Objective To determine the ability of grape seed proanthocyanidin extract （GSPE） in alleviating arsenic-induced reproductive toxicity. Methods Sixty male Kunming mice received the following treatments by gavage： no...Objective To determine the ability of grape seed proanthocyanidin extract （GSPE） in alleviating arsenic-induced reproductive toxicity. Methods Sixty male Kunming mice received the following treatments by gavage： normal saline solution （control）; arsenic trioxide （ATO; 4 mg/kg）; GSPE （400 mg/kg）; ATO＋GSPE （100 mg/kg）; ATO＋GSPE （200 mg/kg） and ATO＋GSPE （400 mg/kg）. Thereafter, the mice were sacrificed and weighed, and the testis was examined for pathological changes. Nuclear factor （erythroid-derived 2）-like 2 （Nrf2）, heme oxygenase 1 （HO1）, glutathione S-transferase （GST）, NAD（P）H dehydrogenase, and quinone 1 [NQO1） expression in the testis was detected by real-time PCR. Superoxide dismutase （SOD）, glutathione （GSH）, total antioxidative capability （T-AOC）, malondialdehyde （MDA）, 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine （8-OHdG）, and reproductive indexes were analyzed. Results ATO-treated mice showed a significantly decreased sperm count and testis somatic index and activity levels of SOD, GSH, and T-AOC than control group. Compared to the ATO-treated group, ATO ＋GSPE group showed recovery of the measured parameters. Mice treated with ATO＋high-dose GSPE showed the highest level of mRNA expression of Nrf2, HO, NO.O1, and GST. Conclusion GSPE alleviates oxidative stress damage in mouse testis by activating Nrf2 signaling, thus counteracting arsenic-induced reproductive toxicity.展开更多
By the methods of morphological anatomy and investigation in the sample fields, the main studies were carried out such as morphological anatomy of reproductive organs, birch population’s reproductive ages, reproducti...By the methods of morphological anatomy and investigation in the sample fields, the main studies were carried out such as morphological anatomy of reproductive organs, birch population’s reproductive ages, reproductive allotment value and seed behavior. The relationship between birch population and their surroundings was studied. The results showed that birch’s flower organs and its seeds were suitable well for spreading by wind. The seeds by wind can fly far away in a short time. The quantity of seed spreading greatly varied with different communities. Birch’s reproduction age can be changed in different ecological surroundings. The reproductive allotment value of birch was obviously different at different reproductive stages. In the mesic habitat, birch can grow well. The lowest reproductive age of them was 12, average age 15. In most cases the age of branches to bearing fruits was more than 18. The order of reproductive allotment values was as follows: a flowering phase > flower bud phase > fruit phase.展开更多
Studying the flowering development and seed germination of Eucalyptu dunnii and mastering the reproductive growth law can provide a theoretical basis for seed garden construction. In this study,a blooming plant growin...Studying the flowering development and seed germination of Eucalyptu dunnii and mastering the reproductive growth law can provide a theoretical basis for seed garden construction. In this study,a blooming plant growing in Zitong County was selected as the experiment subject. The results were as follows： florescence date of Eucalyptus dunnii was Mid-late February to mid to late October. Depending on morphologic change,flowering can be divided into 6 phases： Flower bud differentiation stage,inflorescence formation stage,opercle color change stage,capsule enlargement and shedding ring formation stage,flowering period,seed development stage. The development process of the buds on the same inflorescence was basically the same,the growth of buds near the base of the same branch was faster than that of the top buds,and the development of flower buds in different positions was random. There were 3-4 ovary cavities in a capsule. The number of shriveled seeds was far more than the number of effective seeds,and the average of each capsule contained five normal seeds which could develop into seedlings.展开更多
In natural ecosystems,the timely abscission of seeds in wild plants is a crucial adaptive trait that contributes to reproductive success,population renewal,and colony expansion(Thurber et al.2010).In contrast,the tend...In natural ecosystems,the timely abscission of seeds in wild plants is a crucial adaptive trait that contributes to reproductive success,population renewal,and colony expansion(Thurber et al.2010).In contrast,the tendency for high seed shattering in domesticated crops,such as rice,not only reduces paddy yield but also complicates mechanized harvesting.展开更多
