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I have investigated the possibility that specific conalbumin (ovotransferrin) iron saturation levels enable less virulent strains of Salmonella to become more virulent. Iron starved cells of two pathogenic Salmonella strains, S. paratyphi B var. java and S. thompson, were cultured in iron limited media at 3 different iron conalbumin saturation levels. Results indicate that strains differ significantly at both low and high iron saturation conalbumin. These differences depict a growth advantage for S. paratyphi B which correlates with reports by the Centers for Disease Control that S. paratyphi B was 3 times more frequent in blood isolates than S. thompson. The ability to use protein bound iron may account for the higher involvement of S. paratyphi B in bacteremia.

published_or_final_version / Pharmacology / Master / Master of Philosophy

Also, the branchial hsp70 levels in fish following chronic salinity acclimation and abrupt hypo-osmotic exposure to 6 ppt were assessed by Western blotting. Upon chronic salinity acclimation, the lowest branchial hsp70 level was found in fish cultured in an iso-osmotic salinity of 12 ppt and the highest was in 50 ppt and 6 ppt environments. Freshwater acclimation resulted in return to lower hsp70 level. The results indicated that iso-osmotic salinity would bring about the least stress level while 50 ppt and 6 ppt were the most stressful salinities to Sparus sarba as indicated by using hsp70 expression as a biomarker of stress. Compared to 50 ppt and 6 ppt, the stress level of fish in fresh water was lower. On the other hand, Sparus sarba exhibited a significant increase in branchial hsp70 level immediately after abrupt hypo-osmotic exposure to 6 ppt when compared with seawater fish sampled at the same time point and increased hsp70 level was sustained throughout the sampling period, indicating the exposure was stressful to the fish. / In the present study, pituitary and serum levels of prolactin in a marine teleost, Sparus sarba, chronically acclimated to various salinities: fresh water (0 ppt), hypo-osmotic (6 ppt), iso-osmotic (12 ppt), normal seawater (33 ppt) and hypersaline (50 ppt) or abruptly exposed to a hypo-osmotic environment of 6 ppt were quantified by the developed peptide-based indirect ELISAs. Progressive increases in pituitary and serum prolactin were found as chronic salinity acclimation progressed from seawater to fresh water. Also, prolactin secretion was immediately induced by abrupt hypo-osmotic exposure to 6 ppt and remained significantly elevated up to 5 days post-exposure to 6 ppt. The results underline the importance of prolactin in marine teleosts kept in fresh water or waters of low salinity. However, there was no significant difference in pituitary prolactin during the course of the abrupt hypo-osmotic exposure experiment. The results may indicate that prolactin might be secreted rapidly from pituitary in large quantities to cope with abrupt exposure to a low-salinity environment. / In the present study, the effects of pharmacological drugs on prolactin levels in pituitary and serum of Sparus sarba were investigated. An increase in prolactin synthesis and release but a decrease in branchial hsp70 expression were found after treatment with sulpiride, a DA-D2 receptor antagonist. In contrast, a reduction in prolactin levels in pituitary and serum but an elevation in hsp70 level in gill were observed following administration of bromocriptine, a DA-D2 receptor agonist. Since hsp70 expression indicates the stress levels, the results of these studies supported the notion that increased prolactin synthesis and release might be related to a reduced stress state and prolactin might have a protective effect on stress tolerance in fish. / Lastly, the role of prolactin in regulating apoptosis in Sparus sarba branchial cells was examined. Successful induction of apoptosis was indicated by an increase in the apoptotic parameter caspase-3 activity in primary cultures of Sparus sarba branchial cells treated with camptothecin, a specific inducer of apoptosis. In this study, prolactin was shown to be anti-apoptotic in Sparus sarba branchial cells as co-treatment with ovine prolactin (oPRL) and camptothecin has been observed to attenuate the elevated caspase-3 activity in gill cell primary cultures. Also, prolactin was found to protect the branchial cells from apoptosis by maintaining the hsp70 level in the cells treated with camptothecin. / The objectives of the present study were to investigate the roles of prolactin in salinity adaptation, hsp70 expression and apoptosis in silver sea bream (Spaurs sarba). Firstly, specific peptide-based indirect ELISAs were developed for pituitary and serum prolactin of Sparus sarba. These assays had been validated by parallelism between the dilution response curves using serially diluted pituitary homogenate and serum sample with the standard curves of the synthetic peptide derived from the amino acid sequence of black sea bream (Acanthopagrus schlegelii ) prolactin. / Ng, Ho Yuen Andus. / "September 2007." / Adviser: N. Y. S. Woo. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 69-08, Section: B, page: 4567. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2007. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 143-189). / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Electronic reproduction. [Ann Arbor, MI] : ProQuest Information and Learning, [200-] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / School code: 1307.

