Adult Progeny Research Articles

Long-Term Effects of Late Gestation in Utero Hypoxic Stress on Neurodegeneration: Sex and Age Differences

Abstract Introduction: In utero insults have been proposed to lead to the onset of neurodegenerative diseases later in life, such as Parkinson’s disease (PD). In utero hypoxia is associated with a multitude of conditions, such as maternal sleep apnea, preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, and maternal hypertension. Exposure to in utero hypoxia may impact male progeny more than female progeny, which may underlie the male biased sex differences in PD. It is currently unknown whether late gestational hypoxic stress has a long-term effect on brain regions associated with PD, such as the nigrostriatal pathway. We hypothesized that exposure to late gestational hypoxia will result in nigrostriatal impairment in adult male progeny compared to adult female progeny. Methods: Timed pregnant female Long-Evans rats were exposed to five days (gestational days: 15-20) of chronic intermittent hypoxia (CIH) or room air (normoxia - 21% O2) for 8 hours during their sleep phase. Each CIH cycle was 6 min of 3 min hypoxia (10% O2) and 3 min normoxia (21% O2) for a total of 10 CIH cycles/hour. Gestational age at delivery was recorded and neonate’s body weights were measured within 12-16 hours from birth. At weaning (postnatal day, PND 28), progeny was pair-housed with a conspecific of the same sex and similar weight. To examine PD, we focused on PD associated characteristics of oxidative stress in the nigrostriatal pathway and behavioral impairments of motor (open field activity and ultrasonic vocalizations) and cognitive (spatial memory) function during puberty (PND 40-45) and young adulthood (PND 60-65). Results: Gestational CIH had no effect on the duration of gestation, litter size, and neonatal weight at birth. Gestational CIH did not impact circulating oxidative stress, regardless of sex or age of progeny. Offspring gross motor function (open field activity) and cognitive (Morris Water maze) function were unaffected by gestational CIH. In contrast, gestational CIH impaired ultrasonic vocalizations in adult male progeny. Gestational CIH increased the latency to vocalize and decreased the loudness of the vocalizations in adult male progeny. Conclusion: Exposure to CIH during gestation resulted in nigrostriatal impairment in adult male progeny, as evidenced by impaired ultrasonic vocalizations that require a functional nigrostriatal pathway. In utero hypoxia during late gestation may increase the risk for PD in males.

Liquid carbohydrate intake modifies transsulfuration pathway both in pregnant rats and in their male descendants

IntroductionFructose, alone or in combination with glucose, has been used as a source of added sugars to manufacture sugary drinks and processed foods. High consumption of simple sugars, mainly fructose, has been demonstrated to be one of the causes of developing metabolic diseases. Maternal nutrition is a key factor in the health of the progeny when adult. However, ingestion of fructose-containing foods is still permitted during gestation. Hydrogen sulphide (H2S) is a gasotransmitter produced in the transsulfuration pathway with proved beneficial effects to combat metabolic diseases. MethodsCarbohydrates were supplied to pregnant rats in drinking water (10% wt/vol) throughout gestation, and the pregnant rats, their foetuses, and adult male descendants were studied. Later, adult male progeny from control, fructose- and glucose-fed mothers were subjected to liquid fructose, and were compared to the control group. Liver H2S production was determined. ResultsThis study shows that, in pregnancy, either a fructose-rich diet per se or situations that produce an impaired insulin sensitivity such as an excessive intake of glucose, decrease hepatic and placental production of H2S. Furthermore, this effect was also observed in the liver of male offspring (both in foetal and adult stages). Interestingly, when these adult descendants were subjected to a high fructose intake, decreases in H2S synthesis in liver and adipose tissue due to this fructose intake were maternal consumption dependent. ConclusionsGiven H2S is a protective agent against diseases such as diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular diseases, and metabolic syndrome, the fact that carbohydrate consumption reduces H2S synthesis both in pregnancy and in their progeny could have clear and relevant clinical implications.

