In order to investigate the estrogen and estrogen receptor β changes after mating behavior of male mandarin vole （Microtus mandarinus）, the radioimmunoassay （RIA） and immunohistochemistry methods were used to inv...In order to investigate the estrogen and estrogen receptor β changes after mating behavior of male mandarin vole （Microtus mandarinus）, the radioimmunoassay （RIA） and immunohistochemistry methods were used to investigate changes of the serum estrogen （E） concentrations, estrogen immunoreactive neurons （E-IRs） and estrogen receptor β immunoreactive neurons （ERβ-IRs） in the relevant brain regions following mating behavior. Fifteen sexually matured male voles were randomly divided into three groups and treated differently： （1） control group： voles were exposed to clean hard-wood shavings （n=5）, （2） exposure group： voles were exposed to the soiled bedding for more than 24h on which estrous females had been placed （n=5）, and （3） mating group： voles were placed with an estrous female for more than 24h （n=5）. The results showed circulating serum E concentrations were significantly higher in the mating group than in the exposure group and the control group, and there were no significant difference between the exposure group and the control group. E-IRs and ERβ-IRs were detected in the following brain regions related to mating behavior： the arcuate nucleus （ARC）, bed nucleus of the stria terminalis （BST）, lateral septal nucleus （LS）, medial amygdaloid nucleus （ME）, medial preoptic area （MPO） and ventromedial hypothalamic nucleus （VMH）. The results showed that there were significantly more E-IRs in the six brain regions in the mating group than in the control group and the exposure group, and there were no significant difference between the exposure group and the control group except for LS. There was no significant difference in ERβ-IRs in the six brain regions among the three groups, and there were some lighter -stained ERβ-IRs in these brain regions. The results suggested that estrogen affect mating activity of male mandarin voles, but ERβ might not play an important role in mating behavior of male mandarin voles. Instead, it might be through other receptors.展开更多
To gain insight into the function of AOB and MOB during different social interaction and in different vole species,the behaviors and neural activation of the olfactory bulbs in social interactions of mandarin voles Mi...To gain insight into the function of AOB and MOB during different social interaction and in different vole species,the behaviors and neural activation of the olfactory bulbs in social interactions of mandarin voles Microtus mandarinus and reed voles Microtus fortis were compared in the present research.Mandarin voles spent significantly more time attacking and sniffing their opponents and sniffing sawdust than reed voles.During same sex encounters,mandarin voles attacked their opponents for a significantly longer time and sniffed its opponent for shorter time compared with male-female interactions.However,no significant behavioral differences were found during encounters of two individual reed voles,regardless of gender composition of the pair.Using c-Fos as an indicator of neural activation,we observed that neural activation was significantly higher in almost all sub-regions of the main olfactory bulb(MOB)and the accessory olfactory bulb(AOB)of mandarin voles compared with reed voles.Numbers of c-Fos-ir neurons in almost all sub-regions of the AOB and the MOB during male-female interactions were also higher than those in interactions of the same sex.Anterior-posterior ratios of Fos-ir neurons in the AOBM(AOBMR)and the AOBG(AOBGR)in male-female interaction were significantly higher than those in interaction of the same sex.The AOBMR of male mandarin voles and reed voles were larger than those of females in male-female interactions.Behavioral patterns are consistent with cellular activity patterns.Consistent level of neural activation in MOB and AOB suggests important roles of both the main olfactory bulb and the accessory olfactory bulb in social interaction in two species.展开更多
From April to December in 1997 at Northwest Plateau Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Science, the effect of predation risk on social behavior, feeding, reproduction and sexual hormones of the root voles (Micro...From April to December in 1997 at Northwest Plateau Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Science, the effect of predation risk on social behavior, feeding, reproduction and sexual hormones of the root voles (Microtus oeconomus) was studied when the root voles (Microtus oeconomus ) were exposed to the odor of fitch (Mustila eversmanni). The results showed that the root voles delayed breeding period and the frequency of the copulation significantly lowered (P【0.01). Comparing with the control group, the accumulated time of amicable behavior in females, and general activity of both sexes increased significantly (P【0.01). The frequencies of general activity (P【0.01), investigating activity (females: P【0.05, males: P【0.01), and self-grooming (P【0.01) of both sexes were less significantly. At the same time, the amount of energy intake (P【0.05) and body weight (P【0.01) of the root voles decreased significantly. The litter weight and ovary index of females decreased (P【0.01). For males the sperm count in epididymides also decreased significantly (P【0.01). The progesterone in the blood serum of root voles females increased significantly under fitch odor (P【0.01).展开更多