Ontogeny and metamorphic. development of female reproductive organs in Ephedra sinica Stapf were surveyed. At the end of April, female cones began to initialize from the vegetative buds. Pollination occurred in mid-Ma...Ontogeny and metamorphic. development of female reproductive organs in Ephedra sinica Stapf were surveyed. At the end of April, female cones began to initialize from the vegetative buds. Pollination occurred in mid-May and seeds matured at the beginning of July. The ontogenetic pattern of female reproductive organs of E. sin ca is basically similar to that of E. distachya L. The foliar nature of the outer envelope of the ovule in Ephedra is corroborated. Reduction of ovule number as a tendency of speciation in the genus is substantiated by the occurrence of tri-ovulate cones coupled with comprehensive characters of the genus. The metamorphic patterns as well as the leaf nature of the outer envelope indicate that female cones of Ephedra are compound while the female reproductive units of the ovulate cone have been reduced from secondary reproductive shoots similar to those of cordaites by phylogenetic transformation, fusion and reduction. Each fertile bract together with its axillary female reproductive unit composed the Bract Scale and Seed Scale Complex of Ephedra.展开更多
Fluted pumpkin(FP;Telfairia occidentalis)is an edible vegetable,grown in West Africa,that is used in traditional medicine for its regulatory effects on the male gonads.Scientific articles concerning the effects of FP ...Fluted pumpkin(FP;Telfairia occidentalis)is an edible vegetable,grown in West Africa,that is used in traditional medicine for its regulatory effects on the male gonads.Scientific articles concerning the effects of FP were identified by searching PubMed,PubChem,Scopus,Springer,ResearchGate,Google Scholar and Web of Science;this literature was to better understand the effects of FP seed(FPS)and leaf(FPL)extracts on the testes.Data showed that in experimental animals extracts of FPL and FPS at 1/100 of the lethal dose promoted testis regeneration and improved testosterone concentration and sperm quality,while at higher doses they had antifertility effects.Several extracts of FPS and FPL,including ethanol,aqueous,methanol and hydroethanolic,had protective effects on the testes of study animals at lower doses(>50 mg/kg body weight),but at higher doses(>200 mg/kg body weight)they inhibited hormone synthesis,sperm quality and histomorphological structure,under both normal and disease conditions.The posttreatment effects of FPS on the gonads were reversible in young mature rats and FPS had slight systemic toxic effects.Although,there are inconsistencies in some of the published results,the current evidence suggests that FPS and FPL have both profertility and reversible antifertility effects in experimental animals.展开更多
Seed germination (in laboratory and field conditions) and vegetative reproduction (by cuttings) of a promising decorative species—Lonicera tatarica L. (Caprifoliaceae Juss.) was studied for the first time in the cond...Seed germination (in laboratory and field conditions) and vegetative reproduction (by cuttings) of a promising decorative species—Lonicera tatarica L. (Caprifoliaceae Juss.) was studied for the first time in the conditions of introduction of the Tashkent Botanical Garden of Uzbekistan. Thus, the optimal temperature for germination of L. tatarica seeds in laboratory conditions is +20°C + 22°C, at which germination was 73%. The germination rate of seeds sown in autumn in the field was 62%, and the germination rate of seeds sown in spring was 71%. It was noted that in greenhouse conditions at an air temperature of 20°C - 22°C and a relative humidity of 49% - 53%, the rootability of cuttings was 75%. It was revealed that the studied species adapted well to the conditions of introduction. Taking into account the effectiveness of vegetative reproduction of L. tatarica, it can be recommended for improving the aesthetic condition and landscaping of cities, landscaping and landscape design.展开更多