Analysis of progeny–parents family travel process from perspective filial piety: driving factors, intergenerational interaction and tourism evaluation

PurposeThis paper attempts to explore why adult progeny initiate progeny–parents family travel, how two generations interact and deal with intergenerational conflicts during travel and how they evaluate their travel experiences from the perspective of filial piety.Design/methodology/approachBased on in-depth interviews with both parents and their adult progeny, it is found that “repayment” or “compensation” of filial piety is the most important driving force to family travel with parents, and in many cases an adult child exhibits “overspending” by showing filial obedience. On the other hand, parents occasionally utilize filial piety as cultural resources to fulfill their personal goals and to evaluate their interactions with adult children. Finally, the authors offer an exploratory explanation to why filial generation has a relatively low evaluation while parent generation has a higher evaluation of family trip.FindingsThe authors suggest that future study in this particular area should attach much more importance to the “filial piety tool boxes” paradigm, which is in parallel with the paradigm of “concept (values) affecting behavior”.Originality/valueThe contribution of this study is to investigate the family travel process of “taking the elderly people to travel” from the perspective of interaction and filial piety.

Fumigant Activity of Four Plant Powders against Cowpea Weevil, Callosobruchus maculatus (Fabricius) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) in Stored Adzuki Bean

Background: Cowpea weevil, Callosobruchus maculatus (Fabricius) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) is one of most common species pest that attack various types of beans in the storage. Plant-based insecticides are considered as good candidates as alternatives to methyl bromide and phosphine for controlling pest in storage. Plenty of reports about plant powder as grain protectant, conversely a little information on plant powder as fumigant had been reported. This study was designed to observe the effects of plant powders of clove, holy basil, lemongrass and turmeric as fumigant on the biological parameters of C. maculatus under laboratory conditions.Methods: Experiments were conducted on plant powders against biological parameters of cowpea weevil. No choice test method was followed to assess the bioefficacy of the four natural fumigants on adult longevity, fecundity, F1 progeny, bean damage and weight loss of bean under completely randomized design (CRD).Result: Fumigant toxicity of four plant powders (clove, holy basil, lemongrass and turmeric) varied amongst doses. Clove powder showed significantly lower adult longevity, fecundity of female, number of F1 progeny, bean damage and weight loss of bean at 1 g and 3 g dose per container. Major volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in clove powder were eugenol (48.64%) and caryophyllene (43.09%) identified by solid phase microextraction followed with gas chromatography and mass spectrometry (SPME-GC/MS). These two major constituents might explain the fumigant toxic activities of clove powder towards C. maculatus biological parameters.

Neonatal nicotine exposure changes insulin status in fat depots: sex-related differences.

Nicotine is the main psychoactive substance present in cigarette smoke that is transferred to the baby by breast milk. In rats, maternal nicotine exposure during breastfeeding induces obesogenesis and hormone dysfunctions in adult male offspring. As glucocorticoid (GC), insulin, and vitamin D change both adipogenesis and lipogenesis processes, we assessed parameters related to metabolism and action of these hormones in visceral and subcutaneous adipose tissues (VAT and SAT) of adult male and female rats in a model of neonatal nicotine exposure. At postnatal (PN) day 2, dams were kept with six pups (three per sex) and divided into nicotine and control groups for implantation of osmotic minipumps that released 6mg/kg nicotine or saline, respectively. At PN180, fat mass, hormone levels, and protein contents of biomarkers of the GC activation and receptor (11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 and glucocorticoid receptor alpha), insulin signaling pathway [insulin receptor beta (IRβ), phosphorylated insulin receptor substrate 1, insulin receptor substrate 1 (IRS1), phosphorylated serine/threonine kinase (pAKT), serine/threonine kinase, glucose transporter type 4 (GLUT4)], and vitamin D activation and receptor (1α-hydroxylase and vitamin D receptor) were evaluated. While nicotine-exposed males showed increased fat mass, hypercorticosteronemia, hyperinsulinemia, and higher 25-hydroxyvitamin D, these alterations were not observed in nicotine-exposed females. Nicotine-exposed males only showed lower IRS1 in VAT, while the females had hyperglycemia, higher pAKT in VAT, while lower IRβ, IRS1, and GLUT4 in SAT. Parameters related to metabolism and action of GC and vitamin D were unaltered in both sexes. We evidence that exposure exclusively to nicotine during breastfeeding affects the hormone status and fat depots of the adult progeny in a sex-dependent manner.