Zhou Liran. / "June 2003." / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2003. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 182-216). / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Mode of access: World Wide Web. / Abstracts in English and Chinese.

The purpose of this investigation was to determine the effects of post-exercise carbohydrate-protein feedings on muscle glycogen restoration following exhaustive cycle ergometer exercise. Seven male collegiate cyclist (age=25.6±3.3y, ht.=180.9±8.5cm, wt.=75.4±10.7kg, VO2max=4.20±0.4 1•miri 1) performed three trials, each separated by -lwk, 1) 100% (x-D glucose (CHO), 2) 70% carbohydrate-20% protein-10% fat (CHOPRO), and 3) 86% carbohdyrate-14% amino acid (CHO-AA). All feedings were eucaloric, based upon 1.0 g•kgb.W.'1•hr"1 of carbohydrate, and administered every half hour during a four hour muscle glycogen restoration period in an 18% wt./vol. solution. Muscle biopsies were obtained immediately and four hours post exercise. Following the exhaustive exercise and every half hour for four hours a blood sample was drawn. Muscle glycogen concentrations increased 53%, 47%, and 57% for the CHO, CHO-PRO, and CHO-AA feedings, respectively, however no differences among the feedings were apparent in muscle glycogen restoration. The plasma glucose and insulin concentrations demonstrated no differences throughout the restoration period among the three feedings. These results suggest that muscle glycogen restoration does not appear to be enhanced with the addition of either protein or amino acids to an eucaloric carbohydrate feeding following an exhaustive cycle exercise. However, it appears that if adequate amounts of carbohydrates are consumed (greater than 0.70 g•kgb,W,."'•hf' carbohydrate) following exhaustive exercise, maximal muscle glycogen restoration occurs. / School of Physical Education

This thesis aimed to, first, examine the effects of the addition of whey protein or casein protein to common carbohydrate-electrolyte (CE) solutions on post-exercise rehydration; second, examine the effects of various contents of whey protein in CE solutions on post-exercise rehydration; and third, investigate the mechanisms on the increased fluid retention after the ingestion of CE plus whey protein solutions. / The first study (Chapter 4) of this thesis examined the effects of CE solution added with a certain amount of whey or casein protein on post-exercise rehydration. Ten young healthy males (mean ± SEM, age: 20.7 ± 0.4 years; body weight (BW): 65.4 ± 2.0 kg; maximal oxygen uptake (VO₂ₘₐₓ): 60.7 ± 1.9 mL·kg⁻¹·min⁻¹) were recruited in this study. Three main experimental trials were conducted in a randomized single-blinded crossover design and separated by at least 7 days between any two of them. In each main trial, subjects ran for 60 min at 65% VO₂ₘₐₓ on a treadmill in a warm and humid environment (24 °C, 60% relative humidity (RH)), which was followed by a 4-hour recovery period. During recovery, the subjects were provided with either a common CE solution, or a CE