Figs (Moracea: Ficus) and fig wasps (Hymenoptera: Chlocloids: Agaonideae) depend on each other to complete their reproduction. Monoecious fig species and their pollinating wasps are in conflict over the use of fig ov...Figs (Moracea: Ficus) and fig wasps (Hymenoptera: Chlocloids: Agaonideae) depend on each other to complete their reproduction. Monoecious fig species and their pollinating wasps are in conflict over the use of fig ovaries which can either produce one seed or one wasp. From observation on Ficus virens Ait., we showed that female flowers with outer layer of ovaries (near to the wall of syconium) had no significant difference from that with inner and interval layer of ovaries (near to the syconium cavity), in which most seeds and wasps were produced. This meant that fig tree provided the same potential resource for seed and wasps production. Observation indicated that there was usually only one foundress in syconium at female flower phase and no com- petition pollinators. Measurement of the style length of female flowers and the ovipositor of pollinators indicated that most ovaries could be reached by pollinator’s ovipositor. However, at the male flower phase, production of seeds was significantly more than that of wasps including non-pollinating wasps but there was no significant difference between seed and pollinating wasp production when without non-pollinating wasps produced. This result indicated that non-pollinating wasps competed ovaries not with seeds but with pollinating wasps for ovipositing. Bagged experiment showed that the sampling fig species was not self-sterile which was important for figs and wasps to survive bad season. Seed production in self-pollinated figs was not significantly different from total wasps in- cluding non-pollinating ones. This might be related with the weaker competition among wasps since bagged figs were not easy to reach by wasps from outside.展开更多
Seed is the most important reproductive organ in plant.Since its first emergence approximately 370 million years ago,seed plant had overwhelming advantage to non-seed plants in reproduction,spreading and colonization ...Seed is the most important reproductive organ in plant.Since its first emergence approximately 370 million years ago,seed plant had overwhelming advantage to non-seed plants in reproduction,spreading and colonization in terrestrial land.Beside its essential function in the sexual reproduction of plants,seed is the most economically important agricultural product,offering necessity food for human and wildlife,nutritious feed for livestock.Seeds and grains also provide massive amount of raw materials for manufactured goods,such as coffee,starch,and oil.Seeds also play a pivotal role in development of fruits which supplement significant portion of food and nutrition for human and wildlife.展开更多
In May 2025,the Fuding White Tea Culture System in southeast China’s Fujian Province was officially recognized by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization(FAO)as a Globally Important Agricultural Heritage System(GIAH...In May 2025,the Fuding White Tea Culture System in southeast China’s Fujian Province was officially recognized by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization(FAO)as a Globally Important Agricultural Heritage System(GIAHS).It mainly includes national-level superior varieties-Fuding Dabai Tea,Fuding Dahao Tea,and Fuding Cai Tea(group variety)which retains tradition and uses tea seeds for sexual reproduction-providing abundant germplasm resources for cultivating new tea varieties.展开更多
基金supported by a grant from the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps(2014BA039)Shihezi University grant(RCZX201112)
文摘Objective To determine the ability of grape seed proanthocyanidin extract （GSPE） in alleviating arsenic-induced reproductive toxicity. Methods Sixty male Kunming mice received the following treatments by gavage： normal saline solution （control）; arsenic trioxide （ATO; 4 mg/kg）; GSPE （400 mg/kg）; ATO＋GSPE （100 mg/kg）; ATO＋GSPE （200 mg/kg） and ATO＋GSPE （400 mg/kg）. Thereafter, the mice were sacrificed and weighed, and the testis was examined for pathological changes. Nuclear factor （erythroid-derived 2）-like 2 （Nrf2）, heme oxygenase 1 （HO1）, glutathione S-transferase （GST）, NAD（P）H dehydrogenase, and quinone 1 [NQO1） expression in the testis was detected by real-time PCR. Superoxide dismutase （SOD）, glutathione （GSH）, total antioxidative capability （T-AOC）, malondialdehyde （MDA）, 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine （8-OHdG）, and reproductive indexes were analyzed. Results ATO-treated mice showed a significantly decreased sperm count and testis somatic index and activity levels of SOD, GSH, and T-AOC than control group. Compared to the ATO-treated group, ATO ＋GSPE group showed recovery of the measured parameters. Mice treated with ATO＋high-dose GSPE showed the highest level of mRNA expression of Nrf2, HO, NO.O1, and GST. Conclusion GSPE alleviates oxidative stress damage in mouse testis by activating Nrf2 signaling, thus counteracting arsenic-induced reproductive toxicity.
