Implications of body condition and seasonality on morphological and functional parameters of testes of Myotis nigricans (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae)

2018 ◽  
Vol 30 (7) ◽  
pp. 1029
Author(s):  
Marcelo Ferreira ◽  
Aline Soldati ◽  
Sirlene S. S. Rodrigues ◽  
Laércio dos Anjos Benjamin

The insectivorous bat Myotis nigricans is widely distributed throughout the Neotropics, including Brazil, and has a reproductive biology that is affected by climate and food availability. To evaluate the reproductive capacity of this species, morphofunctional parameters of the testes were correlated with environmental variables and the body condition of individuals captured. After bats had been killed, their testes were removed, fixed in Karnovsky’s fluid for 24 h and embedded in resin for evaluation by light microscopy. The mean annual tubulosomatic index (0.58%) and the percentage of seminiferous tubules in the testes (88.96%) were the highest ever recorded for the Order Chiroptera. The percentage of Leydig cells and volume of the cytoplasm of Leydig cells were higher in the rainy than dry season (80.62 ± 3.19% and 573.57 ± 166.95 μm, respectively; mean ± s.d.). Conversely, the percentage of nuclei of the Leydig cells in the dry season (26.17 ± 3.70%; mean ± s.d.) and the total number of Leydig cells (6.38 ± 1.84 × 109; mean ± s.d.) were higher in the dry season. The results of the present study could help in future conservation of these bats because they provide a better understanding of the bats’ reproductive strategies and how the species can adapt to changes.

2012 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 847-854 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexandre Peressin ◽  
Cristina da Silva Gonçalves ◽  
Francisco Manoel de Souza Braga

Considering that reproduction studies are fundamental to understand the life cycle of organisms, this study aimed to investigate the reproductive strategies of saguirus Cyphocharax nagelii and Steindachnerina insculpta in a dam of Mogi Guaçu River, (SP). Specimens were collected between August 2005 and July 2006 using gillnets with mesh sizes ranging from 1.5 to 5.0 cm between adjacent knots. Reproductive dynamics, body condition, reproductive period, spawning type and fecundity were analyzed in both species. The body condition reflected the reproductive dynamics, and differed significantly between the wet and dry seasons. During the dry season, the feeding activity and the accumulation of fat in the visceral cavity were higher. The reproductive period of both species covered the months between August and February, with peaks in October and December, and the distribution of the diameters of oocytes allowed to classify them as total spawners. The fecundity increased with weight and length, reaching 28,800 and 27,906 oocytes per female for C. nagelii and S. insculpta, respectively, whereas the amplitude of oocyte diameters varied between 50-1025 µm for the former and 75-975 µm for the later species. Taking into account that species with different reproductive strategies also respond differently to environmental impacts, our findings provide important information to subsidize management plans for these curimatid species.


2020 ◽  
Vol 287 (1931) ◽  
pp. 20200970
Author(s):  
Frank Melzner ◽  
Björn Buchholz ◽  
Fabian Wolf ◽  
Ulrike Panknin ◽  
Marlene Wall

Ocean warming impacts the fitness of marine ectothermic species, leading to poleward range shifts, re-shuffling of communities, and changes in ecosystem services. While the detrimental effects of summer heat waves have been widely studied, little is known about the impacts of winter warming on marine species in temperate regions. Many species benefit from low winter temperature-induced reductions in metabolism, as these permit conservation of energy reserves that are needed to support reproduction in spring. Here, we used a unique outdoor mesocosm system to expose a coastal predator–prey system, the sea star Asterias and the blue mussel Mytilus , to different winter warming scenarios under near-natural conditions. We found that the body condition of mussels decreased in a linear fashion with increasing temperature. Sea star growth also decreased with increasing temperature, which was a function of unaltered predation rates and decreased mussel body condition. Asterias relative digestive gland mass strongly declined over the studied temperature interval ( ca twofold). This could have severe implications for reproductive capacity in the following spring, as digestive glands provide reserve compounds to maturing gonads. Thus, both predator and prey suffered from a mismatch of energy acquisition versus consumption in warmer winter scenarios, with pronounced consequences for food web energy transfer in future oceans.