with whey protein (CW) solution, or a CE with casein protein (CC) solution. The three solutions were matched for energy and electrolyte content and were provided in six equivalent volumes at 30 min intervals with a total volume equivalent to 150% of their BW loss. The nude BW, urine samples, and capillary blood samples were collected before and after exercise and at the end of each hour during recovery. After exercise, the subjects lost approximately 2.3% of their pre-exercise BW in all trials. Total urine volume after recovery was higher in the CE and CC trials than in the CW trial (CE vs. CW vs. CC: 1184 ± 120 mL vs. 1005 ± 68 mL vs. 1256 ± 130 mL, p < 0.05), which induced greater fluid retention in CW trial compared with both CE and CC trials (CE vs. CW vs. CC: 46.9 ± 5.2% vs. 54.9 ± 2.9% vs. 45.8 ± 5.5%, p < 0.05). By the end of recovery, the urine specific gravity (USG) was lower in the CE trial than in both CW and CC trials (CE vs. CW vs. CC: 1.002 ± 0.001 g·mL⁻¹ vs. 1.004 ± 0.001 g·mL⁻¹ vs. 1.004 ± 0.000 g·mL⁻¹, p < 0.05). In addition, the urine osmolality was lower in the CE trial than in both CW and CC trials after recovery (CE vs. CW vs. CC: 111 ± 18 mmol·kg⁻¹ vs. 181 ± 14 mmol·kg⁻¹ vs. 195 ± 23 mmol·kg⁻¹, p < 0.05). However, no difference was found in the changes of plasma volume among trials throughout recovery. These results suggested that during a 4-hour recovery after 60 min run which induced about 2% BW loss, the CE plus whey protein solution was more effective in fluid retention compared with the isocaloric CE or CE plus casein protein solution. / The second study (Chapter 5) was conducted to examine the effects of various contents of whey protein in CE solutions on post-exercise rehydration; meanwhile, the mechanisms on the greater fluid retention after the ingestion of CE plus whey protein solutions were investigated as well. Ten young healthy males (mean ± SEM, age: 22.0 ± 0.7 years; BW: 64.5 ± 1.9 kg; VO₂ₘₐₓ: 59.8 ± 1.9 mL·kg⁻¹·min⁻¹) finished five main experimental trials in a randomized single-blinded crossover manner and separated by at least 7 days. After a 60-min run at 65% VO₂ₘₐₓ on a treadmill in each main trial, a 4-hour recovery period was carried out. During recovery, five solutions of 1) a CE solution with high CHO content (CE-H); 2) a CE solution with low CHO content (CE-L); 3) a CE solution with high content of whey protein (CW-H); 4) a CE solution with medium content of whey protein (CW-M); and 5) a CE solution with low content of whey protein (CW-L) were consumed by the subjects randomly. The electrolyte content was matched, whereas CE-H, CW-H, CW-M, and CW-L solutions were matched for energy density, CE-L and CW-H solutions were matched for CHO content. The total volume consumed by subjects was 150% of the BW loss, and the solutions were provided in six equal volumes at 30 min intervals during recovery. The nude BW, urine samples, and capillary and venous blood samples were obtained before and after exercise and at the end of each hour during recovery. The results showed that the subjects