Microtus fortis is the only mammalian host that exhibits intrinsic resistance against Schistosoma japonicum infection.However,the underlying molecular mechanisms of this resistance are not yet known.Here,we perform th...Microtus fortis is the only mammalian host that exhibits intrinsic resistance against Schistosoma japonicum infection.However,the underlying molecular mechanisms of this resistance are not yet known.Here,we perform the first de novo genome assembly of M.fortis,comprehensive gene annotation analysis,and evolution analysis.Furthermore,we compare the recovery rate of schistosomes,pathological changes,and liver transcriptomes between M.fortis and mice at different time points after infection.We observe that the time and type of immune response in M.fortis are different from those in mice.M.fortis activates immune and inflammatory responses on the 10th day post infection,such as leukocyte extravasation,antibody activation,Fc-gamma receptor-mediated phagocytosis,and the interferon signaling cascade,which play important roles in preventing the development of schistosomes.In contrast,an intense immune response occurrs in mice at the late stages of infection and could not eliminate schistosomes.Infected mice suffer severe pathological injury and continuous decreases in cell cycle,lipid metabolism,and other functions.Our findings offer new insights into the intrinsic resistance mechanism of M.fortis against schistosome infection.The genome sequence also provides the basis for future studies of other important traits in M.fortis.展开更多
The outbreak of Yantze vole ( Microtus fortis) population in Dongting Lake region is closely related to the evolvement of lake beaches,because the deposition of lake sediments results in the expansion of lake beaches,...The outbreak of Yantze vole ( Microtus fortis) population in Dongting Lake region is closely related to the evolvement of lake beaches,because the deposition of lake sediments results in the expansion of lake beaches,which provides the possibility of the increase of the vole's population. Reclaiming farmland from lake via building cofferdams,eliminating snails by building cofferdams for eradicating schistosomiasis,and over-hunting predators in the region cause the voles becoming a pest after the 1970s. In recent years,the Three Gorges Project and the conversion from farmland into lake have had deep impacts on the environment in the lake region. The dispatching of the down flow rate by the project has induced the expansion of the low and medium level beaches in the lake region,while converting farmland into lake directly has induced the expansion of the lake beaches,both of which have expanded the potential habitats of the vole's population. Therefore,more attention should be paid to the quantitative variation trend of the vole's population in the future.展开更多
In order to investigate the neuroendocrine mechanism of the mating behavior in the adult male mandarin voles Microtus mandarinus,the radioimmunoassay(RIA)and immunohistochemistry methods were used to investigate the d...In order to investigate the neuroendocrine mechanism of the mating behavior in the adult male mandarin voles Microtus mandarinus,the radioimmunoassay(RIA)and immunohistochemistry methods were used to investigate the differences in plasma testosterone(T)concentrations and distribution of T immunoreactive neurons(T-IRs),androgen receptor immunoreactive neurons(AR-IRs)and Fos protein immunoreactive neurons(Fos-IRs)in the accessory olfactory bulb(AOB)and the main olfactory bulb(MOB)following exposure to clean hard-wood shavings(control group),soiled bedding(exposure group)or contact with an estrous female(mating group).Results showed that plasma T concentration was significantly higher in the mating group than that in the exposure group,and both the mating group and the exposure group displayed significantly higher plasma T concentration than the control group.T-IRs,AR-IRs and Fos-IRs were investigated with the immunohistochemistry method in granule cell(GC)and mitral cell(MC)of the MOB and the AOB in the three groups.There were significantly more T-IRs,AR-IRs and Fos-IRs in MC and GC of the AOB in the mating group than that in the exposure group or the control group.T-IRs,AR-IRs and Fos-IRs did not show significant differences between the exposure group and the control group.Furthermore,obvious differences in MC and GC of the MOB were not found among the three groups.The results confirm that both changes of T and AR in the AOB might be underlying mating behavior in the adult male mandarin voles.展开更多
