Response of Penaeus indicus females at two different stages of ovarian development to a lethal infection with Vibrio penaeicida

An association between vitellogenesis and the immune system was suggested in crustaceans from studies on plasma lipoproteins. The present research studies the effect of an experimentally induced bacterial infection on vitellogenesis in females of the shrimp Penaeus indicus, as a model for penaeid species. Pre-vitellogenic and vitellogenic P. indicus females were experimentally infected with an extremely pathogenic bacterium, Vibrio penaeicida. The peak in mortality occurred earlier in pre-vitellogenic animals than in vitellogenic ones, although the final mortality level ( approximately 64-74%) 52h post-infection was nearly the same for the two groups. Twenty hours after infection, the total number of haemocytes was significantly reduced in vitellogenic females while there was no change in the pre-vitellogenic group. Protein synthesis in ovaries was not significantly affected by infection, at the two stages of ovarian development. No differences were found in mRNA levels of shrimp ovarian peritrophin protein (SOP), but preliminary results showed that mRNA expression of vitellin (VT) was reduced in a heavily infected vitellogenic female. The total amount of lipids in the haemolymph of vitellogenic females was almost twice higher than that of pre-vitellogenic ones. However, there was no change in the total content of lipids, lipid classes and fatty acid distribution in haemolymph or hepatopancreas following infection. Although vitellogenic and pre-vitellogenic females probably respond differently to a lethal bacterial infection, physiological differences may be concealed by the rapid onset of mortality.     

家蚕感染蛹虫草后的生理生化变化

蛹虫草分生孢子侵染5龄家蚕Bombyx mori后,家蚕血淋巴中总糖、海藻糖、蛋白质和甘油酯含量均有不同程度的下降,其中甘油酯含量下降最为明显。海藻糖酶活性在侵染初期也明显降低。接种后家蚕体内的保护酶超氧化物歧化酶、过氧化物酶和过氧化氢酶活性也有较大变化,其中超氧化物歧化酶活性上升最为明显,在4日内由441.841 U/mL升至601.255 U/mL。     

长期增强UV-B辐射对高寒草甸植物光合速率和抗氧化系统的影响

研究了在野外自然条件下,长期增强UV-B辐射对高寒草甸3种典型植物矮嵩草（Kobresia humilis）、垂穗披碱草（Elymus nutans）和钉柱委陵菜（Potentilla saundersiana）光合放氧速率、光合色素和抗氧化系统的影响。结果表明：长期增强UV-B辐射对3种植物的净光合速率没有明显影响。增强UV-B辐射下,3种植物的叶绿素含量变化不同,Chla／b值,类胡萝卜素（Car）含量,Car／Chl值与对照相比都有升高,说明植物叶片的光合能力、吸收紫外线的能力增强以及忍受逆境能力均有增强,从而产生光保护,有利于光合作用正常进行。由于3种植物膜脂过氧化程度的不同及SOD活性的普遍抑制,植物经受了氧化胁迫。垂穗披碱草叶片GSH含量显著七升,矮嵩草的形态矮小及钉柱委陵菜GSH含量与POD活性显著上升,都能减轻它们所经受的氧化胁迫,使光合器官免受损伤。所以,这些保护性色素的积累和抗氧化系统内部的协同作用可能是高寒草甸植物光合作用正常进行的重要原因。     

欧报春（Primula vulgaris）不同花色与色素关系及花色遗传初步分析

为了掌握欧报春各花色遗传规律服务于良种生产,通过对欧报春各色花进行色素吸收光谱和薄层层析分析,进行不同花色杂交研究,分析了欧报春各色花所含色素类型及各花色遗传规律。结果显示欧报春群体含多种花色素,单株也可含有多种花色素,形成多变的粉色、红色及蓝色花。黄色深浅主要由类胡萝卜素含量决定。白色对粉色及黄色为隐性遗传,黄色、粉色为显性遗传并有数量遗传特征,黄色与粉色独立遗传。蓝色为多基因控制的隐性遗传,并具有数量遗传特征。     