A potential role for overdominance in the maintenance of colour variation in the Neotropical tortoise beetle, Chelymorpha alternans.

The presence of persistent polymorphisms within natural populations elicits the question of how such polymorphisms are maintained. All else equal, genetic drift and natural selection should remove genetic variants from populations. Disassortative mating and overdominance are potential mechanisms for maintaining variation within populations. Here, we consider the potential role of these mechanisms in maintaining variation in colour pattern in the tortoise beetle, Chelymorpha alternans. Five colour morphs distinguished by elytral and pronotal coloration are largely determined by a single locus of large effect with four segregating alleles. As many as four morphs co-occur in natural populations. We first assessed whether disassortative mating might maintain this polymorphism. To test for assortative and disassortative mating, we paired females with two males, one with the same colour pattern as the female and one with a different colour pattern and examined the colour patterns of the offspring. We found strong evidence for random mating as a function of colour pattern. We next assessed whether differences in offspring survival among assortative and disassortative male-female pairs maintain colour variation. Crosses involving disassortative pairings had significantly higher offspring survival during development and resulted in more adult progeny. This result is consistent with the effects of overdominance, whereby outcrossed individuals have higher fitness than their homozygous counterparts. Overall, differences in offspring survival appear to play a greater role in maintaining polymorphisms than nonrandom mating in species.

Influence of Irradiation on the Biology of the Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae).

Fifth-instar brown marmorated stink bug (Halyomorpha halys Stål) nymphs were treated by gamma-radiation 60Co at different doses of 8-64 Gy to investigate their irradiation biology and potential for the sterile insect technique (SIT). At adult emergence, males were mated with non-irradiated virgin females to assess the longevity of both sexes, female fecundity, and egg sterility. Biological parameters of their F1 progeny were investigated to determine whether negative effects from parental exposure to radiation were inherited. Results showed that irradiation significantly reduced the lifespan of male insects at doses above 20 Gy. Irradiated males did not affect the longevity and fecundity of their female partners, nor of their resulting adult progenies, but it did reduce the developmental duration of nymphs as well as weight gain of male F1 offspring. Egg hatch was significantly reduced at all tested doses and reached complete sterility at 64 Gy. Low hatch of eggs produced by F1 or F1 crossed adults indicated that negative effects from radiation were inherited by the subsequent generation. But F1 male offspring were not less fertile than their irradiated male parent, unlike what was observed in Lepidoptera. The results support the potential for the use of SIT for H. halys management by irradiating the fifth-instar male nymphs at doses from 16 Gy to 64 Gy.

Competitive interactions between the root-feeding Heikertingerella sp. and foliage-feeding Mada polluta on the invasive Tecoma stans

