Effect of temperature on antioxidant defense and innate immunity in Brandt’s voles

Ambient temperature is an importa nt factor in flue ncing many physiological processes, in eluding antioxidant defense and immunity. In the present study, we tested the hypothesis that antioxidant defense and immunity are suppressed by high and low temperature treatme nt in Bran dt's voles (Lasiopodomys brandtii). Thirty male voles were randomly assigned into different temperature groups (4, 23, and 32℃, n=10 for each group), with the treatment course lasting for 27 d. Results showed that low temperature in creased gross en ergy in take (GEI) and liver, heart, and kidney mass, but decreased body fat mass and dry carcass mass. With the decline in temperature, hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) concentration, which is indicative of reactive oxyge n species (ROS) levels, in creased in the liver, decreased in the heart, and was unchanged in the kidney, testis, and small intestine. Lipid peroxidation indicated by malonaldehyde (MDA) content in the liver, heart, kidney, testis, and small intestine did not differ among groups, implying that high and low temperature did not cause oxidative damage. Similarly, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities and total antioxidant capacity (TAOC) in the five tissues did not respond to low or high temperature, except for elevation of CAT activity in the testis upon cold exposure. Bacteria killing capacity, which is indicative of innate immunity, was nearly suppressed in the 4℃ group in contrast to the 23℃ group, whereas spleen mass and white blood cells were un affected by temperature treatment. The levels of testosterone, but not corticostero ne, were in flue need by temperature treatment, though neither were correlated with innate immunity, H2O2 and MDA levels, or SOD, CAT, and TAOC activity in any detected tissues. Overall, these results showed that temperature had different in flue nces on oxidative stress, an tioxida nt en zymes, and immunity, which depended on the tissues and parameters tested. Up-regulation or maintenance of an tioxida nt defe nse might be an importa nt mechanism for voles to survive highly variable environmental temperatures.

Anti-fertility effect of levonorgestrel and quinestrol in Brandt’s voles(Lasiopodomys brandtii)

The combination of levonorgestrel and quinestrol(EP-1)has been shown to have anti-fertility effects on several wild rodents,but the mechanism underlying these effects is poorly understood.We investigated the effects of EP-1 and each of its components,levonorgestrel(P)and quinestrol(E),on the fertility of Brandt’s voles(Lasiopodomys brandtii)by using a gastric gavage method.The doses for EP-1,E and P were 1,0.34 and 0.66 mg/kg body weight,respectively.Male voles(n=98)were treated daily for 5 or 14 days,then the testes and epididymides were collected,weighed and examined histologically at 30(D30),60(D60)or 90(D90)days after the end of treatment.Four males were allowed to mate with normal females at D90.Female voles(n=75)were treated for 3 days and a further 3 days after a 7-day interval.The uteri and ovaries were weighed and examined histologically at 15(D15),30(D30)or 75(D75)days after the end of treatment.Each of three females were mated with fertile males at D30 and D75,respectively.Our results indicated that quinestrol(E)significantly decreased the sperm numbers in the testes as well as the weight of the testes and epididymides,with both of these tissues showing obvious structural abnormalities,and significantly reduced the litter size and the pup weight for females mated with males of the E treatment group.For female voles,treatment with E,P or EP-1 resulted in no marked influence on the fertility status.These data indicate that quinestrol(E)alone has a significant anti-fertility effect on male Brandt’s voles,but is ineffective in combination with levonorgestrel(P).