Effect of iron chloride (III) on hematological status of the Planorbarius corneus (Mollusca: Gastropoda: Bulinidae) in normal snails and during infection with trematode parthenites

The effect of three ferric chloride concentrations (100, 200, 300 mg/l) on the acid-alkaline balance of haemolymph and haemoglobin content in Planorbarius corneus under normal conditions and in the case of infection with parthenites and larvae of Echinoparichium aconiatum was examined. In the medium with an effective concentration of ferric chloride, all snail specimens proved to have acidified haemolymph, by 40-50% in infected samples and 80-85% in uninfected ones. Statistically reliable differences in the haemoglobin content in the haemolymph of infected and uninfected specimens between the control and test media were absent, that proves a weak toxic effect of ferric ions on P. corneus.     

Changes in the sulfhydryl group content in the hemolymph of freshwater gastropods infected with trematode parthenitae and larvae

A study was conducted on the changes in sulphhydryl groups in the haemolymph of Lymnaea stagnalis infected with partenites of Opisthioglyphe ranae, Planorbis corneus infected with partenites of Cotylurus cornutus and females of Viviparus viviparus infected with partenites and larvae of Echinoparyphium petrowi. At the infection in the haemolymph of hosts were recorded statystically reliable changes in the protein sulphhydryl groups which are blocked by toxines excreted by the parasites. The reduction rate in the content of these substances depends on the localization of the parasites and infection intensity of the hosts.     

Inhibition of Beauveria bassiana Proteases and Fungal Development by Inducible Protease Inhibitors in the Haemolymph of Galleria mellonella Larvae

Injection of zymosan or dead yeast cells enhanced the inhibitory activity against exocellular Beauveria bassiana proteases in the cell - free haemolymph of Galleria mellonella larvae . Pre - injected larvae exhibited no decreased mortality after subsequent injection with living B. bassiana blastospores but survived for a prolonged time before death . Increased levels of protease inhibitors in the haemolymph were also observed after injection of B. bassiana proteases . In contrast , no enhanced inhibitory activity against B. bassiana proteases was detected in infected larvae when mycosis was initiated with conidia which enabled the fungus to invade host larvae through the integument in a natural manner . B. bassiana proteases were not completely inhibited by the addition of cell - free haemolymph . Protease inhibitors obtained after heat and trichloroacetic acid precipitation of cell - free haemolymph were added to the protein medium of B. bassiana to study the effect on its growth in vitro. Enriched fractions from pre - injected larvae delayed fungal growth in comparison with fractions from untreated larvae , suggesting that delayed mortality of immunized G. mellonella larvae infected with B. bassiana is due to enhanced levels of protease inhibitors . A non - virulent form of the same strain exhibited reduced capacity to release proteases in vitro. The results strongly suggest that the capacity of insects to release inhibitors against fungal proteases influences their susceptibility against entomopathogenic fungi .     

In vitro haemagglutination and attenuation of microfilarial motility by haemolymph from individual blackflies (Simulium ornatum) infected with Onchocerca lienalis

Two in vitro tests were used to investigate the effect of Onchocerca lienalis Stiles infection on the haemolymph of Simulium ornatum Meigen. The first of these examined the effect of infected haemolymph on the motility of fresh O. lienalis or Brugia pahangi Buckley & Edeson microfilariae. Incubation of haemolymph from individual flies with fresh microfilariae was performed in the wells of Terasaki micro-tissue culture plates. Motility of both species of parasite was found to be significantly attenuated when compared to worms incubated in control haemolymph groups. The second assay was that of agglutination of cat erythrocytes in the presence of haemolymph from individual flies, also performed in Terasaki plates. This test demonstrated significant increases in the rates of haemagglutination in the haemolymph of O. lienalis infected blackflies. The titre appeared to increase during the initial 5 days of infection up to a level of 1/32+, but then fell between day 5 and 7 to a maximum level of 1/2. The proportion of flies exhibiting haemagglutination also rose following infection. Despite the apparent absence of melanization and encapsulation, simuliids may have at least two humoral haemolymph components available to them for parasite regulation; a fast-acting factor responsible for rapid parasite death, and more specific agglutinins, possibly lectins. The role of the latter in defence is as yet unclear.     

