光周期对许氏平鲉性腺分化过程中形态学、性激素水平及相关基因表达的影响

研究以35日龄(dpb)许氏平鲉(Sebastes schlegelii)仔稚鱼为对象, 研究不同光周期(短光照组L﹕D=8﹕16、长光照组L﹕D=16﹕8和对照组L﹕D=12﹕12)对性别分化、相关激素水平及基因表达水平的影响。结果显示非自然的光周期尤其是较短的光照, 会不同程度地影响性腺分化时期性腺发育程度, 并且短光照会导致部分性腺雄性化; 雌激素(E₂)在短光照组中更早出现峰值, 而雄激素(T)在3个处理组中均在实验第9天时达到峰值; 4个卵巢分化相关基因cyp19a1a、ERα、ERβ2和foxl2中, ERα、ERβ2和foxl2受短光照影响显著, 实验中后期出现明显的抑制(P<0.05); 4个精巢发育相关基因sox3、sox9、amh和dmrt1相对表达水平未见明显规律, 可能与精巢分化时间较晚有关。综合而言, 较短的光照会影响性腺的发育以及性腺的分化, 抑制卵巢分化基因的表达, 诱导原始性腺雄性化。     

特殊天气对麻雀集群行为的影响

采用直接观察法对麻雀在特殊气候条件下傍晚的集群行为进行研究,结果表明强度较小的降水或降雪对麻雀集群时群体大小影响较小,而在大的降水、降雪或大风天气下,麻雀没有傍晚集群行为。在上述特殊天气下,麻雀集群时间均有所提前,集群时光照强度较正常天气下有所降低,表明光照强度可能是影响麻雀集群时间提前的主要生态因子。     

未产卵雌性黄鳝的性转变

为探讨产卵是否为雌性黄鳝(Monopterus albus Zuiew)性转变的必经过程,研究分析了实验室内从受精卵或幼苗开始养殖至不同时间段的黄鳝性腺组织学状况,采用性腺活检技术跟踪了34月龄雌性黄鳝性腺发育变化,并以免疫组织化学方法探讨了黄鳝不同发育状态性腺中增殖细胞核抗原(PCNA)的分布.在养殖过程中,实验黄鳝...     

光照周期对文昌鱼生殖细胞发生和性腺生长的影响

厦门文昌鱼性腺发育,因季节和生态因子的不同,呈明显的年周期变化(方永强等,1989)。然而,光照周期对文昌鱼性腺发育有何影响,迄今仍缺乏了解(Guraya,1983)。为此,本文分三组不同光照周期的实验,结果发现光照可影响文昌鱼生殖细胞发生和性腺生长。 文昌鱼(Branchiostoma belcheri Gray)取自厦门琼头海区。本实验在1987年12月至1988年2月,分三组不同光照周期:第一组 8L(light)—16D(dark)(光照 8小时,黑暗16小时),第二组12L—     

光周期驯化对树麻雀性腺重量和基础能耗的影响

为探讨光周期对麻雀基础能耗和性腺重量的影响,对25℃和3种不同光周期的麻雀进行4周人工气候箱驯化后,分别比较了雌、雄麻雀的体重、个体BMR和性腺的鲜重和干重.结果显示,光周期作为繁殖的信号对麻雀性腺重量有极显著的影响.雄麻雀的体重、个体基础能耗和性腺重量的变化幅度比雌麻雀显著,繁殖初期的雄麻雀很可能要早于雌麻雀进入繁殖状态;随光周期的延长和性腺重量的增加,麻雀个体的基础能耗呈现递减趋势.总之,较低的生存压力和个体基础能耗的降低是麻雀繁殖的基础和前提.繁殖初期麻雀拥有相对较低的体重和个体BMR,这是麻雀个体的生存、繁殖与生存压力之间能量预算的结果,也是生存能耗和繁殖能耗与个体适合度之间进行能量预算的结果.     