Kinship analysis reveals reproductive success skewed toward overwintered Brandt’s voles in semi-natural enclosures

Age structure and seasonality influence the population fluctuations of small rodents.Age determines body weight and social experience,while seasonality regulates the duration of the breeding season and onset of sex­ual maturity in newborn offspring.Therefore,reproductive success and skew usually occur in different age groups.Brandt’s vole(Lasiopodomys brandtii)is a social,short-lived and seasonal breeding small rodent with a dramatic seasonal population fluctuation,but reproductive skew is not fully understood in this species.In the present study,we determined kinship in semi-natural enclosure populations using microsatellite markers based on genotyping,analyzed the reproductive skew between sexes and between overwintered and newborn voles,and monitored variation in male reproductive activity by testing fecal testosterone levels throughout the year.Overwintered voles had the most reproductive success along with a striking increase in the population size in the enclosures,with all biological fathers and 77.8%of biological mothers,which had 100%and 87%of the to­tal offspring,respectively.Compared to overwintered voles,reproductive skews were significantly higher in po­tential overwintered and newborn parents,implying the possible reproductive suppression of newborn voles by dominant overwintered voles.Moreover,both heavier body weight and higher testosterone levels in overwin­tered males supported their potential social status in the population.Our study provided new evidence for repro­ductive skew and differentiation of postnatal gonadal development patterns of different age groups in Brandt’s vole.

布氏田鼠(Microtus brandti)的食性

通过胃内容物显微组织学分析法,研究了内蒙古克什克腾旗阿其乌拉地区布氏田鼠春季和夏季的自然食性。该鼠于春季和夏季都最嗜食羊草,但食性有明显的季节变化,对食物有强烈的选择性特征,专化现象较为明显。植被的物候变化和植物体的蛋白质含量以及硅等矿质元素的含量是影响布氏田鼠进行选食的主要因素。文中还讨论了布氏田鼠的最优觅食行为。

越冬前布氏田鼠(Microtus brandti)储草行为与储草种类选择的研究

对典型草原布氏田鼠的储草行为和储草种类的选择性研究结果表明：（1）储草期间各洞系鼠群具有比较稳定的采集“领域”，其范围约400～1200m2；（2）平均每个洞系储草16．8±1．53kg（10．25～19．6kg），即每只鼠平均储草792．5±32．7g，储草仅可供其存活58．7天。由于该鼠在越冬期间的自然死亡率在80％以上（试验期间为83．5％）。故而仍有1／3～1／4的储草残留至翌年春季，在地下霉烂后进入土壤。（3）该地区被传的牧草种类仅3～4种。其中冷蒿的重量占总储量94％以上，选择性指数（PI）达5．67。（4）在低温条件下，饲喂冷蒿的鼠，其死亡；率明显低于饲喂禾草组。田鼠的储草对畜牧业生产，尤其是对绵羊抓膘将造成一定危害。

SARS-CoV对幼年和成年布氏田鼠的感染研究

采用鼻腔喷雾法(CCID50=105.7)研究了SARS冠状病毒(SARS-CoV)对成年和幼年布氏田鼠的感染效果.成年动物攻毒后出现死亡,表现为口鼻有出血,肠道出血;肺组织呈出血性间质性肺炎改变,肝、脾、肾、胰腺组织均呈淤血性改变;存活动物肺组织呈间质性肺炎,局灶出血及肺气肿改变,其他脏器未见明显病变.幼年动物攻毒后未见死亡但行动较为迟缓,主要脏器未见明显异常;早期肺组织有局限性肺炎改变,且病毒分离为阳性;同居对照组的一只动物有肺组织局灶性肺炎.结果表明,SARS-CoV可以很强地感染布氏田鼠;成年布氏田鼠比幼年动物对SARS-CoV更敏感;布氏田鼠有望成为一种比较理想的小型SARS动物模型。

不同雄雌配比对SPF级布氏田鼠繁殖性能的影响

目的探讨不同雄雌配比对SPF级布氏田鼠产仔数、成活率等繁殖性能的影响。方法设置4种配对繁殖方式:1♂:1♀、1♂:2♀、2♂:2♀和3♂:2♀,经过2年的试验,期间记录各组SPF级布氏田鼠的产仔数和成活率等繁殖性能指标。结果 4种配比方式雌鼠产仔率分别为97.69%、62.47%、59.24%和28.3%,成活率为96.98%、96.14%、94.57%和91.22%,平均产仔数为6.48、7.87、6.16和6.14。结论在屏障环境中饲养的布氏田鼠封闭群采用1♂:2♀的配比方式,其繁殖性能和经济效益最理想。