蝗虫微孢子虫对东亚飞蝗卵黄原蛋白含量的影响

采用免疫学方法,对东亚飞蝗Locusta migratoria manilensis感染蝗虫微孢子虫Nosema locustae后体内卵黄蛋白含量的变化进行了研究。结果表明,感病蝗虫与对照健虫相比,卵黄发生有严重障碍,脂肪体和卵巢中卵黄原蛋白或卵黄蛋白含量极低,导致感病雌虫丧失产卵能力。脂肪体中卵黄原蛋白含量最高峰健虫为18.7 mg/mL,而病虫只有4.7 mg/mL;血淋巴中卵黄原蛋白含量最高峰健虫为7.6 mg/mL,而病虫只有2.6 mg/mL;卵巢中卵黄蛋白含量最高峰健虫为73.4 mg/mL,而病虫只有4.9 mg/mL。     

菜青虫感染玫烟色拟青霉后血淋巴蛋白质含量及几种保护酶活力的变化

对玫烟色拟青霉Paecilomyces fumosoroseus侵染3、4龄菜青虫Pieris rapae后,其血淋巴中蛋白质含量、体内保护酶及谷胱甘肽S-转移酶活力进行了研究。结果表明,感病的3、4龄菜青虫血淋巴中蛋白质含量明显低于同期未感染的幼虫;感病虫体内超氧化物歧化酶、过氧化氢酶和过氧化物酶的活力发生了不同程度的改变,其中对3龄菜青虫体内酶活力的影响比4龄幼虫大。此外被侵染的3、4龄菜青虫体内谷胱甘肽S-转移酶活力在感病前期显著高于同期未感染的菜青虫,而在感病后期明显低于同期未感染的菜青虫。     

Free amino acids in the haemolymph of honey bee queens (Apis mellifera L.)

In queen honey bees the free amino acid content in the haemolymph clearly depends on the physiological function and social environment of the individual. While in drones and workers the content of free amino acids increases after emergence until it reaches a peak in 5-day-old animals and decreases afterwards, the amino acid content in queens reaches its highest level (>60 nmol/ microl haemolymph) with the onset of egg laying (10 d of age). This level is about 2.5 times more than the highest level found in workers. Queens maintain this high level also when they are older (>30 d) and continue to lay eggs in average colonies. As in drones and workers, in queens the predominant amino acid is proline, which accounts for more than 50% of the total content of free amino acids in egg-laying individuals. When 10-day-old queens are prevented from mating and do not lay eggs, their amino acid content is significantly lower compared to laying queens of the same age. Also the social environment influences the contents of free amino acids in queens. When virgin queens were kept for 6 days with 20 worker bees and sufficient honey and pollen in an incubator, they had significantly lower concentrations of amino acids than virgin queens living for the same period with about 8000 workers in a colony. Most probably, the high amino acid concentration in the haemolymph is the basis for the high protein synthesis activity of laying queens.     

Disseminated neoplasia in cockles Cerastoderma edule: ultrastructural characterisation and effects on haemolymph cell parameters

Disseminated neoplasia (DN) has been detected in cockles from various beds in Galicia (NW Spain). A study was performed to characterise cockle neoplastic cell ultrastructure and to evaluate the effect of this disease at different severity stages on various haemolymph cell parameters. Examination of cockle neoplastic cells with transmission electron microscopy (TEM) showed round shapes and a lack of pseudopods, a high nucleus:cytoplasm diameter ratio, Golgi complexes, abundant mitochondria, ribosomes, and numerous endoplasmic reticulum tubes and electron-lucent vesicles. Various haemolymph cell parameters (cell mortality, non-specific esterase and lysosome biovolume, reactive oxygen intermediates [ROI] production, phagocytosis ability, intracellular Ca2+ and actin levels) were compared between DN severity categories by flow cytometry; haemocyte mortality, non-specific esterase activities and lysosome biovolume were found to be higher with increasing DN severity. The phagocytic ability of neoplastic cells was sharply reduced with regard to haemocytes. The cytoplasmic-free Ca2+ level was higher and actin content lower in haemolymph cells of diseased cockles compared to unaffected ones. A significant increase in ROI production was detected in later stages of disease progression.     