外源性褪黑激素对黄鳝性腺发育及性腺激素分泌的影响

通过注射实验研究了外源性褪黑激素对黄鲜性腺发育及性腺激素分泌的影响。结果表明,处于不同性腺发育时期的黄鲜对餐源褪黑激素的反应存在季节性差异。上述结果暗示,黑激素影响黄鲜性腺发育的关键时间可能是在性腺静止期,亦即Ⅳ期或／和Ⅳ期之前。     

大口黑鲈的卵巢发育周年变化及反季节繁殖研究

文章研究了华中地区池塘养殖大口黑鲈(Micropterus salmoides)卵巢的发育规律, 分析了水温与光照条件变化对卵巢发育的影响, 探究了大口黑鲈反季节繁殖的方法, 旨在充分利用本地区的气候条件, 化劣势为优势, 从根本上解决本地大口黑鲈产业所面临的问题。实验采用形态学、组织学等方法比较分析了大口黑鲈卵巢发育特征, 采用人工控温和人工促熟的方法探究了温度和性激素对大口黑鲈性腺启动发育的影响。研究发现, 华中地区大口黑鲈雌鱼性腺指数(GSI)周年变化在0.63%—7.95%, 10月中旬至12月初水温由20.6℃降至11.0℃期间, 卵巢开始发育至Ⅲ期, 并以Ⅲ期越冬, 至4月中旬繁殖产卵, 5月底结束, 繁殖前约80%的雌鱼绝对繁殖力在4.5万—6.5万粒, 但受水温升高的影响, 卵巢中15%成熟卵母细胞未能产出而逐步退化, 产卵结束时仍有一半以上卵未产出(GSI为4.6%); 雌鱼GSI与肠系膜脂肪系数(MFI)、肝体比(HSI)在10月份至次年4月份呈显著负相关(P<0.05), 表明在此期间, 机体储存的营养物质部分转移至性腺, 优先保证性腺发育。在大口黑鲈反季节繁殖实验中, 采用井水[水温(20±1)℃]降温和控温处理的方法能够促进大口黑鲈性腺的启动发育, 经过3个月处理, 控温组雌鱼卵巢发育至Ⅳ期末, GSI达到4.06%, 而对照组雌鱼卵巢处于Ⅲ期, GSI为2.52%, 两组差异显著(P<0.05), 两组雄鱼精巢均发育至Ⅳ期末, 控温组GSI达0.89%, 对照组为0.73%, 这表明可以通过温度处理来调控大口黑鲈性腺的发育。最后针对反季节繁殖中亲本的培育方法和处理时间等进行了总结, 以期为后续培育反季节大口黑鲈提供依据。     

性早熟动物造模研究进展

性早熟是儿童常见内分泌疾病，动物实验在研究性早熟的发病机制和药物治疗中必不可少，因此建立合适的动物模型是研究性早熟的必要前提。啮齿类(如大鼠)与非人灵长类动物的青春期发育过程与人类近似，性腺发育指征明确，是性早熟模型常用动物。根据研究内容不同出现了达那唑、N-甲基-DL-天冬氨酸、雌二醇、高脂饲料、不良生活条件、光照及褪黑素、锰暴露、环境内分泌干扰物、颅脑辐射、脑内药物注射等多种性早熟造模方法。目前多采用阴道开口时间、阴道涂片及动情周期观察、血清性激素水平测定、下丘脑基因检测、性器官检测等多种指标对性早熟动物实验进行评估。     

光照时间对水蔗草兼性无融合生殖的影响

在水蔗草花序发育期间给予不同时间的光照处理后,对其花粉育性,结实率和无融合生殖频率的研究表明,（1）花粉育性在不同光照时间下无显著差异。（2）减少1h和2h光照时间的结实率和对照相比无明显变化。（3）增加1h和2h光照时间,花序发育受到抑制,抽穗延迟,只有极少数花序发育成熟,产生的种子很少。（4）在自然光照时间和增加1h光照时间条件下,无融合生殖的频率在0.41-0.64之间;在减少1h和2h及增加2h的光照条件下,无融合生殖的频率在0.19-0.22之间,和对照及增加1h光照处理相比,无融合生殖频率显著下降。     

