Biological effects of trilostane in vitro on oocyte maturation and fertilization in the hamster

Summary The effects of the inhibition of steroidogenesis by trilostane on oocyte maturation were examined by studying spontaneous maturation and fertilization in vitro. 10^–6 M trilostane had no influence on the meiotic process, whether the oocytes were naked or not. At a concentration of 10^–6 M and 10^–7 M trilostane, low normal pronuclear formation and high polyspermy were found during in vitro fertilization. However, no retarded male pronuclear development could be detected in the trilostane-treated group. Thus, steroid producing activity within ova is apparently necessary to prevent multiple sperm penetration, but it has no effect on meiosis or the action of the so-called male pronucleus growth factor (MPGF).     

Ouabain-induced release of extraneuronal catecholamine in the isolated guinea-pig vas deferens

Summary It was found that ouabain (10^–5 M) was effective in releasing the extraneuronal catecholamine which was taken up by uptake₂ process in the guinea-pig vas deferens. This result shows that a Na–K ATPase is essential for the storage of catecholamine in the extraneuronal site.     

Effect of insulin on the synthesis and release of lipid peroxide by cultured hepatocytes isolated from normal and diabetic rats

Lipid peroxide content in hepatocytes isolated from ketotic diabetic rats was higher than normal, and the release of peroxide into the media was also elevated for the initial 18 h. Insulin suppressed both peroxide release and synthesis by cultured hepatocytes isolated from normal and from diabetic rats.     

3-Amino-3-deoxy-D-glucose: an antibiotic produced by a deep-sea bacterium

Gram-positive bacteria isolated from deep-sea sediments of the Pacific basin showed considerable antibacterial activity. A Bacillus strain, isolated from a sediment sample collected at a depth of 4310 m, was shown to produce 3-amino-3-deoxy-D-glucose, a known antibiotic.     

Appearance of sperm activation factors in the ovary of the sea urchinHemicentrotus pulcherrimus with maturation

Summary Ovaries of the sea urchinHemicentrotus pulcherrimus were extracted with 70% ethanol. The extracts were polarographically assayed for respiration-stimulating activity toward homologous spermatozoa. The data of the bioassay and light microscopic observation on thin sections of the ovaries showed detectable activity only in mature ovaries.We thank the Misaki Marine Biological Station for kindly supplying us with specimens. This work was supported in part by a grant from the Ministry of Education, Science and Culture of Japan.     

Syntheses of amino acids from unsaturated aliphatic carboxylic acid by contact glow discharge electrolysis

Summary Hydroxy amino acids are synthesized from unsaturated aliphatic carboxylic acid using aqueous ammonia under conditions of contact glow discharge electrolysis.This work was supported partly by a grant from the Ministry of Education.