The pineal gland of the gerbil,Meriones unguiculatus

Summary Electron microscopy was employed in a study of the pineal gland of the Mongolian gerbil (Meriones unguiculatus). It was determined that the gerbil pineal gland contains pinealocytes and glial cells with the pinealocytes being the predominant cell type. The pinealocytes contain numerous organelles traditionally considered as being either synthetic or secretory in function such as an extensive Golgi region, smooth (SER) and rough (RER) endoplasmic reticulum, secretory vesicles and microtubules. Other cytoplasmic components are also present in the pinealocytes (synaptic ribbons, subsurface cisternae) for which no function has been assigned. Dense-cored vesicles are rare. Vacuolated pinealocytes are present and appear to be intimately associated with the formation of the pineal concertions. Evidence presented supports the proposal that the concretions form within the vacuoles. Once the concretions reach an enlarged state, the vacuolated pinealocytes break down and the concretions are thus extruded into the extracellular space where they apparently continue to increase in size. The morphology of the glial cells was interpreted as indicative of a high synthetic activity. The glial cells contain predominantly the rough variety of endoplasmic reticulum and form an expansion around the wide perivascular area.Supported by NSF grant PCM 77-05734     

The neurite growth promoting protease nexin 1 in glial cells of the olfactory bulb of the gerbil: An ultrastructural study

The glia-derived serine protease inhibitor and neurite outgrowth promotor protease nexin-1 (PN-1) is expressed in Schwann cell precursors and astroblasts during embryogenesis. In the adult nervous system, PN-1 persists in the Schwann cells and olfactory glia only. Light-microscopic immunohistochemistry has revealed the presence of PN-1 in the olfactory mucosa and in the nerve fiber layer of the olfactory bulb. The present electron-microscopic study of the gerbil olfactory bulb confirms the occurrence of PN-1 in ensheathing cells of the olfactory nerve fiber layer, a special type of glia which envelops olfactory axons. In addition, PN-1 is contained in typical astrocytes of the nerve fiber layer and of the glomerular layer. It is inferred that synthesis of PN-1 in the olfactory bulbs is maintained throughout adulthood because its neurite outgrowth promoting action is required for the continuous renewal of olfactory receptor neurons.     

禽流感H5N1型病毒对沙鼠致病性的初步研究

[目的]观察禽流感H5N1型病毒对沙鼠的致病性;[方法]在生物安全三级实验室,将禽流感H5N1型病毒通过滴鼻接种乙醚麻醉后沙鼠,观察14天,记录沙鼠的体温体重、临床症状、病理变化、病毒分离及抗体变化;[结果]沙鼠感染后发病主要表现在第2天至第6天,攻毒组沙鼠出现反应迟钝、皱毛、弓背、食欲下降、呼吸急促、打堆等症状,攻毒组沙鼠的体温降低和体重减轻,死亡率为44%,在第8天检出抗体,主要病理变化表现为肺出现严重淤血、水肿、出血,镜下可见肺间质充血,血管周围炎性细胞浸润,肝和胸腺淤血,肾出血,肾小管变形。     

环磷酰胺对长爪沙鼠精子畸形的影响

目的探讨环磷酰胺（CP）对长爪沙鼠精子畸形的影响。方法取长爪沙鼠随机分成正常对照组,CP组（低、中、高剂量组即剂量分别为20 mg/kg、30 mg/kg、40 mg/kg）,环磷酰胺经腹腔注射,连续注射5 d,药后30d麻醉沙鼠,剖腹取出两侧附睾制备精子悬液涂片,用甲醇固定10 min,用2%的伊红染色30 min,蒸馏水洗片,显微镜观察精子形态。结果低、中、高剂量组分别与正常对照组比较,长爪沙鼠精子畸形率差异极显著（P〈0.01）;低、中剂量组分别与高剂量组相比较,长爪沙鼠精子畸形率差异极显著（P〈0.01）;低剂量组与中剂量组比较,精子畸形率差异不显著（P〉0.05）。形态学观察显示：环磷酰胺对长爪沙鼠精子影响畸形类型主要为尾折叠、尾粗细/长短/扭曲和无钩。结论环磷酰胺对长爪沙鼠精子有一定的致畸率,且对长爪沙鼠精子尾部影响最大。在一定剂量内范围内,环磷酰胺对长爪沙鼠的精子致畸率无明显区别;当高于一定剂量,随着环磷酰胺用药剂量的增加,长爪沙鼠的精子致畸率也增加。     