The total RNA was extracted from Microtus fortis liver tissue which before being infected and after being infected 10 d and 15 d by the Schistosoma japonicum cercariae. Using rattus norvegicus CD72 gene probes were us...The total RNA was extracted from Microtus fortis liver tissue which before being infected and after being infected 10 d and 15 d by the Schistosoma japonicum cercariae. Using rattus norvegicus CD72 gene probes were used to hybridize analysis of CD72 difference expression in the Microtus fortis liver tissues which were infected with Schistosoma japonicum before and after being infected. At the same time, the cDNA sequence and encoded amino acid sequence of the rattus norvegicus CD72 gene and CD72 protein structural domains were analyzed by using bioinformatics. The results showed that the CD72 expression levels in the liver tissue of Microtus fortis after being infected was significantly higher than before being infected. The rattus norvegicus CD72 cDNA sequence of a total length is 1479 bp and encode 364 amino acid residues and rattus norvegicus CD72 protein containing a CD72 superfamily domain.展开更多
Objective To explore the immunological characteristics of natural resis tance to Schistosoma japonicum infection in Microtus fortis (MF) living in the Dongting Lake area Methods Passive transfer of sera from uninfe...Objective To explore the immunological characteristics of natural resis tance to Schistosoma japonicum infection in Microtus fortis (MF) living in the Dongting Lake area Methods Passive transfer of sera from uninfected laboratory bred MF (BM F) to albinao mice (AM) was performed to observe the acquired protection Sodiu m dodecyl sulfatepolyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDSPAGE) and enzymelin ked immunoblotting (ELIB) methods were used to recognize 4 different lifecycle stage antigens of S japonicum by sera from wild MF (WMF), BMF, BMFi3 and BMFi9 Tests were also performed on in vitro killing effect of sera and/or lymphocytes from BMF an d WMF to schistosomulae; quantitative determination of C3 and C4 by immuno turb idometry, and interleukin4 (IL4) and antibodies to the 4 stage antigens in s era from WMF, BMF and infected BMF by ELISA Results Compared with the control group, stool eggs per gram (EPG) of A M in the test group was significantly reduced by 8154%, miracidium hatching rate, by 5 0 67%, liver egg counts, by 7207%, the diameter of hepatic egg granuloma, by 7 0 39?m Western blotting probed with the 4 MF sera all revealed 7 specific ban d s for SSA, 3 for AWA and SEA, but none for CA antigens The sera and/or lymphoc yte s from WMF and BMF gave obvious killing effects on schistosomulae with an adjust ed death rate of 6412%-7883% The levels ofnatural antibodiesproduced b y MF to S japonicum were in the following order: antiSSA>antiAWA>antiS EA>an tiCA, all of which increased significantly after the infection Serum levels o f C3, C4 and IL4 in uninfected BMF were significantly higher than those in AM After infection, levels of C3 and C4 were further increased respective ly by 7283% and 29549% in the 4th week and IL4 by 30383% in the 9th day Conclusions Immunological characteristics of innate resistance in M f o rtis to S japonicum infection were existed with no significant difference betw een WMF and BMF展开更多
The Yangtze vole(Microtus fortis Buechner,1889)is a small herbivore species that inhabits lake beaches in the Dongting Lake region along the Yangtze River in Southern China.Its population shows strong oscillations dur...The Yangtze vole(Microtus fortis Buechner,1889)is a small herbivore species that inhabits lake beaches in the Dongting Lake region along the Yangtze River in Southern China.Its population shows strong oscillations during the wet season due to summer precipitation-induced immigration away from the lake into adjacent rice fields.The effect of El Niño-Southern Oscillation-driven precipitation on population abundance and growth of the vole species is not fully understood.We undertook an analysis of the combined data of 4 time series covering 1981–2006 from 4 different sites and a separate analysis on a single time series(1981–2006)from one site.Our results demonstrate that a dual effect of El Niño-Southern Oscillation-driven precipitation on the population abundance of voles is timedependent:precipitation in the current year has a positive effect,whereas precipitation in the previous year has a negative effect.The dual effect of precipitation on vole population is well explained by the unique interactions among vole population,precipitation water level and the lake beach habitat around Dongting Lake.We found that drier than average weather of the previous year benefited voles because their breeding habitats,lake beaches,were exposed for long stretches of time.Wet weather was found to increase the number of voles inhabiting rice fields because as the water level of the lake rose they were forced from beaches into surrounding rice fields.Summer precipitation in the Dongting Lake region was found to be positively associated with the sea surface temperature(SST)of the eastern tropical Pacific Ocean of the previous year and winter SST and spring SST of the current year.Annual rates of increase in the vole population of the reconstructed time series are negatively associated with the vole abundance and autumn precipitation of the previous year and winter precipitation of the current years.These results suggest that both extrinsic and density-dependent intrinsic factors may affect population dynamics of the Yangtze voles.展开更多
