Sex differences in yolk hormones depend on maternal social status in Leghorn chickens (Gallus gallus domesticus)

Maternal hormones are known to be present in avian eggs and can have beneficial effects on chick development. Recently, differences in avian yolk steroid concentrations between the sexes have been demonstrated, and in this context steroids have been proposed to be part of the avian sex-determining mechanism. In our study, we show that it is very unlikely that androgen concentrations alone are the decisive part of the sex-determining mechanism. We found that sex-specific differences in the yolk hormones strongly depend on the social rank of the mother. First, dominant females, but not subdominant females, allocated significantly more testosterone to male eggs than to female eggs. Second, subordinate females increased the testosterone concentrations of female eggs. This pattern of yolk hormone deposition can be functionally explained. In polygynous species such as the chicken, reproductive success is more variable in males than in females. Parental investment in sons or daughters is therefore expected to occur in direct relation to parental rearing capacities. We found that the social status of a hen was indeed negatively correlated with her maternal capacities (for example, body mass, egg mass). Differential androgen deposition might thus provide a mechanism for adaptive maternal investment depending on both the sex of the egg and the social status of the mother.     

A novel functional class I lineage in zebrafish (Danio rerio), carp (Cyprinus carpio), and large barbus (Barbus intermedius) showing an unusual conservation of the peptide binding domains

Species from all major jawed vertebrate taxa possess linked polymorphic class I and II genes located in an MHC. The bony fish are exceptional with class I and II genes located on different linkage groups. Zebrafish (Danio rerio), common carp (Cyprinus carpio), and barbus (Barbus intermedius) represent highly divergent cyprinid genera. The genera Danio and Cyprinus diverged 50 million years ago, while Cyprinus and Barbus separated 30 million years ago. In this study, we report the first complete protein-coding class I ZE lineage cDNA sequences with high similarity between the three cyprinid species. Two unique complete protein-coding cDNA sequences were isolated in zebrafish, Dare-ZE*0101 and Dare-ZE*0102, one in common carp, Cyca-ZE*0101, and six in barbus, Bain-ZE*0101, Bain-ZE*0102, Bain-ZE*0201, Bain-ZE*0301, Bain-ZE*0401, and Bain-ZE*0402. Deduced amino acid sequences indicate that these sequences encode bonafide class I proteins. In addition, the presence of conserved potential peptide anchoring residues, exon-intron organization, ubiquitous expression, and polymorphism generated by positive selection on putative peptide binding residues support a classical nature of class I ZE lineage genes. Phylogenetic analyses revealed clustering of the ZE lineage clade with nonclassical cyprinid class I Z lineage clade away from classical cyprinid class I genes, suggesting a common ancestor of these nonclassical genes as observed for mammalian class I genes. Data strongly support the classical nature of these ZE lineage genes that evolved in a trans-species fashion with lineages being maintained for up to 100 million years as estimated by divergence time calculations.     

Inhibition of purine nucleoside phosphorylase and mitogen-stimulated transformation in immunocompetent murine spleen cells by formycin B.

Formycin B inhibits competitively purine nucleoside phosphorylase activity in murine spleen cell extracts. It also inhibits inosine phosphorolysis by intact spleen cells. Differentiation and proliferation of these cells, stimulated by concanavalin A or lipopolysaccharide, are appreciably reduced by culture with formycin B. Appreciable inhibition occurs at concentrations of formycin B which do not alter cell viability. The transformation of lipopolysaccharide-stimulated cells is more sensitive to inhibition by formycin B than that of concanavalin A-stimulated cells. Characterization of this system should increase our understanding of the relationship between purine nucleoside phosphorylase activity and immune responses.     

Functional involvement of angiotensin AT2 receptor in adrenal catecholamine secretion in vivo.

