Effect of malathion on the male reproductive organs of earthworms, Eisenia foetida

Aim: To observe the cytotoxic effect of the organophosphate insecticide malathion in the reproductive tissues of the earthworms, Eisenia foetida. Methods: Worms were nourished in soil treated with malathion at single sub-lethal doses of 0, 80, 150, 300 and 600 mg-kg^(-1) soil. (LD_(50) = 880 mg kg^(-1) soil) and evaluated on days 1, 5, 15 and 30 after exposure. The body weights were recorded and male reproductive organs evaluated. Results: Malathion-treated animals showed a significant reduction in body weight in a dose-dependent manner. Malathion treatment modified the disposition of spermatozoa in the basal epithelium of the spermatheca. The Br-deoxyuridine test showed a significant rise in cells in phase S on days 5 and 15. Also, a higher percentage of spermatogonia with fragmented DNA were observed by means of the TdT-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL) technique in the spermatheca of treated animals. Conclusion: Treatment with malathion decreased the body weight and the spermatic viability in spermatheca, altering the cell proliferation and modifying the DNA structure of spermatogonia.

New Discovery of Reproductive Organs and Spores in Situ of Ginkgoales and Czekanowskiales from the Middle Jurassic of Shaanxi, China

Objective Ginkgoales and Czekanowskiales are important components of Mesozoic flora and were widely distributed in the Northern Hemisphere. They are usually preserved together in the stratum. Their fossils are abundant in the Middle Jurassic of Shaanxi Province, but there are no reports on their reproductive organs. Here, we report two male gymnospermous pollen cones from the Middle Jttrassic Yan＇an Formation of the northeast Yulin City, Shaanxi Province, China. The characteristics of the fossils, including those of pollens, have been described in detail. The new specimens were compared with fossils closely similar in morphology, and the taxonomic affinity and systematies were established. The present results offer new fossil materials for the study of taxonomy, evolution, and phytogeography of Ginkgoales and Czekanowskiales.

Histological Study on Reproductive Organ of Rana Temporaria Chensinesis David

The experiment was designed to study the histology of reproductive organ of Rana temporaria chensinesis David in reproductive season and dereproductive season, The results displayed that the sexual gland weight and oviduct weight of the Rana temporaria chensinesis David were significantly different between reproductive season and dereproductive season.

Effects of modified Wenjing decoction on microcirculation in reproductive organs in rats with symptom patterns of cold coagulation and blood stasis

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between symptom patterns of cold coagulation and blood stasis(CCBS) and microcirculation disturbance. In addition, we determined the efficacy of modified Wenjing decoction(WJD) for the treatment of CCBS.METHODS: CCBS was induced in rats with an icewater bath treatment. The ovarian function, microvascular and circulatory status of reproductive organs, and function of local microvascular endothelial cells(VECs) and vascular smooth muscle cells(VSMCs) were evaluated.RESULTS: Ovarian dysfunction was observed in the rats with CCBS. It was characterized by the presence of an estrous cycle disorder and a decrease in reproductive hormone levels. Microvascular circulation disorders were associated with an imbalance in vasoconstriction, relaxation substances, nitric oxide, abnormal blood flow in whole blood, and decreased blood flow in the auricle and uterus. VECs were damaged, and VSMCs contracted and proliferated in ovarian and uterine tissues.CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that the dysfunctional reproductive organs observed in gynecological CCBS may be closely related to the microcirculation disturbance of local tissues, microvascular contraction, and vascular remodeling. Modified WJD can be used to treat CCBS by improving microcirculation in reproductive organs.

