Immunofluorescence identification of cells with corticotropic and alpha-melanotropic activity in the hypophysis of the grass snake Natrix natrix L.]

The use of anti ACTH (17-39) and alpha-MSH allowed us to detect by immunofluorescence in the Pituitary gland of Grass Snake the site of elaboration of ACTH and alpha-MSH. Corticotropic cells are located in the rostral part of the Pars Distalis and in the Pars intermedia. Melanotropic cells occupy the whole part of the Pars intermedia.     

W chromosome in the Indian water snake (checkered keel back)Natrix piscator (colubridae)

Zusammenfassung Die diploide Chromosomenzahl beider Geschlechter beträgt 40: 10 Macrochromosomen und 30 Microchromosomen. Die GeschlechtschromosomenZZ () undZW () sind cytologisch erkennbar.     

Zonulae occludentes in the epidermis of the snakeNatrix natrix L.

Summary Zonulae occludentes of a very tight type were identified between the uppermost stratum germinativum cells of the grass snakeNatrix natrix L. by means of the lanthanum tracer technique. Since zonulae occludentes alone are not capable of preventing transepithelial water flow, an additional barrier mechanism is postulated, responsible for the low rates of cutaneous water loss measured in squamate reptiles. It is suggested that the observed zonulae occludentes are involved in the sloughing process.The skilful technical assistance of Ms E. Weber is gratefully acknowledged.     

Co-enzyme a content in the American cockroach (Periplaneta Americana L.) and the housefly (Musca domestica L.)

Riassunto Gli autori hanno dosato il CoA nei muscoli della coxa diPeriplaneta americana ed inMusca domestica in toto. Vengono messe in evidenza le differenze del contenuto in CoA dei muscoli bianchi e rossi della coxa di blatta. Viene inoltre messo in evidenza l'aumento progressivo del CoA, durante i primi 9 giorni di vita dell'adulto, inM. domestica.     

Heat shock-induced gynandromorphism in the pharaoh's ant,Monomorium pharaonis (L.)

Summary The ability of ants to reacting to sublethal high temperatures with production of gynandromorphs is reported for the first time. The abnormal forms produced in the pharaoh's ant range from ergatandromorphs to classical halfsidegynanders.Thanks are due to Drs V. Rupe (Prague), and B. Styczýnska (Warsaw) for providing the ant strains mentioned and to Mrs G. Hilzbrich for technical assistance.     

Na-pump sites in the oviduct ofSalamandra salamandra (L.) (Amphibia,Urodela)

Summary Using³H-ouabain autoradiography, Na⁺–K⁺-ATPase has been localized on the basolateral membranes of ciliated and nonciliated cells in the oviduct (pars recta, p. convoluta I, II, III) of the European fire salamander,Salamandra salamandra. The mucous and seromucous gland cells of the p.convoluta I, II, III, however, do not show any significant labelling. An asymmetrical distribution of ouabain binding sites is a main feature of transporting epithelia.     

Na-pump sites in the oviduct of Salamandra salamandra (L.) (Amphibia, Urodela)

Using 3H-ouabain autoradiography, Na+-K+-ATPase has been localized on the basolateral membranes of ciliated and nonciliated cells in the oviduct (pars recta, p. convoluta I, II, III) of the European fire salamander, Salamandra salamandra. The mucous and seromucous gland cells of the p. convoluta I, II, III, however, do not show any significant labelling. An asymmetrical distribution of ouabain binding sites is a main feature of transporting epithelia.     

Calorigenic effect of noradrenaline in the norwegian lemming,Lemmus lemmus (L.)

Zusammenfassung Der kalorigene Effekt des Noradrenalins wurde beiLemmus lemmus L. untersucht. Die Hälfte der Tiere wurde bei Kälte (0 °C) und die andere Hälfte bei Wärme (30 °C) akklimatisiert. Beide Gruppen zeigten nach NA-Injektion Übereinstimmung auch hinsichtlich der freien Fettsäuren.     

Location of the sex pheromone in the American cockroach,Periplaneta americana (L.)

Zusammenfassung Das Vorkommen von Sexualpheromon wurde an dem Werbeverhalten von selektierten einzelnen Männchen getestet. Das Pheromon kommt in larvalen und adulten Insekten beiderlei Geschlechts vor, wird aber von geschlechtsreifen Weibchen in grösseren Mengen produziert. Es kommt hauptsächlich im Kopf vor und wird wahrscheinlich an Orten modifizierter Körperdecke abgesondert.     

Lysozyme activity in the plaice (Pleuronectes platessa L.)

Zusammenfassung Die Untersuchung der Lysozymverteilung im Gewebe des Knochenfischs,Pleuronectes platessa L., ergab, dass das Plasma-Lysozym von Leukozyten abstammt, das Hautschleim-Lysozym dagegen von spezifischen Epidermiszellen.     

Variability in saffron (Crocus sativus L.)

Summary The discovery of new variants of saffron with increased number of stigmas has been reported, and the different possibilities underlying these variations are discussed. Due to sexual sterility of saffron, it is suggested that if the observed variations prove to be genetically determined, the clones which may be developed could increase yield and reduce the cost of saffron production in the future.Acknowledgments. This work was supported by a grant (600-4-54-1) from the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of Iran. The technical assistance of Mr M. Noori-Daloi and Mrs Z. Aghamohamadi is also appreciated.     

Identification and electroantennographic activity of sex-specific geranyl esters in an abdominal gland of femaleAgriotes obscurus (L.) andA. lineatus (L.) (Coleoptera,Elateridae)

Summary Both geranyl hexanoate and geranyl octanoate were identified by GC/MS as the major volatiles in a hitherto uncharacterized abdominal gland in females inAgriotes obscurus. Only geranyl octanoate was found inA. lineatus. In EAG tests performed onA. obscurus males, geranyl butanoate and geranyl hexanoate elicited the strongest antennal responses.Financial assistance was donated by The Bank of Sweden Tercentenary Foundation and the Axel and Margaret Ax: son Johnson Foundation. We thank B Baur for statistical advice.