过程。结果显示:孵化后5~10 d,仔鱼腹腔右侧已可见生殖腺,生殖细胞体积明显大于周围的体细胞;孵化后10 d,性腺开始分化,雌、雄性个体性腺出现结构上的差异,雌性个体内可明显观察到生殖包囊结构;随后,雌、雄性个体内先后可见卵子和精子的发生过程和组织学分期;孵化后50 d,首见卵巢腔结构和成熟精子。此外,还观察到性反转现象的特例,即两性特征共存的现象。该结果将为发育生物学、遗传生物学提供基础资料。     

温度和密度对雄性泽陆蛙静止代谢率的影响

为了研究环境温度和密度对雄性泽陆蛙(Fejervarya multistriata)静止代谢率的影响,本实验应用开路式动物呼吸测量仪,测定雄性泽陆蛙在不同环境温度(15、25、35℃)和密度(N=1、2、3、4、5、6、7、8、9、10)下的耗氧量,并由此计算出静止代谢率。结果表明:雄性泽陆蛙的体温随环境温度(F_(2,27)=16.958, P0.01)和密度(F_(2,27)=4.871, P=0.028)升高而升高;环境温度为15℃和25℃时,雄性泽陆蛙静止代谢率与密度显著负相关,两者的回归曲线方程分别为(15℃:RMR_(15)=-0.0078N+0.4001, R~2=0.843,P0.001;25℃:RMR_(25)=-0.0048N+0.9851, R~2=0.941,P0.001);35℃时,雄性泽陆蛙静止代谢率与密度显著正相关,回归曲线方程为(RMR_(35)=0.0551N+1.35, R~2=0.855, P0.001)。研究表明,在温度较低时,雄性泽陆蛙可以通过群居来减少能量代谢,而在温度较高时,群居会加剧泽陆蛙的能量代谢,不利于泽陆蛙的生长。     

Ectogenesis and the case against the right to the death of the foetus

Ectogenesis, or the use of an artificial womb to allow a foetus to develop, will likely become a reality within a few decades, and could significantly affect the abortion debate. We first examine the implications for Judith Jarvis Thomson’s violinist analogy, which argues for a woman’s right to withdraw life support from the foetus and so terminate her pregnancy, even if the foetus is granted full moral status. We show that on Thomson’s reasoning, there is no right to the death of the foetus, and abortion is not permissible if ectogenesis is available, provided it is safe and inexpensive. This raises the question of whether there are persuasive reasons for the right to the death of the foetus that could be exercised in the context of ectogenesis. Eric Mathison and Jeremy Davis have examined several arguments for this right, doubting that it exists, while Joona Räsänen has recently criticized their reasoning. We respond to Räsänen’s analysis, concluding that his arguments are unsuccessful, and that there is no right to the death of the foetus in these circumstances.     

On the diversity of the Cladocera in the tropics

The mythical concept of an impoverished tropical cladoceran fauna is refuted. On a planetary scale, around half of the cladoceran species presently known occur exclusively in the tropics-subtropics, often with considerable restriction to particular geographical subzones. On a regional (political) scale, the situation is often unclear because of the continued fragmentary nature of studies, and because political units are not a good basis for biogeographical comparisons. At the finest level of resolution (lake-perlake comparisons), there appears to be an upper limit of c. 50 cladoceran species per individual lake. No significant difference between lakes in the temperate zone and in the tropics could be established here. Daphnia is largely absent from the tropics, but is replaced by more Sidids, Moinids, and Bosminids, such that the average cladoceran community in the limnetic zone of a tropical lake is not characterized by less species but rather by lower population densities. This, in turn, is considered a consequence of higher prevalent predation levels in the tropics.     

Tubular networks in the terminal endings of the visual receptor cells in the human,the monkey,the cat and the dog

Summary A tubular network was found in the terminal endings of the visual receptor cells in the human, the monkey (Macaca mulatta), the cat and the dog. These tubules are arranged in close groups in the vicinity of the synaptic lamellae and the invaginated dendrites. According to the form, diameter, density of the tubules and to the consistence of the network formed by them one can distinguish at these places an initial type (type I), a transitory (type II) and a vesicular one (type III). In the the type III branching, bizarre forms are frequent. The diameter of all the tubules reaches 500–600 Å, their density and walls being the same as in the synaptic vesicles.Similar networks also occur in the axons of the visual receptor cells of the monkey.

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Zusammenfassung In den Endigungen der Photorezeptorzellen von Mensch, Affe (Macaca mulatta), Katze und Hund kommen aus Tubuli bestehende Komplexe vor. Organellenartig in geschlossenen Gruppen angeordnet, liegen sie in Nähe der synaptischen Lamellen und der invaginierten Dendriten. An diesen Stellen kann man nach Form, Durchmesser, Dichte und Konsistenz der von den Tubuli gebildeten Komplexe drei Typen unterscheiden: 1. einen initialen (Typus I), 2. einen Übergangstypus (Typus II) und 3. einen vesiculären Typus (Typus III). In letzterem kommen häufig verzweigte, bizarre Formen vor. Der Durchmesser sämtlicher Tubuli erreicht 500–600 Å. Ihre Dichte und ihre Wand gleicht denen der synaptischen Vesikel.Ähnliche Komplexe fanden wir auch in den Axonen der Photorezeptorzellen vom Affen.

