Variation in sperm morphometry of the African cyprinid Barbus neumayeri (Neumayer’s barb)

2015 ◽  
Vol 93 (4) ◽  
pp. 259-266 ◽  
Author(s):  
M.L. Martínez ◽  
V. Mullin ◽  
A. Schulte-Hostedde
Keyword(s):  
Swimming Performance ◽  
Gonadosomatic Index ◽  
Reproductive Traits ◽  
Reproductive Capacity ◽  
Head Width ◽  
Gonad Mass ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Sperm Morphometry ◽  
Left And Right ◽  
Sperm Traits

In this study, we explored variation in sperm morphometry of the African cyprinid Barbus neumayeri Fischer, 1884 (Neumayer’s barb) across seven sites with a wide range in dissolved oxygen, from hypoxic swamps to intermittent normoxic streams to well-oxygenated rivers. We explore whether fish physiological condition (K) or hypoxia can affect the reproductive traits, and whether condition–hypoxia dependence of sperm traits including head length (LH), head width (WH), flagellum length (LF), and hydrodynamic ratio (HR) vary across sampling sites. Significant differences were found in fish total length (P = 0.0212), as well as in K, left and right testis masses, total gonad mass, and gonadosomatic index (P < 0.0001 for all traits). Total gonad mass was lower in hypoxic sites than in well-oxygenated sites. Interestingly, the left and right testes from normoxic environments were double the size of testes from hypoxic environments. Despite little variation in sperm flagellum length, sperm heads were longer in swamps than in streams or rivers, giving the sperm head a more hydrodynamic shape. This variation in HR may be beneficial in the more stagnant waters of the swamp compared with the other environments. Future studies are necessary to understand whether variation in sperm morphology correlates with sperm swimming performance and male reproductive capacity.

scholarly journals Syllabification of the Divine Comedy

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
pp. 1-26
Author(s):  
Andrea Asperti ◽  
Stefano Dal Bianco
Keyword(s):  
Text Processing ◽  
Solution Space ◽  
Generative Models ◽  
Divine Comedy ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Computer Assisted ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
The Divine Comedy ◽  
Left And Right ◽  
Assisted Analysis

We provide a syllabification algorithm for the Divine Comedy using techniques from probabilistic and constraint programming. We particularly focus on the synalephe , addressed in terms of the "propensity" of a word to take part in a synalephe with adjacent words. We jointly provide an online vocabulary containing, for each word, information about its syllabification, the location of the tonic accent, and the aforementioned synalephe propensity, on the left and right sides. The algorithm is intrinsically nondeterministic, producing different possible syllabifications for each verse, with different likelihoods; metric constraints relative to accents on the 10th, 4th, and 6th syllables are used to further reduce the solution space. The most likely syllabification is hence returned as output. We believe that this work could be a major milestone for a lot of different investigations. From the point of view of digital humanities it opens new perspectives on computer-assisted analysis of digital sources, comprising automated detection of anomalous and problematic cases, metric clustering of verses and their categorization, or more foundational investigations addressing, e.g., the phonetic roles of consonants and vowels. From the point of view of text processing and deep learning, information about syllabification and the location of accents opens a wide range of exciting perspectives, from the possibility of automatic learning syllabification of words and verses to the improvement of generative models, aware of metric issues, and more respectful of the expected musicality.

scholarly journals Searching for Z′ bosons at the P2 experiment

2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
P. S. Bhupal Dev ◽  
Werner Rodejohann ◽  
Xun-Jie Xu ◽  
Yongchao Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Parity Violation ◽  
Z Bosons ◽  
Gauge Coupling ◽  
New Physics ◽  
Polarized Electrons ◽  
Mixing Angles ◽  
Charge Assignment ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Discovery Potential ◽  
Left And Right

Abstract The P2 experiment aims at high-precision measurements of the parity-violating asymmetry in elastic electron-proton and electron-12C scatterings with longitudinally polarized electrons. We discuss here the sensitivity of P2 to new physics mediated by an additional neutral gauge boson Z′ of a new U(1)′ gauge symmetry. If the charge assignment of the U(1)′ is chiral, i.e., left- and right-handed fermions have different charges under U(1)′, additional parity-violation is induced directly. On the other hand, if the U(1)′ has a non-chiral charge assignment, additional parity-violation can be induced via mass or kinetic Z-Z′ mixing. By comparing the P2 sensitivity to existing constraints, we show that in both cases P2 has discovery potential over a wide range of Z′ mass. In particular, for chiral models, the P2 experiment can probe gauge couplings at the order of 10−5 when the Z′ boson is light, and heavy Z′ bosons up to 79 (90) TeV in the proton (12C) mode. For non-chiral models with mass mixing, the P2 experiment is sensitive to mass mixing angles smaller than roughly 10−4, depending on model details and gauge coupling magnitude.

