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Development, phenol and flavonoid content, and allergenicity of Juniperus polycarpus pollen

  • Biochemistry & Physiology - Original Article
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Abstract

J. polycarpus K. Koch is a dioecious, wind-pollinated tree of Cupressaceae family. Morphological and anatomical study of male cone development of J. polycarpus showed that each cone consists of a central axis, to which sporangiophores are attached, 9–12 on average in each cone, placed in a whorled arrangement. Each sporangiophore has 3–5 microsporangia placed in one row. Male cone development was considered in 5 stages: (1) (October and November) differentiation of shoot apexes toward reproductive apexes, sporogenous cells in sporangia are surrounded by three wall layers, epidermis, the middle layer, and the tapetum. (2) (December and early January) size of cones increases, middle layer disintegrates, sporogenous cells go through successive mitotic divisions. (3) (late January and February) sporangia become evident between sporangiophores, microspore mother cells undergo meiosis, cytokinesis occurs simultaneously, tetrads are tetragonal and tetrahedral, tapetum shows significant growth and is secretory. (4) (early March) male cones and sporangia dehiscence, tapetum disappears as the pollens mature, only the epidermis with fibrous thickening is seen. (5) (late March) sporangiophores become empty and necrotic and pollen grains are dispersed. The phenolic, flavonoid and protein contents of pollen were 0.45, 0.0076 and 1.3 mg g−1 dry weight, respectively. Allergenicity of J. polycarpus pollen was investigated through rat sensitization and immunoblot assay. The serum IgE reaction showed three allergen bands of 36, 41 and 44 kDa. Monocyte level increased due to injection of pollen protein extract, but neutrophils and lymphocytes did not show a significant change.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman, Bistodobahman street, 76169-14111, Kerman, Iran

    Farkhondeh Rezanejad, Tahereh Sazvar & Elaheh ZamaniBahramabadi

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  1. Farkhondeh Rezanejad
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  2. Tahereh Sazvar
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  3. Elaheh ZamaniBahramabadi
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FR planed the experiment. TS conducted the lab experiments. EZB prepared the manuscript.

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Correspondence to Farkhondeh Rezanejad.

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Rezanejad, F., Sazvar, T. & ZamaniBahramabadi, E. Development, phenol and flavonoid content, and allergenicity of Juniperus polycarpus pollen. Braz. J. Bot 44, 869–876 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40415-021-00760-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40415-021-00760-6

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