[Age changes in spermogram and fertilizing capacity of spermatosides in persons 26-47 years old.]

The work is devoted to the analysis of age-related changes in human spermatozoa and their functional properties in men aged 26-47 years. The work used ejaculate obtained from 54 men as part of the in vitro fertilization procedure. The patients were divided into three groups (26-29, 30-34 and over 35 years old). In the course of the work, the parameters of the spermogram were collected, as well as the results of assessing the viability of spermatozoa, obtained using the method of flow cytometry, and also a retrospective analysis of the effectiveness of in vitro fertilization was carried out. It was found that the average values of spermogram parameters in groups were within the physiological norm, however, about 59% of patients had individual deviations in terms of 1-3 indicators. Cytometric analysis revealed a rapid increase with age in functional disorders of spermatozoa, affecting the recognition and penetration apparatus (acrosome), the energy apparatus of the cell (its mitochondrion) and the density of chromatin in its nucleus. The result is a decrease in the probability of fertilization from 88% at 26-29 years old to 61% after 35 years, even with in vitro fertilization. The significance of the results obtained for the analysis of age-related changes in the male reproductive system and the practice of treating male infertility is substantiated.

[Immunity, aging and works of V.M.Dilman.]

The review, dedicated to the anniversary of the brilliant gerontologist, endocrinologist and oncologist Vladimir M. Dilman, provides a historical analysis of the hypotheses of immunocooperative interactions, which have been given a prominent place in his original concept of aging. The history of various T-cell populations and sub-populations is reviewed, and their functions are briefly analyzed in relation to age-specific changes in immunity. Also considered is the theory of inflammaging in the light of the concept of V.M.Dilman.

[APPLICATION OF FLOW CYTOMETRY FOR THE ANALYSIS OF CIRCULATING HEMOCYTE POPULATIONS IN THE ASCIDIAN HALOCYNTHIA AURANTIUM (PALLAS, 1787)].

This study addresses the potentialities of flow cytometry in analyzing the composition of circulating hemocyte populations in the ascidian Halocynthia aurantium (Pallas, 1787) both using monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against some human leukocyte conservative adhesion molecules and without mAbs. Flow cytometry, based on the assessment of forward and side scattering revealed five hemocyte populations. From the wide panel of antibodies against human leukocyte adhesion molecules (CD15, CD29, CD34, CD54, CD62L, CD62P, CD90, CD94, CD117, CD 166), only two mAbs (against CD54, CD90) displayed cross-reactivity with the H. aurantium hemocyte surface antigens. Distribution patterns of these antigens across the hemocyte populations have been analyzed.

[Thymus Development in Early Ontogeny: A Comparative Aspect].

This review is dedicated to comparative analysis of the early stages of thymus ontogeny in fish, amphibians, and mammals. Morphological and molecular-genetic aspects of the formation of thymic stroma, colonization of this organ with T-cell progenitors, and interaction of different cell populations in the course of organogenesis are considered. Particular attention is given to the hematopoietic role of the thymus during embryogenesis and new data on the origin of T-cell progenitors. The hypothesis about the possible presence in the organ of a self-sustaining population of stem cells, formed regardless of fetal hematopoiesis areas, is discussed.

[Method for simultaneous visualization of mast cells and nerve terminals in the rodent thymus].

The purpose of this study was to develop the method for the simultaneous visualization of mast cells (MCs) and nerve terminals, based on generally accepted techniques of histochemical identification of MCs with alcian blue and immunohistochemical detection of synaptophysin. The protocol presented allows simultaneous identification of mast cells and nerve terminals in the sections of paraffin-embedded thymus of laboratory mammals with high selectivity and good reproducibility. The method can be used for both visualization of spatial relationship between MCs and nerve terminals and independent research of the innervation of mammalian internal organs. Zinc-ethanol-formaldehyde is recommended as an optimal fixative.

[Morphological analysis of hemocytes of ascidian Halocynthia aurantium].

The current paper is devoted to the investigation of ascidian circulating hemocytes populations which are used as an example of blood cell specialization in the lower Chordates. Work has been performed on a solitary ascidian Halocynthis aurantium from the Japanese Sea. Using light microscopy and histiochemistry, we have identified five main populations of circulating hemocytes (hemoblasts, granulocytes, hyaline amoebocytes, macrophage-like and morula cells), which are typical of all tunicates. Pigment cells were not revealed. The possible pathway of circulating cells differentiation is assumed.

[Thymic mast cell localization at different stages of the ontogenesis in the mouse].

The aim of this research was to characterize the population of thymic mast cells (MC) which were demonstrated by histochemical methods, at different stages of mouse ontogenesis. First MCs appeared on day 19 of intrauterine life. MCs were localized to the thymic medulla during the whole embryonic period. Individual MCs could also be identified within the cortex. Single MCs were interspersed among other thymic medullary cells. In the newborn, young and mature animals, MCs were observed in the connective tissue of the capsule and in the interlobular septa, but some MCs were also found inside the thymic lobules. In the last-mentioned case, MCs were located in the subcapsular zone. The possible functional significance of MCs localization is discussed.