湖泊放养长江水系中华绒螯蟹的性成熟规律研究

于8－11月份,结合中华绒螯蟹捕捞期,即生死洄游期的到来,通过性腺发育的组织学和细胞学观察,重点观察了长江下游安徽杨赛湖等人工放养长江水系中华绒螯蟹的性成熟规律。结果表明：①在性成熟时期,性腺发育与肝脏变化极为密切,肝脏指数逐渐下降,而性腺指数逐渐上升;②雌、雄蟹的性成熟存在规律性差异,8－9月份,雄蟹的性腺指数和性／肝指数均高于雌蟹,而10－11月份,雌蟹的性腺指数和性／肝指数均高于雄蟹;③经性腺的组织学和细胞学观察,雄蟹的性腺发育略早于雌蟹;④洄游高峰期的出现是河蟹性细胞走向成熟的外在表现。作者建议把肝脏指数7.5作为捕捞长江水系河蟹最佳时机的指标。     

Dyed birds achieve higher social status than controls in Harris' sparrows

The status-signalling hypothesis has been proposed to explain colour variation among individuals in flocking birds. Its fundamental assumption is that colour may affect the determination of an individual's social rank in a flock. Here I show for winter Harris' sparrows (Zonotrichia querula) that birds dyed to resemble adults dominate control birds within experimental flocks of young males and young females. The domination of controls by the dyed birds was achieved by a two-step process in both experiments: immediately after the two groups were combined, the controls avoided the dyed birds; then, shortly thereafter, the dyed birds began actively to displace the control birds.     

Seasonal acclimatization of metabolism in Eurasian tree sparrows (Passer montanus)

Acclimatization to winter conditions is an essential prerequisite for survival of small passerines of the northern temperate zone. Changes in photoperiod, ambient temperature and food availability trigger seasonal acclimatization in physiology and behavior of many birds. In the present study, seasonal adjustments in several physiological, hormonal, and biochemical markers were examined in wild-captured Eurasian tree sparrows (Passer montanus) from the Heilongjiang Province in China. In winter sparrows had higher body mass and basal metabolic rate (BMR). Consistently, the dry mass of liver, heart, gizzard, small intestine, large intestine and total digestive tract were higher in winter than in that in summer. The contents of mitochondrial protein in liver, and state-4 respiration and cytochrome c oxidase (COX) activity in liver and muscle increased significantly in winter. Circulating level of serum triiodothyronine (T₃) was significantly higher in winter than in summer. Together, these data suggest that tree sparrows mainly coped with cold by enhancing thermogenic capacities through increased organ masses and heightened activity of respiratory enzymes activities. The results support the view that prominent winter increases in BMR are manifestations of winter acclimatization in tree sparrows and that seasonal variation in metabolism in sparrows is similar to that in other small temperate-wintering birds.     

Daily and photoperiod variations of basal and stress-induced corticosterone concentrations in house sparrows (Passer domesticus)

Corticosterone concentrations were measured in captive house sparrows (Passer domesticus) and found to vary both daily and with different photoperiods. Basal corticosterone was highest during the dark hours of the daily cycle and lowest during the light hours. This trend remained constant when the birds were held on short-day and long-day light cycles, and while the birds were undergoing a prebasic molt. At all times, corticosterone concentrations significantly increased in response to the stress of handling and restraint. Stress-induced corticosterone concentrations, however, only reflected a daily rhythm when the birds were held on short-days. Furthermore, even though mean basal corticosterone concentrations were equivalent over the short-day, long-day, and molt, total corticosterone output in response to stress was lower in molting birds, especially at night. Therefore, these data indicate that captive house sparrows modulate corticosterone in daily cycles that change in response to photoperiod.     

Relative photorefractoriness, prolactin, and reproductive regression in a flexibly breeding sonoran desert passerine, the rufous-winged sparrow, Aimophila carpalis