文摘By the methods of morphological anatomy and investigation in the sample fields, the main studies were carried out such as morphological anatomy of reproductive organs, birch population’s reproductive ages, reproductive allotment value and seed behavior. The relationship between birch population and their surroundings was studied. The results showed that birch’s flower organs and its seeds were suitable well for spreading by wind. The seeds by wind can fly far away in a short time. The quantity of seed spreading greatly varied with different communities. Birch’s reproduction age can be changed in different ecological surroundings. The reproductive allotment value of birch was obviously different at different reproductive stages. In the mesic habitat, birch can grow well. The lowest reproductive age of them was 12, average age 15. In most cases the age of branches to bearing fruits was more than 18. The order of reproductive allotment values was as follows: a flowering phase > flower bud phase > fruit phase.
基金Supported by the National Key R&D Project of China(2016YFD0600501)
文摘Studying the flowering development and seed germination of Eucalyptu dunnii and mastering the reproductive growth law can provide a theoretical basis for seed garden construction. In this study,a blooming plant growing in Zitong County was selected as the experiment subject. The results were as follows： florescence date of Eucalyptus dunnii was Mid-late February to mid to late October. Depending on morphologic change,flowering can be divided into 6 phases： Flower bud differentiation stage,inflorescence formation stage,opercle color change stage,capsule enlargement and shedding ring formation stage,flowering period,seed development stage. The development process of the buds on the same inflorescence was basically the same,the growth of buds near the base of the same branch was faster than that of the top buds,and the development of flower buds in different positions was random. There were 3-4 ovary cavities in a capsule. The number of shriveled seeds was far more than the number of effective seeds,and the average of each capsule contained five normal seeds which could develop into seedlings.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(32372118 and 32188102)the Qian Qian Academician Workstation,China+3 种基金the Specific Research Fund of the Innovation Platform for Academicians of Hainan Province,China(YSPTZX202303)the Nanfan Special Project,Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences(ZDXM2315)the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences Talent Plan-Outstanding Young Talentthe Zhejiang Province’s High-level Talent Special Support Plan-Young Talent,China。
文摘In natural ecosystems,the timely abscission of seeds in wild plants is a crucial adaptive trait that contributes to reproductive success,population renewal,and colony expansion(Thurber et al.2010).In contrast,the tendency for high seed shattering in domesticated crops,such as rice,not only reduces paddy yield but also complicates mechanized harvesting.
文摘Ontogeny and metamorphic. development of female reproductive organs in Ephedra sinica Stapf were surveyed. At the end of April, female cones began to initialize from the vegetative buds. Pollination occurred in mid-May and seeds matured at the beginning of July. The ontogenetic pattern of female reproductive organs of E. sin ca is basically similar to that of E. distachya L. The foliar nature of the outer envelope of the ovule in Ephedra is corroborated. Reduction of ovule number as a tendency of speciation in the genus is substantiated by the occurrence of tri-ovulate cones coupled with comprehensive characters of the genus. The metamorphic patterns as well as the leaf nature of the outer envelope indicate that female cones of Ephedra are compound while the female reproductive units of the ovulate cone have been reduced from secondary reproductive shoots similar to those of cordaites by phylogenetic transformation, fusion and reduction. Each fertile bract together with its axillary female reproductive unit composed the Bract Scale and Seed Scale Complex of Ephedra.