Despite potential negative interactions between biological control agents, the release of multiple agents against invasive alien weeds is often justified. The leaf-feeding beetle Mada polluta Mulsant (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), released against Tecoma stans (L.) Juss ex Kunth var. stans in South Africa, has so far been unable to contain the weed. Consequently, the root-feeding flea beetle Heikertingerella sp. (Coleoptera: Galerucinae) was introduced to complement M. polluta. The effects of the interaction between the two beetles on their performance and on the target weed were studied on potted T. stans plants in a quarantine glasshouse to assess whether they were additive, synergistic or negative. There was no significant difference in the percentage survival of the P1 adults of either beetle when tested alone or in combination. Mada polluta produced significantly more F1 adult progeny than Heikertingerella sp. when tested alone, while both beetles produced significantly fewer offspring when tested in combination. Leaf damage by M. polluta alone was higher than that caused by Heikertingerella sp. alone, but in combination was not significantly higher than damage by M. polluta alone. Although both beetles on their own caused a significant reduction in leaf density relative to the control, leaf density was significantly lower when in combination. Despite significant reductions in plant height relative to the control, the differences between the three beetle treatments were not significant. Although competitive interactions caused a trade-off between agent proliferation and their impact on the growth of T. stans, these data need to be confirmed in the field.

The Impact of Neonatal Methamphetamine on Spatial Learning and Memory in Adult Female Rats.

The present study was aimed at evaluating cognitive changes following neonatal methamphetamine exposure in combination with repeated treatment in adulthood of female Wistar rats. Pregnant dams and their pups were used in this study. One half of the offspring were treated indirectly via the breast milk of injected mothers, and the other half of pups were treated directly by methamphetamine injection. In the group with indirect exposure, mothers received methamphetamine (5 mg/ml/kg) or saline (1 ml/kg) between postnatal days (PD) 1–11. In the group with direct exposure, none of the mothers were treated. Instead, progeny were either: (1) treated with injected methamphetamine (5 mg/ml/kg); or (2) served as controls and received sham injections (no saline, just a needle stick) on PD 1–11. Learning ability and memory consolidation were tested on PD 70–90 in the Morris Water Maze (MWM) using three tests: Place Navigation Test, Probe Test, and Memory Recall Test. Adult female progeny were injected daily, after completion of the last trial of MWM tests, with saline or methamphetamine (1 mg/ml/kg). The effects of indirect/direct neonatal methamphetamine exposure combined with acute adult methamphetamine treatment on cognitive functions in female rats were compared. Statistical analyses showed that neonatal drug exposure worsened spatial learning and the ability to remember the position of a hidden platform. The study also demonstrated that direct methamphetamine exposure has a more significant impact on learning and memory than indirect exposure. The acute dose of the drug did not produce any changes in cognitive ability. Analyses of search strategies (thigmotaxis, scanning) used by females during the Place Navigation Test and Memory Recall Test confirmed all these results. Results from the present study suggested extensive deficits in learning skills and memory of female rats that may be linked to the negative impact of neonatal methamphetamine exposure.

Environmental and genetic influences on fitness-related traits in a hatchery coho salmon population

Many natural and managed organisms will require substantial functional genetic variation to respond to selection in the face of rapid environmental change. Pacific salmon have experienced strong fluctuations in critical fitness traits over the past five decades. We examined genetic and phenotypic variability over three generations in a pedigreed hatchery population of coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) by monitoring seven fitness-related traits. Three-year-old adult return numbers varied more than fivefold, and jack (2-year-old males) numbers varied 13-fold. Body sizes of Inch Creek coho salmon decreased consistently such that fish were only 40.7% as heavy in 2015 as in 2006, and female reproductive traits also decreased. During the study period, the majority of families produced returning adult progeny, and effective population size was relatively constant. Heritability estimates for phenotypic traits were significantly greater than zero except for condition factor, and the estimated heritability for jacking was 0.42. The Inch Creek coho salmon population harbours substantial heritability for fitness and reproductive traits and thus likely retains substantial capacity for adaptation despite many years of hatchery propagation.

Maternal L-thyroxine treatment during lactation affects learning and anxiety-like behaviors but not spatial memory in adult rat progeny.