We tested the hypothesis that adult male rufous-winged sparrows, Aimophila carpalis, exhibit relative photorefractoriness. This condition results in partial loss of sensitivity to photoperiod as a reproductive stimulus after prolonged exposure to long photoperiods and is similar to the mammalian condition called photoperiodic memory. Captive birds were exposed either to 8 h of light/16 h of dark per day (8L) or to 16L for 11 weeks and were then exposed either to 8L, 13L, 14L, or 16L. Testicular diameter, plasma luteinizing hormone (LH), and plasma prolactin (PRL) were measured to assess reproductive system activity in response to photostimulation. In free-living birds, testicular diameter, plasma LH, and PRL were compared in birds caught in September in a year when birds were breeding and in a year when birds were not breeding to further evaluate the role of PRL in the termination of seasonal breeding. Testes completely developed after transfer from 8L to 14L or to 16L and partially developed after transfer from 8L to 13L. However, after 11 weeks of 16L exposure, transfer to 14L caused partial regression and transfer to 13L caused complete regression of the testes. Plasma LH increased in all birds that were transferred from 8L to a longer photoperiod. PRL showed a weak response to longer photoperiod treatment and was elevated in birds after chronic 16L exposure in comparison to birds exposed to chronic 8L. These data indicate that male rufous-winged sparrows lose sensitivity to photoperiod after long photoperiod exposure consistent with the relative photorefractoriness and photoperiodic memory models. Lower PRL in birds that developed testes on 13L and 14L compared to birds that regressed testes on 13L and 14L are consistent with the hypothesis that PRL regulates relative photorefractoriness. However, PRL does not appear to regulate interannual differences in the timing of testicular regression.     

The role of the pineal gland in the photoperiodic control of bird song frequency and repertoire in the house sparrow, Passer domesticus

Temperate zone birds are highly seasonal in many aspects of their physiology. In mammals, but not in birds, the pineal gland is an important component regulating seasonal patterns of primary gonadal functions. Pineal melatonin in birds instead affects seasonal changes in brain song control structures, suggesting the pineal gland regulates seasonal song behavior. The present study tests the hypothesis that the pineal gland transduces photoperiodic information to the control of seasonal song behavior to synchronize this important behavior to the appropriate phenology. House sparrows, Passer domesticus, expressed a rich array of vocalizations ranging from calls to multisyllabic songs and motifs of songs that varied under a regimen of different photoperiodic conditions that were simulated at different times of year. Control (SHAM) birds exhibited increases in song behavior when they were experimentally transferred from short days, simulating winter, to equinoctial and long days, simulating summer, and decreased vocalization when they were transferred back to short days. When maintained in long days for longer periods, the birds became reproductively photorefractory as measured by the yellowing of the birds' bills; however, song behavior persisted in the SHAM birds, suggesting a dissociation of reproduction from the song functions. Pinealectomized (PINX) birds expressed larger, more rapid increases in daily vocal rate and song repertoire size than did the SHAM birds during the long summer days. These increases gradually declined upon the extension of the long days and did not respond to the transfer to short days as was observed in the SHAM birds, suggesting that the pineal gland conveys photoperiodic information to the vocal control system, which in turn regulates song behavior.     

Body‐mass‐dependent trade‐off between immune response and uropygial gland size in house sparrows Passer domesticus

Parasites greatly impact host fitness. The immune system is fundamental to combat endoparasites, and survival increases with greater investment in immunity. Some ectoparasites, by contrast, are reportedly combated by the use of the uropygial gland, an organ exclusive to birds, which secretes an oily substance (preen oil) that is spread on plumage. However, both mounting an immune response against a parasite and producing uropygial gland secretion depend on the same resources, a situation which may induce trade‐offs between the two antiparasitic functions. In this study, I experimentally test whether immune response is traded off against uropygial gland size in the house sparrow Passer domesticus. In the experiment, a group of sparrows were injected with an antigen (lipopolysaccharide, LPS), which stimulates the immune system, while the other group received a sham injection. The uropygial gland of LPS‐treated birds decreased significantly more than that of the control birds after treatment. Nevertheless, the effect of the treatment was limited to house sparrows with low body mass, suggesting that heavy house sparrows were able to produce an immune response while maintaining a relatively large uropygial gland. Given that uropygial gland size is strongly related to production of preen oil, these results suggest that preen oil production declines in birds in poor body condition when resources are preferentially diverted to other demanding functions, such as the immune system. Considering that the uropygial gland is involved in several fitness‐related processes in birds, the trade‐off between immune response and uropygial gland size may have important consequences for bird life histories.     

