常氧下高原鼠兔HIF-1α mRNA的表达

低氧诱导因子-1(HIF-1)是一种由低氧诱导因子-1α(HIF-1α)和芳香烃核受体转录因子(ARNT)组成的二聚体转录因子，在生物体氧平衡调节中起关键作用。高原鼠兔(Ochotona curzoniae)是生活在青藏高原海拔3000 m以上区域，有着极强的低氧、低温耐受能力的特有自然种群。它通过高的基础代谢率和高的氧利用率来适应高原低温、缺氧环境。将高原鼠兔带到北京，常氧室温条件下适应7 d。 RT-PCR扩增高原鼠兔HIF-1αcDNA片断，~（32）p标记作为特异性探针，Northern杂交检测了常氧条件下高原鼠兔HIF-1α的组织特异性表达。结果显示，HIF-1α mRNA在高原鼠兔多种组织中均有表达，并且表现出明显的组织差异性。其中脑的表达量最大，肾其次，心、脾和肝的表达相对较少。

高原鼠兔低氧诱导因子-1α的初步研究

高寒和缺氧是高原地区的两个重要的限制生态因子，高原土著动物在长期的适应进化过程中必将形成自己独特的低温、低氧适应策略。高原鼠兔（Ochotona curzoniae）是生活在青藏高原海拔以上地区的特有物种，具有极强的低温、低氧耐受能力。它主要通过高的基础代谢率和增加非颤抖性产热以及高的氧利用率来适应高寒、缺氧环境[1-4] 。低氧诱导因子-l（Hypoxia-Induced FacHIF一l）是 1992年Semanza等在低氧的肝癌细胞株Hep3B中发现的一种特异性结合于红细胞生成素（EPO）增强子寡核昔酸序列的转录因子[5]，它HIF-la和HIF-lβ/ARNT两个亚单位组成［6〕。HIF-l。受低氧诱导，属功能性亚基，HIF-1侧ARNT在细胞中构建型表达，不受低氧诱导[7]。为进一步揭示原鼠兔低氧适应的分子机理，我们正在克隆高原鼠兔HIF-1。基因的CDNA全长，并试图对其在低氧适应中的作用进行研究，本文报道了高原鼠兔低氧诱导因子-la编码区部分片段的克隆。

高原鼢鼠和高原鼠兔骨骼中非必需微量元素的测定

铅、镉、砷、汞、锑和铋等元素是人与动物生命活动非必需且有害的微量元素~（[1]）。哺乳类动物体内的这些微量元素主要由食物链传递所产生~（[2，3]）。本文对高原鼢鼠(Myospalax baileyi)和高原鼠兔(Ochotona curzoniae)骨骼中非必需微量元素砷、锑、汞、铋、铅、镉的分布、种间含量差异及其相关性进行了分析和讨论，为高寒草甸生态系统研究小哺乳动物的营养生态学、化学生态学以及生态系统的物质循环~（[4，5]）等提供基础资料。

繁殖期高原鼠兔的攻击行为

通过室内配对实验对高原鼠兔( Ochotona curzoniae) 繁殖期的攻击行为进行了研究。结果表明, 雌雄动物的攻击水平基本相同, 同性个体间的攻击性明显高于异性个体间。雌雄动物具有不同的攻击模式, 雌性个体遇到陌生个体首先以攻击中的进攻和追逐为主,然后通过相互接触确定个体的性别, 若为同性个体, 以防御为主, 若为异性个体, 则有防御和亲昵两种选择; 雄性动物遇到陌生个体同样首先以攻击为主, 相互接触后, 若为异性个体, 表现出高的亲昵行为, 若为同性个体, 仍然以攻击为主, 其攻击行为方式中的进攻、追逐和进攻姿态一直维持在高的水平。这表明高原鼠兔在配偶选择中雌雄个体均具有主动性, 攻击行为是自然种群内存在多种婚配制度的主要原因之一。雌雄攻击模式的不同使种群内一夫多妻制占有较多的比例, 而一妻多夫制所占比例相对较低。

高原鼠兔寄生蠕虫的调查

用蠕虫学剖解方法对高原鼠兔( Ochotona curzoniae) 的寄生蠕虫进行了调查。结果,检查的135 只鼠兔感染蠕虫的有108 只,感染率为80.0 %;经鉴定所检出的虫体为Cephaluris coloradensis , Eugenuris schumakovitschi , Graphidiella szchuanensis , Murielue qinghanensis , Heligmosomum , sp , Trichuris sp , L abiostomum sp , Schizorchis ochotonae , 共计线虫7 种,绦虫1 种。

