Available online
Description
This programme illustrates sections of the text for unit 8 and in addition deals with the possible evolution of the thyroid gland and its hormones. The speakers are Dr. R.M. Holmes, Lecturer in Bi...ology at the Open University, and Professor E.J.W. Barrington, F.R.S., Professor of Zoology at the University of Nottingham. Dr. Holmes demonstrates the parts of the reproductive tracts of a heifer, a young sow and a mature sow. The process of ovulation in the rat is illustrated by animation and time-lapse film. Dr. Holmes then introduces two sequences showing how pheramones affect reproductive behaviour of male and female mammals. The reactions of a male rhesus monkey are shown to a female in oestrous and to an anoestrous female that has been anointed in the pelvic region with material swabbed from the external genitalia of an oestrous female. The second sequence illustrates a practical application of male pheramone (from a boar) when a pigman tests the receptiveness of a sow so that artificial insemination can be performed during the critical period after ovulation. Professor Barrington demonstrates how the presence of iodene in the hormones from the thyroid gland can be exploited by injecting radio-iodine and following its movement and concentration in the body by the use of a scanning technique and by auto-radiography. Results are presented from experiments in which these techniques have been employed using a variety of animals, including lampreys and ascidians. The possible evolution of the thyroid gland is discussed in the light of these results.
This programme illustrates sections of the text for unit 8 and in addition deals with the possible evolution of the thyroid gland and its hormones. The speakers are Dr. R.M. Holmes, Lecturer in Bi...ology at the Open University, and Professor E.J.W. Barrington, F.R.S., Professor of Zoology at the University of Nottingham. Dr. Holmes demonstrates the parts of the reproductive tracts of a heifer, a young sow and a mature sow. The process of ovulation in the rat is illustrated by animation and time-lapse film. Dr. Holmes then introduces two sequences showing how pheramones affect reproductive behaviour of male and female mammals. The reactions of a male rhesus monkey are shown to a female in oestrous and to an anoestrous female that has been anointed in the pelvic region with material swabbed from the external genitalia of an oestrous female. The second sequence illustrates a practical application of male pheramone (from a boar) when a pigman tests the receptiveness of a sow so that artificial insemination can be performed during the critical period after ovulation. Professor Barrington demonstrates how the presence of iodene in the hormones from the thyroid gland can be exploited by injecting radio-iodine and following its movement and concentration in the body by the use of a scanning technique and by auto-radiography. Results are presented from experiments in which these techniques have been employed using a variety of animals, including lampreys and ascidians. The possible evolution of the thyroid gland is discussed in the light of these results.
| Module code and title: | S22-, Comparative physiology |
|---|---|
| Item code: | S22-; 08; 1972 |
| Series: | Comparative physiology |
| Episode | 8 |
| First transmission date: | 06-05-1972 |
| Published: | 1972 |
| Rights Statement: | Rights owned or controlled by The Open University |
| Restrictions on use: | This material can be used in accordance with The Open University conditions of use. A link to the conditions can be found at the bottom of all OUDA web pages. |
| Duration: | 00:23:35 |
| + Show more... | |
| Producer: | Tony Laryea |
| Contributors: | E J W Barrington; Richard Holmes |
| Publisher: | BBC Open University |
| Keyword(s): | Artificial insemination; Auto-radiography; Hormones; Hormones; Iodene; Ovulation; Pheramones; Radio-iodine; Reproductive behaviour; Thyroid gland |
| Footage description: | Richard Holmes introduces the programme. Richard Holmes demonstrates the parts of two mammalian reproductive tracts. 1. Shots of the reproductive tract of a heifer, showing uterus and a corpus luteum in one ovary. Holmes demonstrates method by which farmers can 'shell out' a corpus luteum 2. Shots of the reproductive tracts of a young and a mature sow. Holmes contrasts the bicornuate uterus and ovaries (with Graafian follicles) in the two. Holmes introduces a film sequence. The process of ovulation in rats is illustrated first by animated igrams and then by a time lapse film made by R. J. Blandau. Holmes introduces two film sequences showing the effect of pheromones on reproductive behaviour of male and female mammals. Film shots of a male Rhesus monkey having his nose passages blocked to cut of his sense of smell. He is then put into a cage with a normal female in oestrous. He ignores her: when his nose passages are cleared, however, they copulate. Film shots of the external genitalia of an oestrous rhesus female being swabbed. An anoestrous female is then anointed with the material and a male rhesus is introduced to her cage. The male tries to mount her. Richard Holmes introduces the next film sequence. Film sequence illustrates a practical application of the knowledge of male pheromones. A pig man uses male pheromones from a boar to test the receptiveness of a sow so that artificial insemination can be performed during the critical period after ovulation. Richard Holmes introduces Professor E. J. W. Barrington. Barrington explains how the presence of iodine in the hormones from the thyroid gland (thyroxin and tri-iodothyroninc) can be exploited by injecting radio iodine ( 131) and following its movement and concentration in the body by autoradiography. Barrington demonstrates the technique on a Tilapia (teleost) specimen. Regions of concentration are shown on a pen recorder graph. Shots of Ascidians (=tunicates, sub-phylum, urochordata). Barrington with a sectioned model of this animal showing the endostyle explains the function of the endostyle. Barrington proposes that the thyroid gland evolved from the endostyle and presents evidence to support his view. He uses larval lampreys as his example. Here iodine is concentrated in the cells of the endostyle. In adult lampreys part of the endostyle becomes a thyroid gland. Barrington examines the several ways in which the endostyle performs the same function as the thyroid gland. He explains and demonstrates that auto-radiography and paper chromatography together reveal that the endostyle can synthesize precurvors of thyroxin and thyroxin itself. Barrington proposes, therefore, that the ability of an animal to synthesize thyroid hormones evolved before the thyroid gland became established as an endocrine organ. |
| Master spool number: | 6LT/70514 |
| Production number: | 00521_2126 |
| Videofinder number: | 3582 |
| Available to public: | no |
