In vitro synthetic activity of the juvenile ovotestis ofHelix aspersa: Influence of the brain and the dorsal bodies

Summary A bioassay was developed inHelix aspersa to study the effect of known endocrine centers on the twomonth-old gonad, using organ culture. The incorporation of¹⁴C leucine and³H fucose in the juvenile gonad almost doubled over control levels, in the presence of the brain and the dorsal bodies.     

Sur le mécanisme de la régression du canal de Müller droit chez l'embryon de Poulet femelle

Summary In the in vitro experiments described above neither the hormone of the left ovary nor that secreted by the rudimentary right gonad brought about the regression of the right Müllerian duct of the female chick embryo. In castration experiments, this naturally occurring phenomenon had been found to depend either on the right gonad (Huijbers ⁴) or on both the right and left gonads (Wolff ^1–3).     

La population germinale des gonades chez des embryons chimères obtenus par l'association de fragments de blastodermes de Caille japonaise et de Poulet domestique

Summary The experimental realization of chimerical embryos (Martin's ¹³ technic) permits a quantitative appreciation of the modalities of the colonization of quail gonads by chick germ cells. Results clearly show that nature and origin of the somatic part of the gonad areas settle the characters of the genital ridges populating, and specially the specific index of asymmetry expressed by the percentage of PGC colonizing the right gonad.     

The length of hibernation affects temperature-induced (25°C) spermatogenic multiplication inHelix aspersa Müll

Summary In hibernating snails an increase in temperature from 5°C to 25°C induces DNA synthesis in the gonad but not in the albumen gland and intestine. Spermatogenic multiplication augments in response to increased temperature and this is dependent upon the duration of hibernation.     

Pineal function cannot prevent the occurrence of castration cells in male rats

The relationship between the pineal gland and the pituitary gland was investigated in male rats. The results indicate that the hypothalamo-adenohypophysial-gonadal axis is affected by the pineal gland, but the appearance of castration cells following gonad ablation may be only slightly modified by alterations in pineal gland function.     

Transplantations d'ébauches gonadiques de Souris dans la cavité coelomique de l'embryon de Poulet

Summary Mouse gonad primordia have been transplanted into the coelomic cavity of chick embryos. Testicular and ovarian differentiations have been obtained. Intersexuality in the hosts did not occur.     

Inhibition of temperature-induced spermatogenic proliferation by a brain factor in hibernating Helix aspersa (Mollusca)

Ablation of the brain from hibernating Helix aspersa maintained at 25 degrees C causes a significant increase in the proliferation of male cells in the gonad, whereas the ablation of the optic tentacles has no effect. The brain, therefore, produces a factor which specifically inhibits the multiplication of spermatogonia and spermatocytes.     

Evolution of testosterone and dihydrotestosterone in plasma, testicle and ovary of the guinea pig throughout fetal life]

High testosterone concentrations were found in the plasma of male fetus at the stage of sexual differentiation. Then the fetal testis is the principal source of circulating testosterone; its action on the Wolffian duct would occur by the systemic pathway. In female fetus, androgens were synthesized by the gonad and the relatively high levels found in the plasma have probably another source.     

Inhibition of temperature-induced spermatogenic proliferation by a brain factor in hibernatingHelix aspersa (Mollusca)

Summary Ablation of the brain from hibernatingHelix aspersa maintained at 25°C causes a significant increase in the proliferation of male cells in the gonad, whereas the ablation of the optic tentacles has no effect. The brain, therefore, produces a factor which specifically inhibits the multiplication of spermatogonia and spermatocytes.     

Ultrastructural study of the first stages of ovarian post-embryonic differentiation of the paludin Viviparus viviparus L. (Mollusca, Gastropoda, Prosobranch of separate sexes)]

The young Paludin ovary, characterized by its tubular morphology, contains at birth two types of cells: the germinal ones, and others which give later follicular cells. There is no significant cytological difference between the primordial germinal cells of female and male gonad. Among the several cytologic criteria that allow one to distinguish the germinal line from the non germinal one, the most constant is the presence of septate junction between the non germinal cells.     

Ultrastructure of gonadotropic cells of the normal eel and after estradiol injection]

Male and female silver eels, in fresh water or sea water, have few gonadotrophs (GTH) poorly differentiated. An oestradiol (E2) treatment induces their development: a well developed Golgi area, abundant secretory granules (200-500 nm), dilated cisterna and large globules 1.2-2.2 micron) are observed. A positive feedback may control gonadotropin synthesis in immature eels. No macroscopic effect is discernible on the gonad.     

Homoplastische Transplantationen embryonaler Zellen in differenzierte Gewebe

Summary The intermediate mesoderm (8th–12th somite) of early tailbuds ofTriturus alpestris was transplanted into the lateral body wall of 12 mm larvae. The differentiation of opisthonephros tubules, primordial gonad and a new coelom was observed in 21 mm larvae 23 days after implantation.     

Tissue distribution of juvenile hormone hydrolytic activity inGalleria mellonella larvae

Summary Juvenile hormone (JH) hydrolytic activity was determined in different tissues of day-4 last instar larva ofGalleria mellonella. Midgut, gonad, imaginal wing discs and fat body contain higher JH hydrolytic activity than hemolymph, while silk gland and body wall have lower activity. JH esterase activity in imaginal wing discs exhibits a pattern of age-related changes different from that of the hemolymph.We acknowledge the support of this research by the National Institutes of Health (GM 22429) and the Johnson Wax Foundation. Address to which reprint requests may be sent.     

