Molecular Genetic Analysis of Y-Chromosome Microdeletions in Men with Severe Spermatogenetic Defects

Microdeletions of the Y-chromosomal AZF loci were revealed in 10 (12%) of 82 patients with severe idiopathic spermatogenetic defects. Deletions involved AZFc in six patients, AZFa in one patient, AZFb+c in two patients, and AZFa+b+c in one patient. Microdeletion analysis employed multiplex PCR with 22 pairs of primers directed to Y-specific STS of deletion intervals 5, 6, and 7 (Yq11). Spermatogenesis in men with AZF microdeletions was assessed with semen analysis, microscopic examination of testicular aspirate, and quantitative karyotypic analysis of immature germline cells in ejaculate or aspirate. The character of spermatogenetic defects was correlated with the size and location of microdeletions in order to study the genotype–phenotype relationship.     

Immunostimulating and anticoagulating activity of fucoidan from brown algae Fucus evanescens of Okhotskoe sea]

Fucoidan--nontoxic sulfated polysaccharide was isolated from brown algae Fucus evanescens in Okhotskoe Sea. Chemical analysis of the compound was performed, it was shown that fucoidan is freely soluble in water and acid solutions. Immunotropic and anticoagulating properties of the compound were evaluated in comparison with heparin. It was demonstrated that fucoidan in wide range of doses stimulated phagocytic and bactericidic activity at leucocytes of mice peritoneal exudate. Heparin on the contrary demonstrated depressive effect on these functions at high dose. It was shown that fucoidan has dose-dependent anticoagulating activity in vitro and in vivo comparable with heparin activity. The results of investigation demonstrated possibility of fucoidan application as immunomodulating and anticoagulating agent of plant origin.     

Molecular Support for the Placement of Saiga and Procapra in Antilopinae (Artiodactyla, Bovidae)

The evolutionary history of the bovid subfamily Antilopinae is unclear. Traditionally, this subfamily is subdivided into two tribes: Neotragini (dwarf antelopes) and Antilopini (gazelles and their relatives). Here, we report new sequences for the 12S and 16S rRNA genes in the enigmatic antilopine taxa Procapra gutturosa and Saiga tatarica and analyze the phylogenetic relationships of these taxa relative to other antilopines. Our study demonstrates the close affinity of the saiga antelope to Gazella despite the conventional systematic allocation of Saiga to the Caprinae subfamily. The second member of the Saigini tribe, Pantholops hodgsoni (Tibetan gazelle), falls within Caprinae. In all of our analyses, Procapra gutturosa occupied a basal position in the Antilopinae clade or was a sister-group to the dwarf antelope Madoqua. This suggests early separation of Procapra from other antelopes.     

New data on the type of structural changes in DNA of simian adenovirus SA7 microinjected into mouse zygotes

The structure of the transgene has been analysed in a new series of experiments on the transfer of adenovirus SA7 DNA into the mice zygotes by microinjection technique. The previous data on SA7 DNA elimination from the genomes of different organs (sceletal muscles, heart, tail) have been confirmed and detailed for the F0 and F1 generations of transgenic animals. The left end of adenoviral genome has been shown to be predominantly transfered after microinjections of SA7 DNA into the mice zygotes.     

Study of Development of Function of Kidneys and Their Regulation on the Background of Pathological Process

By the example of reabsorption of sodium ions in kidney, it is shown that this process, alongside with establishment of the system of osmotic concentration, plays the key role in evolution of renal function. There is shown a similarity of tendencies of changes of the total sodium ion reabsorption in children’s kidney in the process of development and in a series of representatives of various vertebrate classes. An opposite tendency is revealed during the kidney dysfunction produced by chronic renal failure. At all stages of postnatal ontogenesis in healthy children and in adults, kidney maintains the same parameters of the blood serum ion composition and osmolality. A new approach to study evolution of functions is proposed, which is based on a combination of two L.A. Orbeli’s methods—ontogenetic and clinical, by the example of study of renal function and its regulation during development of a pathological process on the background of formation of function in postnatal ontogenesis. When using such approach in children with nocturnal enuresis, significance of autacoids in regulation of urine formation is established. In the case of acute pneumonia in children, a possibility of extrapituitary production of vasopressin-like substances in lungs is shown. In norm, in postnatal ontogenesis of healthy children, in regulation of renal functions and of diuresis system, effects of efferent nerves and hormones (vasopressin) dominate, while significance of autacoids is minimal. But at a dysfunction produced by a pathological process, a change of ratio of activities of these regulatory systems is revealed. The obtained data indicate importance of the clinical and experimental methods proposed by L.A. Orbeli in analysis of evolution of renal functions and study of the nature of regulations. A combination of several methods of evolutionary physiology in one study allows revealing new mechanisms underlying regulation of function and promotes formation of concepts about regularities of evolution of functions.__________Translated from Zhurnal Evolyutsionnoi Biokhimii i Fiziologii, Vol. 41, No. 3, 2005, pp. 277–284.Original Russian Text Copyright © 2005 by Kuznetsova, Natochin.     

Morphological provision for the specialization of hares to coprophagy: The architectonics of the mucous surface of the intestine

The macrostructure of the surface of the mucous membrane of the gastrointestinal tract were studied in detail in two hare species (Lepus europaeus and L. timidus) using scanning electron and digital microscopes. The morphology of the gastrointestinal tract of hares, which is similar in the two species studied, was described in detail. The macrostructure of the inner surface of the ileocecal junction was investigated. The particularities of the architectonics of the mucous membrane of the intestine that are specific for hares were revealed. In the jejunum of both hare species, the mucous membrane is represented by villi with merged bases, which form circular plates. The mucosa of the colon forms large conical villi, the surface of which is scattered with secreting cells. The possible functional significance of the revealed morphological particularities is discussed.