The Lusitanian(Microtus lusitanicus)and the Mediterranean(Microtus duodecimcostatus)pine voles are recently diverged sister species endemic of the Iberian Peninsula that can be identified with ecological and morphologi...The Lusitanian(Microtus lusitanicus)and the Mediterranean(Microtus duodecimcostatus)pine voles are recently diverged sister species endemic of the Iberian Peninsula that can be identified with ecological and morphological characters,but in areas where the 2 species co-occur,species designation may be difficult.Genetic discrimination between M.lusitanicus and M.duodecimcostatus has not been achieved yet possibly because of their estimated re-cent split and an evolutionary history that includes inter-species geneflow.Following our previous observations on exons 5–7 of the p53 gene,here we analyze the potential use of the p53 genomic region as a discrimination marker of these species by extending our analyses to several kb upstream and downstream of the p53 gene and charac-terizing the degree of genetic differentiation in 7 markers within this region.Additionally,we fully sequenced the P53 protein of both species.We observed:(i)generally high differentiation in this region;(ii)M.duodecimcostatus showed in general higher values of nucleotide and haplotype diversities;(iii)the concatenated phylogenetic tree separates the 2 species;(iv)the 2 P53 proteins only differ in 1 amino acid;(v)4 of the markers,2 in p53,one in Atp1b2,and another in Wrap53,contain species-specific genetic variation thus allowing a reliable discrimination between specimens from both species,irrespective of sampling location or introgression status.We provide ad-ditional data on the putative role of p53 in the evolution of these species and present researchers with a fast and cost-effective resource for M.lusitanicus and M.duodecimcostatus identification.展开更多
The Lusitanian and the Mediterranean pine voles(Microtus lusitanicus Gerbe,1879 and Microtus duodecimcostatus de Selys-Longchamps,1839)are fossorial sister species and have an allopatric pattern of distribution in Por...The Lusitanian and the Mediterranean pine voles(Microtus lusitanicus Gerbe,1879 and Microtus duodecimcostatus de Selys-Longchamps,1839)are fossorial sister species and have an allopatric pattern of distribution in Portugal,which includes a potential sympatry area in the centre of the country.The present study aimed to determine the validity of using presence signs in the field for discrimination of the two species in an area of sympatry(Northern Alentejo)and the characteristics that achieve the best classification accuracy.A total of 175 trapping plots were sampled across the study area.Prior to the set up of traps,ten presence signs were randomly selected for measure-ments of four variables:proportion of soil mounds,mean diameter of mounds,proportion of burrow openings and mean diameter of burrow openings.On the basis of a classification tree analysis,results showed that presence signs can be used to discriminate plots inhabited by one or the other species in the studied sympatry area.The character-istic that most accurately enables species identification is the proportion of burrow openings:for every ten pres-ence signs found in a plot,if more than eight have an opening,then it is inhabited by M.lusitanicus(i.e.mostly burrow openings with few or no mounds present);if eight or fewer have an opening,M.duodecimcostatus is present(i.e.mostly mounds with few or no burrow openings).展开更多
Bait markers are indispensable for ecological research but in small mammals,most markers are invasive,expensive and do not enable quantitative analyses of consumption.Ethyl-iophenoxic acid(Et-IPA)is a non-toxic,quanti...Bait markers are indispensable for ecological research but in small mammals,most markers are invasive,expensive and do not enable quantitative analyses of consumption.Ethyl-iophenoxic acid(Et-IPA)is a non-toxic,quantitative bait marker,which has been used for studying bait uptake in several carnivores and ungulates.We developed a bait with Et-IPA,assessed its palatability to common voles(Microtus arvalis),and determined the dose-residue-relation for this important agricultural pest rodent species.Et-IPA concentrations of 40 to 1280μg Et-IPA per g bait were applied to wheat using sunflower oil or polyethylene glycol 300 as potential carriers.In a laboratory study,common voles were offered the bait and blood samples were collected 1,7,and 14 days after consumption.The samples were analyzed with LC-ESI-MS/MS for blood residues of Et-IPA.Sunflower-oil was the most suitable bait carrier.Et-IPA seemed to be palatable to common voles at all test concentrations.Dose-dependent residues could be detected in blood samples in a dose-dependent manner and up to 14 days after uptake enabling generation of a calibration curve of the dose-residue relationship.Et-IPA was present in common vole blood for at least 14 days,but there was dissipation by 33–37%depending on dose.Et-IPA meets many criteria for an“ideal”quantitative bait marker for use in futurefield studies on common voles and possibly other small mammal species.展开更多