2014 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 43-48
Author(s):  
D Alimaa ◽  
S Byambatsogt ◽  
TS Enkhbaatar

"Tartu-SHAB" emasculator for unopened castration of male calf, lamb and kids is used to break ductus deferens and blood vessels and damage cremaster muscle after detecting outside the spermatic cord via palpation of scrotal neck skin. Movement of castrated animal becomes slower, hind legs are slightly spread, animal steps on frontal wall of its hind leg hooves and lifts one of hind legs in turn, and superficial, small, painful, differently sized, and warmer swelling appears. Cremaster fascia of testicle tissue castrated animals (at day 30) divides testicle parenchyma into lobules and there are epithelial cells producing spermatozoa at various stages of development in the wall of seminiferous tubules, Sertoli cells and Leydig cells in reticular and soft connective tissues between seminiferous tubules. But at day 60, thickened outer layer of testicle, larger gaps between tubules, structural change of primary and secondary spermatozoa, ceased cellular division cellular division and absence of Leydig cells reveal the process of atrophy. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5564/mjas.v11i2.215 Mongolian Journal of Agricultural Sciences Vol.11(2) 2013 pp.43-48


2019 ◽  
Vol 35 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 40-46
Author(s):  
AB Siddique ◽  
KA Ferdous ◽  
MNH Parvez ◽  
MS Islam ◽  
MA Hassan ◽  
...  

This study was designed to explore the gross and microscopic structures of the testes of Black Bengal bucks (n = 14) with special emphasis on the seminiferous tubules. A quantitative comparison of the various cell types in the seminiferous tubules of the testes were done. Biometrical values of testes were recorded. The left testes were significantly larger than the right. The mean length, width, weight and circumference of the left testis were 6.7 ± 0.1 cm, 3.9 ± 0.0 cm, 66.9 ± 0.8 gm and 13.4 ± 0.2 cm, respectively. The mean length, width, weight and circumference of the right testis were 6.3 ± 0.0 cm, 3.8 ± 0.0 cm, 66.5 ± 0.8 gm and 13.1 ± 0.1 cm, respectively. For microscopic studies tissue samples were evaluated with quantitative techniques. The testis was encapsulated by tunica toward the mediastinum testis. The testicular parenchyma was divided into convoluted seminiferous tubules and Leydig cells, which were found in the intertubular spaces. The Bangladesh Veterinarian (2018) 35(1&2): 40-46


2018 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 65-69 ◽  
Author(s):  
Clarice Diniz Alvarenga ◽  
Hugo Ribeiro Souza ◽  
Teresinha Augusta Giustolin ◽  
Carlos Augusto Rodrigues Matrangolo ◽  
Joseilton Faria Silva