Effects of maternal stress induced by predator odors during gestation on behavioral and physiological responses of offspring in Brandt’s vole(Lasiopodomys brandtii)

Maternal effects play a crucial role in regulating populations of small mammals and anti-predator behaviors of offspring.The present study investigated the effects of maternal stress induced by exposure to predator odors during gestation on the behavioral and physiological responses of offspring in Brandt’s vole(Lasiopodomys brandtii).Effects included changes in growth,behaviors,hormone levels in serum,and fosB/ΔfosB mRNA and FosB/ΔFosB protein expression in the hypothalamus.Our results showed that when pregnant voles were exposed to cat and rabbit urine odors for 18 days(1 h/day),the weight of the female offspring decreased;however,the thymus and ovary indices increased,compared with the control group.Male offspring of voles exposed to cat odor spent more time exploring and foraging,and showed a decrease in corticosterone(CORT)compared with voles in the control group.Both fosB/ΔfosB mRNA and FosB/ΔFosB protein expressions were downregulated in the hypothalamus of male offspring in the cat odor-exposed group compared to that in offspring in the control group.However,the mRNA levels of fosB/ΔfosB in the hypothalamus of female offspring did not decrease in response to cat urine odor.Our findings suggested that maternal stress induced by predator odors during gestation restrained the growth of female offspring and increased the duration of exploring and foraging behaviors of male offspring by regulating the HPA axis,which,in turn,reduced the sensitivity of offspring to unfamiliar environments and increased their probability of becoming prey.

布氏田鼠焦虑样行为、反捕食行为及HPA轴水平的性别差异

为探讨布氏田鼠(Lasiopodomys brandtii)焦虑样行为、反捕食行为和下丘脑-垂体-肾上腺(hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal, HPA)轴水平的性别差异,观测雌雄布氏田鼠在旷场、明暗箱和反捕食箱中的行为差异,及其HPA轴参与调控的促肾上腺激素(adrenalotropic hormone, ACTH)和皮质酮(corticosterone, CORT)水平的差异。结果表明:雄性布氏田鼠在旷场中移动的总距离和平均速度均显著高于雌性,而静止时间显著低于雌性布氏田鼠。雄性布氏田鼠进入明箱的次数与雌性布氏田鼠无显著差异,但在明箱中停留时间显著高于雌性布氏田鼠。暴露于捕食者猫气味时,雌性布氏田鼠仅移动行为的持续时间显著高于雄性布氏田鼠。雌性布氏田鼠血浆中ACTH和CORT浓度显著高于雄性布氏田鼠。综上,布氏田鼠的活动性、焦虑样行为、反捕食行为及HPA轴水平均存在性别差异,提示野生布氏田鼠受其自身内分泌水平的影响,雌雄个体采取截然不同的行为策略以适应当前环境,从而有利于其种群的稳定。

布氏田鼠盲肠中纤维素分解菌的分离鉴定及其产酶条件优化

纤维素在纤维素分解菌的作用下分解成可利用的物质,有利于改善环境污染和缓解能源危机。布氏田鼠是主要分布在我国内蒙古草原上的一种植食性动物,其盲肠微生物种类丰富。从布氏田鼠盲肠中筛选具有高效分解纤维素能力的菌株,并对筛选的菌株进行鉴定及纤维素酶的酶学特性分析。结果表明:刚果红染色法初筛出8株具有分解纤维素能力的菌株,发酵法复筛出分解能力最强的菌株T1,形态学观察及分子生物学鉴定确定该菌株为枯草芽孢杆菌(Bacillus subtilis strain)。菌株T1以1.5%玉米粉作为碳源、1%蛋白胨作为氮源、接种量5%时产纤维素酶量最高。该纤维素酶最适反应pH值4.8,最适反应温度40℃,最佳反应时间40 min,且具有一定的酸碱耐受性和热稳定性,这一研究为纤维素的开发利用提供理论依据。