基金Natural Science Foundation of China (30670273)Natural Science Foundation of Shaanxi (2008C269)+1 种基金Science and Technology Plan Project of Xi'an Bureau of Science and Technology (YF07194)Special Science Research Fund for Xi'an University of Arts and Science (KY200520)~~
文摘In order to investigate the estrogen and estrogen receptor β changes after mating behavior of male mandarin vole （Microtus mandarinus）, the radioimmunoassay （RIA） and immunohistochemistry methods were used to investigate changes of the serum estrogen （E） concentrations, estrogen immunoreactive neurons （E-IRs） and estrogen receptor β immunoreactive neurons （ERβ-IRs） in the relevant brain regions following mating behavior. Fifteen sexually matured male voles were randomly divided into three groups and treated differently： （1） control group： voles were exposed to clean hard-wood shavings （n=5）, （2） exposure group： voles were exposed to the soiled bedding for more than 24h on which estrous females had been placed （n=5）, and （3） mating group： voles were placed with an estrous female for more than 24h （n=5）. The results showed circulating serum E concentrations were significantly higher in the mating group than in the exposure group and the control group, and there were no significant difference between the exposure group and the control group. E-IRs and ERβ-IRs were detected in the following brain regions related to mating behavior： the arcuate nucleus （ARC）, bed nucleus of the stria terminalis （BST）, lateral septal nucleus （LS）, medial amygdaloid nucleus （ME）, medial preoptic area （MPO） and ventromedial hypothalamic nucleus （VMH）. The results showed that there were significantly more E-IRs in the six brain regions in the mating group than in the control group and the exposure group, and there were no significant difference between the exposure group and the control group except for LS. There was no significant difference in ERβ-IRs in the six brain regions among the three groups, and there were some lighter -stained ERβ-IRs in these brain regions. The results suggested that estrogen affect mating activity of male mandarin voles, but ERβ might not play an important role in mating behavior of male mandarin voles. Instead, it might be through other receptors.
基金supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.30670273No.30200026)Ministry of Education Key Project of Peoples Republic of China(20060718)
文摘To gain insight into the function of AOB and MOB during different social interaction and in different vole species,the behaviors and neural activation of the olfactory bulbs in social interactions of mandarin voles Microtus mandarinus and reed voles Microtus fortis were compared in the present research.Mandarin voles spent significantly more time attacking and sniffing their opponents and sniffing sawdust than reed voles.During same sex encounters,mandarin voles attacked their opponents for a significantly longer time and sniffed its opponent for shorter time compared with male-female interactions.However,no significant behavioral differences were found during encounters of two individual reed voles,regardless of gender composition of the pair.Using c-Fos as an indicator of neural activation,we observed that neural activation was significantly higher in almost all sub-regions of the main olfactory bulb(MOB)and the accessory olfactory bulb(AOB)of mandarin voles compared with reed voles.Numbers of c-Fos-ir neurons in almost all sub-regions of the AOB and the MOB during male-female interactions were also higher than those in interactions of the same sex.Anterior-posterior ratios of Fos-ir neurons in the AOBM(AOBMR)and the AOBG(AOBGR)in male-female interaction were significantly higher than those in interaction of the same sex.The AOBMR of male mandarin voles and reed voles were larger than those of females in male-female interactions.Behavioral patterns are consistent with cellular activity patterns.Consistent level of neural activation in MOB and AOB suggests important roles of both the main olfactory bulb and the accessory olfactory bulb in social interaction in two species.
文摘From April to December in 1997 at Northwest Plateau Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Science, the effect of predation risk on social behavior, feeding, reproduction and sexual hormones of the root voles (Microtus oeconomus) was studied when the root voles (Microtus oeconomus ) were exposed to the odor of fitch (Mustila eversmanni). The results showed that the root voles delayed breeding period and the frequency of the copulation significantly lowered (P【0.01). Comparing with the control group, the accumulated time of amicable behavior in females, and general activity of both sexes increased significantly (P【0.01). The frequencies of general activity (P【0.01), investigating activity (females: P【0.05, males: P【0.01), and self-grooming (P【0.01) of both sexes were less significantly. At the same time, the amount of energy intake (P【0.05) and body weight (P【0.01) of the root voles decreased significantly. The litter weight and ovary index of females decreased (P【0.01). For males the sperm count in epididymides also decreased significantly (P【0.01). The progesterone in the blood serum of root voles females increased significantly under fitch odor (P【0.01).