高原鼠兔的季节性繁殖

A nnual changes of the rep roduct ive act ivity in adult male p lateau p ika (Ochotona curzoniae) , a small endemic mammal in Q inghai2T ibet P lateau, w ere invest igated from J anuary to December, 1991. A ll of the animals w ere k illed and decap itated during the nigh t (23:00～ 24:00) and the p lasma, p ineal glands, testes ep ididym is, sem inal vesicles, deferent ducts were co llected and used for biochemical, and histo logical studies. Significant changes associated with seasonal cycles were found. (1) In February～ early April, the restoration phase, the weights of testes, epididym ides and deferent ducts were increased; the process of sperm atogenesis was strengthened and testo sterone level in plasma was increased, but the pineal weight and its melatonin content were decreased. (2) During the middle of April～ late May, the sexually active phase, a significant elevation of gonadal activity was observed. In this period, gonadalw eights were increased, spermatogenesis was completed, pineal weights were decreased and melatonin contents were fluctuated at alow level. These results suggested the increasing in sexual activity as well as in the ability of testo sterone secretion. (3) A striking reduction of test icular activity appears in June～A ugust. In this inhibition phase, gonada lweight, process of sperm atogenesis, plasma testo sterone level were decreased while the pineal weight and pineal melatonin content were increased. (4) During Sep tember～ J anuary, the sexually quiescent phase, declining in weights of testes and epididymides, arrest of spermatogenesis, decreasing of plasma testo sterone concent ration, fluctuating in pineal weights and increasing in pinealmelatonin level were observed. Our findings indicated that the male pikas under natural conditions exhibited an annual rep roductive cycle. A possible relationship between pineal activity and reproductive function was also suggested.

促肾上腺皮质激素释放激素及去甲肾上腺素对高原鼠兔体液免疫的抑制作用

采用第三脑室注入CRF 及N E 的方法观察对高原鼠兔(Ochotona curzoniae) 体液免疫的影响。结果表明: 第三脑室注入CRF 1 μg 可抑制抗体生成, 比对照下降29.2% (P < 0.01) , 而在第三脑室注入CRF 受体阻断剂α-helical CRF- (9241) 50μg 后再注入CRF 1μg 则可取消CRF 对抗体生成的抑制作用; 第三脑室注入5 nM N E, 与对照相比, 抗体水平下降38.85%(P < 0.01) , 而使用6-OHDA 损毁脑内交感神经系统则使抗体水平升高24.31% (P < 0.01)。这些结果表明, 高原鼠兔中枢CRF 升高对体液免疫有抑制作用, 中枢交感神经系统对体液免疫也具有紧张性抑制作用。

去甲肾上腺素刺激高原鼠兔CRF的分泌

We studied the effect of neuro transmitter no repin ephrine (N E) on immuno reactive cortico trop inreleasing factor (CRF) of median eminence (M E) in the native pika (Ochotona cu rz oniae). At one hour after intra cerebrovent ricular ( icv) adm inistrat ion of N E in doses of 3.75,7.5, 15 and 30 μg/100 g BW , the CRF level ofM E increased. And the plasma cortico sterone concent rat ion also increased. Two and six days after adrenalectomy (ADX) , N E concent ration in hypothalamus declined to 76.32% and 76.27% of those in intact pika, plasma cortico rsterone concent ration also decreased to 16.57 and 2.05% of the control. These results indicated that N E have a effect on activating HPA axis through activating hypothalamic CRF in Ochotona curzoniae.

低氧对大鼠体液免疫的抑制作用

本实验以模拟高原低氧的方法，探讨了低氧对大鼠体液免疫的作用，并与高原鼠免比较，体液免疫以溶血亲和IgG产生为指标。实验结果：与对照组相比，大鼠低氧10d，5km海拔抑制溶血素形成10．3％，7km海拔抑制溶血素形成21．9％；经再次免疫后又低氧10d，5km海拔抑制溶血素形成4．2％，7km海拔抑制溶血素形成4．6％，高原土著动物高原鼠兔（Ochotona curzoniae）则不表现上述的抑制现象；大鼠经SRBC腹腔致敏2d后低氧5d和8d，未表现低氧抑制溶血素形成的作用；大鼠侧脑室给予外源性CRF（1μg／rat），可抑制溶血素形成和IgG产生，溶血素形成抑制8.6％，IgG产生抑制14．0％；7km低氧大鼠侧脑室给予CRF受体阻断剂（α-helicalCRF(9-41)）50μg对低氧抑制溶血素形成一定的阻断作用，可部分阻断低氧抑制IgG产生，使IgG产生的抑制率由24.2%提高到12.1%；大鼠腹腔注射1μgCRF对溶血素形成和IgG产生无影响；与假手术组比，大鼠在摘除双侧肾上腺后，低氧对溶血素形成仍抑制6.6%。因而，本研究认为低氧对初次和再次体液免疫均产生抑制作用，而且抑制作用发生在体液免疫的起始阶段，其抑制作用与中枢CRF升高有关。