Duration of melatonin regulates seasonal changes in song control nuclei of the house sparrow, Passer domesticus: independence from gonads and circadian entrainment

Avian behavior and physiology are temporally regulated by a complex circadian clock on both a daily and an annual basis. The circadian secretion of the hormone melatonin is a critical component of the regulation of circadian/daily processes in passerine birds, but there is little evidence that the gland regulates annual changes in primary reproductive function. Here it is shown that locomotor rhythms of house sparrows, Passer domesticus, which are made arrhythmic by either pinealectomy or maintenance in constant light, can be synchronized by daily administration of melatonin of different durations to simulate the melatonin profiles indicative of long and short photoperiods. Pinealectomized male sparrows maintained in constant darkness were entrained by both melatonin regimens. In both cases, testes were regressed and the song control nuclei were small. Intact male house sparrows maintained in constant light were also entrained to both melatonin regimens. However, sparrows that received a long duration melatonin cycle exhibited small song control nuclei, while sparrows that received short duration melatonin or no melatonin at all exhibited large song control nuclei. The data indicate that seasonal changes in melatonin duration contribute to the regulation of song control nuclei.     

THE SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR OF THE WHITE WAGTAIL MOTACILLA ALBA ALBA WINTERING IN ISRAEL

White Wagtails Motacilla alba wintering in Israel are partly territorial, mostly around human habitations, and partly live in flocks around temporary food sources. Individual birds may spend part of the season (or the day) in the territory and the other part with a flock. Experiments with artificial distribution of food, in a natural habitat, brought about a change from flocking to territorial behaviour. Preliminary observations suggest that in the natural situation the pattern of food distribution may be the proximate factor which regulates the birds' behaviour, by determining whether they have to fight for their food. Pairs are formed on many territories, and may last for long or short periods. Pair formation is initiated by females, who when seeking food appease the territorial males and are able to stay with them on their territories. Females also manifest territorial behaviour. Although pairing in winter territories is similar, in the behaviour involved, to sexual pairing, it is very unlikely that winter pairing continues into, or influences, pairing for breeding. It is suggested that the function of winter pair formation is that it allows two birds to exploit one territory, and that the main advantage is to the female which is the subordinate bird of the pair. This kind of pair-formation may be analogous to non-breeding group territories reported in some other birds.     

树麻雀代谢率和器官重量在季节驯化中表型的可塑性变化

动物能量代谢的生理生态特征与物种的分布和丰富度密切相关,基础代谢率(BMR)是内温动物能量预算的重要组成部分。北温带的小型鸟类,通过增加产热来适应低温环境。增加BMR的基础之一是中心器官(代谢机器)发生明显的变化。本研究中我们测定了树麻雀(Passermontanus)的BMR、体重和各器官的重量,分析了麻雀各器官的季节性变化及与BMR的关系。方差分析表明:麻雀的BMR存在明显的季节性变化,在冬季和秋季较高。麻雀内部器官的变化同样有明显的季节性,冬季和秋季麻雀的肝脏、心脏、肌胃、小肠、直肠和整体消化道的重量,都有明显的增加。相关分析表明:麻雀的BMR与肝脏、心脏和消化道等内部器官存在明显的相关性。我们的结果验证了“中心限制假说”,即麻雀体内存在着与BMR相关的“代谢机器”,中心器官是提高麻雀BMR的基础之一。     

Rapid behavioral response to corticosterone varies with photoperiod and dose

The magnitude of the adrenocortical response to stress can be modulated by a variety of environmental and physiological factors, such as daylength and body condition. To determine the consequences of this modulation for the organism, one also needs to investigate behavioral sensitivity to glucocorticoids. We examined the behavioral response of Gambel's white-crowned sparrows (Zonotrichia leucophrys gambelii) to elevated glucocorticoids. Using a behavioral assay in which a rapid and transient dose of corticosterone (CORT: the avian glucocorticoid) rapidly increases perch hopping, we first investigated the photoperiodic regulation of this behavioral response. Intermediate levels of CORT ( approximately 24 ng/ml), which increased activity in sparrows exposed to a long-day (breeding) photoperiod, had no behavioral effect in sparrows exposed to a short-day (winter) photoperiod. Hence, the neural mechanisms which regulate the behavioral response to CORT appear to be less sensitive under a winter photoperiod. Using the same behavioral assay, we also measured a dose-response curve for CORT's effects on activity in sparrows exposed to the long-day photoperiod. Intermediate levels (24 and 40 ng/ml) increased activity to threefold background levels, whereas high physiological levels (65 and 97 ng/ml) had no effect. Given that the behavioral response does not increase linearly with CORT, we can no longer assume that modulation of the adrenocortical response to stress will result in linear changes in behavior.