Function of Nanos2 in the male germ cell lineage in mice

Nanos is known as an evolutionarily conserved RNA-binding protein, the function of which is implicated in germ cell development. This includes the maintenance of both the primordial germ cells (PGCs) and germline stem cells. In mice, Nanos2 exhibits a unique feature in which its expression is induced only in the germ cells within the sexually determined male gonad. Nanos2 promotes male germ cell differentiation, while simultaneously suppressing a female program. In addition, Nanos2 is also expressed in the spermatogonial stem cells and functions as an intrinsic factor to maintain the stem cell population during spermatogenesis. Detailed cytological and biochemical analyses in embryonic male gonads in the mouse have revealed that Nanos2 localizes to the P-bodies, a center of RNA processing. It has also been shown that the Nanos2 interacts with protein components of the deadenylation complex involved in the initial step of the RNA degradation pathway.     

Obtention,par la méthode des greffes de gonades embryonnaires,d'une femelle à descendance unisexuée femelle,chez le TritonPleurodeles waltlii Michah.

Summary Thanks to a method established byHumphrey ³ inAmbystoma sp. and founded on the orthotopic transplantation of the lateral mesoderm corresponding to the gonad primordium, we have produced, in the SalamanderPleurodeles waltlii Michah., 1 female which gives rise uniquely to female individuals. In this species, it is also possible to obtain, by an oestrogenic treatment during the larval stages of development, neo-females, these are genetic males feminized into phenotypic and perfectly functional females and their offsprings are uniquely composed of males². The ability to experiment at will with unisexual, male or female, offsprings allows us to attack from a new basis, before any perceptible gonadic sex differentiation, the analysis of the mechanisms of this differentiation in the SalamanderPleurodeles waltlii Michah.     

Accessibility of host cell lineages to medaka stem cells depends on genetic background and irradiation of recipient embryos

Chimera formation is a powerful tool for analyzing pluripotency in vivo. It has been widely accepted that host cell lineages are generally accessible to embryonic stem (ES) cells with the actual contribution depending solely on the intrinsic pluripotency of transplanted donor cells. Here, we show in the fish medaka (Oryzias latipes) that the host accessibility to ES cell contribution exhibits dramatic differences. Specifically, of three albino host strains tested (i ¹ , i ³ and af), only strain i ¹ generated pigmented chimeras. Strikingly, this accessibility is completely lost in i ¹ but acquired in i ³ after host γ-irradiation. Host irradiation also differentially affected ES cell contribution to somatic organs and gonad. Therefore, the accessibility of various host cell lineages can vary considerably depending on host strains and cell lineages as well as on irradiation. Our findings underscore the importance of host genotypes for interpreting donor cell pluripotency and for improving ES-derived chimera production.     

Crustacean neuropeptides: structures, functions and comparative aspects.

In this article, an attempt is made to review the presently known, completely identified crustacean neuropeptides with regard to structure, function and distribution. Probably the most important progress has been made in the elucidation of a novel family of large peptides from the X-organ-sinus gland system which includes crustacean hyperglycemic hormone (CHH), putative molt-inhibiting hormone (MIH) and vitellogenesis (= gonad)-inhibiting hormone (VIH). These peptides have so far only been found in crustaceans. Renewed interest in the neurohemal pericardial organs has led to the identification of a number of cardioactive/myotropic neuropeptides, some of them unique to crustaceans. Important contributions have been made by immunocytochemical mapping of peptidergic neurons in the nervous system, which has provided evidence for a multiple role of several neuropeptides as neurohormones on the one hand and as local transmitters or modulators on the other. This has been corroborated by physiological studies. The long-known chromatophore-regulating hormones, red pigment concentrating hormone (RPCH) and pigment-dispending hormone (PDH), have been placed in a broader perspective by the demonstration of an additional role as local neuromodulators. The scope of crustacean neuropeptide research has thus been broadened considerably during the last years.     

Crustacean neuropeptides: Structures,functions and comparative aspects

In this article, an attempt is made to review the presently known, completely identified crustacean neuropeptides with regard to structure, function and distribution. Probably the most important progress has been made in the elucidation of a novel family of large peptides from the X-organ-sinus gland system which includes crustacean hyperglycemic hormone (CHH), putative molt-inhibiting hormone (MIH) and vitellogenesis (=gonad)-inhibiting hormone (VIH). These peptides have so far only been found in crustaceans. Renewed interest in the neurohemal pericardial organs has led to the identification of a number of cardioactive/myotropic neuropeptides, some of them. unique to crustaceans. Important contributions have been made by immunocytochemical mapping of peptidergic neurons in the nervous system, which has provided evidence for a multiple role of several neuropeptides as neurohormones on the one hand and as local transmitters or modulators on the other. This has been corroborated by physiological studies. The long-known chromatophore-regulating hormones, red pigment concentrating hormone (RPCH) and pigment-dispending hormone (PDH), have been placed in a broader perspective by the demonstration of an additional role as local neuromodulators. The scope of crustacean neuropeptide research has thus been broadened considerably during the last years.