A systematic long-term study was made on the possible involvement of humidity in the reproduction of male spotted munia. Both high humidity (90 -t 2%) and continuous illumination (LL) exhibited precocious gonadal development, indicating positive involvement of these 2 factors in the reproduction of this bird. Delay in testicular regression by 2 months in high humidity treated birds suggests a greater role for humidity than photoperiod. o 1992 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Allylpyrocatechol (APC) was isolated from betel leaf and its possible role in L-thyroxin (L-T 4 )-induced thyrotoxic rats was evaluated. The disease condition, thyrotoxicosis was confirmed by higher levels of thyroid hormones and low thyrotropin (TSH) in serum. Increased hepatic activities of 5′-mono-deiodinase(5′D1), glucose-6-phospatase (G-6-Pase); serum concentrations of alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), lactate dehydrogenase(LDH) and tumour necrosis factor-alpha(TNF-α) were observed in thyrotoxic rats. Hepatic lipid peroxidation(LPO) was also increased and the endogenous antioxidants were depleted in these rats. In western blot analysis thyroid peroxidase expression was found to be reduced, whereas thyrotropin receptor(TSHR) expression was enhanced in thyroid gland of these animals. On the other hand, APC treatment in thyrotoxic rats decreased the levels of serum thyroid hormones, ALT, AST, TNF-α and LDH, as well as hepatic 5′ D1 and G-6-Pase activities. However, it increased the serum TSH levels. APC also reduced the hepatic LPO and increased the cellular antioxidants in thyrotoxic rats. However, expression of TSHR was inhibited and TPO was increased by APC. The test compound also improved histological features in both liver and thyroid. Present report appears to be the first one that indicates the positive role of APC in ameliorating T 4 -induced thyrotoxicosis.

In the present communication the authors describe the diversity of freshwater fishes in the Bundelkhand region of India. On the basis of available research there are 93 species of fishes reported in Bundelkhand. These fishes comprised of 6 orders and 18 families. Out of six orders Cypriniformes (55%) is the most abundant order in this region followed by Siluriformes (24%), Persiformes (15%), Synbranchiformes (3%), Osteoglossiformes (2%) and Beloniformes (1%). Out of eighteen families the Cyprinidae is the most prevalent among all families. The Result showed 66 fish species found in district Damoh followed by 50 species in Panna, 27 species in Lalitpur, 27 species in Chhatarpur, 21 species in Sagar and 19 species of fishes in Jhansi.

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