CHOLINE ACETYLTRANSFERASE, ACETYLCHOLINESTERASE AND AROMATIC l-AMINO ACID DECARBOXYLASE IN SINGLE IDENTIFIED NERVE CELL BODIES FROM SNAIL HELIX ASPERSA

—The distribution of choline acetyltransferase, aromatic l -amino acid decarboxylase and acetylcholinesterase in the nervous system of Helix aspersa has been studied using homogenates of whole ganglia, microdissection from freeze-dried sections and dissection of single neurons from fresh tissue. Choline acetyltransferase was found in both the cell body and neuropil layers of all the Helix ganglia. The enzyme was not specifically localized to any ganglion or region of ganglion. Between 10 and 30 per cent of the isolated single cell bodies contained the enzyme. The enzymic activity corresponded to 50–200 mmol ACh/1 cell bodies/h. Choline acetyltransferase is probably a specific marker for cholinergic cells in this species. Aromatic l -amino acid decarboxylase was more selectivity localized and its distribution corresponded well with that of monoamine containing cells as visualized by the fluorescence histochemical technique. A large proportion of cell bodies were localized in the boundary between the visceral and right parietal ganglia and in the pedal ganglion. The other ganglia contained few such cells. The activity of aromatic l -amino acid decarboxylase corresponded 10–50 mmol dopamine/1 cell bodies/h. A method was developed to measure the enzyme activity towards 5-hydroxytryptophan and DOPA in single cells simultaneously. The ratio between the activity towards both substrates did not vary significantly for the different cells. The enzyme is probably a specific marker for monoamine cells, but cannot be used to differentiate between the different monoamine cells. Acetylcholinesterase was uniformly distributed in the ganglia and was probably present in all nerve cells.     

Lipid changes during development of Blastocladiella emersonii

The lipid composition of swimming spores, cysts and five hour germlings was established. Spores utilized triglycerides first, then phospholipids. Upon encystment all glycolipid components decreased, while in germlings the phospholipids, monoglycerides and sterol esters exhibited a marked increase.     

Operant conditioning of cortical steady potential responses in rats

This study was conducted to determine if amplitudes of rat corticol steady potential (SP) response to an auditory stimulus could be altered by operant conditioning procedures using food reinforcement. The negative SP responses to the 5-sec tone alone diminished with repeated presentation of the stimulus. When food reinforcement was given immediately following the tone, SP response amplitudes increased and stabilized after 4–5 sessions. Thereafter, the animals were required to increase or decrease the amplitudes of response in order to obtain reinforcement. Two of three rats required to increase amplitudes were successful and three of four rats required to decrease amplitudes were successful. It is concluded that changes in cortical SP responses can be operantly conditioned.     

The anal sac secretion of the red fox (Vulpes vulpes); its chemistry and microbiology. A comparison with the anal sac secretion of the lion (Panthera leo)

Phenylacetic, 3-phenylpropionic, $\text{p}$-hydroxyphenylacetic and 3 ($\text{p}$-hydroxyphenyl) propionic acids together with the series of C₂ to C₆ saturated fatty acids previously reported in the anal sac secretion of the red fox ($\text{Vulpes vulpes}$) are identified as constituents of the anal sac secretion of the lion (Panthera leo). All these compounds are also observed in the anal sac secretion of the red fox using gas chromatography. The aerobic microflora of red fox and domestic dog ($\text{Canis familiaris}$) anal sac secretion samples invariably consisted predominantly of $\text{Streptococcus faecium}$ and $\text{Streptococcus faecalis}$. The hypothesis that the secretion volatiles so far identified may be microbiologically produced is examined.