The present study compared behavioral and molecular indicators of hippocampal function in L-thyroxine treated rats to determine whether thyroid hormone excessiveness produces relatively stable lifelong changes. Hyperthyroidism was induced in rats by daily injections of L-thyroxine (0.2mg/kg) to their dams for lactation period (MOH: maternal-onset hyperthyroidism) or to the rats itself during the young adult period (AOH: adult-onset hyperthyroidism; between the day 39-60). Spatial learning was assessed in the Morris Water Maze (MWM). Levels of type 2 and type 3 deiodinases, Erk1/2, JNK and P38MAPK were assessed via western blotting in the hippocampus of trained rats. Measurements were all done in rats aged 60-66days. In MWM, maternally treated rats with L-thyroxine swam more away from the hidden platform, with showing more anxiety-like behavior, as compared to the rats treated or no treated with L-thyroxine in young adulthood. In spite of impaired acquisition, MOH group was not significantly different from the other groups in probe trial. In Western blot of the hippocampus, a decreased the expression of P38MAPK was found in rats treated with L-thyroxine in young adulthood period. However, maternal treatment with L-thyroxine resulted in an increased expression of Type 2 deiodinase and a tendency toward decreased expression of total and phosphorylated ERK1/2. No detectable band for type 3 deiodinase, p-JNK and p-P38MAPK was observed in all three groups. These results suggest that perinatal excessiveness of thyroid hormone has longstanding effects on hippocampal function and may account for memory problems experienced by adolescents with lactational hyperthyroidism.

Nicotine exposure during lactation causes disruption of hedonic eating behavior and alters dopaminergic system in adult female rats

Tobacco smoke during gestation is associated with increased consumption of palatable foods by the offspring in humans and rats. Postpartum relapse is observed in lactating women who quit smoking during pregnancy, putting their children at risk of adverse health outcomes caused by secondhand smoke. Nicotine is transferred through milk and alters the dopaminergic reward system of adult male rats, reducing dopamine action in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) and hypothalamic arcuate nucleus. Here, we evaluated the long-term effects of nicotine-only exposure during lactation on eating behavior, anxiety, locomotion, dopaminergic system, hypothalamic leptin signaling and nicotinic receptor in the adult female rat progeny. Two days after birth (PN2), Wistar rat dams were separated into control and nicotine (Nic) groups for implantation of osmotic minipumps that released respectively saline or 6 mg/kg nicotine. Lactating dams were kept with 6 pups. After weaning (PN21; nicotine withdrawal), only the female offspring were studied. Euthanasia occurred at PN180. Nic females showed hyperphagia, preference for a high-sucrose diet, increased anxiety-like behavior, lower tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), lower dopamine transporter and higher dopamine receptor (Drd2) in NAc; lower Drd1 in prefrontal cortex and lower TH in dorsal striatum (DS). These animals showed changes that can explain their hyperphagia, such as: lower leptin signaling pathway (Leprb, pJAK2, pSTAT3) and Chrna7 expression in hypothalamus. Neonatal nicotine exposure affects the brain reward system of the female progeny differently from males, mainly decreasing dopamine production in NAc and DS. Therefore, Nic females are more susceptible to develop food addiction and obesity.

Evidence of no horizontal or vertical transmission of tomato severe rugose virus by Bemisia tabaci MEAM1

AbstractBemisia tabaci is important in agriculture worldwide, mainly because it is a vector of numerous plant viruses, probably the most important of which are members of the genus Begomovirus. Dozens of begomoviruses have been reported to infect tomato plants in Brazil, although tomato severe rugose virus (ToSRV) predominates in tomato crops. ToSRV, found so far only in Brazil, is efficiently transmitted by B. tabaci MEAM1. However, no studies have assessed the occurrence of vertical and horizontal transmission of the virus in the insect, which may have epidemiological consequences affecting disease management. This study evaluated the possibility of transmission of ToSRV between whiteflies during copulation and transovarial transmission from viruliferous females of B. tabaci MEAM1 to their progeny. Transmission of ToSRV did not occur during mating between males and females of B. tabaci MEAM1. Aviruliferous males and females confined with viruliferous insects of the opposite sex were also unable to transmit the virus to tomato plants. ToSRV was detected, by PCR, in the ovaries of viruliferous females of B. tabaci MEAM1 but not in eggs, nymphs, or adults of the progeny of viruliferous females. Adult progeny of viruliferous females also did not transmit ToSRV to tomato plants. Together, the results indicate that vertical and horizontal transmission of ToSRV by B. tabaci MEAM1 is unlikely. Sustainable management of the tomato golden mosaic disease caused by ToSRV should continue to focus on using resistant varieties, managing sources of inoculum around tomato fields, and rational chemical control of the vector.