温度驯化对布氏田鼠肝脏温敏瞬时受体电位通道蛋白表达的影响

肝脏是哺乳动物基础代谢产热的关键器官。温敏瞬时受体电位通道蛋白(Thermosensitive transient receptor potential channels,Thermo-TRPs)参与了调控肝细胞的生理功能。为了解Thermo-TRPs是否参与肝脏的代谢产热,以成年布氏田鼠(Lasiopodomys brandtii)为研究对象,测定了不同驯化温度下6种Thermo-TRPs在肝脏中的表达,分析其与肝脏产热相关蛋白和信号通路蛋白的关系。结果显示:(1)与高温组相比,低温增加了肝脏解偶联蛋白1(uncoupling protein 1,UCP1)的表达;而与常温组相比,低温降低了肝脏解偶联蛋白3(uncoupling protein 3,UCP3)的表达;(2)6种Thermo-TRPs均在肝脏中表达,与高温组相比,低温显著降低了TRP vanilloid 4(TRPV4)的表达,同时显著增加了腺苷酸活化蛋白激酶(AMP-activated protein kinase,AMPK)的表达;(3)低温显著增加了布氏田鼠血清三碘甲状腺原氨酸(T_(3))水平,提高了T_(3)/T_(4)比值;T_(3)/T_(4)比值与肝脏UCP1和AMPK呈显著正相关,肝脏中UCP1与TRPM2和AMPK呈显著正相关。这些结果表明,肝脏TRPV4和AMPK可能参与了低温环境中代谢产热等生理功能的调节过程。

哺乳期高温经历导致布氏田鼠F1代的热中性区变窄

哺乳期是影响小型哺乳动物发育的关键时期,但关于哺乳叠加高温对后代代谢可塑性的影响,尚不清楚。为研究哺乳期母体(F0)高温经历对后代(F1代和F2代)能量代谢特征的影响,我们测定了哺乳期母体经历高温(30±1)oC的布氏田鼠(Lasiopodomys brandtii)F1代和F2代成体以及常温(23±1)oC经历的后代成体(作为对照)的体重和体温,采用开放式呼吸代谢仪测定不同环境温度暴露3 h后的代谢率,并计算热传导和呼吸商。哺乳期高温经历的F1代动物在成年期的体重显著低于常温对照组和高温经历的F2代动物。在5~33.5 oC环境温度范围内,布氏田鼠维持稳定的体温;35 oC高温胁迫时,常温组、高温经历F1代和F2代的体温均显著下降。常温组布氏田鼠的热中性区为27.5~33.5 oC,高温经历F1代的热中性区下临界温度点30 oC,热中性区比常温组变窄(30~33.5 oC),高温经历F2代的热中性区与常温组相比无变化。在热中性区温度以上,热传导随环境温度的升高而显著增加,高温经历的F1代和F2代布氏田鼠热传导增加的起始温度点升高。呼吸商随环境温度的升高明显增加,但不受哺乳期高温经历的影响。结果表明,哺乳期母体高温经历导致布氏田鼠F1代成年后的体重降低,热中性区变窄,提高了F1代动物在高温环境下的代谢可塑性,但这种影响并未持续到F2代。这些研究结果揭示了哺乳期母体高温(热浪)对小型哺乳动物后代体型和热中性区的长期影响,以及由此引起的对种群动态的潜在效应。