Effects of starvation on body composition and cold tolerance in the collembolan Orchesella cincta and the isopod Porcellio scaber

The effects of long-term starvation on the body composition of the isopod Porcellio scaber (Latreille) and the collembolan Orchesella cincta (L.) were studied, by determining the body composition in starved and fed animals. A period under summer conditions (19 degrees C, 75% RH and L/D 16/8 photoperiod), was followed by a period under winter conditions (5 degrees C, 75% RH and LD 6/18 photoperiod). O. cincta was held under summer conditions for 3weeks, during which its protein and lipid content decreased, while its water content increased. In P. scaber, the same occurred during the 6weeks they were kept under summer conditions. During subsequent weeks under winter conditions, changes in cold tolerance of the animals were investigated. Cold tolerance and haemolymph osmolality were measured once a week. Starved animals had lower cold tolerance than fed ones. For P. scaber a decreased haemolymph osmolality was found in starved animals compared to fed ones. This is assumed to be caused by a combination of the consumption of carbohydrates out of the haemolymph and of protein reserves and the accumulation of body water. O. cincta appeared to be capable of osmoregulation, as haemolymph osmolality did not differ between starved and fed animals, despite differences in body water content. Decreased cold tolerance in starved animals of both species may be caused by increased water content or, more probably, by the decrease in reserves needed to produce cryoprotective substances.     

Acorn Consumption Improves the Immune Response of the Dung Beetle Thorectes lusitanicus

Thorectes lusitanicus, a typically coprophagous species is also actively attracted to oak acorns, consuming, burying them, and conferring ecophysiological and reproductive advantages to both the beetle and the tree. In this study, we explored the possible relation between diet shift and the health status of T. lusitanicus using a generalist entomopathogenic fungus (Metarhizium anisopliae) as a natural pathogen. To measure the health condition and immune response of beetles, we analysed the protein content in the haemolymph, prophenoloxidase (proPO) content, phenoloxidase (PO) activity and mortality of beetles with diets based on either acorns or cow dung. Protein content, proPO levels and PO levels in the haemolymph of T. lusitanicus were found to be dependent on the type of diet. Furthermore, the beetles fed with acorns developed a more effective proPO-PO system than the beetles fed with cow dung. Furthermore, a significant decrease in mortality was observed when infected individuals were submitted to an acorn-based diet. In addition to enhancing an understanding of the relevance of dietary change to the evolutionary biology of dung beetles, these results provide a more general understanding of the ecophysiological implications of differential dietary selection in the context of fitness.     

The effect of ammonium nitrate on the residual nitrogen content in the hemolymph of the pulmonate snail Planorbarius purpura (Mollusca: Pulmonata: Bulinidae) normally and in trematode invasion

The effect of the ammonium nitrate (concentrations 2000, 4000, 6000 mg/l) on the content of urea, urea nitrogen and residual nitrogen in the haemolymph of normal Planorbarius purpura and in trematode-infected individuals. It is shown, that stimulation of metabolic processes is more expressed in uninfected specimens, while the trematode-infected ones, the protective process is strained. When the toxin concentration reaches 6000 mg/l, the trematode infected specimens enter the phase of depression with 3.73% hyponitrogen level.     