基金This work was supported by the Key Project in the National Science&Technology Pillar Program from the Ministry of Science and Technology(2015BAI09B04)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(31872256,31472188)+2 种基金the National Key Research and Development Program of China(2017YFD0501306)the Science and Technology Service Network Initiative of Chinese Academy of Sciences(KFJ-STS-QYZD-126,ZDBS-SSW-DQC-02)CAS Youth Innovation Promotion Association,and SA-SIBS Scholarship Program.
文摘Microtus fortis is the only mammalian host that exhibits intrinsic resistance against Schistosoma japonicum infection.However,the underlying molecular mechanisms of this resistance are not yet known.Here,we perform the first de novo genome assembly of M.fortis,comprehensive gene annotation analysis,and evolution analysis.Furthermore,we compare the recovery rate of schistosomes,pathological changes,and liver transcriptomes between M.fortis and mice at different time points after infection.We observe that the time and type of immune response in M.fortis are different from those in mice.M.fortis activates immune and inflammatory responses on the 10th day post infection,such as leukocyte extravasation,antibody activation,Fc-gamma receptor-mediated phagocytosis,and the interferon signaling cascade,which play important roles in preventing the development of schistosomes.In contrast,an intense immune response occurrs in mice at the late stages of infection and could not eliminate schistosomes.Infected mice suffer severe pathological injury and continuous decreases in cell cycle,lipid metabolism,and other functions.Our findings offer new insights into the intrinsic resistance mechanism of M.fortis against schistosome infection.The genome sequence also provides the basis for future studies of other important traits in M.fortis.
基金Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation(30870402,31170396)Key Knowledge Innovation Project of Chinese Academy of Sciences(KSCX-EW-N-05)
文摘The outbreak of Yantze vole ( Microtus fortis) population in Dongting Lake region is closely related to the evolvement of lake beaches,because the deposition of lake sediments results in the expansion of lake beaches,which provides the possibility of the increase of the vole's population. Reclaiming farmland from lake via building cofferdams,eliminating snails by building cofferdams for eradicating schistosomiasis,and over-hunting predators in the region cause the voles becoming a pest after the 1970s. In recent years,the Three Gorges Project and the conversion from farmland into lake have had deep impacts on the environment in the lake region. The dispatching of the down flow rate by the project has induced the expansion of the low and medium level beaches in the lake region,while converting farmland into lake directly has induced the expansion of the lake beaches,both of which have expanded the potential habitats of the vole's population. Therefore,more attention should be paid to the quantitative variation trend of the vole's population in the future.
基金funded by theNatural Science Foundation of China(30670273)Natural Science Foundation of ShaanXi(2008C269)+1 种基金Science and Technology Plan Project of Xi'an Burea of Science and Technology(YF07194)Special Science Research Fund for Xi'an University of Arts and Science(KY200520)
文摘In order to investigate the neuroendocrine mechanism of the mating behavior in the adult male mandarin voles Microtus mandarinus,the radioimmunoassay(RIA)and immunohistochemistry methods were used to investigate the differences in plasma testosterone(T)concentrations and distribution of T immunoreactive neurons(T-IRs),androgen receptor immunoreactive neurons(AR-IRs)and Fos protein immunoreactive neurons(Fos-IRs)in the accessory olfactory bulb(AOB)and the main olfactory bulb(MOB)following exposure to clean hard-wood shavings(control group),soiled bedding(exposure group)or contact with an estrous female(mating group).Results showed that plasma T concentration was significantly higher in the mating group than that in the exposure group,and both the mating group and the exposure group displayed significantly higher plasma T concentration than the control group.T-IRs,AR-IRs and Fos-IRs were investigated with the immunohistochemistry method in granule cell(GC)and mitral cell(MC)of the MOB and the AOB in the three groups.There were significantly more T-IRs,AR-IRs and Fos-IRs in MC and GC of the AOB in the mating group than that in the exposure group or the control group.T-IRs,AR-IRs and Fos-IRs did not show significant differences between the exposure group and the control group.Furthermore,obvious differences in MC and GC of the MOB were not found among the three groups.The results confirm that both changes of T and AR in the AOB might be underlying mating behavior in the adult male mandarin voles.