基于无人机遥感和深度学习的布氏田鼠洞群识别

草原鼠害是典型的次生灾害,是草原退化引起的一种生物灾害,发生后不仅加剧草原退化程度,也会引起鼠疫等极度危险的传染病。因此,精确、及时监测鼠害状态对防治鼠害、草原退化工作具有重要实际意义。以内蒙古呼伦贝尔和锡林郭勒草原区发生的布氏田鼠灾害区为例,通过野外实地调查,采集了5个不同生境区无人机正射影像,分析每个区域布氏田鼠洞群结构和影像特征,并采集和建立样本库,分别构建深度学习(SSD、RetinaNet、YOLOv3和Faster R-CNN)识别模型,进行了布氏田鼠洞群识别。结果表明:Faster R-CNN模型在准确率上表现出更高的可靠性,其mAP达到了84.4%;SSD模型效果最弱,mAP只有45.4%,但在检测速度上较快。因此,可采用Faster R-CNN模型作为布氏田鼠洞群识别模型的核心算法。

Infection of SARS-CoV on juvenile and adult Brandt＇s vole Microtus brandtii

We studied the infectious effect of SARS-CoV virus on juvenile and adult Brandt’s Vole (Microtus brandtii) by nasal cavity spraying method (CCID50 is 105.7). SARS virus caused serious deaths in adults. The death adults demonstrated hemorrhage from mouth, nasal cavity and intestine, hemorrhageious interstitial pneumonia and gore in liver, spleen and kidney. The survival adults demonstrated local hemorrhagic spot in lung and emphysema, but the other organs showed no pathological abnormality. SARS virus caused no deaths in juveniles, but locomotion of infected juveniles became slower. In the early stage, there was local pneumonia in lung and SARS viruses were isolated from the pathological tissue. Only one control juvenile lived and the infected juvenile showed local pneumonia in lung. The results demonstrated that SARS-CoV infected Brandt’s vole seriously and adults were more susceptive to SARS-CoV than juveniles. The Brandt’s vole may be a potential animal model for SARS research.

布氏田鼠标志种群的繁殖参数

采用标志重捕和染色观测法跟踪了内蒙古典型草原区布氏田鼠野外种群 ,按绝对时间年龄研究其种群繁殖参数。结果表明 :4～ 5月份出生的雄鼠能在当年达到性成熟 ,性成熟发育历期约为 1 5个月 ,6月后出生的雄鼠当年达不到性成熟。在达到性成熟的当年雄鼠中 ,多数个体再度转入性休止期 ,其平均繁殖结束时间要比越冬雄鼠早 1个月 ,而越冬雄鼠则在整个繁殖期保持性活动状态。雌鼠性成熟发育历期约为 1个月 ,首次产仔时间约为2月龄。雌鼠在一年中的产仔窝数与其年龄有关 :越冬鼠能产 3～ 4窝 ,4月份出生的雌鼠能产 2～ 3窝 ,5月份出生的雌鼠当年能产 1～ 2窝 ,6月份出生的雌鼠能产 0～ 1窝 ,7月份之后出生雌鼠当年不参加繁殖。在自然条件下 ,布氏田鼠一生中最多能产

典型草原区布氏田鼠的活动节律及其季节变化

采用标志重捕、染色标记和野外观测法研究典型草原区布氏田鼠野外实验种群，采用4种活动模式指数（日活动差异指数θ，昼行性指数λ，峰型指数φ；活动强度指数η）分析田鼠昼夜活动节律及其季节变化。结果表明，布氏田鼠全年12个月的昼行性指数A均高于0．542，为典型的昼行性种类。其活动节律的季节变化主要与环境温度有关：1、2、3、4、11、12月，气温较低，布氏田鼠的活动模式呈典型的单峰型；5、6、7月气温较高，为典型的双峰型；而8、9、10月则属于单双峰过渡类型。田鼠的峰型指数西在冬季最低，夏季最高，与月均气温呈显著的正相关关系（r=0．89，n=12，P〈0．05）。活动强度指数研与气温也存在显著的正相关（r=0．94，n=12，P〈0．05）。5～9月，布氏田鼠的活动强度最高，每日活动时问在6h以上；冬季布氏田鼠的日活动量骤降，很少外出活动，尤其在1～2月，布氏田鼠日均地面活动时间不足1min。另外，室内实验表明，布氏田鼠具有在黑暗环境中活动能力，但在野外条件下，夜间活动极少发生。