Liquid carbohydrate intake modifies transsulfuration pathway both in pregnant rats and in their male descendants

IntroductionFructose, alone or in combination with glucose, has been used as a source of added sugars to manufacture sugary drinks and processed foods. High consumption of simple sugars, mainly fructose, has been demonstrated to be one of the causes of developing metabolic diseases. Maternal nutrition is a key factor in the health of the progeny when adult. However, ingestion of fructose-containing foods is still permitted during gestation. Hydrogen sulphide (H2S) is a gasotransmitter produced in the transsulfuration pathway with proved beneficial effects to combat metabolic diseases. MethodsCarbohydrates were supplied to pregnant rats in drinking water (10% wt/vol) throughout gestation, and the pregnant rats, their foetuses, and adult male descendants were studied. Later, adult male progeny from control, fructose- and glucose-fed mothers were subjected to liquid fructose, and were compared to the control group. Liver H2S production was determined. ResultsThis study shows that, in pregnancy, either a fructose-rich diet per se or situations that produce an impaired insulin sensitivity such as an excessive intake of glucose, decrease hepatic and placental production of H2S. Furthermore, this effect was also observed in the liver of male offspring (both in foetal and adult stages). Interestingly, when these adult descendants were subjected to a high fructose intake, decreases in H2S synthesis in liver and adipose tissue due to this fructose intake were maternal consumption dependent. ConclusionsGiven H2S is a protective agent against diseases such as diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular diseases, and metabolic syndrome, the fact that carbohydrate consumption reduces H2S synthesis both in pregnancy and in their progeny could have clear and relevant clinical implications.

Assessment of long-term effects of smoke from wildfires on white rats

Introduction. The study of the effects of wildfire smoke on the reproductive function is the most important scientific problem at the present stage. The aim of study is to study the behavior and cognitive abilities of sexually mature offspring obtained from white male rats exposed to the smoke of wildfires. Materials and methods. Experiments were carried out on 30 white male rats and 60 adult male of their offspring. The duration of exposure was 4 weeks, 4 hours/day. To obtain progeny exposed males were mated with intact females immediately after the exposure and in long-term period after exposure. Examination of adult progeny was performed using the "open field", Morris water maze, and histological examination of brain tissue. Results. Behavioral and cognitive alterations in offspring of male rats exposed to wildfire smoke were obtained: significant decrease in motor activity and research on higher level of negative emotional state, impaired spatial memory performance. Individuals from offspring obtained in a long-term period after exposure to smoke showed a normalization of the studied parameters to background values. Conclusions. The long-term consequences of exposure to the smoke of wildfires were revealed, manifested in the offspring of the first generation in the form of impaired behavior and cognitive abilities. The recovery period after prolonged smoke intoxication, which is 60 days and is comparable in duration with the duration of spermatogenesis in rats, is important for reducing the risk of developing CNS disorders in offspring.