     

Assessing the Physiological State of the Fucoids from the Barents Sea Littoral by the End of the Polar Night

Methods of amperometry and potentiometric titration were used to follow dark respiration (DR) and apparent photosynthesis (AP) in the fucoids Ascophyllum nodosum (L.) Le Jol, Fucus vesiculosus L., and F. serratus L. from the Barents Sea littoral by the end of the 40-day-long polar night. The macroalgae were shown to manifest species-specific low rates of photosynthesis and respiration. However, in spite of their low photosynthetic status due to the effects of subzero temperature and prolonged low or zero illumination, the macroalgae have been able to restore DR and AP to the initial level already by the day 9; the ability to restore AP depended on the level of illumination. The study of the changes in the carbonate–bicarbonate system in the light and darkness demonstrated that the macroalgae grown in darkness, in contrast to those grown in twilight, could absorb bicarbonate in darkness; however, they lost this capacity after two-day-long illumination at an irradiance of 7 mol/(m² s). Bicarbonate uptake in darkness and the capacity to restore the systems of photosynthesis and respiration in fucoid cells are discussed in the context of algal energy metabolism under the polar night conditions.     

Arranging the elements of the potassium channel: the T1 domain occludes the cytoplasmic face of the channel

The voltage-gated potassium channel is currently one of the few membrane proteins where functional roles have been mapped onto specific segments of sequence. Although high-resolution structures of the transmembrane portions of three bacterial potassium channels, the tetramerization domain and the cytoplasmic ball are available, their relative spatial arrangement in mammalian channels remains a matter of ongoing debate. Cryo-electron microscopic images of the six transmembrane voltage-gated Kv channel have been reconstructed at up to 18 Å resolution, revealing that the T1 domain tetramerizes and is suspended below the transmembrane segments. However, the resolution of these images is insufficient to reveal the location of the third piece of the puzzle, the inactivating ball domain. We have used the aberrant interactions observed in a series of chimæric channels to establish that an assembled T1 domain restricts access to the cytoplasmic face of the channel, suggesting that the N-terminal ball and chain may be confined in the space between the T1 domain and the transmembrane portion of the channel.     

Feeding the vertebrate retina from the Cambrian to the Tertiary

The retina of the vertebrate eye is metabolically active and requires nutritive support. During the last 540 million years it has evolved into forms as complicated and nutritionally demanding as those found in avian or primate eyes. Diffusion from the choroid is generally able to supply the metabolic needs of thin retinae. However, when the thickness exceeds the limits of diffusion, structures are needed to supplement the vascular supply from the choroid. These supplemental nutritive devices include the choroidal gland, the falciform process and preretinal vascular plexus of fish, the conus papillaris of lizards, the pecten oculi of birds, the intraretinal vessels of mammals and a few novel systems that remain difficult to classify. These vascular systems are among the most variable features of the vertebrate eye. Here, we review classical and recent findings regarding such retinal nutrition systems, propose a three category classification for them based on histologic origins and speculate on the evolutionary forces which drove their development.     

Observations on the permeability of the choriocapillaris of the eye

Summary The choriocapillaris is a fenestrated capillary bed located posterior to the retinal pigment epithelium. It serves as the main source of supply to the photoreceptors, retinal pigment epithelium, and other cells of the outer retina. The permeability of these capillaries to intravenously injected ferritin (MW — approx. 480,000; mol. diam. 11 nm) was examined in the mouse, rabbit, and guinea pig, each of which is characterized by a different type of retinal vascularization. In all three species, the bulk of the ferritin remained in the capillary lumina, where it appeared to be blocked at the level of the diaphragmed fenestrae. Some ferritin was present in endothelial cell vacuoles. The results confirm previous work on the rat choriocapillaris and indicate that the barrier function of the choriocapillary endothelium is present even among species in which the retinal circulation differs significantly.Supported by NIH grant EY03418     

Separation of the pineal vesicle from the wall of the third ventricle during the post-hatching development of the chicken

Summary According to light- and electron-microscopic observations the pineal organ of the 3-day-old chicken consists of a prominent end vesicle and a tapering parenchymal stalk. During this stage the pineal lumen is in open communication with the third ventricle. However, in the 40-day-old chicken, which still possesses a well-developed end vesicle, the proximal portion of the pineal stalk displays regressive changes leading to local fragmentation. At this stage the pineal stalk is reduced, and the pineal lumen is missing. In 1-year-old chickens the parenchyma of the proximal portion of the stalk is further diminished, and in 3-year-old domestic fowl is completely displaced by bundles of collagenous fibers, only some nerve fibers being present. This post-hatching pineal development may reflect the sequence of changes leading from pineal sense organs to pineal glands.This work was supported by a grant-in-aid for Scientific Research from the Ministry of Education, Science and Culture of Japan