Statistical Analysis of Secondary Sex Ratio Variation in Sable Martes zibellina L.

The secondary sex ratio in sable Martes zibellina L. maintained in captivity was estimated for the first time ever. The data obtained at the Pushkin pedigree breeding farm (Moscow oblast) in 1982 through 1987 were analyzed. In total, 1705 litters of 418 females were examined. The total frequency of male births (P^ was 0.527 ± 0.007; the 95% confidence interval of P^ (the probability of birth of a male) was within the limits 0.513 p 0.541, and the deviation from the expected 1 : 1 ratio was statistically significant. No effect of parental age and litter size on the number of male progeny was found. This may indicate a small influence of the parental hormonal and immunological status on sex ratio, which was reported in many other mammal species including those related to sable. Apparently, there is an evolutionary mechanism underlying the stable excess of males in sable litters.     

A Variation of Secondary Sex Ratio in Blue Fox Alopex lagopus L.

The effects of several genotypic and paratypic factors on the secondary (at birth) sex ratio was analyzed in blue fox bred in captivity. In particular, variation of sex ratio was for the first time studied as dependent on sire's age (without considering dam's age), the ages of both sire and dam, and the lines of both parents. The initial data were obtained from the Pushkino breeding facility, Moscow oblast in 1985 through 1989. In total, 15 396 puppies were analyzed. The frequency of males ( ) in this population was 0.551 ± 0.004 (confidence interval 0.543 P 0.559). Parents' ages and litter size had no effect on the proportion of males in the progeny. In one of the two blue fox subpopulations under study, dam's line proved to be associated with a significant departure of sex ratio to a higher proportion of males, suggesting the effect of genotypic factors on the variation of secondary sex ratio in blue fox.     

Effect of the hereditary characteristics of male blue foxes <Emphasis Type="Italic">Alopex lagopus</Emphasis> L. on the sex ratio of their offspring

Family analysis of a commercial population of the blue fox (the Pushkinskoe Breeding Fur Farm, Moscow oblast) with respect to secondary sex ratio has been performed. The offspring of each individual male or female involved in crossing between 1984 and 1988 was analyzed. The study of all families formed by every male and every female has made it possible to determine a group of outstanding fathers (23 out of 287 males), whose offspring was predominantly male (62.1% of the offspring were males, versus 53.9% in the total population). The results of subsequent detailed study on the pedigrees of male blue foxes in whose offspring the sex ratio significantly deviates from 1 : 1 indicate that this character is transmitted from fathers to sons without the deterioration of other commercially valuable characters. It is presumed that the significant deviation of sex ratio from 1 : 1 in the offspring of some male blue foxes is determined by genetic factors.Translated from Genetika, Vol. 41, No. 3, 2005, pp. 422–426.Original Russian Text Copyright © 2005 by Beketov, Kashtanov.     

Effect of the hereditary characteristics of male blue foxes Alopex lagopus L. on the sex ratio of their offspring

Family analysis of a commercial population of the blue fox (the Pushkinskoe Breeding Fur Farm, Moscow oblast) with respect to secondary sex ratio has been performed. The offspring of each individual male or female involved in crossing between 1984 and 1988 was analyzed. The study of all families formed by every male and every female has made it possible to determine a group of "outstanding" fathers (23 out of 287 males), whose offspring was predominantly male (62.1% of the offspring were males, versus 53.9% in the total population). The results of subsequent detailed study on the pedigrees of male blue foxes in whose offspring the sex ratio significantly deviates from 1:1 indicate that this character is transmitted from fathers to sons without the deterioration of other commercially valuable characters. It is presumed that the significant deviation of sex ratio from 1:1 in the offspring of some male blue foxes is determined by genetic factors.     

Radioprotective activity of hypotensive preparations

In experiments on (CBA X C57B1)F1 mice a study was made of the radioprotective efficiency of some hypotensive drugs. Hemiton administered in different ways, within a wide dose range and at different times before irradiation was shown to possess a pronounced protective action. The substitution of the acid residue in hemiton decreased its activity.     

The study of hyaluronic acid compounds for neutron capture and photon activation therapies

The therapy of radioresistant tumors remains an urgent problem in medicine. To solve this problem neutron capture therapy (NCT) and photon activation therapy (PAT) are used. The essential feature of this such technique is the uptake of tumor chemical elements, which interact with thermal neutrons (NCT) and X-rays (PAT). The aims of the investigation were to study a biodistribution of the complexes of hyaluronic acid with boron (3 mg B mL^?1) and gold (20 mg Au mL^?1) in mice with melanoma B-16 after intratumoral administration. An optimal time for NCT was 30 minutes after administration when boron concentration in the tumor was more than 30 μg g^?1 and exceeded boron content in surrounding tissues. The maximal gold content in tumor (180–260 mg g^?1) was obtained in 30 minutes after the preparation introduction. The highest ratios of gold in tumor and surrounding tissues (a necessary condition for forming of the local absorbed dose in tumor) was obtained in 0.5 and 1 h. On the basis of the data obtained, it is possible to assume the perspectives of the non-toxic boron compounds for use in NCT and the gold compounds for use primarily as contrast agents for diagnostic purposes.     

Analysis of secondary sex ratio in the fox (Vulpes vulpes L.)

Secondary sex ratio and its variability in relation to some paratypic and genetic factors were studied in the silver fox by analysis of data obtained at the Pushkinskii fur farm (Moscow oblast) in 1980-1989. A total of 17285 whelps were examined. The mean proportion of males over the ten years of observation was 0.536+/-0.004. No effect of parent age or litter size on this proportion was found. Individual analysis of the progeny of a single parent revealed 44 males and 49 females showing significant deviations from the expected sex ratio (l male : 1 female). These results can be used for reconstruction of pedigrees whose progeny yields regular deviations from the expected sex ratio.     

Expression of caspase-3 and the cytokine level in experimental reperfusion syndrome upon treatment with peroxiredoxin 6

Biophysics - Ischemia-reperfusion injury is a significant problem; there is a need for interpretation of its pathogenetic mechanism and a search for potential methods of correction. The aim of this...     

FMRFa-Related Endogenous Peptides Affect Proton-Activated Currents in Rat Trigeminal Neurons

FLRFa, FIRFa, YMRFa, and some other peptides are found to slow down the kinetics of desensitization of proton-gated currents in rat trigeminal neurons but not in HEK-293T cell culture transfected with ASIC. The observed heterogeneity of peptide action in sensory neurons leads to a suggestion that FMRFa-related peptides may selectively affect transient current components of ASIC and DRASIC/DRASIC-MDEG2 heteromers.