lost about 2.2% of BW after exercise. By the end of the recovery, the total urine volume was smaller in the CW-M trial than in the CE-H trial (CE-H vs. CW-M: 1295 ± 103 mL vs. 1049 ± 130 mL, p < 0.05), whereas the CW-H trial was smaller than the CE-H, CE-L, and CW-L trials (CE-H vs. CE-L vs. CW-L vs. CW-H: 1295 ± 1033 mL vs. 1284 ± 90 mL vs. 1141 ± 58 mL vs. 891 ± 73 mL, p < 0.01). The less urine production in the CW-M and CW-H trials resulted in a greater fluid retention compared with CE-H, CE-L, and CW-L trials (CE-H vs. CE-L vs. CW-L vs. CW-M vs. CW-H: 38.4 ± 5.2% vs. 36.1 ± 4.3% vs. 43.0 ± 3.8% vs. 51.0 ± 5.7% vs. 55.4 ± 3.8%, p < 0.05). The CE-H and CE-L trials showed lower USG and urine osmolality compared with the CW-L, CW-M, and CW-H trials at the end of recovery (p < 0.05). In addition, the plasma osmolality of the CE-L trial was lower than that of the CW-L, CW-M, and CW-H trials at the 1st hour of recovery (CE-L vs. CW-L vs. CW-M vs. CW-H: 274 ± 4 mmol·kg⁻¹ vs. 291 ± 4 mmol·kg⁻¹ vs. 301 ± 6 mmol·kg⁻¹ vs. 293 ± 6 mmol·kg⁻¹, p < 0.05). The plasma volume was lower in the CE-L trial than that in the CW-H trial at the 2nd and 3rd hour, and the CE-L trial reached the lowest plasma volume than the other four trials by the end of recovery (p < 0.05). The aldosterone concentration was lower in both CE-H and CE-L trials compared with the CW-M and CW-H trials after recovery (CE-H vs. CE-L vs. CW-M vs. CW-H: 228 ± 100 pg·mL⁻¹ vs. 211 ± 51 pg·mL⁻¹ vs. 336 ± 85 pg·mL⁻¹ vs. 333 ± 70 pg·mL⁻¹, p < 0.05). The antidiuretic hormone (ADH) concentration was also found to be lower in the CE-L trial than in the CW-H trial at the 1st and 2nd hour of recovery (p < 0.05). However, no difference was found in plasma albumin concentrations among trials throughout recovery. The results indicated that the CE solutions with higher whey protein content retained more fluid compared with CE solutions with lower whey protein content or CE solution alone. The greater fluid retention was partly caused by the elevated aldosterone concentrations in the situations of current study. / In summary, the experimental results of this thesis found that the consumption of common CE solution plus whey protein can retain more fluid in body than isocaloric CE or CE plus casein protein solution during post-exercise recovery. CE solutions with relative higher whey protein content were more effective in fluid retention than CE solutions with lower whey protein content. Furthermore, the additive effects on fluid retention caused by whey protein supplementation were induced by the increased concentrations of plasma aldosterone. The elevated plasma osmolality and ADH concentrations maybe also played a role in the greater fluid retention. However, further studies are needed to clarify this issue. The current findings provided more evidences in this research topic and suggested some recommendations to athletes and sports enthusiasts to reach rehydration rapidly and effectively after exercise. / 本論文的研究目的包括：首先，研究在普通的碳水化合物-電解質（CE）飲料中添加乳清蛋白或酪蛋白對運動後復水的影響；其次，研究CE飲料中添加不同劑量的乳清蛋白對運動後復水的影響；再次，闡述飲用CE加乳清蛋白飲料後更能有效的將水分保留在人體內的機制。 / 實驗一（第四章）研究了在CE飲料中加入一定劑量的乳清蛋白或酪蛋白對運動後復水的影響。十位年輕、健康男性受試者（平均值 ± 標準誤，年齡: 20.7 ± 0.4 歲；體重: 65.4 ± 2.0 千克；最大攝氧量: 60.7 ± 1.9 mL·kg⁻¹·min⁻¹）自願參加本項測試。按照隨機單肓交叉設計，他們完成了三次主測試，期中任何兩次測試時間都相隔七天以上。在每一次主測試中，受試者首先在跑臺上以65%最大攝氧量的運動強度完成了60分鐘的跑步運動（運動環境控制在24攝氏度，60%相對濕度），隨後開始4小時的運動後恢復階段。在恢復過程中，受試者會分別飲用三種不同飲料中的一種。三種飲料包括：（1）普通CE飲料（CE組）；（2）普通CE飲料中添加乳清蛋白（CW 組）；（3）普通CE飲料中添加酪蛋白（CC 組）。三種飲料含有相同的能量密度及電解質濃度。受試者在每次主測試中飲用的總飲料體積為1.5倍的體重減少量，這些飲料分為6等份并每隔30分鐘由受試者飲用一份。運動前、後及在恢復階段每隔一小時收集受試者的體重（裸重）、尿液樣本、及血液樣本（指尖取血）。在三次主測試中，受試者在運動結束後減少的體重量約為運動前體重的2.3%。在4小時的恢復階段中，CE組和CC組受試者排出的尿液總體積大於CW組（CE vs. CW vs. CC: 1184 ± 120 mL vs. 1005 ± 68 mL vs. 1256 ± 130 mL, p < 0.05）。所以，恢復結束後，CW組的水分保持比例高於CE組及CC組（CE vs. CW vs. CC:46.9 ± 5.2% vs. 54.9 ± 2.9% vs. 45.8 ± 5.5%, p < 0.05）。在恢復結束時，CE組的尿比重低於CW組及CC組（CE vs. CW vs. CC: 1.002 ± 0.001 g·mL⁻¹ vs. 1.004 ± 0.001g·mL⁻¹ vs. 1.004 ± 0.000 g·mL⁻¹, p < 0.05）。另外，在恢復結束後，CE組尿滲透壓水平低於CW組及CC組（CE vs. CW vs. CC: 111 ± 18 mmol·kg⁻¹ vs. 181 ± 14mmol·kg⁻¹ vs. 195 ± 23 mmol·kg⁻¹, p < 0.05）。但是，在恢復階段，血漿容量的變化在三組中沒有顯著差異。本實驗的結果表明，完成60分鐘跑步後，受試者丟失掉約2%的體重，在之後4小時恢復階段中，飲用添加乳清蛋白的CE飲料比有相同能量密度的普通CE飲料或添加酪蛋白的CE飲料更能有效的將水分保留在體內。 / 實驗二（第五章）研究了在普通CE飲料中添加不同劑量的乳清蛋白對運動後復水的影響；同時，也研究了飲用CE加乳清蛋白飲料後更能有效的將水分保留在人體內的機制。十位年輕、健康男性受試者（平均值 ± 標準誤，年齡: 22.0 ± 0.7 歲；體重: 64.5 ± 1.9 千克；最大攝氧量: 59.8 ± 1.9 mL·kg⁻¹·min⁻¹）自願參加本項測試。按照隨機單肓交叉設計，他們完成了五次主測試，任何兩次測試的時間都相隔七天以上。在每一次主測試中，受試者首先在跑臺上以65%最大攝氧量的運動強度完成了60 分鐘的跑步運動，隨後開始4 小時的運動後恢復階段。在恢復過程中，受試者會飲用五種不同飲料中的一種。五種飲料包括：（1）普通CE飲料，含有較高的CHO濃度（CE-H組）；（2）普通CE飲料，含有較低的CHO濃度（CE-L組）；（3）普通CE飲料添加較高劑量的乳清蛋白（CW-H組）；（4）普通CE飲料添加中等劑量的乳清蛋白（CW-M組）；（5）普通CE飲料添加較低劑量的乳清蛋白（CW-L組）。五種飲料含有相同濃度的電解質，其中，CE-H，CW-H，CW-M，及CW-L組有相同的能量密度，CE-L 及CW-H 組有相同的CHO含量。在每次主測試的恢復階段，受試者飲用的飲料總體積為1.5倍的體重減少量，這些飲料分為6等份并每隔30分鐘由受試者飲用一份。運動前、後及在恢復階段每隔一小時收集受試者的體重（裸重）、尿液樣本、及血液樣本（指尖取血及靜脈取血）。運動結束後，受試者的體重減少量約為運動前體重的2.2%，五組測試中沒有顯著差異。在4小時的恢復階段後，CW-M 組受試者的尿液總體積小於CE-H組（CE-H vs. CW-M:1295 ± 103 mL vs. 1049 ± 130 mL, p < 0.05）；同時，CW-H組的尿量低於CE-H，CE-L，及CW-L組（CE-H vs. CE-L vs. CW-L vs. CW-H: 1295 ± 103 mL vs. 1284 ± 90mL vs. 1141 ± 58 mL vs. 891 ± 73 mL, p < 0.01）。相對於CE-H，CE-L，及CW-L組，較少的尿液排出量使CW-M及CW-H組能將更多的水分保留在體內（CE-H vs.CE-L vs. CW-L vs. CW-M vs. CW-H: 38.4 ± 5.2% vs. 36.1 ± 4.3% vs. 43.0 ± 3.8% vs.51.0 ± 5.7% vs. 55.4 ± 3.8%, p < 0.05）。在恢復結束後，CE-H及CE-L組的尿比重水平及尿滲透壓水平低於CW-L，CW-M，及CW-H組（p < 0.05）。另外，在恢復階段的第1小時，CE-L組的血漿滲透壓水平低於CW-L，CW-M，及CW-H組（CE-L vs. CW-L vs. CW-M vs. CW-H: 274 ± 4 mmol·kg⁻¹ vs. 291 ± 4 mmol·kg⁻¹ vs. 301 ± 6 mmol·kg⁻¹ vs. 293 ± 6 mmol·kg⁻¹, p < 0.05）。在恢復階段的第2及3小時，CE-L組的血漿容量低於CW-H組；在恢復結束時，CE-L組的血漿容量低於其它四組（p <0.05）。對于兩種體液平衡調節激素，在恢復結束時，CE-H及CE-L組的醛固酮水平低於CW-M及CW-H組（CE-H vs. CE-L vs. CW-M vs. CW-H: 228 ± 100 pg·mL⁻¹ vs. 211 ± 51 pg·mL⁻¹ vs. 336 ± 85 pg·mL⁻¹ vs. 333 ± 70 pg·mL⁻¹, p < 0.05）。在恢復階段的第1及2小時，CE-L組的抗利尿激素水平低於CW-H組（p < 0.05）。然而，五組測試中，血漿白蛋白水平在恢復階段沒有顯著差異。本實驗的研究結果表明，普通CE飲料中加入較高劑量的乳清蛋白比較低劑量的乳清蛋白更能有效的將水分保留在人體內。這種較高水平的水分保留能力與醛固酮激素水平的升高有關。 / 綜上所述，本論文的研究結果發現，在運動後的恢復階段飲用添加乳清蛋白的CE飲料比有相同能量密度的普通CE飲料或添加酪蛋白的CE飲料更能有效的將水分保留在人體內。並且，在CE飲料中加入較高劑量的乳清蛋白比較低劑量的乳清蛋白對人體內水分的保留更加有效。另外，這種較高水平的水分保留能力是由醛固酮激素水平的升高引起的。同時，較高的血漿滲透壓及抗利尿激素水平可能對這種高效的水分保留能力也有一定的促進作用，但需要更多的研究來闡述這一觀點。本論文的研究結果為運動後復水的相關研究提供了更多的理論證據，並且對運動員及運動愛好者在運動結束後如何進行快速有效的復水提出了指導及建議。 / Li, Liang. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2014. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 131-149). / Abstracts also in Chinese; appendixes includes Chinese. / Title from PDF title page (viewed on 01, November, 2016). / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only.