文摘The total RNA was extracted from Microtus fortis liver tissue which before being infected and after being infected 10 d and 15 d by the Schistosoma japonicum cercariae. Using rattus norvegicus CD72 gene probes were used to hybridize analysis of CD72 difference expression in the Microtus fortis liver tissues which were infected with Schistosoma japonicum before and after being infected. At the same time, the cDNA sequence and encoded amino acid sequence of the rattus norvegicus CD72 gene and CD72 protein structural domains were analyzed by using bioinformatics. The results showed that the CD72 expression levels in the liver tissue of Microtus fortis after being infected was significantly higher than before being infected. The rattus norvegicus CD72 cDNA sequence of a total length is 1479 bp and encode 364 amino acid residues and rattus norvegicus CD72 protein containing a CD72 superfamily domain.
文摘Objective To explore the immunological characteristics of natural resis tance to Schistosoma japonicum infection in Microtus fortis (MF) living in the Dongting Lake area Methods Passive transfer of sera from uninfected laboratory bred MF (BM F) to albinao mice (AM) was performed to observe the acquired protection Sodiu m dodecyl sulfatepolyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDSPAGE) and enzymelin ked immunoblotting (ELIB) methods were used to recognize 4 different lifecycle stage antigens of S japonicum by sera from wild MF (WMF), BMF, BMFi3 and BMFi9 Tests were also performed on in vitro killing effect of sera and/or lymphocytes from BMF an d WMF to schistosomulae; quantitative determination of C3 and C4 by immuno turb idometry, and interleukin4 (IL4) and antibodies to the 4 stage antigens in s era from WMF, BMF and infected BMF by ELISA Results Compared with the control group, stool eggs per gram (EPG) of A M in the test group was significantly reduced by 8154%, miracidium hatching rate, by 5 0 67%, liver egg counts, by 7207%, the diameter of hepatic egg granuloma, by 7 0 39?m Western blotting probed with the 4 MF sera all revealed 7 specific ban d s for SSA, 3 for AWA and SEA, but none for CA antigens The sera and/or lymphoc yte s from WMF and BMF gave obvious killing effects on schistosomulae with an adjust ed death rate of 6412%-7883% The levels ofnatural antibodiesproduced b y MF to S japonicum were in the following order: antiSSA>antiAWA>antiS EA>an tiCA, all of which increased significantly after the infection Serum levels o f C3, C4 and IL4 in uninfected BMF were significantly higher than those in AM After infection, levels of C3 and C4 were further increased respective ly by 7283% and 29549% in the 4th week and IL4 by 30383% in the 9th day Conclusions Immunological characteristics of innate resistance in M f o rtis to S japonicum infection were existed with no significant difference betw een WMF and BMF
基金supported by the State Basic Research Program of Ministry of Science and Technology(2007CB109100)CAS project(GJHZ 200810)the ISZS international research program Biological Consequences of Global Change(BCGC)sponsored by Bureau of International Cooperation,Chinese Academy of Sciences(GJHZ200810).
文摘The Yangtze vole(Microtus fortis Buechner,1889)is a small herbivore species that inhabits lake beaches in the Dongting Lake region along the Yangtze River in Southern China.Its population shows strong oscillations during the wet season due to summer precipitation-induced immigration away from the lake into adjacent rice fields.The effect of El Niño-Southern Oscillation-driven precipitation on population abundance and growth of the vole species is not fully understood.We undertook an analysis of the combined data of 4 time series covering 1981–2006 from 4 different sites and a separate analysis on a single time series(1981–2006)from one site.Our results demonstrate that a dual effect of El Niño-Southern Oscillation-driven precipitation on the population abundance of voles is timedependent:precipitation in the current year has a positive effect,whereas precipitation in the previous year has a negative effect.The dual effect of precipitation on vole population is well explained by the unique interactions among vole population,precipitation water level and the lake beach habitat around Dongting Lake.We found that drier than average weather of the previous year benefited voles because their breeding habitats,lake beaches,were exposed for long stretches of time.Wet weather was found to increase the number of voles inhabiting rice fields because as the water level of the lake rose they were forced from beaches into surrounding rice fields.Summer precipitation in the Dongting Lake region was found to be positively associated with the sea surface temperature(SST)of the eastern tropical Pacific Ocean of the previous year and winter SST and spring SST of the current year.Annual rates of increase in the vole population of the reconstructed time series are negatively associated with the vole abundance and autumn precipitation of the previous year and winter precipitation of the current years.These results suggest that both extrinsic and density-dependent intrinsic factors may affect population dynamics of the Yangtze voles.
