Bengt Henricson

A genetically controlled esterase in rat plasma.

Abstract The esterases present in rat plasma were studied by starch-gel electrophoresis, The dominating esterases were arylesterase (EC 3.1.1.2) and carboxylesterase (EC 3.1.1.1), both types migrating close to the albumins, and the slower moving cholinesterase (EC 3.1.1.8). A “pre-albumin esterase” was present in certain animals. Some of the properties of the “pre-albumin esterase” are presented and indicate that it is of an arylesterase type. Mating experiments demonstrated that the presence of the “pre-albumin esterase” component is dependent on a dominant gene. Animals homozygous for its allele consequently do not show the pre-albumin band on starch gel.

The effect of radiostrontium on mouse testes.

Male mice were injected intraperitoneally or intravenously with Sr/sup 90/ at 75 days of age. A quantitative effect on the testicular epithelium was obvious from 5 to between 30 and 35 days after injection, The type-B spermatogonium did not seem to have ceased but to some extent only retarded while the type-A spermatogonium was severely affected. Qualitative changes in the first meiotic division were noticed during the damage period, and signs of abnormal distribution of chromosomes in the anaphase appeared during the recovery period. (auth)

Stress-induced alterations in arylesterase activity in the rat

Abstract Exposure of intact rats to emotional stress resulted in an increase of plasma arylesterase activity, more profound in males than in females. The intra class correlation of this effect between full-sibs suggests considerable maternal influence and/or additive genetic effects and dominance deviation, the additive part being minimal in females. Most animals subjected to muscle work showed a decrease in arylesterase activity. Adrenalin given intramuscularly to rats caused an increase in arylesterase activity; this effect was neutralized when adrenalin was administered together with ACTH. Arylesterase is briefly discussed as an enzyme being under hormonal control.