Early Postnatal Experience Modifies Activation of the Pituitary Testicular Complex in Male House Mice (Mus Musculus) Exposed to the Odor of Receptive Con- and Heterospecific Females.

For the first time, it was shown that activation of the pituitary-testicular complex in male house mice exposed to the odor of receptive females of their own and closely related species was modified under the influence of early postnatal experience and the maternal environment. We have confirmed associated formation of behavioral and physiological mechanisms of precopulatory isolation in early ontogenesis. The serum levels of free testosterone in males of closely related species M. spicilegus and M. m. wagneri differ, it is significantly lower in mound-building mice. In males fostered by a conspecific female, the level of free testosterone was significantly lower when exposed to a heterospecific female odor in comparison with a conspecific odor. The rearing of M. m. wagneri males by females of a closely related species led to a decrease in the testosterone response caused by exposure to female chemosignals (both con- and heterospecific) and to the absence of differences in the serum level of free testosterone when exposed to the odor of a female of their own or closely related species. These results indicate that the rearing conditions had a significant influence on the formation of hormonal mechanisms of reproductive isolation.

[Influence of the Mother on the Behavior of Young Rabbits during the Prepubertal Period].

In this study, we investigate the influence of a mother on the behavior of young rabbits during the prepubertal period. It is shown that the presence ofthe mother affects the ratio of types of activity in offspring and the mother can demonstrate behavioral patterns to suppress aggressive behavior in offspring. It was found that rabbits in the prepubertal period continue to have active contact with their mother and make successful attempts at sucking. It was noted that, in terms of percentage, both in the frequency and duration of different forms of activity among rabbits from one to three months of age, a neutral socially oriented and feeding behavior appear to be predominant. There were significant differences in the frequency of the socially oriented behavior and the duration of feeding behavior in young rabbits, who grew up with their mother and without her.

[Detection of Volatile Organic Compounds Associated with Hepatocellular Carcinoma by Macrosmatic Animals: Approaches to the Search for New Tumor Markers].

Macrosmatic animals (dogs and mice) have been proved to be able to distinguish between the urine or feces of mice with transplanted hepatocellular carcinoma and those of healthy mice by odor. The chemical composition of animal excreta was found to change with tumor growth; however, it is not clear yet if this results from tumor growth itself, inflammation, or immune response. We suggested that the use of the ability of macrosmatic animals to compare odor mixtures combined with mouse cancer models is a promising trend in the search for new tumor markers.

Sleep-wakefulness cycle and behavior in pannexin1 knockout mice.

Pannexins are membrane channel proteins that play a role in a number of critical biological processes (Panchin et al., 2000; Shestopalov, Panchin, 2008). Among other cellular functions, pannexin hemichannels serve as purine nucleoside conduits providing ATP efflux into the extracellular space (Dahl, 2015), where it is rapidly degraded to adenosine. Pannexin1 (Panx1) is abundantly expressed in the brain and has been shown to contribute to adenosine signaling in nervous system tissues (Prochnow et al., 2012). We hypothesized that pannexin1 may contribute to sleep-wake cycle regulation through extracellular adenosine, a well-established paracrine factor in slow wave sleep. To investigate this link, EEG and movement activity throughout the light/dark cycle were compared in Panx1-/- and Panx1+/+ mice. We found a significant increase in waking and a correspondent decrease in slow wave sleep percentages in the Panx1-/- animals. These changes were especially pronounced during the dark period. Furthermore, we found a significant increase in movement activity of Panx1-/- mice. These findings are consistent with the hypothesis that extracellular adenosine is relatively depleted in Panx1-/- animals due to the absence of the ATP-permeable hemichannels. At the same time, sleep rebound after a 6-h sleep deprivation remained unchanged in Panx1-/- mice as compared to the control animals. Behavioral tests revealed that Panx1-/- mice were significantly faster during their descent along the vertical pole but more sluggish during their run through the horizontal pole as compared to the control mice.

[BLOCKING SENSORIMOTOR DISORDERS IN STRIATIC DOPAMINERGIC DEFICIENT MICE BY THE EXTRACTS OF "REMEDY BEETLE" ALPHITOBIUS DIAPERINUS].

Five groups of C57Bl/6JSto mice (groups 1-5) were tested on a vertical pole 2 weeks since subcutaneous administration of proneurotoxin MPTP (40 mg per kg b. w.) to groups 2-5. Group 1 served as control. It is known that this MPTP dosage forms within 2 weeks sensorimotor disturbances similar to the initial stage of Parkinson's disease. One week before MPTP injection and during all the period after it (2 weeks) animals of groups 3-5 got one of the three extracts of biomass homogenate of the «remedy beetle¼ Alphitobius diaperinus as an additive to their food (8 g per 1 kg of food). The extracts were as follows: water (N 1), water-methanol (N 2) and water-methanol one after solid-phase extraction (N 3). All extracts were immobilized on a phytocarrier. Animals of groups 1 & 2 used ordinary food. Sensorimotor disturbances which could be clearly seen in the 2nd group of mice (MPTP) were absent in group 1 (control) as well as groups 3-5 which received an «antidote¼ with their food as one of the extracts of homogenate of the beetle biomass. The extract N 3 demonstrated maximal efficiency of all.