Effects of reproductive state on concentrations of thyroxine, 3,5,3'-triiodothyronine and cortisol in serum of dogs

Reproductive state of animals frequently is overlooked when examining endocrine functions of the thyroid gland and adrenal cortex. This experiment was done to determine effects of reproductive state on basal and stimulated concentrations of thyroxine (total T4), 3,5,3'-triiodothyronine (total T3) and cortisol in serum of adult Beagle dogs. Five male, 5 anestrous, 5 proestrous, 5 diestrous, 5 pregnant and 5 lactating dogs were fasted for 18 h before each dog received 5 IU of thyrotropic hormone (TSH) i.v. and 2.2 IU/kg of body weight of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) i.m. Blood samples were collected via jugular cannulas or by jugular venipuncture at 60, 45, 30, 15 and 1 min before and 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 12 and 24 h after injection. Concentrations of T4 were similar in serum from diestrous and pregnant bitches but were greater (P less than 0.025) than those in dogs of other reproductive states before and after treatment with TSH. Concentrations of T3 were greater (P less than 0.005) in serum from diestrous bitches before and after TSH injection than in serum from dogs of all other reproductive states. Concentrations of T3 in males, anestrus, proestrus, pregnancy and lactation did not differ. Basal concentrations of cortisol did not differ consistently among reproductive states. However, concentrations post-ACTH were different (P less than 0.05) with anestrus = diestrus greater than lactation = pregnancy = male greater than proestrus. These results indicate that reproductive state of experimental animals must be considered when studying thyroidal and adrenal functions.     

Organization and expression of polygalacturonase and other ripening related genes in Ailsa Craig “Neverripe” and “Ripening inhibitor” tomato mutants

The organization and expression of ripening-related genes were investigated in normal tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum cv. Ailsa Craig) and in Neverripe (Nr) and Ripening inhibitor (rin) mutants.Hybridization studies with ripening-related cDNA clones showed that the gene for polygalacturonase (PG) is barely expressed in rin and expressed at a low level in Nr fruit. Four other genes were found to be expressed at reduced levels in rin. Exogenous ethylene was able to restore higher levels of expression of all the genes showing reduced expression in rin except that for PG. However, exogenous ethylene did not restore normal ripening in rin fruit. Analysis of chromosomal DNA by Southern blotting indicated that all the genes studied, including the PG gene, and also an upstream promoter of the PG gene, are present in the rin and Nr genomes and appear to be arranged in a similar way to those in normal tomatoes. The results are discussed in the light of the suggestion that these mutations may involve part of the regulatory apparatus leading to the expression of ripening genes such as PG.     

Endothelin—Biology and disease

Endothelins are important mediators of physiological and pathophysiologic processes including cardiovascular disorders, pulmonary disease, renal diseases and many others. Additionally, endothelins are involved in many other important processes such as development, cancer biology, wound healing, and even neurotransmission. Here, we review the cell and molecular biology as well as the prominent pathophysiological aspects of the endothelin system.     

Delayed leaf senescence by exogenous lyso-phosphatidylethanolamine: Towards a mechanism of action

Exogenous application of the lysophospholipid, lyso-phosphatidylethanolamine (LPE) is purported to delay leaf senescence in plants. However, lyso-phospholipids are well known to possess detergent-like activity and application of LPE to plant tissues might be expected to rather elicit a wound-like response and enhance senescence progression. Since phosphatidic acid (PA) accumulation and leaf cell death are a consequence of wounding, PA- and hormone-induced senescence was studied in leaf discs from Philodendron cordatum (Vell.) Kunth plants in the presence or absence of egg-derived 18:0-LPE and senescence progression quantified by monitoring both lipid peroxidation (as the change in malondialdehyde concentration), and by measuring retention of total chlorophyll (Chl_a+b) and carotenoids (C_c+x). Only abscisic acid (ABA) stimulated lipid peroxidation whereas ABA, 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC), the immediate precursor to ethylene (ETH), and 16:0–18:2-PA stimulated loss of chloroplast pigments. Results using primary alcohols as attenuators of the endogenous PA signal confirmed a role for PA as an intermediate in both ABA- and ETH-mediated senescence progression. Exogenous 18:0-LPE did not appear to influence senescence progression and was unable to reverse hormone-induced senescence progression. However, when supplied together with 16:0–18:2-PA at 1:1 (mol:mol), activity of phosphatidylglycerol (PG) hydrolase, chlorophyllase (E.C. 3.1.1.14), and progression of leaf senescence were negated. This apparent anti-senescence activity of exogenous 18:0-LPE was associated with induction of the pathogenesis-related protein, extracellular acid invertase (Ac INV, E.C. 3.2.1.26) suggesting that 18:0-LPE like 16:0–18:2-PA functions as an elicitor.