Ng Ho Yuen Andus. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2001. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 105-131). / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / Chapter I --- Title page --- p.i / Chapter II --- Thesis committee --- p.ii / Chapter III --- Acknowledgement --- p.iii / Chapter IV --- Abstract --- p.v / Chapter V --- Abstract (Chinese version) --- p.vii / Chapter V --- Table of contents --- p.ix / Chapter VI --- List of abbreviations --- p.xv / Chapter VII --- List of figures --- p.xviii / General introduction --- p.1 / Chapter Chapter 1: --- Literature review --- p.5 / Chapter 1.1. --- Heat shock proteins (HSPs) --- p.6 / Chapter 1.1.1. --- Introduction --- p.6 / Chapter 1.1.2. --- The various heat shock proteins --- p.8 / Chapter 1.1.2.1. --- HSP100s --- p.8 / Chapter 1.1.2.2. --- HSP90s --- p.9 / Chapter 1.1.2.3. --- HSP70s --- p.12 / Chapter 1.1.2.3.1. --- ATPase reaction cycle of HSP70 and protein folding --- p.13 / Chapter 1.1.2.3.2. --- Protein translocation --- p.14 / Chapter 1.1.2.3.3. --- Selective lysosomal proteolysis --- p.16 / Chapter 1.1.2.4. --- HSP60s --- p.16 / Chapter 1.1.2.5. --- Small HSPs --- p.17 / Chapter 1.1.2.6. --- Ubiquitin --- p.19 / Chapter 1.1.3. --- HSP studies in fish --- p.21 / Chapter 1.1.3.1. --- In vivo works --- p.21 / Chapter 1.1.3.2. --- In vitro works --- p.23 / Chapter 1.2. --- Growth hormone / prolactin family in teleostean fishes --- p.26 / Chapter 1.2.1. --- Introduction --- p.26 / Chapter 1.2.2. --- Growth hormone (GH; somatotropin) --- p.29 / Chapter 1.2.2.1. --- Structure --- p.29 / Chapter 1.2.2.2. --- Actions --- p.29 / Chapter 1.2.2.3. --- Insulin-like Growth Factors (IGFs; somatomedins) --- p.31 / Chapter 1.2.3. --- Prolactin (PRL) --- p.34 / Chapter 1.2.3.1. --- Structure --- p.34 / Chapter 1.2.3.2. --- Actions --- p.35 / Chapter 1.2.4. --- Somatolactin (SL) --- p.37 / Chapter 1.2.4.1. --- Structure --- p.37 / Chapter 1.2.4.2. --- Actions --- p.38 / Chapter 1.2.5. --- Growth hormone receptor (GH-R) and prolactin receptor (PRL-R) --- p.39 / Chapter 1.3. --- Cortisol in teleostean fishes --- p.41 / Chapter 1.4. --- Salinity adaptation in teleosts --- p.44 / Chapter Chapter 2: --- Effect of in vitro thermal shock on HSP70 expression in whole blood of Sparus sarba --- p.46 / Chapter 2.1. --- Introduction --- p.47 / Chapter 2.2. --- Materials and methods --- p.49 / Chapter 2.2.1. --- Overall experimental design --- p.49 / Chapter 2.2.2. --- Experimental fish --- p.49 / Chapter 2.2.3. --- Blood sampling and preparation --- p.49 / Chapter 2.2.4. --- Thermal stress regimes --- p.50 / Chapter 2.2.5. --- Protein extraction --- p.51 / Chapter 2.2.6. --- Protein