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Coding of pheromone signal by olfactory receptor neurons in Agrotis ipsilon
Kováčová, Kristýna ; Košťál, Lubomír (advisor) ; Pokora, Ondřej (referee)
i Abstract The main objective of the thesis is to describe differences in the activity of male A. ipsilon olfactory receptor neurons (ORNs) when stimulated by different temporal dynamics of the concentration of the conspecific female pheromone. First, under the artificial situation of constant pulse stimulation, and second, with a fluctuating signal resembling the natural situation. For this purpose, the experimental data were collected in the collaborating laboratory (Dr. P. Lucas, INRAe, Versailles, France) by employing a novel olfactometer system that enables precise temporal control of the pheromone delivery to individual sensilla. Using the R programming language, we analyzed various descriptors of the response reliability, randomness, and variability, as well as the information content of the evoked activity. The results are interpreted in the context of the classical efficient coding hypothesis, which states that sensory neurons are evolutionarily adapted to natural stimuli. The main finding is that although the response variability is widely spread across the ORN population, sometimes with no visible difference between the constant and fluctuating stimulation types, the fluctuating stimulus is usually encoded with systematically higher reliability, as revealed by the inspection of individual ORNs....
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Factors affecting oetrous cycles in the house mouse (Mus musculus)
Havrdová, Leona ; Stopka, Pavel (advisor) ; Němec, Pavel (referee)
Factors affecting oetrous cycles in the house mouse (Mus musculus) Abstract This bachelor thesis deals with factors which have significant influence on house mouse (Mus musculus) oestrous cycle. Main theme is oestrous cycle modulation caused by male or female chemical signals. Familiar phenomena like Bruce effect, Whitten effect and Lee-Boot effect are described in detail along with newly explored social modulation issues (ovulation trigger, male genotype role etc.). Environmental impact is also included, especially role of Bisphenol A in connection with negative impacts on human reproduction (tested on mice). Key words: oestrus, pheromone, MUP, Mus musculus, vomeronasal organ
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The role of Toxoplasma gondii on the expression of Major Urinary Proteins in the house mouse
Hladovcová, Denisa ; Stopka, Pavel (advisor) ; Hrdý, Ivan (referee)
Major Urinary Proteins (MUP) are pheromonal transmitters involved in chemical communication in rodents. Complexes of MUPs and ligands mediate information about genetical background of an individual and co-create individual scent profile. They play a significant role in kinship determination, the crucial factor in the choice of a mating partner. It is assumed that the MUP production is energetically demanding due to the pressure of sexual selection, and the transmitted signal is thus supposed to be honest. This theory hasn't yet been experimentally tested, neither was proven the effect of another intense selection pressure- a parasitic infection. In my thesis, I describe the effect of an infection of a parasite Toxoplasma gondii on MUP production. The results suggest that the production is altered in both sexes, the production decreasing in males to the level of male castrates (or the female level). Considering the results of more detailed analysis of the infection we assume that the energetical demands of the MUP production doesn't allow the production of ordinary amounts if MUPs during the first phase of the infection as the energy is primarily devoted to the infection control. The increased production in latter phase can be attributed to the importance of scent communication. Decreased levels of...
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Factors affecting oetrous cycles in the house mouse (Mus musculus)
Havrdová, Leona ; Stopka, Pavel (advisor) ; Němec, Pavel (referee)
Factors affecting oetrous cycles in the house mouse (Mus musculus) Abstract This bachelor thesis deals with factors which have significant influence on house mouse (Mus musculus) oestrous cycle. Main theme is oestrous cycle modulation caused by male or female chemical signals. Familiar phenomena like Bruce effect, Whitten effect and Lee-Boot effect are described in detail along with newly explored social modulation issues (ovulation trigger, male genotype role etc.). Environmental impact is also included, especially role of Bisphenol A in connection with negative impacts on human reproduction (tested on mice). Key words: oestrus, pheromone, MUP, Mus musculus, vomeronasal organ
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The role of Toxoplasma gondii on the expression of Major Urinary Proteins in the house mouse
Hladovcová, Denisa ; Stopka, Pavel (advisor) ; Hrdý, Ivan (referee)
Major Urinary Proteins (MUP) are pheromonal transmitters involved in chemical communication in rodents. Complexes of MUPs and ligands mediate information about genetical background of an individual and co-create individual scent profile. They play a significant role in kinship determination, the crucial factor in the choice of a mating partner. It is assumed that the MUP production is energetically demanding due to the pressure of sexual selection, and the transmitted signal is thus supposed to be honest. This theory hasn't yet been experimentally tested, neither was proven the effect of another intense selection pressure- a parasitic infection. In my thesis, I describe the effect of an infection of a parasite Toxoplasma gondii on MUP production. The results suggest that the production is altered in both sexes, the production decreasing in males to the level of male castrates (or the female level). Considering the results of more detailed analysis of the infection we assume that the energetical demands of the MUP production doesn't allow the production of ordinary amounts if MUPs during the first phase of the infection as the energy is primarily devoted to the infection control. The increased production in latter phase can be attributed to the importance of scent communication. Decreased levels of...
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Physiological mechanisms of aging in maless of model insect species
PROVAZNÍK, Jan
Trade-off between reproduction and longevity is a widely accepted fact, yet proximate mechanisms are scarcely understood. In this work I tested differences in lifespan between diapause and non-diapause males of a model insect, the linden bug Pyrrhocoris apterus. Also the role of juvenile hormone in regulation of longevity and immunity (measured by relative phenoloxidase activity) was assessed. In addition to that, I examined if juvenile hormone is the mediator of reduction in longevity induced by mating.
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