Progesterone induces morphological masculinization in immature female mosquitofish (Gambusia affinis) / 中国实验动物学报

Objective The aim of this study was to investigate the masculinizing effects of progesterone ( PRO) exposure at different concentrations on the morphology of female mosquitofish (Gambusia affinis).Methods Immature female G.affinis individuals were put into static water with 0.5, 5, 50 and 500 nmol/L progesterone (n=56), respective-ly.In addition, control group and parallel groups were set up .After 42-day-long exposure, we measured four main indexes of the G.affinis:the body length, body weight, morphological changes in the anal fin 3rd fin and the 14, 15 and 16 verte-bral ribs.We also observed the state of ovarian development .Results The body lengths (BL) of experimental groups ex-posed at concentration of 50 and 500 nmol/L progesterone for 42 d showed significant differences , respectively ( P0.05).When exposed to 500 nmol/L PRO, the L, D and L:D values of the 14th, 15th and 16th vertebral ribs of the female G.affinis had very significant difference ( P<0.01 for all ) , respectively , indicating significant changes of morphological masculinization .Histological examination revealed that the developmental status of the ovaries of G.affinis in the experimental groups were to different degrees inhibited , and the nuclei appeared swelling in stage II and III oocytes . Conclusions The results of this study indicate apparent masculinizing effects of progesterone on immature female mosquit -ofish.

Preparation of GaN-based cross-sectional TEM specimens by laser lift-off.

Laser lift-off (LLO) technology is successfully used to prepare GaN-based TEM cross-sectional specimens. Detailed procedures of the method to prepare the specimens are demonstrated. Large thin areas suitable for TEM analysis were obtained. TEM images of the resulting GaN interface are studied, and the changes in structural quality are confined to approximately the first 250 nm of the epilayer. Clear TEM images of the whole epilayer and the InGaN quantum wells and the HRTEM images of the superlattice layer are demonstrated, showing that LLO is a quick and ideal method to study the crystal structure of the epilayer, especially if only the upper layers are of interest.