scholarly journals A Link between Atmospheric Pressure and Fertility of Drosophila Laboratory Strains

Insects ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (10) ◽  
pp. 947
Author(s):  
Natalya V. Adonyeva ◽  
Petr N. Menshanov ◽  
Nataly Gruntenko
Keyword(s):  
Drosophila Melanogaster ◽  
Atmospheric Pressure ◽  
Side Effect ◽  
Meteorological Data ◽  
Strong Association ◽  
Barometric Pressure ◽  
Fertility Level ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Weather Factor ◽  
Fertility Analysis

Standardization of conditions under which insects are kept is of great importance when studying their physiology and researchers do their best to maintain it. Nevertheless, sometimes an obvious side effect of some unaccounted factor affecting insects’ reproduction can be revealed even under thoroughly controlled laboratory conditions. We faced such a phenomenon when studying the fertility level in two wild type Drosophila melanogaster strains. For fertility analysis, 50 newly emerged females and 50 males of each strain under study were transferred to fresh medium daily within 10 days. We found out that fertility of both strains was stable on days 2–10 after the oviposition onset in one experiment, while in another one it was significantly decreased during days 5–10. When compared to publicly available meteorological data, these changes in the fertility level demonstrated a strong association with one weather factor: barometric pressure. Thus, we conclude that changes in atmospheric pressure can be considered a factor affecting insects reproduction and discuss a possible mechanism of their influence on fertility.

scholarly journals Seasonal Trends in the Occurrence of Eclampsia

2014 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 83-87
Author(s):  
Ahmad Malik ◽  
Shaheen Kausar ◽  
Alia Bashir ◽  
Mamoon Akbar Qureshi
Keyword(s):  
Atmospheric Pressure ◽  
Meteorological Data ◽  
Barometric Pressure ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Seasonal Trends ◽  
Weather Patterns ◽  
Average Temperature ◽  
Lower Temperature ◽  
Study Setting

ABSTRACT Background Preeclampsia and eclampsia are major obstetric complications with unclear etiologies. Understanding the exact association with different weather patterns may help us in understanding what factors may be involved in triggering these events. Lower temperature, higher humidity and lower barometric pressure are linked to eclampsia. Objective To know the relation between variations of weather and incidence of eclampsia in patients presenting in, Jinnah Hospital, Lahore. Materials and methods Total number of deliveries and patients presenting with eclampsia were recorded from January 2008 to December 2012. Meteorological data was acquired from the regional meteorological center recording the monthly average temperature, humidity, barometric pressure and rainfall during the study period. The incidence of eclampsia and the seasonal trend were analyzed for Maximum (MMM) temperature, humidity at 5 pm, 5 pm atmospheric pressure (ATM) and rainfall. Study design Cross sectional study Study setting Gyne Unit 2, Jinnah Hospital, Lahore Results Over a 60-month period, a total of 31,331 deliveries were recorded, of which 579 patients developed eclampsia (1.85%). There was a statistically significant Pearson's correlation coefficient, the incidence of eclampsia was found to increase with MMM 5 pm temperature (0.516, p < 0.05) and rainfall (0.427, p < 0.05) and 5 pm ATM atmospheric pressure (—0.501, p < 0.05). No significant correlation was found with humidity (0.093, p > 0.05). Conclusion Incidence of eclampsia has direct linear relationship with increased temperature and rainfall and inverse relationship with 5 pm atmospheric pressure. The humidity had no apparent effect. How to cite this article Kausar S, Bashir A, Malik A, Qureshi MA. Seasonal Trends in the Occurrence of Eclampsia. J South Asian Feder Obst Gynae 2014;6(2):83-87.

scholarly journals The hobo Transposable Element Excises and Has Related Elements in Tephritid Species

Genetics ◽  
1996 ◽  
Vol 143 (3) ◽  
pp. 1339-1347
Author(s):  
Alfred M Handler ◽  
Sheilachu P Gomez
Keyword(s):  
Drosophila Melanogaster ◽  
Ceratitis Capitata ◽  
Bactrocera Dorsalis ◽  
Parsimony Analysis ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Anastrepha Suspensa ◽  
Tephritid Species ◽  
Mutant Strains ◽  
Almost All ◽  
Horizontal Transfers