Resistance to witches’ broom in adult plants and progeny of local varieties of cacao in Southern Bahia

ABSTRACT Plants of local cacao variety from Southern Bahia were evaluated in order to verify if there are different levels of resistance to witches’ broom disease in the study population and if the evaluation of adult plants in the field is a good predictor of these resistance levels. The seedlings were maintained under greenhouse conditions and inoculated with the fungus Moniliophthora perniciosa. Evaluations of symptoms occurred 60 days after inoculation. In the field, the same genotypes were evaluated by counting the number of dry brooms per plant, per year, and assessing trunk diameter size. The data were subjected to analysis of variance and averages grouped by the Scott–Knott test, differentiated by Tukey’s test and compared by Student’s T test. The Scavina-6 and CCN51 clones as well as the Catongo variety were used as resistance, moderate resistance and susceptibility patterns, respectively. Twenty-eight percent of the genotypes were among the most resistant and the genotypes 4119 and 4033 were considered the most susceptible to the disease in both field and greenhouse evaluations. Field evaluation was promising as a predictor of resistance level. The selected materials presented good characteristics for witches’ broom resistance, with different levels deserving special attention in the context of reducing the vulnerability of Brazilian cacao cultivation to the effects of the disease, especially in the cacao region of Bahia.

MORPHOLOGICAL AND BIOLOGICAL VARIABILITY OF STEINERNEMA FELTIAE (NEMATODA, STEINERNEMATIDAE) ITALIAN STRAINS

Steinernema feltiae belongs to the feltiae-kraussei-oregonensis group, clade III, and is an ubiquitarian species of entomopathogenic nematode. It is found in all types of soil and in all types of habitat. Species identification in the entomopathogenic nematodes genera Steinernema is a very complex task, given the broad variability of both morphological and biological traits within populations of a single species. To accomplish this, molecular techniques have been adopted which, however, require additional knowledge. Particularly relevant would be the possibility of testing in a reliable way the variability between different populations of the same species, which might represent different strains with different biological properties. During numerous samplings in Italy, several strains of S. feltiae were isolated. In this paper we analyze the intraspecific variability of the main morphometric and biological data of juveniles and males of 50 Italian populations of S. feltiae. The aim of our work was to determine if morphometric and biological analysis were useful to identify characters having significant diagnostic value, allowing to reliably discriminate among strains. Seven characters routinely computed for morphology (5 morphometrics for infective juveniles, spicula and gubernaculum shapes for males) and 2 biological performances (time to achieve adult stage, reproduction and progeny) were considered. The results showed extreme variability from both morphological and biological points of view

Definitive hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells from human embryonic stem cells through serum/feeder-free organoid-induced differentiation

BackgroundEx vivo production of hematopoietic stem/precursor cells (HSPCs) represents a promising versatile approach for blood disorders.MethodsTo derive definitive HSPCs from human embryonic stem cells (ESCs), we differentiated mesodermally specified embryoid bodies (EBs) on gelatin-coated plates in serum/feeder-free conditions.ResultsSeven-day EB maturation followed by an 8-day differentiation period on OP9 cells provided the highest number of definitive (CD34+ CD235a−, 69%, p < 0.01) and lowest number of primitive (CD34− CD235a+, 1.55%, p < 0.01) precursor cells along with the highest colony-forming units (149.8 ± 11.6, p < 0.01) in feeder-free conditions. Maximal HSPC fraction (CD34+ CD38− CD45RA− CD49f+ CD90+) was 7.6–8.9% after 10 days of hematopoietic differentiation with 14.5% adult β-globin expression following RBC differentiation. Myeloid and erythroid colonies were restricted strictly to the CD34+ CD43+ fraction (370.5 ± 65.7, p < 0.001), while the CD34− CD43+ fraction produced only a small number of colonies (21.6 ± 11.9). In addition, we differentiated the CD34+ CD43+ cells towards T-lymphocytes using the OP9/DLL1 co-culture system demonstrating double-positive T cells (CD4+ CD8+) with CD3+ expression displaying a broad T cell receptor (TCR) repertoire. Confocal imaging of organoid-like structures revealed a close association of CD31+ cells with CD34+ and CD43+ cells, suggesting a potential emergence of HSPCs through endothelial to hematopoietic transition. Furthermore, fluorescently labeled organoids exhibited the emergence of spherical non-attached cells from rare progenitors at the border of the organoid center.ConclusionsIn summary, definitive HSPCs can be derived from ESCs through a dynamic cellular process from an organoid-like structure, where erythroid progeny are capable of producing adult hemoglobin and lymphoid progeny shows a diverse TCR repertoire.

