Amniotic fluid 17-hydroxyprogesterone in early pregnancy

The results of measurement of 17-hydroxyprogesterone (17-OH-P) in 125 samples of amniotic fluid (AF) from early amniocenteses are presented. The fetuses from all pregnancies studied were unaffected by congenital adrenal hyperphasia caused by 21-hydroxylase deficiency. The AF 17-OH-P level increases slightly but significantly between the 11th and 15th week of gestation, with a maximum in the 14th week. There is no difference between the values measured in male and female fetuses. The AF 17-OH-P levels from the early gestation were compared with those from the 16th–22nd week of pregnancy (published previously). The overall differences of AF 17-OH-P concentrations when considered in all gestational age groups in the whole period 12–22 weeks were statistically insignificant. Thus, the biochemical prenatal diagnosis of congenital adrenal hyperplasia due to 21-hydroxylase deficiency and control of its early fetal treatment could be carried out starting from the end of the first trimester in the same way as at the later period of gestation.     

Carbon dioxide exchange in primary bean leaves as affected by water stress

Net photosynthetic rate decreased sharply to zero in the range of water potential- 8.0 to -10.4 x 10⁵ Pa. The observed decrease in photosynthetic rate was due not only to the decrease in epidermal conductance, but also to the decrease in intraoellular conductance. Both conductances decreased in the same range of water potential. With decreasing water potential photorespiration rate decreased whereas dark respiration rate remained rather unchanged. Simultaneously CO₂ compensation concentration increased. These facts constitute an indirect evidence that water stress inhibited not only transport of CO₂ from atmosphere to carboxylation sites in chloroplasts, but also its conversion into photosynthates.     

Size of stomata and palisade parenchyma on cotyledon adaxial side in someBrassica oleracea L. varieties

Cotyledons of 15 day-old seedlings of fiveBrassica oleracea L. varieties were surveyed to identify salient anatomical features. Both palisade parenchyma cells present in the first subepidermal layer and stomata were found to differ in size.     

Anatomical characteristics of the epidermis in some cultivars ofBrassica oleracea L. distribution and structure of stomata in the cotyledons

The blade area and the number of stomata were studied in the cotyledons of five cultivars ofBrassica oleracea L., cultivated in a growth chamber and in the greenhouse, respectively. Characteristic differences between different varieties were found in the number of stomata per unit area as well as in their occurrence on both the adaxial and abaxial surfaces.     

Evaluation of potential deer browsing impact on sunflower (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Helianthus annus</Emphasis>)

Large herbivores are the key species for game management in the Central Europe. Analyses of factors affecting the feeding behaviour of herbivores and consequences of their browsing are therefore highly important both for farmers and for game managers as the protective measurements should be focused on the most threatened fields. The influence of fallow (Dama dama) and roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) browsing during vegetation period on sunflower production was studied. The experiment was carried out in 2006 on a field located near a forest complex. We marked out pairs of paired permanent plots and monitored deer impact regularly from the emergence of plants until the harvest. Herbivores damaged the sunflower intensively immediately after the emergence at the height of 1 to 2 cm above the ground. When the plants had reached approximately 15-40 cm in height, deer browsed the top shoots and as the plants grew higher the browsing was restricted to leaves or to substitute stems of the previously browsed plants. Sunflower ceased to attract big herbivores in flowering stage. Browsing significantly affected the yield of seeds. Approximately one half of the plants that had been damaged in early stage died as well as 12.5% of plants that had been damaged at second term; the rest produced substitute stems. Almost 33% of the substitute stems did not form disc florets; the second third of them formed disc florets with a diameter of 6-8 cm, and the last third set disc florets with a diameter of 8-10 cm.