Abstract Function of the Drosophila melanogaster hobo transposon in tephritid species was tested in transient embryonic excision assays. Wild-type and mutant strains of Anastrepha suspensa, Bactrocera dorsalis, B. cucurbitae, Ceratitis capitata, and Toxotrypana curvicauda all supported hobo excision or deletion both in the presence and absence of co-injected hobo transposase, indicating a permissive state for hobo mobility and the existence of endogenous systems capable of mobilizing hobo. In several strains hobo helper reduced excision. Excision depended on hobo sequences in the indicator plasmid, though almost all excisions were imprecise and the mobilizing systems appear mechanistically different from hobo. hobe-related sequences were identified in all species except T. curvicauda. Parsimony analysis yielded a subgroup including the B. cucurbitae and C. capitata sequences along with hobo and Hermes, and a separate, more divergent subgroup including the A. suspensa and B. dorsalis sequences. All of the sequences exist as multiple genomic elements, and a deleted form of the B. cucurbitae element exists in B. dorsalis. The hobo-related sequences are probably members of the hAT transposon family with some evolving from distant ancestor elements, while others may have originated from more recent horizontal transfers.

scholarly journals Production and scavenging of reactive oxygen species both affect reproductive success in male and female Drosophila melanogaster

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Biz R. Turnell ◽  
Luisa Kumpitsch ◽  
Klaus Reinhardt
Keyword(s):  
Reactive Oxygen Species ◽  
Drosophila Melanogaster ◽  
Reactive Oxygen ◽  
Cellular Aging ◽  
Ros Production ◽  
Oxygen Species ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Ros Scavenging ◽  
Respiratory Pathway ◽  
Male And Female

AbstractSperm aging is accelerated by the buildup of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which cause oxidative damage to various cellular components. Aging can be slowed by limiting the production of mitochondrial ROS and by increasing the production of antioxidants, both of which can be generated in the sperm cell itself or in the surrounding somatic tissues of the male and female reproductive tracts. However, few studies have compared the separate contributions of ROS production and ROS scavenging to sperm aging, or to cellular aging in general. We measured reproductive fitness in two lines of Drosophila melanogaster genetically engineered to (1) produce fewer ROS via expression of alternative oxidase (AOX), an alternative respiratory pathway; or (2) scavenge fewer ROS due to a loss-of-function mutation in the antioxidant gene dj-1β. Wild-type females mated to AOX males had increased fecundity and longer fertility durations, consistent with slower aging in AOX sperm. Contrary to expectations, fitness was not reduced in wild-type females mated to dj-1β males. Fecundity and fertility duration were increased in AOX and decreased in dj-1β females, indicating that female ROS levels may affect aging rates in stored sperm and/or eggs. Finally, we found evidence that accelerated aging in dj-1β sperm may have selected for more frequent mating. Our results help to clarify the relative roles of ROS production and ROS scavenging in the male and female reproductive systems.

scholarly journals INTRACISTRONIC MAPPING OF ELECTROPHORETIC SITES IN DROSOPHILA MELANOGASTER: FIDELITY OF INFORMATION TRANSFER BY GENE CONVERSION

Genetics ◽  
1974 ◽  
Vol 76 (2) ◽  
pp. 289-299
Author(s):  
Margaret McCarron ◽  
William Gelbart ◽  
Arthur Chovnick
Keyword(s):  
Drosophila Melanogaster ◽  
Information Transfer ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Genetic Basis ◽  
Xanthine Dehydrogenase ◽  
Specific Protein ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Electrophoretic Variation ◽  
The Stability ◽  
Recombination Experiments

ABSTRACT A convenient method is described for the intracistronic mapping of genetic sites responsible for electrophoretic variation of a specific protein in Drosophila melanogaster. A number of wild-type isoalleles of the rosy locus have been isolated which are associated with the production of electrophoretically distinguishable xanthine dehydrogenases. Large-scale recombination experiments were carried out involving null enzyme mutants induced on electrophoretically distinct wild-type isoalleles, the genetic basis for which is followed as a nonselective marker in the cross. Additionally, a large-scale recombination experiment was carried out involving null enzyme rosy mutants induced on the same wild-type isoallele. Examination of the electrophoretic character of crossover and convertant products recovered from the latter experiment revealed that all exhibited the same parental electrophoretic character. In addition to documenting the stability of the xanthine dehydrogenase electrophoretic character, this observation argues against a special mutagenesis hypothesis to explain conversions resulting from allele recombination studies.

scholarly journals Somatic production of reactive oxygen species does not predict its production in sperm cells across Drosophila melanogaster lines

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Biz R. Turnell ◽  
Luisa Kumpitsch ◽  
Anne-Cécile Ribou ◽  
Klaus Reinhardt
Keyword(s):  
Reactive Oxygen Species ◽  
Drosophila Melanogaster ◽  
Reactive Oxygen ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Ros Production ◽  
Oxygen Species ◽  
Loss Of Function ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Ros Scavenging ◽  
Transport Chain

