Morphology and histology of the female reprodutive system of Abedus ovatus Stal (Belostomatidae: Hemiptera: Insecta)

In Abedus ovatus Stal, the female reprodutive system consists of a pair of ovaries leading to oviduct and opens out by genital aperture. Each ovary is composed of five telotrophic ovarioles, with four different regions, terminal filament, germarium, vitellarium and pedicel. Germarium and vitellarium are the germ tubes in which the development of oocyte occurs. In the germarium, the differentiation of trophocytes into young oocytes was observed in three zones, Z I, Z II and Z III. Further development of oocytes in the vitellarium could be divided into seven stages, ST I-ST VII. The development eggs are lodged in the pedicel.

Antifungal activity and mode of action of saponins from Madhuca butyracea Macb.

The antifungal activity of saponins isolated as a byproduct from the defatted cake of M. butyracea oil seed is reported. The inhibitory concentrations against plant pathogenic fungi ranged from 500 to 2000 ppm. Maximum sensitivity to saponins was shown by Penicillium expansum. Cephalosporium acrimonium, Helminthosporium oryzae and Trichoderma viride. The saponins caused leakage of cell components and underwent degradation by fungus, Trichoderma viride. The usefulness of saponins as antimycotic agents is discussed.

Corticosterone administration and lipid metabolism in brain regions during development.

Effect of corticosterone on lipid contents of different brain regions and the effect of age on the sensitivity of these regions to corticosterone have been studied. Corticosterone administration (40 mg/kg body wt, sc) to 17-day-old rat for 3 days led to significant decrease in phospholipid content of cerebellum and increase in cholesterol contents of hippocampus and striatum. However, there was no effect on cerebral cortex and brain stem lipids. This alteration in lipids was associated with decrease in [U-14C] glucose incorporation into cholesterol and phospholipids, decrease in plasma beta-hydroxy butyrate levels and increase in beta-hydroxy butyrate dehydrogenase activity in hippocampus and striatum, thereby suggesting that suppression of glucose utilization by corticosterone was compensated by higher utilization of ketone bodies for lipid synthesis in these regions. The sensitivity to corticosterone appears to be age-specific as, at 20-day, cerebellum, hippocampus and striatum were susceptible, at 10-day only hippocampus and at 40- and 90-day none of these regions responded to the treatment.

Oral toxicity of Madhuca butyracea Macb. saponins to albino rats.

Saponins, isolated from M. butyracea, were assessed for their acute and subacute oral toxicity in albino rats. Acute doses of saponins caused mortalities and LD50 and LD90 values were 330 and 430 mg/kg body wt respectively. Severe diarrhoea, restlessness and histopathological changes were observed in liver and kidney. Diets containing saponins at 0,250,500 and 1000 ppm for 14 weeks did not affect food intake, growth or organ weights, but induced mild histological changes in liver and kidney and altered the serum levels of alkaline phosphatase, blood urea nitrogen, cholesterol and proteins, particularly in female rats.

Lipid composition of brain regions during chronic maternal alcohol treatment and withdrawal in the rat.

The lipid composition of whole brain, cerebrum, cerebellum and brain stem was studied in rat pups exposed to alcohol during prenatal and postnatal period and subsequent withdrawal or continuation during postweaning period. The concentrations of cholesterol and galactolipids were increased in the whole brain and brain regions of the pups exposed to alcohol. Even after 6 weeks of withdrawal from alcohol during postweaning period, the lipid levels were significantly higher compared to the controls. These observations suggest possible alterations in the functions of CNS related to membrane integrity.