灭鼠后布氏田鼠种群特征的研究

1987和1988年4—5月,笔者在内蒙古正镶白旗布氏田鼠危害严重的草场上,连续两年用药物灭鼠。调查结果表明,在布氏田鼠种群数量上升或下降的年份,春季灭鼠均能控制当年的鼠害。鼠密度高时,灭鼠后鼠种群年龄结构、性比、怀孕率和睾丸下降率均发生改变。鼠密度低时,灭鼠对种群特征影响不显著。

渐变的光周期和温度对布氏田鼠能量代谢和身体成分的影响

为探讨在同时逐渐缩短光照时间和降低温度的过程中,动物能量代谢水平和身体成分的适应性变化,我们以成年雄性布氏田鼠为对象,测定了温度为20℃和光周期为12L∶12D (对照组),以及从温度为20℃和长光照条件(16L∶8D)逐渐转换到温度为4℃和短光照条件(8L∶16D)的过程中(实验组),其体重、静止代谢率和能量摄入的变化,以及经过8周驯化后身体器官和组织重量的变化。结果发现:实验组动物的体重增长率低于对照组。在驯化期间,静止代谢率无组内和组间差异。实验组动物的干物质摄入、能量摄入和消化能等组内差异不明显,但对照组动物在驯化的第8周显著降低。实验组动物的能量摄入水平在驯化后显著升高;小肠和胃的干重,以及小肠和心脏等器官的湿重也都显著高于对照组。结果表明,布氏田鼠能够采取降低体重、增加能量摄入和调整体内某些器官和组织重量的方式来适应变化的环境条件。

布氏田鼠嗅觉通讯的行为发育─幼体对群体气味的辨别

对15～30日龄的布氏田鼠幼体对不同群体气味的行为反应进行了研究,探讨了幼体的嗅觉通讯行为发育过程及其对群体气味的识别能力。幼体对自身群体气味的探究行为明显多于对陌生群体的探究,但这种差异仅在24日龄以后才表现出显著性;幼体通常避开陌生群体的巢垫物而更多地从自身群体巢垫物上跨过;对陌生群体气味的嗅闻频次上雄性幼体明显高于雌体,而雌体的挖掘行为显著多于雄体。随着日龄的增加,幼体对群体气味的嗅闻行为无明显变化,而对巢垫物的挖掘行为显著增多;在实验过程中的逃逸行为—跳跃,随日龄的增加而显著增多。说明布氏田鼠幼体具有对群体气味的辨别能力;对陌生群体气味的回避可能是幼体在断乳后出巢期间防御危险的行为适应。

粪便激素水平反映不同出生时期雄性布氏田鼠的繁殖策略

布氏田鼠是我国内蒙古草原的主要害鼠之一,具有明显的季节繁殖特征,不同季节出生个体可能具有不同的繁殖发育策略,但尚缺乏内分泌证据支持。本研究采用标志重捕法,连续监测大型自然围栏中不同年龄雄性布氏田鼠的繁殖状态和应激水平的季节变化,分析各年龄组雄鼠的繁殖发育策略。结果表明,越冬雄鼠可保持较高的睾丸下降率和睾酮水平至8月初;而部分5月生雄鼠的繁殖期睾酮水平较接近越冬鼠,8月初降至年内最低水平,而6月及以后出生雄鼠睾酮始终处于较低水平;这说明越冬鼠的繁殖状态可贯穿繁殖期始终,只有部分5月生雄鼠可能参与当年繁殖,而6月及以后出生雄鼠则不能在当年繁殖。越冬鼠皮质醇水平高于当年鼠,繁殖期高于非繁殖期,这可能是越冬鼠由于繁殖需要而保持较高应激状态,从而造成繁殖盛期后死亡率升高。这些结果说明,不同时期出生的雄性布氏田鼠具有不同的出生后性腺发育模式和繁殖策略,反映出生存与繁殖之间的权衡。