Separating pygmy and Antarctic blue whales using long-forgotten ovarian data

Pygmy blue whales ( Balaenoptera musculus brevicauda ) are ≤24.1 m and are generally found north of 52°S in summer, whereas the more southerly Antarctic blue whales ( B. m. intermedia ) may exceed 30 m. Previous assessments have assumed that catches and recent surveys south of 60°S recorded Antarctic blue whales, but these may have included pygmy blue whales. Here, we use ovarian corpora, which accumulate with ovulations and hence with length, to separate these subspecies. The resulting Bayesian mixture model, applied to 1,380 Northern Region (north of 52°S and 35°–180°E) and 3,844 Southern Ocean (south of 52°S) blue whales, estimated that only 0.1% (95% credibility intervals 0.0%–0.4%) of the Antarctic region blue whales were pygmy blue whales and, unexpectedly, found significantly lower lifetime ovulation counts for pygmy blue whales than for Antarctic blue whales (7.6 vs . 13.6). Over four decades, despite substantial depletion of Antarctic blue whales, there was no trend in the estimated proportion of pygmy blue whales in the Antarctic. Several lines of investigation found no evidence for sizeable numbers of pygmy blue whales in ovarian corpora data collected in the 1930s, as was previously hypothesized.     

Progesterone exposure of the preovulatory follicle in the seasonally anestrous ewe alters the expression of angiogenic growth factors in the early corpus luteum

Gonadotrophin releasing hormone (GnRH)-induced ovulation in seasonally anestrous ewes is associated with a high incidence of defective corpora lutea (CL), which can be completely eliminated by priming ewes with progesterone before GnRH treatment, but the physiological basis of this has remained elusive. This study tested the hypothesis that progesterone priming eliminates defective luteal function by altering the expression of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF), its receptor VEGFR-2, and angiopoietin (ANG)-1, ANG-2 and their receptorTIE-2 in the early CL. Fifteen seasonally anestrous ewes were treated by i.m. injection with 20 mg of progesterone 3 days before the start of GnRH treatment, while another 15 animals served as controls. Intravenous injections of 500 ng GnRH were given to all the ewes every 2 h for 28 h, followed by a 300 μg GnRH bolus injection to synchronize the preovulatory luteinizing hormone (LH) surge. Corpora lutea were collected 1, 2 and 4 days after ovulation and analyzed for protein and mRNA expression of VEGF, VEGFR-2, ANG-1, ANG-2 and Tie-2 using Western Immunoblotting and in situ hybridization. VEGF, VEGFR-2 and ANG-1 expression was significantly higher (P ≤ 0.05) in the CL of progesterone-primed animals compared to non-primed ones. However, no differences were observed in the ANG-2 or Tie-2 expression levels between the two treatment groups. These data suggest that progesterone priming of the preovulatory follicle alters the expression of some angiogenic growth factors in the early CL, leading to greater vascular stability and thereby normal luteal function.     

黄牡丹与芍药组间杂交花粉与柱头识别的解剖学研究

分别用TTC染色法和培养液培养法测定黄牡丹花粉的生活力和萌发率;并分别以5个芍药品种为母本,黄牡丹为父本进行人工杂交,用苯胺蓝染色法,在荧光显微镜下观察黄牡丹花粉在母本('墨玉双辉'、'奇花露霜'、'手扶银须'、'金凤'和'美菊')柱头上的黏附、萌发以及花粉管在柱头和花柱中的动态变化.结果显示:(1)黄牡丹离体花粉生活力达64.9%、萌发率达68.7%.(2)授粉后24 h,黄牡丹花粉在'奇花露霜'、'手扶银须'和'金凤'柱头上的黏附数最多分别为134.5、80.9和100.5个,萌发花粉数也达到最多,分别为46.3、69.7和86.6,说明花粉与母本柱头的黏附性较好.(3)授粉后黄牡丹花粉黏附在柱头处及其附近的柱头乳突细胞内产生大量胼胝质;花粉管生长迟缓,且有扭曲、肿胀、结合、分枝等现象发生;少数花粉管能穿过柱头进入花柱,但常有胼胝质沉积其中.从黄牡丹花粉与5个芍药品种柱头的识别作用来看,受精前障碍是影响黄牡丹与芍药组间杂交的主要原因之一.     