β-内啡肽对低氧引起的促肾上腺皮质激素释放因子分泌的影响

本文研究了模拟高原低氧条件下内源性阿片肽β- 内啡肽(β-endorphin ,β-EP) 对大鼠和高原土著动物高原鼠兔(Ochotona curzoniae) 促肾上腺皮质激素释放因子(corticotropin releasing factor , CRF) 分泌的影响。7000m 低氧2h ,正中隆起(median eminence , ME) 和下丘脑(Hypothalamus , Hy) CRF 含量水平降低。脑室注射β-EP 后,海拔7000m 低氧暴露2h ,大鼠和高原鼠兔ME 处的CRF 含量升高,大鼠Hy的CRF 含量也升高,而高原鼠兔下丘脑CRF 含量下降。β-EP 的作用被纳洛酮反转。上述结果提示,β-EP 有抑制由低氧引起的大鼠CRF 分泌的作用。

Livestock grazing, plateau pikas and the conservation of avian biodiversity on the Tibetan plateau

On the Qinghai-Tibet plateau increased livestock numbers have resulted in degradation of the grasslands with potential impacts on native biodiversity. Concurrently, perceived increases in populations of native small mammals such as plateau pikas (Ochotona curzoniae) have led to poisoning programs, with uncertain impacts on species such as ground-nesting birds. We explored the relationships between the local seasonal abundance of small birds and (1) the density of pika burrows; (2) livestock grazing practices; and (3) local poisoning of pikas. Around Naqu prefecture, central Tibet, we used a nested experimental design to collect data from areas rested from grazing over summer, nearby areas with year-round grazing and areas subjected to pika poisoning. Additional data were collected from a site where grazing had not occurred for at least 4 years prior to the study. Poisoning pikas in spring had no detectable effect on the local abundance of birds the following autumn. However, two ground-nesting species, white-rumped and rufous-necked snowfinches, showed positive associations with the density of pika burrows, indicating that long-term 'pika poisoning could reduce the density of these species by reducing the density of pika burrows. Rufous-necked snowfinches and non ground-nesting species including horned larks and common hoopoes showed positive responses to reduced grazing pressure from livestock, particularly in the long-rested site, indicating current grazing levels could be having a negative impact on these species. Conservation of small passerine biodiversity in this system will require changed management practices for livestock and pikas that consider the complex three-way interaction between livestock grazing, pikas and small birds. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Summer diet of two sympatric species of raptors Upland Buzzard (Buteo hemilasius) and Eurasian Eagle Owl (Bubo bubo) in alpine meadow: problem of coexistence

Summer diets of two sympatric raptors Upland Buzzards (Buteo hemilasius Temminck et Schlegel) and Eurasian Eagle Owls (Bubo bubo L. subsp. Hemachalana Hume) were studied in an alpine meadow (3250 m a.s.l.) on Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, China. Root voles Microtus oeconomus Pallas, plateau pikas Ochotona curzoniae Hodgson, Gansu pikas O. cansus Lyon and plateau zokors Myospalax baileyi Thomas were the main diet components of Upland Buzzards as identified through the pellets analysis with the frequency of 57, 20, 19 and 4%, respectively. The four rodent species also were the main diet components of Eurasian Eagle Owls basing on the pellets and prey leftovers analysis with the frequency of 53, 26, 13 and 5%, respectively. The food niche breadth indexes of Upland Buzzards and Eurasian Eagle Owls were 1.60 and 1.77 respectively (higher value of the index means the food niche of the raptor is broader), and the diet overlap index of the two raptors was larger (C-ue = 0.90) (the index range from 0 - no overlap - to I - complete overlap). It means that the diets of Upland Buzzards and Eurasian Eagle Owls were similar (Two Related Samples Test, Z = -0.752, P = 0.452). The classical resource partitioning theory can not explain the coexistence of Upland Buzzards and Eurasian Eagle Owls in alpine meadows of Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. However, differences in body size, predation mode and activity rhythm between Upland Buzzards and Eurasian Eagle Owls may explain the coexistence of these two sympatric raptors.

