The aim of presented study was to determine the behavioural response of precopulatory pairs of Gammarus tigrinus exposed to the 17α-ethinylestradiol （EE2）. It was hypothesized that 17α-ethinylestradiol would incre...The aim of presented study was to determine the behavioural response of precopulatory pairs of Gammarus tigrinus exposed to the 17α-ethinylestradiol （EE2）. It was hypothesized that 17α-ethinylestradiol would increase the time needed for a male to re-capture a female. Hypothesis was tested in a laboratory with 20 precopula pairs exposed to different treatment conditions. Paired animals were exposed to two different compound concentrations of 50 ng·L-1 and 500 ng·L-1. The control and solvent control was artificial sea water and artificial sea water with ethanol （the diluent for EE2）. The couples were tested several times under different experimental treatments. The obtained results indicate that EE2 affects the precopulatory mate guarding behaviour of Gammarus tigrinus. EE2 in concentration of 50 ng·L-1 and 500 ng·L-1 prolonged the time needed for re-pairing. However, relative to the controls only EE2 in concentration of 500 ng·L-1 significantly prolonged the time needed for male-female re-coupling. In summary, EE2 affects the reproductive behaviour of Gammarus tigrinus.展开更多
Experimental research has recently shown that acupuncture induces the formation of opioid-like peptides (OLPs) in animals. In order to provide further evidence, we tested the beta-endorphin levels and other parameters...Experimental research has recently shown that acupuncture induces the formation of opioid-like peptides (OLPs) in animals. In order to provide further evidence, we tested the beta-endorphin levels and other parameters (VIP, lymphocyte subsets, NK cells and monocyte phagocytosis) in a group of 90 patients suffering from various painful disorders treated with acupuncture. Zusanli (St 36) and Hegu (LI 4) acupoints were selected. A homogeneous group of 30 subjects was used as control. Evaluation of the above parameters was made with 3 series of blood tests before treatment, 30 minutes and 24 hours after acupuncture treatment. In the acupuncture group, the following results were achieved: 1) A considerable increase in beta-endorphin levels remained high even 24 hours after acupuncture treatment. In addition, we demonstrated an inverted correlation between beta-endorphins and VIP; 2) 30 minutes after acupuncture session, 80% of the treated patients showed a significant increase of CD3 and CD4 values and an increase of CD8 24 hours after stimulation; 3) Monocyte phagocytosis was increased in 45% of the treated subjects 30 minutes from starting treatment, and in 100% of them after 24 hours. The percentage of NK cells was also increased in 40% of cases after 30 minutes, and in 50% after 24 hours. However, in the control group, no such significant changes in immune parameters were found.展开更多
Research on sexual selection and hybridization has focused on female mate choice and male-male competition. While the evolutionary outcomes of interspecific female preference have been well explored, we are now gainin...Research on sexual selection and hybridization has focused on female mate choice and male-male competition. While the evolutionary outcomes of interspecific female preference have been well explored, we are now gaining a better understanding of the processes by which male-male compe- tition between species in secondary contact promotes reproductive isolation versus hybridization. What is relatively unexplored is the interaction between female choice and male competition, as they can oppose one another or align with similar outcomes for reproductive isolation. The role of female-female competition in hybridization is also not well understood, but could operate similarly to male-male competition in polyandrous and other systems where costs to heterospecific mating are low for females. Reproductive competition between either sex of sympatric species can cause the divergence and/or convergence of sexual signals and recognition, which in turn influences the likelihood for interspecific mating. Future work on species interactions in secondary contact should test the relative influences of both mate choice and competition for mates on hybridization outcomes, and should not ignore the possibilities that females can compete over mating resources, and males can exercise mate choice.展开更多
文摘The aim of presented study was to determine the behavioural response of precopulatory pairs of Gammarus tigrinus exposed to the 17α-ethinylestradiol （EE2）. It was hypothesized that 17α-ethinylestradiol would increase the time needed for a male to re-capture a female. Hypothesis was tested in a laboratory with 20 precopula pairs exposed to different treatment conditions. Paired animals were exposed to two different compound concentrations of 50 ng·L-1 and 500 ng·L-1. The control and solvent control was artificial sea water and artificial sea water with ethanol （the diluent for EE2）. The couples were tested several times under different experimental treatments. The obtained results indicate that EE2 affects the precopulatory mate guarding behaviour of Gammarus tigrinus. EE2 in concentration of 50 ng·L-1 and 500 ng·L-1 prolonged the time needed for re-pairing. However, relative to the controls only EE2 in concentration of 500 ng·L-1 significantly prolonged the time needed for male-female re-coupling. In summary, EE2 affects the reproductive behaviour of Gammarus tigrinus.
文摘Experimental research has recently shown that acupuncture induces the formation of opioid-like peptides (OLPs) in animals. In order to provide further evidence, we tested the beta-endorphin levels and other parameters (VIP, lymphocyte subsets, NK cells and monocyte phagocytosis) in a group of 90 patients suffering from various painful disorders treated with acupuncture. Zusanli (St 36) and Hegu (LI 4) acupoints were selected. A homogeneous group of 30 subjects was used as control. Evaluation of the above parameters was made with 3 series of blood tests before treatment, 30 minutes and 24 hours after acupuncture treatment. In the acupuncture group, the following results were achieved: 1) A considerable increase in beta-endorphin levels remained high even 24 hours after acupuncture treatment. In addition, we demonstrated an inverted correlation between beta-endorphins and VIP; 2) 30 minutes after acupuncture session, 80% of the treated patients showed a significant increase of CD3 and CD4 values and an increase of CD8 24 hours after stimulation; 3) Monocyte phagocytosis was increased in 45% of the treated subjects 30 minutes from starting treatment, and in 100% of them after 24 hours. The percentage of NK cells was also increased in 40% of cases after 30 minutes, and in 50% after 24 hours. However, in the control group, no such significant changes in immune parameters were found.
基金S.E.L. was supported by a National Science Foundation （NSF） Graduate Research Opportunities Worldwide （GROW） Fellowship in Switzerland and NSF Graduate Research Fellowship under Grant No. 1154145. Any opinion, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the NSF.
文摘Research on sexual selection and hybridization has focused on female mate choice and male-male competition. While the evolutionary outcomes of interspecific female preference have been well explored, we are now gaining a better understanding of the processes by which male-male compe- tition between species in secondary contact promotes reproductive isolation versus hybridization. What is relatively unexplored is the interaction between female choice and male competition, as they can oppose one another or align with similar outcomes for reproductive isolation. The role of female-female competition in hybridization is also not well understood, but could operate similarly to male-male competition in polyandrous and other systems where costs to heterospecific mating are low for females. Reproductive competition between either sex of sympatric species can cause the divergence and/or convergence of sexual signals and recognition, which in turn influences the likelihood for interspecific mating. Future work on species interactions in secondary contact should test the relative influences of both mate choice and competition for mates on hybridization outcomes, and should not ignore the possibilities that females can compete over mating resources, and males can exercise mate choice.
