Mouthpart developmental histology of Whitmania pigra at different month of age were studied by paraffin section, HE staining combined alcian blue and periodic acid schifts reaction procedure (AB-PAS). The following results was obtained: Change ranges: oral width 0.6 mm (1-3 month), 1.2 mm (34 month); oral diameter 0.3 mm (1-3 month); 1.2 mm (34 month), the oral size reached maximum during 4-6 months and unchanged thereafter. Oral lip had a thin protective film located in the front of the mouthpart. The W. pigra possessed three jaws in oral cavity, the big one was in dorsum, the other two separated on both side of abdomen respectively. Jaws and muscular pharynx were interrelated closely. The jaws were composed by cuticle, epithelial layer, muscularis and jaw cavity from outside to inside. In the front of jaws had mastoid abdomen with function of secreting acidophilic granule from 2 month age. Oral cavity was composed by mucosa, submucosa and muscularis inside and outside. Oral cavity was rich of peristomial nerves. And pharynx was composed of mucosa, muscularis, adventitia from inside to outside. The folds height and width become heighten and thicken. Mucosa epithelium from complex flat epithelium changed into columnar epithelium, muscularis gradually developed into thickened along with growing. Muscular thickness reached maximum at 4 months. Mucous cells of W. pigra were classified into I-IV types based on different staining and two mainly morphological shapes (Tubular, Pear-shaped). Jaws, oral cavity, pharynx by AB-PAS staining showed little changes at different month of age. Mucous cells were few at 1 month age, and type II cells were increased rapidly in 2-3 month age in oral lip. Oral cavity contains more mucous gland cells type I. Under the muscularis there were connective tissues which distributed a few of mucous cells type II.
Animals ; Female ; Histology ; Leeches ; anatomy & histology ; chemistry ; classification ; growth & development ; Male ; Mouth ; anatomy & histology ; chemistry ; Mucous Membrane ; chemistry

Studies on the variation of amylase, lipase and lrotease activity of Whitmania pigra in 0-6 months old using 3, 5-dinitro- salicylic acid colorimetry, right-nitrophenyl palmitate ester (ρ-NPP) colorimetry and folin-phenol method. The results showed that pro- tease activity remained low before 1.5 months old and with the highest activity in 2 months old, but after showing a small peak in 4 months, alkaline protease rapid declined. Amylase was low at born, then gradually increased the activity of the highest in 2.5 months old. Lipase with a strong vitality at birth, then 1 month with minimum and 2 months peaked, but appeared a small peak in 4 months old. In summary, only lipase exhibits strong activity at birth, lipase with the strongest activity in the digestive tract during develop- ment. Protease, lipase and amylase with the strongest activity at 2-3 months old, but were decreased after 4 months old.
Age Factors ; Amylases ; metabolism ; Animals ; Leeches ; enzymology ; Lipase ; metabolism ; Peptide Hydrolases ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo study the oxygen consumption rate and suffocation point of Whitmania pigra.

METHODUsing the method of respiratory chamber, the oxygen consumption rate, oxygen consumption volume and suffocation point were obtained.

RESULTThe oxygen consumption rate(OCR) ranged from 0.049 to 0.094 mg x g(-1) x h(-1), the oxygen consumption volume(OCV) from 0.44 to 0.67 mg x p(-1) x h(-1), and suffocation point(SP) from 0.9 to 1.51 mg x L(-1), when the average weight of W. pigra was 10 g and the water temperature varied from 15 to 35 degrees C. OCR ranged from 0.044 to 0.058 mg x g(-1) x h(-1), OCV from 0.19 to 0.77 mg x p(-1) x h(-1) and SP from 1.4 to 1.57 mg x l(-1) when water temperature was 20 degrees C.

CONCLUSIONOCR rose when the water temperature and weight increased, but SP was justly opposite. The weight was negatively correlated with OCR and positively with OCV. OCR had little difference from day to night.

Animals ; Leeches ; metabolism ; physiology ; Oxygen ; metabolism ; Oxygen Consumption ; physiology ; Temperature ; Water

The effects of the feed attractants on Whitmania pigra were studied. The average weight of Wh. pigra were 5.0 g. Arginine was selected as feed attractants, xanthan gum was selected as feed substrate. The times of Wh. pigra going into the inducing room were recorded. The water temperature was 22-25 degrees C during the whole experiment. Arginine that had better inducing effect was chosen to carry on in the gradient experiment. The results showed that the best inducing effect was found when the added amount of arginine was 0.3%, which was close to the arginine content of the natural body fluid of Wh. Pigra and Bellamya purificata, 2.97 mg x g(-1).
Animal Feed ; analysis ; Animals ; Arginine ; analysis ; metabolism ; Body Weight ; Feeding Behavior ; Leeches ; growth & development ; physiology

OBJECTIVETo determine the best spawning temperature and weight of Whitmania pigra and the hatching temperature of its eggs.

METHODObserve the state of W. pigra spawning and hatching were observed under different temperatures and weights conditions.