Insights into the architecture of human-induced polygenic selection in Duroc pigs

Background:As one of the most utilized commercial composite boar lines,Duroc pigs have been introduced to China and undergone strongly human-induced selection over the past decades.However,the efficiencies and limitations of previous breeding of Chinese Duroc pigs are largely understudied.The objective of this study was to uncover directional polygenic selection in the Duroc pig genome,and investigate points overlooked in the past breeding process.Results:Here,we utilized the Generation Proxy Selection Mapping(GPSM)on a dataset of 1067 Duroc pigs with 8,766,074 imputed SNPs.GPSM detected a total of 5649 putative SNPs actively under selection in the Chinese Duroc pig population,and the potential functions of the selection regions were mainly related to production,meat and carcass traits.Meanwhile,we observed that the allele frequency of variants related to teat number(NT)relevant traits was also changed,which might be influenced by genes that had pleiotropic effects.First,we identified the direction of selection on NT traits by G,and further pinpointed large-effect genomic regions associated with NT relevant traits by selection signature and GWAS.Combining results of NT relevant traits-specific selection signatures and GWAS,we found three common genome regions,which were overlapped with QTLs related to production,meat and carcass traits besides“teat number”QTLs.This implied that there were some pleiotropic variants underlying NT and economic traits.We further found that rs346331089 has pleiotropic effects on NT and economic traits,e.g.,litter size at weaning(LSW),litter weight at weaning(LWW),days to 100 kg(D100),backfat thickness at 100 kg(B100),and loin muscle area at 100 kg(L100)traits.Conclusions:The selected loci that we identified across methods displayed the past breeding process of Chinese Duroc pigs,and our findings could be used to inform future breeding decision.

Reduced square Bacillus thuringiensis insecticidal protein content of transgenic cotton under N deficit

To clarify the effect of the N deficit on the amount of square Bt insecticidal protein, different N application rates(0, 75, 150, 225, and 300 kg ha^–1) were imposed on the conventional cultivar Sikang 1(SK-1) and hybrid cultivar Sikang 3(SK-3) during 2015–2016 cotton growth seasons. Under different N application rates, the square number per plant, square volume and square dry weight reduced when the N rates decreased from conventional rate(300 kg ha^–1) to 0 kg ha^–1. And the square Bt protein content decreased accordingly. The analysis of N metabolism showed that soluble protein content, GPT and GOT activities decreased, free amino acid, peptidase and protease activities increased under N deficit. Correlation analysis indicated that the reduced Bt protein content under N deficit was related to altered N metabolism. In conclusion, square development and the amount of square Bt toxin both decreased under N deficit, indicating that promoting the square development under appropriate N application rate would also promote the insect resistance during squaring stage.

Cloning and Characterization of a Somatic Embryogenesis Receptor-Like Kinase Gene in Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum)

A novel gene, GhSERK1, was identified in cotton. It encoded a protein belonging to the somatic embryogenesis receptor- like kinase （SERK） family. The genomic sequence of GhSERK1 was 6 920 bp in length, containing a predicted transcriptional start site （TSS）. Its full-length cDNA was 2 502 bp, encoding a protein of 627 amino acids. Sequence analysis of GhSERK1 revealed high levels of similarity to other reported SERKs, as well as a conserved intron/exon structure that was unique to members of the SERK family. Expression analysis showed that GhSERK1 mRNA was present in all organs of cotton plants and at different developmental stages, but its transcripts were most abundant in reproductive organs. Compared with that of the male-fertile line, the level of GhSERK1 mRNA was lower in the anther of the male-sterile cotton line, in which the pollen development was defected. Taken together, these findings illustrated that the GhSERK1 play a critical role during the anther formation, and may also have a broad role in other aspects of plant development.

Effects of Boesenbergia rotunda （L.） Mansf. on sexual behaviour of male rats

Aim： To study the effects of Boesenbergia rotunda （Krachai） on sexual behaviour in male albino rats. Methods： Thirty-two male Wistar rats were equally divided into four groups： experimental groups were gavaged with the ethanolic extract of the rhizome of B. rotunda at doses of 60, 120 and 240 mg/kg and a control group received distilled water, for 60 days. Sexual behaviour, reproductive organs, diameter of seminiferous tubule, epididymal sperm density, and androgenic hormones were evaluated. Results： Within 30-min observation, there was no significant difference of courtship behaviour, mount frequency （MF）, intromission frequency （IF）, mount latency （ML）, intromission latency （IL）, copulatory efficiency or intercopulatory interval in male rats. In three 10-min intervals over a 30-min period, courtship behaviour and MF during the first 10-min were significantly higher than those in the second and third i0-min observation in all groups, whereas IF had no significant difference. All doses of B. rotunda extract significantly increased the relative testicular weight and the diameter of the seminiferous tubules. The dose of 60 mg/kg also significantly increased the relative weight of the seminal vesicle. Nevertheless, the sperm density, serum testosterone and androstenedione levels were not affected by the B. rotunda extract. Conclusion： B. rotunda does not affect sexual behaviour nor serum androgenic levels.