Intracellular and extracellular labeling of neurons in fresh slice preparations combined with multiple tract tracing

We describe methods for studying axo-dendritic projections, one of the forms of neural connection involved in the complex circuits of the central nervous system, including brainstem auditory pathways. This form of neural connection is often difficult to visualize by conventional tract tracing techniques. Retrogradely identified cells were filled intracellularly with a mixture of fluorescent Lucifer yellow and nonfluorescent HRP in live slice preparations to reveal the detailed morphological features of these cells with special attention to the distal dendrite that may receive projections from suspected or known input axons. Extracellular or intracellular labeling of cells with axons that project to the distal dendrite of the identified cells was accomplished in the same live slice preparation. Using a live slice rather than a fixed slice allows accurate, visually controlled placement of anterograde tracer, which requires living axons for transport, into the source of input to the identified cells within the slice. Live slices also permit one to characterize the identified cells electrophysiologically. Intracellular labeling of cells in a potential source of local input to the identified cells also provides conclusive information concerning with connections of the cells involved.     

Altered expression of adrenocorticotropic hormone in the epileptic gerbil hippocampus following spontaneous seizure

We investigated the temporal alterations of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) immunoreactivity in the hippocampus after seizure onset. Expression of ACTH was observed within interneurons in the pre-seizure group of seizure sensitive gerbils, whereas its immunoreactivities were rarely detected in seizure resistant gerbil. Three hr after the seizure, ACTH immunoreactivity was significantly increased in interneurons within all hippocampal regions. On the basis of their localization and morphology through immunofluorescence staining, these cells were identified as GABA_A α1-containing interneurons. At the 12 hr postictal period, ACTH expression in these regions was down-regulated, in a similar manner to the pre-seizure group of gerbils. These findings support the increase in ACTH synthesis that contributes to a reduction of corticotrophin-releasing factor via the negative feedback system which in turn provides an opportunity to enhance the excitability of GABAergic interneurons. Therefore, ACTH may play an important role in the reduction of excitotoxicity in all hippocampal regions. [BMB Reports 2013; 46(2): 80-85]     

Smooth muscle-like cells in ovaries of the hamster and gerbil

Summary Smooth muscle-like cells are present in thecae externae, corpora lutea, and interstitial tissue of hamsters and gerbils. The smooth muscle-like cells, as examined by electron microscopy, are fusiform with central nuclei; the cytoplasm contains numerous myofilaments, dense bodies, micropinocytotic vesicles, and dense accumulations of glycogen-like particles. In addition to the smooth muscle-like cells, fibroblasts and cells that have characteristics of both fibroblasts and smooth muscle are located in the thecae externae of both species. There is no ultrastructural evidence of innervation in the theca folliculi, corpora lutea, or interstitial tissue of either species.A possible function for the smooth muscle-like cells is discussed.     

内蒙古草原布氏田鼠和长爪沙鼠体重及身体成分的季节变化

研究了内蒙古草原布氏田鼠(Lasiopodomys brandtii)和长爪沙鼠(Meriones unguiculatus)的体重、身体脂肪、水分含量及身体热值等指标的季节变化.2种动物的体重都是在春季最高,布氏田鼠的体重具显著的季节变化,长爪沙鼠的鲜重具季节变化,但干重则基本维持恒定.2种动物的脂肪含量和身体热值都...     

Functional analysis of concealment: a novel application of prospect and refuge theory

According to prospect-refuge theory, humans prefer environments that afford protection from threat (refuge), but also provide large fields of view (prospect). Prospect-refuge theory in the past has traditionally only been applied to humans, but many of the same contingencies governing spatial preference ought to also hold true in animals. The focus of this study was to examine if this phenomena also occurs in animals. Gerbils were placed in an arena containing three dome shaped refuges that varied in prospect-refuge levels. A simulated predator was released during the trial to examine how contextual factors may influence the degree of prospect and refuge preferred. The results indicate a preference for the enclosed refuge at stimulus onset even though this was not reflective of what happened prior to predator release. The results suggest spatial preferences in animals are influenced by prospect-refuge considerations in certain contexts.