RESULT AND CONCLUSION25 degrees C is the most appropriate temperature for W. pigra spawning and incubation, the best spawning weight of W. pigra was around 20 g. The temperature influenced the lost weight after spawning significantly and was proportion to the lost weight. The body weight showed no substantial influence to the lost weight after spawning. The egg weight of W. pigra which body weight was below 2.0 g was proportion to the hatching rate. The same relationship was not observed in W. pigra over 2.0 g.

Animals ; Body Weight ; Breeding ; methods ; Female ; Leeches ; growth & development ; physiology ; Male ; Ovum ; growth & development ; Temperature

OBJECTIVETo observe Whitmania pigra growth and intake law in different temperature conditions and patterns.

METHODComparison of W. pigra growth in different weight and different temperature conditions, and observe the intake law of W. pigra within 24 h.

RESULT AND CONCLUSIONThe appropriate temperature for W. pigra growth is 15 - 25 degrees C. Its largest weight of intake increas with the weight of W. pigra and temperature rise, but with the intake rate increase, individual intake reduced. W. pigra intake have the two peaks in 24 h.

Animals ; Circadian Rhythm ; Feeding Behavior ; physiology ; Leeches ; growth & development ; physiology ; Temperature

OBJECTIVEThrough observation of the tissue structures of internal organs and skin of Whitmania pigra, to provide basic method for identification of W. pigra and research of its physiological functions.

METHODThis experiment adopted the W. pigras as the material and carried on dissection observing,and W. pigra's cavity, swallow, esophagus, crop, bowel, rectum, parasomal sac stomach, testicle, seminal vesicle, vasa deferentia duct, ejaculatory ball, prostate gland and skin was observed by the method of the paraffin organization slice and microphotography.

RESULT AND CONCLUSIONThe structures and functions of the skin and the organ of the digestive and reproductive system, as well as the types and distributions of the mucous cells were acquired,which provided abasis for further study on the living behaviour, propagating behaviour and breeding environment of W. pigra.

Animals ; Digestive System ; anatomy & histology ; Genitalia ; anatomy & histology ; physiology ; Leeches ; anatomy & histology ; physiology ; Skin ; anatomy & histology ; Skin Physiological Phenomena

The effect of water temperature, stocking density and feeding cycle on the growth of Poecilobdella manillensis juvenile was conducted P. manillensis was conducted respectively under different conditions: water temperatures(18, 22, 26, 30,34, 38 degrees C and CT), stocking density (75, 125, 200, 275, 350 individual/L) and feeding cycle(2, 4, 6, 8, 12, 16 d). After 30 days, survival rate, weight gain rate, specific growth rate were measured. There was a significant correlation between water temperature and specific growth rate (γ = -0.066x2 + 3.543 1x -38.09, R2 = 0.837 9). Based on the regression equation, the specific growth rate of P. manillensis achieved the maximum (9.461 4) at 26.84 degrees C. And the most optimal water temperature was 26-30 degrees C. Meanwhile, the survival rates of P. manillensis was 0 at 38 degrees C in 3 d. There was significant negative correlation between density and specific growth rate (γ = -0.005 7x + 9.197 3, R2 = 0.998 3) and between feeding cycle and specific growth rate (γ = -0.468 2x + 10.574, R2 = 0.998 8).
Animals ; Annelida ; growth & development ; physiology ; Body Size ; Feeding Behavior ; Temperature ; Water ; chemistry

OBJECTIVETo study the genetic diversity of pollen grains morphologies of Pinellia ternata in different populations and supply palynological evidences for further research.

METHODPollen exine ultrastructure were compared for 18 populations growing under in the same environment by means of scanning electron microscope(SEM).

RESULT AND CONCLUSIONBig difference was found in pollen size among populations of P. ternata: the mean value of seventeen populations of P. ternata with bulbils was 17.42 microm x 14.86 microm, the biggest of populations originated from Jangyan city is 20.43 micromx 18.16 microm, but the least originated from Peixian County is only 15.23 microm x 12.82 microm; the size of populations without bulbils originated from Linguo Temple side was only 13.23 microm x 11.98 microm and far less than of all populations with bulbils. The pollen surface of all populations sticks out with spines, varying in size and density, the base and top part of spinules was different among populations. The pollen grains patterns of germination apertures of P. ternata was likely to have colpate cover.

China ; Genetic Variation ; Pinellia ; genetics ; ultrastructure ; Plants, Medicinal ; genetics ; ultrastructure ; Pollen ; genetics ; ultrastructure

OBJECTIVETo give a reference to the safe and standardized production of Whitmania pigra, through the comparative research on residues of heavy metals and pesticide in W. pigra, breeding base soil and breeding water .

METHODResidues of heavy metals and pesticide in W. Pigra, soil and water were determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometers, atomic fluorescence spectrophotometers and GC-ECD.

RESULT AND CONCLUSIONWith the exclusion of Pb residue, the residues of HCH, DDT and other heavy metals in W. pigra, soil and water in breding base met the requirements of the national standards. We suggest that the residues limits of animal drugs like W. pigra should be listed in a separate category when the national standards are revised in the fature.

Animals ; DDT ; analysis ; Lead ; analysis ; Leeches ; chemistry ; Lindane ; analysis ; Materia Medica ; chemistry ; Metals, Heavy ; analysis ; Pesticide Residues ; analysis ; Quality Control ; Soil ; analysis ; Water ; analysis