quantification --- p.51 / Chapter 2.2.7. --- Indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) --- p.52 / Chapter 2.2.8. --- Protein gel electrophoresis and immunoblotting (Western blotting) --- p.54 / Chapter 2.2.9. --- Statistical analysis --- p.55 / Chapter 2.3. --- Results --- p.56 / Chapter 2.3.1. --- Validation of indirect ELISA --- p.56 / Chapter 2.3.2. --- Effect of in vitro thermal shock on HSP70 expression in whole blood of Sparus sarba --- p.56 / Chapter 2.4. --- Discussion --- p.60 / Chapter 2.5. --- Conclusion --- p.64 / Chapter Chapter 3: --- Effects of hormones on HSP70 expression in whole blood of Sparus sarba in vitro --- p.65 / Chapter 3.1. --- Introduction --- p.66 / Chapter 3.2. --- Materials and methods --- p.68 / Chapter 3.2.1. --- Overall experimental design and experimental fish --- p.68 / Chapter 3.2.2. --- Hormone treatments --- p.59 / Chapter 3.2.3. --- "Protein extraction and quantification, indirect ELISA，gel electrophoresis, and immunoblotting (Western blotting)" --- p.70 / Chapter 3.2.4. --- Statistical analysis --- p.70 / Chapter 3.3. --- Results --- p.71 / Chapter 3.3.1. --- Effect of Cortisol on HSP70 levels in whole Blood --- p.71 / Chapter 3.3.2. --- Effect of recombinant bream growth hormone on HSP70 levels in whole blood --- p.71 / Chapter 3.3.3. --- Effect of recombinant bream insulin-like growth factor-I on HSP70 levels in whole blood --- p.71 / Chapter 3.3.4. --- Effect of ovine prolactin on HSP70 levels in whole blood --- p.72 / Chapter 3.4. --- Discussion --- p.81 / Chapter 3.4.1. --- Effect of Cortisol on HSP70 levels in whole Blood --- p.81 / Chapter 3.4.2. --- Effect of recombinant bream growth hormone on HSP70 levels in whole blood --- p.83 / Chapter 3.4.3. --- Effect of recombinant bream insulin-like growth factor-I on HSP70 levels in whole blood --- p.85 / Chapter 3.4.4. --- Effect of ovine prolactin on HSP70 levels in whole blood --- p.86 / Chapter 3.5. --- Conclusion --- p.88 / Chapter Chapter 4: --- Effect on HSP70 expression in whole blood of Sparus sarba acclimated to various salinities --- p.89 / Chapter 4.1. --- Introduction --- p.90 / Chapter 4.2. --- Materials and methods --- p.92 / Chapter 4.2.1. --- Overall experimental design and experimental fish --- p.92 / Chapter 4.2.2. --- "Protein extraction and quantification, indirect ELISA, gel electrophoresis, and immunoblotting (Western blotting)" --- p.92 / Chapter 4.2.3. --- Statistical analysis --- p.93 / Chapter 4.3. --- Results --- p.94 / Chapter 4.4. --- Discussion --- p.97 / Chapter 4.5. --- Conclusion --- p.100 / Chapter Chapter 5: --- General discussion and conclusion --- p.101 / References --- p.105