Acetyl-CoA-synthetase activity of pigmented staphylococci]

In 19 strains of staphylococci a study was made of the activity of acetyl-CoA-synthetase reaction. All the strains possessed an active enzymatic system transforming the acetate into an active form. The activity of acetyl-CoA-synthetase proved to be much greater in the pigmented staphyloccus strains than in the nonpigmented ones. It is supposed that there existed an association between the acetyl-CoA-synthetase and the biogenesis of carotinoid pigments in Staph. aureus.     

感染家蚕浓核病毒BmDNV1对家蚕抗性和敏感品种生化参数的影响

在家蚕疾病中,病毒性疾病是危害茧产品的主要且最普遍的疾病。病毒性蚕软腐病是由BmIFV, BmDNV1 和 BmDNV2引起的。对印度种质库（Indian Germ plasm stock）中的BmDN V1有抗性和敏感的家蚕品种进行了鉴定。利用标准方法对在BmDNV1感染过程中抗性和敏感品系的主要有机成分的变化（包括总蛋白、碳水化合物和脂类）进行了检测。结果表明： 随着幼虫年龄的增长,对照组和处理组中有机成分（即蛋白质和碳水化合物）的含量也随之增长,但是处理组的增长水平明显地低于各自对照组的增长水平。接种BmDNV1后,与对照组比较,敏感品种体内的血淋巴和中肠组织的总蛋白的量显著地下降。在抗性品种,接种4天后的总蛋白的量有了显著地下降,之后,下降水平小于各自的对照组。在抗性和敏感品种中,血淋巴和中肠组织中的总碳水化合物的量略有下降。在变化不显著的抗性和敏感品种中,血淋巴和中肠组织中的脂质的量有显著地提高。在敏感家蚕品种,生化变化清晰地显示： BmDNV1感染消耗作为主要能量来源的总蛋白和碳水化合物。这些成分的损耗导致了被感染家蚕的生长受阻。     

Flow cytometric DNA content analysis of neoplastic cells in haemolymph of the cockle Cerastoderma edule

Epizootiological outbreaks of disseminated neoplasia (DN) have been reported in association with mass mortalities in various bivalve species including the cockle Cerastoderma edule. A flow cytometric (FCM) procedure to study DNA content was successfully adapted and tested in haemolymph cells (haemocytes and neoplastic cells) of the cockle. The FCM results were similar to those obtained by histological analysis (DN diagnosis and haemolymph cell features). FCM analysis revealed differences in DNA content among normal haemocytes (diploid) and neoplastic cells. Four types of cells with abnormal DNA content were found in the haemolymph of affected animals: hypodiploid, hyperdiploid, triploid-sesploid and pentaploid. Our results suggest that the flow cytometric DNA content analysis can be applied to identify neoplastic cell types and to study the association between different cell types and the DN progression or remission in this edible and commercially important bivalve species.     

棉铃虫感染中华卵索线虫后血淋巴游离氨基酸含量的变化

中华卵索线虫Ovomermis sinensis感染棉铃虫Helicoverpa armigera 1天后,棉铃虫幼虫血淋巴中游离氨基酸总量大幅度下降,各种游离氨基酸的含量也是如此变化。感染2～4天后的棉铃虫血淋巴中游离氨基酸总量变化不大,各种游离氨基酸的含量有升有降。感染5～6天后的棉铃虫血淋巴中游离氨基酸总量和各种氨基酸的含量都急剧上升。研究表明,中华卵索线虫寄生棉铃虫时,棉铃虫血淋巴中游离氨基酸含量的变化朝着有利于线虫生长发育的方向进行。     

UV-B辐射对仙客来的生理效应

通过室内模拟试验,研究了不同强度UV-B辐射(10μW/cm2和20μW/cm2)对仙客来(Cyclamen persicum Mill)生理的影响。结果表明:(1)UV-B辐射的增加对仙客来叶片光合色素的含量具有影响;(2)叶片质膜透性随UV-B辐射强度的增加而增加,随UV-B辐射时间的延长而增加;(3)叶片类黄酮含量随UV-B辐射强度的增加而增加,且在40d时达到最大值;(4)增强UV-B辐射下,仙客来花瓣中的花青素含量增加。