Abstract Objective Sperm ageing has major evolutionary implications but has received comparatively little attention. Ageing in sperm and other cells is driven largely by oxidative damage from reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated by the mitochondria. Rates of organismal ageing differ across species and are theorized to be linked to somatic ROS levels. However, it is unknown whether sperm ageing rates are correlated with organismal ageing rates. Here, we investigate this question by comparing sperm ROS production in four lines of Drosophila melanogaster that have previously been shown to differ in somatic mitochondrial ROS production, including two commonly used wild-type lines and two lines with genetic modifications standardly used in ageing research. Results Somatic ROS production was previously shown to be lower in wild-type Oregon-R than in wild-type Dahomey flies; decreased by the expression of alternative oxidase (AOX), a protein that shortens the electron transport chain; and increased by a loss-of-function mutation in dj-1β, a gene involved in ROS scavenging. Contrary to predictions, we found no differences among these four lines in the rate of sperm ROS production. We discuss the implications of our results, the limitations of our study, and possible directions for future research.

scholarly journals DIFFERENTIATION OF DROSOPHILA CELLS LACKING RIBOSOMAL DNA, IN VITRO

Genetics ◽  
1973 ◽  
Vol 73 (3) ◽  
pp. 429-434
Author(s):  
J James Donady ◽  
R L Seecof ◽  
M A Fox
Keyword(s):  
Drosophila Melanogaster ◽  
Ribosomal Rna ◽  
Ribosomal Dna ◽  
Rna Synthesis ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Drosophila Cells

ABSTRACT Drosophila melanogaster embryos that lacked ribosomal DNA were obtained from appropriate crosses. Cells were taken from such embryos before overt differentiation took place and were cultured in vitro. These cells differentiated into neurons and myocytes with the same success as did wild-type controls. Therefore, ribosomal RNA synthesis is not necessary for the differentiation of neurons and myocytes in vitro.

scholarly journals SOLO: a meiotic protein required for centromere cohesion, coorientation, and SMC1 localization in Drosophila melanogaster

2010 ◽  
Vol 188 (3) ◽  
pp. 335-349 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rihui Yan ◽  
Sharon E. Thomas ◽  
Jui-He Tsai ◽  
Yukihiro Yamada ◽  
Bruce D. McKee
Keyword(s):  
Drosophila Melanogaster ◽  
Sister Chromatid ◽  
Sister Chromatid Cohesion ◽  
Early Prophase ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Sister Chromatids ◽  
Chromatid Cohesion ◽  
Mutant Phenotypes ◽  
Meiosis I ◽  
Novel Protein

Sister chromatid cohesion is essential to maintain stable connections between homologues and sister chromatids during meiosis and to establish correct centromere orientation patterns on the meiosis I and II spindles. However, the meiotic cohesion apparatus in Drosophila melanogaster remains largely uncharacterized. We describe a novel protein, sisters on the loose (SOLO), which is essential for meiotic cohesion in Drosophila. In solo mutants, sister centromeres separate before prometaphase I, disrupting meiosis I centromere orientation and causing nondisjunction of both homologous and sister chromatids. Centromeric foci of the cohesin protein SMC1 are absent in solo mutants at all meiotic stages. SOLO and SMC1 colocalize to meiotic centromeres from early prophase I until anaphase II in wild-type males, but both proteins disappear prematurely at anaphase I in mutants for mei-S332, which encodes the Drosophila homologue of the cohesin protector protein shugoshin. The solo mutant phenotypes and the localization patterns of SOLO and SMC1 indicate that they function together to maintain sister chromatid cohesion in Drosophila meiosis.

Differential elimination of rDNA genes in bobbed mutants of Drosophila melanogaster

1986 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 1023-1031
Author(s):  
R Terracol ◽  
N Prud'homme
Keyword(s):  
Drosophila Melanogaster ◽  
Gene Copy Number ◽  
Rdna Locus ◽  
Gene Copy ◽  
Specific Gene ◽  
Type I ◽  
28S Rrna ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Y Chromosomes ◽  
Genes Encoding

In Drosophila melanogaster, the multiply repeated genes encoding 18S and 28S rRNA are located on the X and Y chromosomes. A large percentage of these repeats are interrupted in the 28S region by insertions of two types. We compared the restriction patterns from a subcloned wild-type Oregon R strain to those of spontaneous and ethyl methanesulfonate-induced bobbed mutants. Bobbed mutations were found to be deficiencies that modified the organization of the rDNA locus. Genes without insertions were deleted about twice as often as genes with type I insertions. Type II insertion genes were not decreased in number, except in the mutant having the most bobbed phenotype. Reversion to wild type was associated with an increase in gene copy number, affecting exclusively genes without insertions. One hypothesis which explains these results is the partial clustering of genes by type. The initial deletion could then be due either to an unequal crossover or to loss of material without exchange. Some of our findings indicated that deletion may be associated with an amplification phenomenon, the magnitude of which would be dependent on the amount of clustering of specific gene types at the locus.

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