To study the effect of exercise and protein intake during pregnancy on maternal and fetal zinc status in the rat, one hundred and seventy-nine pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into four groups; sedentary-standard protein diet, sedentary-high protein diet, exercising-standard protein diet and exercising-high protein diet. The standard protein diet contained 7.22% protein, while the high protein diet contained 24.77% protein; all other nutrients were supplied in amounts required for normal parturition of the laboratory rat. After acclimatization, the exercising dams, regardless of diet, were made to swim continuously for one and one-half hours/day until sacrifice. The four major groups were further subdivided into 28 groups, designated by three-day intervals according to gestational day--days 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, and 21. Uterine tissues were retained for zinc content analysis; fetal and placental tissues were separated from uterine tissue for days 15 through 21 only. The concentration of uterine zinc was affected solely by gestation; absolute placental tissue zinc values were lowest in the sedentary-high and exercising-low protein groups, while the exercising-high protein group possessed the greatest zinc value. No significant difference was detected in fetal zinc concentrations. Fetal tissue from exercising dams weighed significantly less (p<0.05) than fetal tissue from the sedentary dams; and sedentary-high protein dams produced significantly more (p<0.05) fetuses than the exercising-high protein dams. Both protein intake and exercising during pregnancy significantly affect normal parturition and zinc metabolism in the rat. / M.S.

The effect of two levels of dietary protein and exercise on iron metabolism in pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats was studied. Animals were assigned to the following diet and exercise groups on the first day of gestation: high protein sedentary (HS), high protein exercise (HEx), low protein sedentary (LS), low protien exercise (LEx). Animals in the exercise groups swam continuously for 75 minuites the first day and 90 minutes daily thereafter, throughout the study. Hemoglobin, hematocrit, liver iron concentration and spleen iron concentration were measured at day 0, 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, and 21 of gestation. Mean hemoglobin, hematocrit and liver iron concentration values were lower at day 21 than at day 0 of gestation. Mean hematocrit and hemoglobin for the LEx group were the lowest for days 9 through 15. At day 15 the mean hematocrit for the LEx group was significantly (p < 0.05) lower than that of the other groups. The HEx group had the highest hematocrit and hemoglobin values at day 21 of gestation; hemoglobin was significantly (p < 0.05) higher. No difference in mean spleen iron concentration from day 0 to day 21 was found, however, the low protein groups had higher spleen iron values early in pregnancy that the high protein groups. The mean spleen iron concentration of the LEx group was significantly (p < 0.05) higher than those of the HS and HEx groups at day 6. A trend for higher liver iron concentration values of the low protein groups than high protein groups was also observed. The LEx group had a significantly (p <0.05) higher mean liver iron concentration at day 18 than the other groups. Both protein nutriture and exercise appear to affect iron metabolism in pregnant rats. / M.S.