[Expression of the starfish complement component C3 gene homologue under the influence of bacterial lipopolysaccharide].

The fragment of a homologue of complement component C3 gene has been cloned and sequenced from the starfish, Asterias rubens. Phylogenetic analysis of ArC3-like gene demonstrates that ArC3-like gene has close similarity to C3 gene homologues of Deuterostomia invertebrate animals. High level of ArC3-like gene expression was identified in circulating cells (coelomocytes), in a gut's derivate (hepatopancreas) and in male gonada but not in stomach, female gonad and rectal gland of A. rubens starfish. ArC3-like gene expression was shown in all types of starfish coelomocytes: in lymphocyte-like cells, granular and nongranular amebocytes. Injection of bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) solution into the coelomic cavity of starfish leads to the increase of ArC3-like gene expression in coelomocytes and hepatopancreas over the control level of sterile sea water injection. The level of ArC3-like gene expression increased in response to LPS reaching the maximum 6 h after the stimulation, and decreased to basal level 24 h after the stimulation. Injection of LPS solution stimulated the increase of ArC3-like gene expression level in hepatopancreas reaching the maximum 6-12 h after the stimulation, and the level of mRNA of ArC3-like gene had still been increased 48 h after LPS injection. The data demonstrates sustained positive regulation of ArC3-like gene expression under the influence of LPS.

[Defensive reactions of gastropod molluscs. Humoral reactions].

Humoral protective reactions and their mechanisms in gastropod mollusks are considered based on the results of various investigations. It is important to note that lectines in molluscs, as well as in other invertebrates, are functional analogues of immunoglobulins in vertebrates.

[Protective reactions of gastropod molluscs. 1. Cell reactions]. / Zashchitnye reaktsii briukhonogikh molliuskov. 1. Kletochnye reaktsii.

Protective reactions of molluscs are traditionally considered in cell and humoral aspects. The paper analyses original data and recent reference data oncell (phagocytic) reactions of gastropod molluscs. The main attention is paid to peculiarities of hemopoiesis, cell elements of hemolymph, and dynamics and mechanics of encapsulating the parasites.

[Comparative immunological analysis of echinoderm cellular and humoral defense factors]. / Sravnitel'no-immunologicheskii analiz kletochnykh i gumoral'nykh zashchitnykh faktorov iglokozhikh.

Coelomocyte are found in the fluid filling coelomic cavity of echinoderms and depending on species can be a mixture of several morphologically different types. There are among them: granular and agranular amoebocytes, morula cells, vibratile and lymphocyte-like cells. All these cells take part in cellular response to immune challenges through phagocytosis, clotting, encapsulation of foreign particles, cytotoxicity, and the production of antimicrobial agents, such as reactive oxygen and nitric oxide. The data are given on a variety of humoral factors found in the coelomic fluid, including different types of lectines, agglutinins, hemolysins, acute phase proteins and antimicrobial factors. The discussion on cooperation between cellular and humoral arms of defense reactions during inflammation reveals the crucial role of coelomocytes in immune response. It is suggested that the sea urchin complement system (that is homologous to the alternative pathway in vertebrates) is appeared initially in echinoderms as a protein cascade that points to opsonization of foreign cells and particles, augmenting their phagocytosis and subsequent destruction by coelomocytes. So the identification of a simple complement system as a part of the echinoderm immune response shows that these animals as well as all invertebrate deuterostomes share innate immune system homologies with vertebrates. Studying the simpler immune response demonstrated by echinoderms is important for understanding the ancestral deuterostome defense system and reconstructing the evolution of immune system in higher vertebrates.

Effects of new taurine derivatives on primary immune response in rats.

The effects of new taurine derivatives TAU-15 and TAU-60 with normal and branched alkyl chains, respectively, in a dose of 25 mg/kg on the primary immune response in rats were studied in rats. Intraperitoneal injections of test compounds for 24 days caused transient inhibition of immune reactions to thymus-dependent antigen, which was related to suppressed production of interleukin-1beta playing a key role in antigen presentation. This effect was probably associated with activation of cortisol secretion. TAU-15 inhibited production of tumor necrosis factor-alpha and, therefore, prevented tissue damages. The immune response was normalized after withdrawal of these preparations.

[Assessment of general and local immunity in children with affected lymphadenoid throat ring]. / Otsenka obshchego i mestnogo immuniteta u detei pri porazhenii limfadenoidnogo kol'tsa glotki.

33 children with affected lymphadenoid throat ring and 15 healthy children were examined for local and general immunity status. Assessment of general immunity provided poor information. Measurements of secretion immunoglobulins levels with enzyme immunoassay was informative and demonstrated close similarity of the clinical and immunological indices. Concentrations of immunoglobulins in the lacunar secretion can serve a prognostic criterium.