Resumo: A biologia de Cladomorphus phyllinus Gray foi estudada em laboratório, quando estes insetos foram alimentados com folhas de goiabeira (Psidium guajava L.). Espécimes de C. phyllinus, recém eclodidos e alimentados com folhas de goiabeira foram mantidos em gaiolas adaptadas de garrafas pet de 2 L, as quais foram trocadas à medida que as dimensões do corpo destes insetos aumentavam. Foram avaliados o período de incubação, o número e a duração dos ínstares ninfais de machos e fêmeas, a longevidade dos adultos, o período de pré-oviposição e de oviposição, o número de ovos por fêmeas e a viabilidade destes. O período de incubação foi de 115,45 dias, a duração média do período ninfal dos machos foi de 102,62 e 117,67 dias, para os insetos com cinco e seis instares, respectivamente. Para as fêmeas o período ninfal médio foi de 163,27 e 179,25 dias, para os insetos com oito e nove instares, respectivamente. Os períodos de pré-oviposição e oviposição foram de 29,44 e 164,4 dias, respectivamente. Cada fêmea colocou, em média, 392,33 ovos, com viabilidade média de 22,26%. As fêmeas possuem uma longevidade maior do que a dos machos, podendo viver até oito meses de idade, enquanto, os machos vivem no máximo cinco meses de idade. Essa espécie possui baixa capacidade reprodutiva, principalmente devido ao longo período embrionário e a baixa viabilidade dos ovos.Biology of Cladomorphus phyllinus Gray (Phasmatodea: Phasmatidae) reared on guava tree leaves (Psidium guajava)Abstract: The biology of Cladomorphus phyllinus Gray was studied in laboratory, when these insects were fed with guava tree leaves (Psidium guajava L.). Newly hatched specimens of C. phyllinus and fed guava tree leaves were kept in cages adapted from 2 L pet bottles, which were changed as the body dimensions of these insects increased. The incubation period, number and duration of nymph instars of males and females, adult longevity, pre-oviposition and oviposition period, number of eggs per females and viability were evaluated. The incubation period was 115.45 days, the mean duration of the nymph males period was 102.62 and 117.67 days for insects with five and six instars, respectively. For females the mean nymph period was 163.27 and 179.25 days for insects with eight and nine instars, respectively. The pre-oviposition and oviposition periods were 29.44 and 164.4 days, respectively. Each female placed, on average, 392.33 eggs, with average viability of 22.26%. Females have a longer longevity than males, and can live up to eight months of age, while males live at most five months of age. This species has low reproductive capacity, mainly due to the long embryonic period and the low viability of the eggs.


1997 ◽  
Vol 48 (6) ◽  
pp. 523 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. Kobayashi

An exploratory study was made to investigate the association between mean zooplankton body mass and river environmental variables and also zooplankton biomass in the Hawkesbury–Nepean River over a year. Simple correlation showed that the mean body masses of three zooplankton populations (protists, rotifers and copepods) and of the community (including cladocerans) were correlated significantly with one to three examined variables that tended to intercorrelate. Partial correlation showed that the mean body mass of the zooplankton community was significantly positively correlated with only the community biomass when the effects of other predictor variables were controlled. On a population basis, the mean body mass of rotifers showed a similarly positive correlation with the biomass. The mean body mass of protists was negatively correlated with temperature, whereas the mean body mass of copepods was negatively correlated with river flow rate and chlorophyll a concentration. The mean body mass of cladocerans showed no significant correlation with any of the examined variables in both simple and partial correlations. Although the results of this study should be regarded as exploratory, the differing associational patterns indicate that there may be no single mechanism regulating the body sizes of populations and communities of river zooplankton.


2011 ◽  
Vol 57 (3) ◽  
pp. 247-256 ◽  
Author(s):  
Reuven Yosef ◽  
Piotr Zduniak

The wryneck is an unusual representative of PalearcticPicidaein that it is a long-distance migrant, whose populations have declined across Europe in the last century. Israel is at the eastern extremes of the known wryneck migration routes in the spring, which are little studied. Hence, we studied the species migration patterns and staging at Eilat, the southern tip of Israel being a very important stopover site for many migratory bird species. During 28 springs and 25 autumn migration seasons in the years 1983-2010, a total of 588 wrynecks were trapped.The mean number of birds recorded per spring season was 18.32 (SE = 2.12) and only 3.00 ± 0.71 per autumn season. The analysis performed for spring passage showed that the mean proportion of juveniles to all birds to which ages were assigned was 48.9 ± 5.2%. Furthermore, we did not find any differences in the dates of ringing, wing length, body mass or body condition index of juvenile and adults. We retrapped 97 (18.9%) wrynecks during the spring. The average proportion retrapped per season was 18.3 ± 2.9% and the average stopover was 4.8 ± 0.4 days. Recaptured birds were in better body condition than at first capture, and the body condition index gained significantly during their stay at the stopover site. The low conservation priority accorded to these habitats — and ignored in spite of many studies from the reagion — highlights the importance of the preservation of priority areas such that avian and other migrations can continue with minimal human impact.