Diversities in hepatic HIF-1, IGF-I/IGFBP-1, LDH/ICD, and their mRNA expressions induced by CoCl2 in Qinghai-Tibetan plateau mammals and sea level mice

Ochotona curzoniae and Microtus oeconomus are the native mammals living on the Qinghai-TibetanPlateau of China. The molecular mechanisms of their acclimatization to the Plateau-hypoxia remain unclear. Expressions of hepatic hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1 alpha, insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I)/IGF binding protein (BP)-1(IGFBP-1; including genes), and key metabolic enzymatic genes [lactate dehydrogenase (LDH)-A/isocitrate dehydrogenase (ICD)] are compared in Qinghai-Tibetan- Plateau mammals andsea- level mice after injection of CoCl2 (20, 40, or 60 mg/ kg) and normobaric hypoxia (16.0% O-2, 10.8% O-2, and 8.0% O-2) for 6 h, tested by histochemistry, Western blot analysis, ELISA, and RT-PCR. Major results are CoCl2 markedly increased 1) HIF-1 alpha only in mice, 2) hepatic and circulatory IGF-I in M. oeconomus, 3) hepatic IGFBP-1 in mice and O. curzoniae, and 4) LDH-A but reduced ICD mRNA in mice (CoCl2 20 mg/kg) but were unchanged in the Tibetan mammals. Normobaric hypoxia markedly 1) increased HIF-1 alpha and LDH-A mRNA in mice and M. oeconomus (8.0% O-2) not in O. curzoniae, and 2) reduced ICD mRNA in mice and M. oeconomus (8.0% O-2) not in O. curzoniae. Results suggest that 1) HIF-1 alpha responsiveness to hypoxia is distinct in lowland mice and plateau mammals, reflecting a diverse tolerance of the three species to hypoxia; 2) CoCl2 induces diversities in HIF-1, IGF-I/IGFBP-1 protein or genes in mice, M. oeconomus, and O. curzoniae. In contrast, HIF-1 mediates IGFBP-1 transcription only in mice and in M. oeconomus (subjected to severe hypoxia); 3) differences in IGF-I/IGFBP-1 expressions induced by CoCl2 reflect significant diversities in hormone regulation and cell protection from damage; and 4) activation of anaerobic glycolysis and reduction of Krebs cycle represents strategies of lowland-animals vs. the stable metabolic homeostasis of plateau- acclimatized mammals.

Blood-gas properties of plateau zokor (Myospalax baileyi)

Plateau zokor (Myospalax baileyi) is one of the blind subterranean mole rats that spend their life solely underground in scaled burrows. It is one of the special species of the Qinghai-Tibet plateau. In their burrows, oxygen is low and carbon dioxide is high and their contents fluctuate with the change of seasons, soil types, rain and depth of burrows. However, plateau zokors show successful adaptation to that extreme environment. In this study, their adapting mechanisms to the hypoxic hypercapnic environment were analyzed through the comparison of their blood-gas properties with that of pikas (Ochotona curzniae) and Sprague-Dawley rats. The results indicated that plateau zokors had higher red blood corpuscle counts (8.11 +/- 0.59 (10(12)/L)) and hemoglobin concentrations (147 +/- 9.85 g/L), but hematocrit (45.9 +/- 3.29%) and mean corpuscular volume (56.67 +/- 2.57 fL) were lower than the other rodents. Their arterial blood and venous blood pH were 7.46 +/- 0.07 and 7.27 +/- 0.07. Oxygen pressure in arterial blood of plateau zokors was about 1.5 times higher than that of pikas and rats, and it was 0.36 and 0.26 times in their venous blood. Partial pressure for carbon dioxide in arterial and venous blood of plateau zokors was 1.5-fold and 2.0-fold higher, respectively, than in rats and pikas. Oxygen saturation of plateau zokors was 5.7 and 9.3 times lower in venous blood than that of pikas and rats, respectively. As result, the difference of oxygen saturation in arterial blood to venous blood was 2- and 4.5-fold higher in plateau zokors as that of pikas and rats, respectively. In conclusion, plateau zokors had a high tolerance to pH changes in tissues, together with strong capabilities to obtain oxygen from their hypoxic-hypercapnic environment. (c) 2006 Published by Elsevier Inc.

Stable carbon isotope analyses show dominance of C3 grasses in the feed selected by small herbivores at the alpine meadow at the Tibetan Plateau

Muscle samples were collected from small herbivorous mammals (Ochotona curzoniae, Microtus oecnomus, Myospalax fontanierii and Lepus oiostolus) at the alpine meadow ecosystem at the Tibetan Plateau in order to address variability in stable carbon isotope composition. Stable carbon isotope values of muscles remain steady and show no significant variations (-25.72 to -27.04 parts per thousand) among the four small mammal species. Based on the mass balance theory of stable isotopes, it is proposed that small herbivorous mammals mainly (or totally) rely on C3 grasses as food supply, and there is few or no distribution of C4 grasses at the ecosystem. The results reflect our previous study on the isotope patterns of plant species. Thus, stable carbon isotope analysis of muscles provides a method to address dietary selection and dietary variability in herbivores. In addition, stable carbon isotopic analyses can be used to address changes in vegetation distributions in ecosystem and paleovegetaion and paleoclimate.