文摘Fluted pumpkin(FP;Telfairia occidentalis)is an edible vegetable,grown in West Africa,that is used in traditional medicine for its regulatory effects on the male gonads.Scientific articles concerning the effects of FP were identified by searching PubMed,PubChem,Scopus,Springer,ResearchGate,Google Scholar and Web of Science;this literature was to better understand the effects of FP seed(FPS)and leaf(FPL)extracts on the testes.Data showed that in experimental animals extracts of FPL and FPS at 1/100 of the lethal dose promoted testis regeneration and improved testosterone concentration and sperm quality,while at higher doses they had antifertility effects.Several extracts of FPS and FPL,including ethanol,aqueous,methanol and hydroethanolic,had protective effects on the testes of study animals at lower doses(>50 mg/kg body weight),but at higher doses(>200 mg/kg body weight)they inhibited hormone synthesis,sperm quality and histomorphological structure,under both normal and disease conditions.The posttreatment effects of FPS on the gonads were reversible in young mature rats and FPS had slight systemic toxic effects.Although,there are inconsistencies in some of the published results,the current evidence suggests that FPS and FPL have both profertility and reversible antifertility effects in experimental animals.
文摘Seed germination (in laboratory and field conditions) and vegetative reproduction (by cuttings) of a promising decorative species—Lonicera tatarica L. (Caprifoliaceae Juss.) was studied for the first time in the conditions of introduction of the Tashkent Botanical Garden of Uzbekistan. Thus, the optimal temperature for germination of L. tatarica seeds in laboratory conditions is +20°C + 22°C, at which germination was 73%. The germination rate of seeds sown in autumn in the field was 62%, and the germination rate of seeds sown in spring was 71%. It was noted that in greenhouse conditions at an air temperature of 20°C - 22°C and a relative humidity of 49% - 53%, the rootability of cuttings was 75%. It was revealed that the studied species adapted well to the conditions of introduction. Taking into account the effectiveness of vegetative reproduction of L. tatarica, it can be recommended for improving the aesthetic condition and landscaping of cities, landscaping and landscape design.
基金Supported by the Knowledge Innovation Research Program,Chinese Academy of Sciences (KSCX2-SW-105)
文摘Figs (Moracea: Ficus) and fig wasps (Hymenoptera: Chlocloids: Agaonideae) depend on each other to complete their reproduction. Monoecious fig species and their pollinating wasps are in conflict over the use of fig ovaries which can either produce one seed or one wasp. From observation on Ficus virens Ait., we showed that female flowers with outer layer of ovaries (near to the wall of syconium) had no significant difference from that with inner and interval layer of ovaries (near to the syconium cavity), in which most seeds and wasps were produced. This meant that fig tree provided the same potential resource for seed and wasps production. Observation indicated that there was usually only one foundress in syconium at female flower phase and no com- petition pollinators. Measurement of the style length of female flowers and the ovipositor of pollinators indicated that most ovaries could be reached by pollinator’s ovipositor. However, at the male flower phase, production of seeds was significantly more than that of wasps including non-pollinating wasps but there was no significant difference between seed and pollinating wasp production when without non-pollinating wasps produced. This result indicated that non-pollinating wasps competed ovaries not with seeds but with pollinating wasps for ovipositing. Bagged experiment showed that the sampling fig species was not self-sterile which was important for figs and wasps to survive bad season. Seed production in self-pollinated figs was not significantly different from total wasps in- cluding non-pollinating ones. This might be related with the weaker competition among wasps since bagged figs were not easy to reach by wasps from outside.
文摘Seed is the most important reproductive organ in plant.Since its first emergence approximately 370 million years ago,seed plant had overwhelming advantage to non-seed plants in reproduction,spreading and colonization in terrestrial land.Beside its essential function in the sexual reproduction of plants,seed is the most economically important agricultural product,offering necessity food for human and wildlife,nutritious feed for livestock.Seeds and grains also provide massive amount of raw materials for manufactured goods,such as coffee,starch,and oil.Seeds also play a pivotal role in development of fruits which supplement significant portion of food and nutrition for human and wildlife.
文摘In May 2025,the Fuding White Tea Culture System in southeast China’s Fujian Province was officially recognized by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization(FAO)as a Globally Important Agricultural Heritage System(GIAHS).It mainly includes national-level superior varieties-Fuding Dabai Tea,Fuding Dahao Tea,and Fuding Cai Tea(group variety)which retains tradition and uses tea seeds for sexual reproduction-providing abundant germplasm resources for cultivating new tea varieties.
