A nerve growth factor from the venom of Chinese cobra (Naja naja atra) and its effects on male reproductive system in rats

A nerve growth factor (NGF) was isolated from the venom of Chinese cobra (Naja naja ntr a) by ion exchange chromatography, gel filtration and fast protein liquid chromatography (FPLC). The N-terminal sequence of 22 amino acid residues was identical with other NGFs previously purified from the venom of the same genus. The NGF monomer molecular weight was estimated to be 13 500 by reducing SDS-PAGE and the isoelectric point was determined to be 7.2 by isoelectric focusing electrophoresis. NGF improved the epididymal sperm motility of male rats and increased the pregnancy rate and fetus number of mated female rats. The serum levels of luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) of male rats administrated NGF + gossypol was lower than that of male rats administrated gossypol. Histological sections of testes and epididymides showed that NGF reduced the destructive effects of gossypol on rat testes. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.

Digestion of selected foods by Yunnan snub-nosed monkey Rhinopithecus bieti (Colobinae)

Three digestion trials were conducted to quantify aspects of digestive physiology in the Yunnan snub-nosed monkey Rhinopithecus bieti, a foregut fermenter that feeds primarily on lichens. Mean retention time (MRT, the average time plastic markers spent in

芒果扁喙叶蝉(Idioscopus incertus(Baker))生物学及其综合防治的研究

芒果扁喙叶蝉Idioscopus incertus (Baker)在云南元江干热河谷地区1年发生8-9代,世代重叠严重,以幼虫(若虫)、成虫越冬,越冬态不明显。4月中、下旬至5月上、中旬为第1个发生高峰期,是全年发生危害重、持续时间长的主要高峰期。7月下旬至8月上、中旬为第2个发生危害高峰期,对梢、叶的危害率分别为100%, 96.4%。采用综合防治措施后,其危害率分别降为4.7%,6.2%。

云南蝴蝶区系及其区划的研究

云南地区蝶类可分为东洋种、古北种、广布种和特有种, 以东洋种为主。根据云南地貌、气候、植被类型多样, 结合自然地理条件划分为热带雨林季雨林亚区, 亚热带常绿阔叶、混交和针叶林亚区, 温带针叶林亚区以及亚区下的十个小区。对云南蝶类的区系组成及其起源、演化作了初步分析。还对区域划分作探讨。

Transport of anti-sperm monoclonal IGA and IGC into murine male and female genital tracts from blood - Effect of sex hormones

Ab levels in the genital tract may be important in fertility and in preventing sexually transmitted diseases, In this study, I-125-labeled polymer or monomer mAb IgA (C4pIgA or C4mIgA) and IgC2b (C4IgC) to murine lactate dehydrogenase C4 and a polymer mAb IgA (npIgA) not cross-reacting with mouse sperm were intravenously injected into BALB/c mice, and the relative distribution of these Abs was determined. Polymer IgA was transported much more efficiently into the genital tract, trachea, and duodenum of both sexes than C4IgG and C4 mIgA (p < 0.01), The transport of polymer IgA (C4pIgA and npIgA) into the male genital tract greatly increased following orchiectomy (p < 0.01); this change was not affected by testosterone, suggesting that the unknown regulatory factor(s) from the testis may suppress polymer IgA transport, However, the transport of polymer IgA into female genital tissues was significantly decreased by ovariectomy (p < 0.01); this decline can be rectified by P-estradiol but not progesterone treatment, suggesting that estradiol may stimulate polymer IgA transport, Furthermore, the transport of C4IgG into tissues of the Fallopian tubes and the uterus was significantly decreased by treatment with progesterone (p < 0.01). Together, these findings indicate that serum polymer IgA can be transported selectively into the genital tracts of both sexes, that this transport is strongly under the control of gonads, and that transport of Ige into the Fallopian tubes and uterus is downregulated by progesterone.

Effect of huperzine A on working memory in reserpine- or yohimbine-treated monkeys

The effect of huperzine A, a reversible and selective acetylcholinesterase inhibitor, on reserpine- or yohimbine-induced spatial working memory deficits in monkeys has been examined using the delayed response task that depends on the integrity of prefront