红嘴相思鸟雏鸟间脑动眼神经核团的组织结构

本研究旨在探讨红嘴相思鸟（Leiothrix lutea）雏鸟间脑动眼神经核团的发育动态变化。采用甲苯胺蓝法染色,光镜下观察1、5和9日龄红嘴相思鸟雏鸟间脑动眼神经核的组织学结构。结果显示,红嘴相思鸟雏鸟间脑从浅层至深层依次排列有背外侧部、背内侧部、腹侧部3个亚核以及动眼神经副核。各核团亚区均主要由小型和大型细胞构成,但是不同亚区大型和小型细胞数量、比例以及分布存在差异。随日龄增长,神经细胞内尼氏体逐渐增多。从1日龄到9日龄,各核团之间相对位置不变,但间距增大,且各核团横切面面积显著增大（P < 0.05或P < 0.01）。结果表明,随着红嘴相思鸟雏鸟日龄增长,间脑动眼神经核结构逐渐发育成熟,与其眼部肌肉运动的调控能力渐趋完善相适应。     

Fine structure of the corpus Luteum of the raccoon during pregnancy

Summary Ultrastructure of the granulosa lutein cells of the raccoon from throughout pregnancy has been described. The lutein cells often from epithelial cords which are separated by the connective tissues, capillaries and lymphatics. Based on the arrangements and modifications of the cytoplasmic organelles and inclusions, three types of lutein cells have been recognized. The type I lutein cells predominantly contain tubular, agranular endoplasmic reticulum, juxtanuclear Golgi complexes, a few round to rod-shaped mitochondria, some free ribosomes, and occasional lipid droplets. Occasionally the tubular cristae of mitochondria and tubular smooth endoplasmic reticulum appear contiguous. The type II cells contain abundant lace-like and/or stacked fenestrated endoplasmic reticulum cisternae that frequently form membranous whorls, some tubular, agranular endoplasmic reticulum, mitochondria, and lipid droplets. Mitochondria are usually small, but unusual large ones also occur. The small, rod-to round-shaped mitochondria usually have tubular cristae; but the large, oval, elongate, and cup shaped mitochondria possess tubular, lamellar, plate like, and whorl-like cristae. The plasma membranes of the cells are complexly elaborated and folded, especially when apposing each other. In favorable sections, strands of fenestrated cisternae appose the folds of the plasma membranes. In general, the amount of cytoplasmic organelles and inclusions vary greatly in the cells. The type III cells predominantly contain lipid droplets and sparse cytoplasmic organelles. The type I and II cells are found throughout pregnancy, but the type III cells are observed from mid gestation to term. The cytological features of type I and II cells suggest that they probably secrete most of the steroids, whereas the type III cells primarily store lipids.This research was supported by UPSHS grant AM-11376 and NIH contract 69-2136.     

Expression and regulation of mRNAs for insulin-like growth factor-I receptor and LH receptor in corpora lutea

Relationship between insulin-like growth factor-I receptor (IGF-IR) and luteinizing hormone receptor (LHR) mRNA expression as well as their regulation was determined in rat corpora lutea (CL) . In the CL of estrous cycle rat, LHR mRNA positive CL expressed high level of mRNA of IGF-IR. While the expression of LHR mRNA decreased on estrus, the CL still expressed relatively high level of IGF-IR mRNA. In pseudopregnant rat CL, the expression level of LHR mRNA was low on day 1, the most intense signals were detected on day 8, the signals of LHR mRNA became undetectable on day 14. In contrast to LHR expression, the high level of IGF-IR mRNA was observed in pseudopregnant CL of day 1, and thereafter its signals were detected from day 2 to day 14. Pregnant rat CL expressed both LHR and IGF-IR mRNAs. IGF-I stimulated LHR expression in CL. PGF2 inhibited expression of IGF-IR and LHR. PGE2 negated the inhibiting effects of PGF2. These data suggest that IGF-I may be involved in regulating CL function, and maintaining CL structure through changes in expression of its receptors. Inhibited expression of IGF-IR by PGF2 may be part of mechanisms for regression of CL.     

星球藻属Asterocapsa二新种

原植体球形,亚球形或长圆形,细胞单生或2, 4个细胞组成小群体,再由小群体组成大群体,群体直径8~17μm。细胞球形,不包括胶被直径为2~2.2μm,含胶被时直径为4~5.5μm,个体及群体胶被宽厚、坚硬、黄色、层理明显,密生黄色疣突状棘刺。原生质体均匀或具细小颗粒体,蓝绿色。     

Expression and regulation of mRNAs for insulin-like growth factor-I receptor and LH receptor in corpora lutea

Relationship between insulin-like growth factor-l receptor (IGF-IR) and luteinizing hormone receptor (LHR) mRNA expression as well as their regulation was determined in rat corpora lutea (CL) . In the CL of estrous cycle rat, LHR mRNA positive CL expressed high level of mRNA of IGF-IR. While the expression of LHR mRNA decreased on estrus, the CL still expressed relatively high level of IGF-IR mRNA. In pseudopregnant rat CL, the expression level of LHR mRNA was low on day 1, the most intense signals were detected on day 8, the signals of LHR mRNA became undetectable on day 14. In contrast to LHR expression, the high level of IGF-IR mRNA was observed in pseudopregnant CL of day 1, and thereafter its signals were detected from day 2 to day 14. Pregnant rat CL expressed both LHR and IGF-IR mRNAs. IGF-I stimulated LHR expression in CL. PGF2ainhibited expression of IGF-IR and LHR. PGE2 negated the inhibiting effects of PGF2α. These data suggest that IGF-I may be involved in regulating CL function, and maintai