Antispermatogenic and hormonal effects of Crotalaria junceaLinn. seed extracts in male mice

Aim: To evaluate the antifertility activity of various extracts of Crotalaria juncea seeds in male mice. Methods: Adult male mice were gavaged the petroleum ether, benzene and ethanol extracts of C. juncea seeds, 25 mg·(100g)-1·day-1 for 30 days. On day 31 the animals were sacrificed by cervical dislocation and the testes, epididymis, vas deferens, seminal vesicles, prostate gland, bulbourethral gland and levator ani were dissected out and weighed. The organs were processed for biochemical and histological examination. Results: In petroleum ether, benzene and ethanol extracts treated rats, there was a decrease in the weights of testis and accessory reproductive organs. The diameters of the testis and seminiferous tubules were decreased. Spermatogonia, spermatocytes and spermatids in the testis and the sperm count in cauda epididymis were also decreased. There was a significant reduction in the protein and glycogen contents and an increase in the cholesterol content in the testis, epididymis and vas deferens. Of the 3 extracts, the ethanol extract appeared to be the most potent in antispermatogenic activity. When the ethanol extract was tested in immature male mice, there was an antiandrogenic effect as the weights of accessory organs were reduced. Conclusion: The various extracts of C. juncea seeds arrest spermatogenesis and are likely to have an antiandrogenic activity.

Potential of triptolide in reproductive management of the house rat,Rattus rattus

Mature and healthy male house rats,Rattus rattus(n=160)were fed on bait(cracked wheat:powdered sugar,98:2)containing different concentrations of triptolide(0.1,0.05,0.025 and 0%)for 7 and 14 days in no-choice and bi-choice feeding tests in the laboratory.The objective of the study was to record the antifertility affects of triptolide after 30 and 60 days of termination of treatment.Results revealed no significant effect of triptolide treatment on weights of testis,epididymis,seminal vesicles and prostate gland of rats.Overall,sperm motility,live sperm count,sperm density and sperm morphology in the cauda epididymal fluid were found to differ significantly(P≤0.05)between untreated and treated groups of rats.The major effect of triptolide on sperm morphology was in the form of sperm head tail separation,which was up to 56.0%in rats treated for 14 days in no-choice and autopsied after 30 days.A significant effect(P≤0.05)of triptolide treatment was observed on the histomorphology of the testis,which included a dose-dependent decrease in diameter of seminiferous tubules,thickness of germinal epithelium and numbers of various spermatogenic cells.Cell associations in the seminiferous epithelial cycle were poorly developed in rats ingesting medium(4.7-5.1 mg/100 g bw)and high doses(6.9-7.2 mg/100 g bw)of triptolide than rats ingesting low doses(1.8-2.3 mg/100 g bw)and untreated rats.The cell stages affected had not recovered fully within the 60 day period following triptolide withdrawal.The present study suggests the potential of triptolide in reproductive management of Rattus rattus.

Functional Analysis of Nodulin-like Promoter in Transgenic Cotton Plants

For the first time, a nodulin-like gene promoter was isolated from Gossypium hirsutum L. Guo Y 18 by means of inverse PCR. Three plant expression vectors were constructed for functional identification of the promoter. These vectors were different only in promoter regions; three truncations of the nodulinlike promoter took the place of the CaMV35S promoter in the pBI 121 plant expression vector. Then, the three vectors were introduced into cotton plants via the pollen tube pathway. The expression patterns of the gus gene driven by nodulin-like promoter truncations were investigated in the offspring of transgenic cotton plants. Histochemical GUS staining and fluorescence quantitative analysis were performed to achieve this goal. The results showed that the nodulin-like promoter was a strong, highly reproductive organspecific promoter, which demonstrated a much higher driver activity than the CaMV35S promoter did in cotton reproductive organs, but relatively lower activity in vegetation. Identification of the speciality and strength-determining regions of the nodulin-like promoter was also undertaken.