The aim of the present study was to analyse modulations of adrenal catecholamine secretion from the adrenal gland of anesthetized dogs in response to locally administered angiotensin II (AngII) in the presence of either PD 123319 or CGP 42112, both of which are highly specific and selective ligands to angiotensin AT2 receptor. Plasma concentrations of epinephrine and norepinephrine in adrenal venous and aortic blood were quantified by a high performance liquid chromatography coupled with electrochemical detection (HPLC-EC) method. Adrenal venous blood flow was measured by gravimetry. Local administration of AngII (0.05 microg, 0.1 microM) to the left adrenal gland increased adrenal gland catecholamine output more than 30 times that found in nonstimulated states. Administration of either PD 123319 (0.085 microg (0.23 microM) to 8.5 microg (23 microM)) or CGP 42112 (0.005 microg (0.01 microM) to 5 microg (10 microM)) did not affect the basal catecholamine output significantly. The increase in adrenal catecholamine output in response to AngII was inhibited by approximately 80% following the largest dose of PD 123319. CGP 42112 significantly attenuated the catecholamine response to AngII by approximately 70%. PD 123319 and CGP 42112 were devoid of any agonist actions with respect to catecholamine output by the adrenal gland in vivo. Furthermore, both PD 123319 and CGP 42112 inhibited the increase in adrenal catecholamine secretion induced by local administration of AngII. The present study suggests that AT2 receptors play a role in mediating catecholamine secretion by the adrenal medulla in response to AngII receptor agonist administration in vivo.     

Testosterone, cuckoldry risk and extra-pair opportunities in the Seychelles warbler

In male birds, testosterone (T) plays an important role in aggressive and mate-attraction behaviour. In the cooperatively breeding Seychelles warbler, Acrocephalus sechellensis, extra-group copulations (EGCs) occur frequently, but are not accompanied by sexual courtship displays as in within-pair copulations. Paternity is nearly always gained by primary males. We investigated whether T levels and sperm storage capability (cloacal protuberance (CP)) in adult primary and subordinate males were related to timing of egg laying, levels of cuckoldry and extra-group paternity (EGP) opportunities. During the sexually active period before egg laying, T levels and CP were only elevated or enlarged (respectively) in primary males, and some suggestion was found that subordinate males do not invest in elevated T levels. The peak in T occurred during the fertile period of the female partner and corresponded to the peak period of male sexual displays and mate guarding, but was independent of cuckoldry risk (density of neighbouring primary males). CP was also enhanced during this period; however, CP but not T remained elevated after egg laying by their mates, and CP but not T was positively related to EGP opportunities (density of neighbouring fertile females). We conclude that T is involved in sexual courtship displays and mate guarding, but not in gaining EGCs. These findings contrast with those in other species where EGP involves elaborate sexual displays.     

Fast, DNA-sequence independent translocation by FtsK in a single-molecule experiment

Escherichia coli FtsK is an essential cell division protein, which is thought to pump chromosomal DNA through the closing septum in an oriented manner by following DNA sequence polarity. Here, we perform single-molecule measurements of translocation by FtsK50C, a derivative that functions as a DNA translocase in vitro. FtsK50C translocation follows Michaelis-Menten kinetics, with a maximum speed of approximately 6.7 kbp/s. We present results on the effect of applied force on the speed, distance translocated, and the mean times during and between protein activity. Surprisingly, we observe that FtsK50C can spontaneously reverse its translocation direction on a fragment of E. coli chromosomal DNA, indicating that DNA sequence is not the sole determinant of translocation direction. We conclude that in vivo polarization of FtsK translocation could require the presence of cofactors; alternatively, we propose a model in which tension in the DNA directs FtsK translocation.     

Relationships between individual behavioural traits and post-weaning growth in segregated early-weaned piglets

Piglets' individual behavioural traits have been studied in the last decade but no report has linked these traits with growth. This experiment was conducted to determine if behavioural traits of segregated early-weaned piglets could be good predictors of their post-weaning growth and, thus, help to predict their adaptation to early weaning. Following segregated early weaning at 17+/-1 days old, 252 piglets were submitted to three tests between 20 and 25 days of age: open-field, reaction to humans and rank order based on competition for a restricted-access feeder. The body weight of each piglet was measured the day before weaning and once a week for the next 4 weeks. A principal component analysis yielded five factors with an Eigenvalue higher than 0.90 that accounted for 81% of the total variation between individuals: reaction to humans (25%), active response to stress (21%), passive response to stress (14%), feeding behaviour (10%) and rank order (9%). Passive reaction to stress was associated with better weight gain during the first week post-weaning (r=0.18; P=0.01), and a positive correlation was found between social status and weight gain during the 4 weeks following weaning (-0.15相似文献