基金Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia/Ministério da Ciência,Tecnologia e Ensino Superior(FCT/MCTES)for the financial support to CESAM(UIDP/50017/2020+UIDB/50017/2020)through national funds.ASQ and JPT are funded by national funds(OE),through FCT。
文摘The Lusitanian(Microtus lusitanicus)and the Mediterranean(Microtus duodecimcostatus)pine voles are recently diverged sister species endemic of the Iberian Peninsula that can be identified with ecological and morphological characters,but in areas where the 2 species co-occur,species designation may be difficult.Genetic discrimination between M.lusitanicus and M.duodecimcostatus has not been achieved yet possibly because of their estimated re-cent split and an evolutionary history that includes inter-species geneflow.Following our previous observations on exons 5–7 of the p53 gene,here we analyze the potential use of the p53 genomic region as a discrimination marker of these species by extending our analyses to several kb upstream and downstream of the p53 gene and charac-terizing the degree of genetic differentiation in 7 markers within this region.Additionally,we fully sequenced the P53 protein of both species.We observed:(i)generally high differentiation in this region;(ii)M.duodecimcostatus showed in general higher values of nucleotide and haplotype diversities;(iii)the concatenated phylogenetic tree separates the 2 species;(iv)the 2 P53 proteins only differ in 1 amino acid;(v)4 of the markers,2 in p53,one in Atp1b2,and another in Wrap53,contain species-specific genetic variation thus allowing a reliable discrimination between specimens from both species,irrespective of sampling location or introgression status.We provide ad-ditional data on the putative role of p53 in the evolution of these species and present researchers with a fast and cost-effective resource for M.lusitanicus and M.duodecimcostatus identification.
基金support was provided by Funda玢o para a Ciência e Tecnologia(SAPIENS Project POCI/BIA-BDE/57053/2004 and a PhD grant PRAXIS/SFRH/BD/21403/2005).
文摘The Lusitanian and the Mediterranean pine voles(Microtus lusitanicus Gerbe,1879 and Microtus duodecimcostatus de Selys-Longchamps,1839)are fossorial sister species and have an allopatric pattern of distribution in Portugal,which includes a potential sympatry area in the centre of the country.The present study aimed to determine the validity of using presence signs in the field for discrimination of the two species in an area of sympatry(Northern Alentejo)and the characteristics that achieve the best classification accuracy.A total of 175 trapping plots were sampled across the study area.Prior to the set up of traps,ten presence signs were randomly selected for measure-ments of four variables:proportion of soil mounds,mean diameter of mounds,proportion of burrow openings and mean diameter of burrow openings.On the basis of a classification tree analysis,results showed that presence signs can be used to discriminate plots inhabited by one or the other species in the studied sympatry area.The character-istic that most accurately enables species identification is the proportion of burrow openings:for every ten pres-ence signs found in a plot,if more than eight have an opening,then it is inhabited by M.lusitanicus(i.e.mostly burrow openings with few or no mounds present);if eight or fewer have an opening,M.duodecimcostatus is present(i.e.mostly mounds with few or no burrow openings).
基金funded by the German Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture due to a parliamentary resolution within the federal program“Organic farming and other forms of sustainable agriculture”(file#2815NA113)All animal experimentation was conducted in accordance with EU and federal legislation(file#No.81-02.04.2019.A246).
文摘Bait markers are indispensable for ecological research but in small mammals,most markers are invasive,expensive and do not enable quantitative analyses of consumption.Ethyl-iophenoxic acid(Et-IPA)is a non-toxic,quantitative bait marker,which has been used for studying bait uptake in several carnivores and ungulates.We developed a bait with Et-IPA,assessed its palatability to common voles(Microtus arvalis),and determined the dose-residue-relation for this important agricultural pest rodent species.Et-IPA concentrations of 40 to 1280μg Et-IPA per g bait were applied to wheat using sunflower oil or polyethylene glycol 300 as potential carriers.In a laboratory study,common voles were offered the bait and blood samples were collected 1,7,and 14 days after consumption.The samples were analyzed with LC-ESI-MS/MS for blood residues of Et-IPA.Sunflower-oil was the most suitable bait carrier.Et-IPA seemed to be palatable to common voles at all test concentrations.Dose-dependent residues could be detected in blood samples in a dose-dependent manner and up to 14 days after uptake enabling generation of a calibration curve of the dose-residue relationship.Et-IPA was present in common vole blood for at least 14 days,but there was dissipation by 33–37%depending on dose.Et-IPA meets many criteria for an“ideal”quantitative bait marker for use in futurefield studies on common voles and possibly other small mammal species.
