Search

Commensal anomuran and brachyuran crabs were collected from extensive exploratory surveys on rocky areas where soft corals, sea anemones and sponges are found off the Visakhapatnam coast. The present study includes nine species of commensal decapod crustaceans, comprising four porcellanid crabs (Petrolisthes lamarckii (Leach, 1820), Porcellanella triloba White, 1852, Polyonyx hendersoni Southwell, 1909 and Pisidia gordoni (Johnson, 1970)), one squat lobster (Allogalathea elegans (Adams, 1847) and four brachyuran crabs (Dorippoides facchino (Herbst, 1785), Quadrella coronata Dana, 1852, Quadrella maculosa Alcock, 1898 and Sphenomerides trapezioides (Wood-Mason & Alcock, 1891). Allogalathea elegans, Polyonyx hendersoni, Pisidia gordoni, Quadrella coronata and Quadrella maculosa are new records from off Visakhapatnam. The porcellanid crabs are associated with the sea pen Pteroeides esperi, desmosponges and black soft corals Antipathes sp. whereas the squat lobster was associated with the soft coral Dendronephthya sp. The brachyuran crabs were observed in association with Antipathes sp. Here, we provide details on the morphology, distribution, habitat and commensalism of decapod crustaceans studied.

Synthesis and antiimplantation activity of variously substituted 2,2-dialkyl-3,4-diphenylchromenes and 3,4-cis- and trans-chromans derived from them are described. Pregnancy-inhibiting activity in rats was exhibited by a number of these compounds, which was particularly marked in the case of 3,4-trans-3-phenyl-4-p-(beta-pyrrolidinoethoxy)-phenyl-7-methoxychroman (32), the corresponding 2,2-dimethyl analog 34, and 3-phenyl-4-p-(beta-pyrrolidinoethoxy)phenyl-7-methoxychromene (26). The structure-activity relationship of these compounds is discussed.

The effects of castration and testosterone replacement therapy on the histology and biochemical composition (RNA, DNA, total protein, alkaline phosphatase, acid phosphatase, hyaluronidase, sialic acid, glycogen, phospholipids, and glycerylphosphorylcholine [GPC]) of the epididymis of the rabbit and rhesus monkey were investigated. Castration produced marked ponderal, histologic, and biochemical changes in the epididymis. In the androgen-deficient state the tubular diameter and epithelial cell height were reduced and there was an increase in interbular stroma. The levels of RNA, DNA, phospholipids, and GPC were also reduced in castrated animals. Testosterone treatment restored the histologic features and the levels of various biochemical constituents to a great extent but not to the intact control level. The importance of endocrine and exocrine factors of the testis in relation to epididymal function is discussed.

The changes in the weight, histology and biochemical composition of the epididymis (caput, corpus and cauda segments) in prepuberal rabbit and rhesus monkey in response to testosterone treatment were investigated. The increase in the weight of the organ was accompanied by increased levels of RNA and DNA. Androgen therapy caused an increase in the concentration of sialic acid, phospholipids and glycerylphosphorylcholine and activities of alkaline phosphatase, acid phosphatase and hyaluronidase. The cauda region of the epididymis exhibited relatively higher levels of sialic acid and glycerylphosphorylcholine. These findings are discussed in relation to the functional maturation of the organ and the role of androgen in this process.