Social relationships between chimpanzee sons and mothers endure but change during adolescence and adulthood

Mothers provide indispensable care for infants in many mammalian species. In some long-lived species, the maternal-offspring bond persists after infancy with mothers continuing to provide resources and social support to their adult progeny. Maternal presence is associated with fitness benefits through adolescence for male chimpanzees despite the fact that mature males dominate females and form their strongest bonds with other males. How mothers support grown sons is unknown, because few studies have examined developmental shifts in mother-son relationships during adolescence and adulthood. We investigated social interactions between 29 adolescent (9–15 years) and young adult male (16–20 years) chimpanzees and their mothers at Ngogo in Kibale National Park, Uganda, over 3 years. All males under 12 years old had their mother as their top grooming and proximity partner, as did one-third of the young adult males. As males grew older, the amount of time they associated with, maintained proximity to, groomed with, and kept track of their mothers while traveling decreased. When males were together in the same party as their mothers, however, young adult males affiliated with their mothers as frequently as did adolescent males, with sons initiating the majority of these interactions. In contrast to adult sons, however, adolescent sons became distressed when separated from mothers and relied on their mothers for agonistic support and reassurance after conflicts. These findings indicate that the chimpanzee maternal-offspring bond continues but changes through adolescence and adulthood, with mothers remaining occasional social companions for most adult sons and frequent companions for some. Mammalian mothers protect and provision their infants, and in some species, mothers provide social support for their adult offspring. The importance of mothers in the lives of adult sons is clear in humans and in one of our closest relatives, bonobos. Here we show mothers are also important social partners for sons throughout adolescence and into young adulthood in chimpanzees. Despite prevailing knowledge that adult males are key alliance partners for male chimpanzees, we demonstrate that male chimpanzees maintain social bonds with their mothers into adulthood. We also suggest that social bonds reflect not only the total time spent together, but what animals do during those times, as many young adults rarely groomed their mothers, but at times when they were in the same subgroup with her, they did so frequently. Future research will assess the physiological, psychological, and reproductive benefits of such mother-son bonds.

Oviposition and Development of Tribolium Castaneum Herbst (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) on Different Types of Flour

The commercial availability of low-gluten or gluten-free flours has been increasing due to consumer demands, which raises new challenges for the management of stored product insects since little is known about the susceptibility of these flours to infestation. Here we measured oviposition and development of Tribolium castaneum, the red flour beetle, a major pest of wheat and rice mills, on 18 different commercially available flours (almond, amaranth, barley, buckwheat, cassava, coconut, corn, garbanzo, millet, oat, potato, quinoa, rice, rye, sorghum, spelt, teff, and wheat) to assess the level of risk. The average number of eggs laid was highest for teff flour, with wheat, rice, buckwheat, sorghum, barley, rye, and spelt flour also having high oviposition. The lowest oviposition was for potato, quinoa, amaranth and cassava. Holding the eggs laid in these flours and evaluating the ability to develop to the adult stage demonstrated that the average number of adult progeny was highest for teff and wheat, followed by buckwheat, rye, oat, spelt, and millet. In an experiment where single eggs were placed directly in flour, the highest percentage development was in barley, buckwheat, sorghum, spelt, teff, and wheat. Time for 50% of single eggs to develop to adults was quickest for sorghum, spelt, teff, and wheat, while sorghum, buckwheat, corn, spelt, and barley had the quickest development of 90% of eggs to reach adults. There was substantial variation among the different flours which indicates variation in risk of insect infestation. As consumer interest in these flours continues to grow and these alternative flours become more prevalent in food facilities, understanding what diets insects successfully infest is critical to developing management tools.