2016 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 123-131 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nilgün Gültiken ◽  
Selim Aslan ◽  
Serhan Serhat Ay ◽  
Mustafa Yavuz Gülbahar ◽  
Julianna Thuróczy ◽  
...  

Objectives The aim of the study was to evaluate the efficacy of a 4.7 mg deslorelin implant in tom cats. Methods Nine mature male cats were included in the deslorelin group and five cats in the control group. Before the study started, all cats were confirmed to have distinct sexually dimorphic behaviour. Blood samples were taken on the implantation day, at day 7 and at day 15, then monthly, in order to measure serum dihydrotestosterone (DHT) and 17beta(β)-oestradiol concentrations. The deslorelin group (n = 9) was divided into two subgroups: five cats (cats 1–5) were neutered in the postimplantation period during suppression of sexually dimorphic behaviour, and four cats (cats 6–9) were neutered after re-expression of sexually dimorphic behaviour. The control group cats (n = 5) were castrated without administration of the implant. Results Sexually dimorphic behaviours ceased within a mean ± SD of 13–58 days (23.30 ± 14.17) after implantation. DHT concentration decreased within 30 days. The mean duration of suppression was 26.5 ± 7.42 months and reactivation coincided with increased DHT values reaching preimplantation concentrations within 1 month. 17β-oestradiol concentrations significantly correlated with DHT concentrations ( P <0.01). For cats castrated during suppression of sexual behaviour, the length of the long axes of the nuclei of Leydig cells, the diameter of seminiferous tubules and the height of the epithelium of the seminiferous tubules did not change until 3–6 months after implantation, whereas at 12 and 32 months the measured values were even lower than in the control group. For cats castrasted after reactivation, the length of long axes of the nuclei of Leydig cells and the diameter of seminiferous tubules approached the values of the control group between 4 and 6 months after reactivation. Conclusions and relevance A deslorelin implant (4.7 mg) suppresses sexually dimorphic behaviour in tom cats without any side effects and with full reversibility; however, duration of suppression is highly individual.


2015 ◽  
Vol 36 (5) ◽  
pp. 3369
Author(s):  
Ítalo Araújo Albuquerque ◽  
Arturo Bernardo Selaive Villarroel ◽  
Elzânia Sales Pereira ◽  
Marcílio Costa Teixeira ◽  
Elisabeth Mary Cunha da Silva ◽  
...  

<p>This study was conducted to evaluate the <em>in vivo </em>and carcass characteristics of goats and sheep sold for slaughter, which originated from different regions of Ceará State, Brazil. Thirty-six (36) mixed-breed, uncastrated male animals (18 goats and 18 sheep), acquired from street markets, which were raised in an extensive production system from the regions of Quixadá, Sobral, and Tauá, were used in this experiment. Before slaughter, the animals were weighed, and body measurements were taken and the body condition score was assessed. Post-slaughter, the carcasses were weighed, morphometric measurements were obtained, and the commercial cuts were weighed and their yields were calculated. The mean <em>in vivo </em>body weight was 23.83 ± 3.76 kg for the goats and 25.22 ± 5.25 kg for the sheep; the body condition score was close to 2, and the mean age was 12 months, with no differences between the species. No differences were found between species and origin for the weights and yields of carcass or for chilling loss. The carcass conformation values were considered poor, and the fat cover was classified as too lean, with the goat carcasses considered superior to the sheep carcasses in these respects. The sheep had higher values for loin-eye area, subcutaneous fat thickness, and weight and proportion of leg than the goats. Mixed-breed goats and sheep reared in extensive systems in Ceará State and sold in street markets in the capital, irrespective of their origin, reach their slaughter weight at an advanced age and with a lean body condition, resulting in carcasses of a low quality, with a low muscle content and poor fat cover. In the extensive conditions of the state of Ceará, animals of the ovine species have a greater ability for meat production than caprine species.</p>


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