Interactive effects of salinity on metabolic rate, activity, growth and osmoregulation in the euryhaline milkfish (Chanos chanos)

1998 ◽  
Vol 201 (24) ◽  
pp. 3355-3366
Author(s):  
C Swanson
Keyword(s):  
Metabolic Rate ◽  
High Salinity ◽  
Swimming Performance ◽  
Interactive Effects ◽  
Routine Activity ◽  
Swimming Velocity ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
Salinity Adaptation ◽  
Chanos Chanos ◽  
Wide Range

The euryhaline milkfish (Chanos chanos) is an excellent subject for studies of the physiological and behavioral processes involved in salinity adaptation. In this study, energy partitioning for metabolism, activity and growth, maximal activity performance and blood osmotic concentrations were assessed at two activity levels in juvenile milkfish fed equal rations and maintained at a relatively constant temperature (262 C) and at salinities(15, 35 and 55 ?) that represented a wide range of osmoregulatory challenges. Changes in the measured parameters were not consistently related to the magnitude of the trans-integumentary osmotic gradients. Routine oxygen consumption rates were high in 35 ? salinity (mean 1 s.e.m. 1678 mg O2 kg-1 h-1) and comparably low in 15 and 55 ? salinity (1336 and 1273 mg O2 kg-1 h-1, respectively). Routine activity levels (relative swimming velocity) were highest in 35 ? salinity (0. 960.04 L s-1), where L is standard length, intermediate in 15 ? salinity (0.770.03 L s-1) and lowest in 55 ? salinity (0.670.03 L s-1). Growth was significantly higher in 55 ? salinity (3.40.2 % increase in wet body mass per day) than in 35 ?salinity (2.40.2 % increase per day) and intermediate in 15 ? salinity(2.90.5 % increase per day). Maximum swimming velocities decreased with increases in salinity, from 9.90.7 L s-1 in 15 ? salinity to 6.60. 5 L s-1 in 55 ? salinity. Sustained swimming activity above routine levels for 2 h resulted in an increase in blood osmotic concentrations in milkfish in 55 ?salinity, but osmoregulation was re-established during the second 2 h of activity. Thus, patterns of variation in metabolic rate and growth were largely parallel to variations in routine activity although, comparing 15 and 55 ? salinity, elevated maintenance costs for osmoregulation at the high salinity were detectable. Reduced osmoregulatory abilities and reductions in maximal swimming performance suggest that high salinity may constrain activity. The results demonstrate that investigations of salinity adaptation in euryhaline fishes should take into account the interactive effects of salinity on physiology and behavior.

scholarly journals Reviewing Effective Factors of Alimentary Deficiency in Animals Reproductive Functions

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 157-169
Author(s):  
Pavlo Skliarov ◽  
Serhiy Fedorenko ◽  
Svitlana Naumenko ◽  
Oleksandr Onyshchenko ◽  
Alina Pasternak ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Function ◽  
Optimal Level ◽  
The Body ◽  
Reproductive Capacity ◽  
Toxic Substances ◽  
Prevention Measures ◽  
Animal Reproduction ◽  
Number Of Factors ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Negative Impacts

Animal reproduction is one of the main factors limiting the efficiency of livestock production. Its optimal level is possibly achieved when certain conditions are created for animals. As reproduction is a complex reflex process depending on neuroendocrine regulatory mechanisms, the character and strength of stimuli, which, in turn, is due to a number of factors. Under normal conditions, the body of animals is affected by many different factors, which are appropriately transformed and specified by positive or negative reactions. Inhibitory factors include air pool, saturated with harmful substances and gases, ionizing radiation, poor water quality along with altered redox properties, hypokinesia combined with poor unbalanced feeding, systematic chronic stress, presence of toxic substances in feed, and the deficiency of vitamins and other bioantioxidants in feed or their excessive spending. Of the wide range of genetic and paratypic factors of negative impacts on reproductive capacity, the most common one is alimentary, which causes impaired reproductive function due to deficiencies in the rules, regulations, and feeding regime of animals. In particular, the alimentary can be associated with both general malnutrition (starvation) and overfeeding (obesity). However, the alimentary form of infertility mostly occurs due to low-quality diets when the diet lacks vital components (mainly vitamins, macro-, and micronutrients) or the quantitative ratios of the ingredients are violated. This is possible even if the total nutritional value of the diet meets the established requirements for the physiological needs of the body. Vitamins, micro-, and macronutrients are ecologically deficient factors of disturbance of animal reproductive function, the influence of which is observed on all processes of reproduction, from fertilization to the postpartum period and the preservation of young animals. The pathogenesis of their insufficiency is associated with the violation of steroido-, gameto-, and embryogenesis and the emergence of ante-, intra-, neo- and postnatal pathologies, respectively. Therefore, treatments and prevention measures should be aimed at providing animals with biologically complete balanced feeding and replenishment of the body with vitamins and minerals. However, all these issues remain incompletely studied and need further research.

scholarly journals Effects of transverse relationships between maxillary arch, mouth, and face on smile esthetics

2015 ◽  
Vol 86 (1) ◽  
pp. 135-141 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ke Zhang ◽  
Lan Huang ◽  
Lin Yang ◽  
Li Xu ◽  
Chaoran Xue ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Young Female ◽  
Male And Female ◽  
Facial Region ◽  
Face Width ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Left And Right ◽  
Smile Esthetics ◽  
Maxillary Arch ◽  
The Ideal

ABSTRACTObjective: To identify the ideal ratios between the widths of the maxillary arch, mouth, and face, respectively, and to determine the range of acceptable esthetic variations based on these ideal ratios.Materials and Methods: A photograph of a young female with a harmonious smile was selected and digitally altered to produce two sets of images. The first image showed an altered intercanine width, while the second one showed an altered oral fissure breadth. These alterations were independently rated by judges, including 23 orthodontists and 30 undergraduates. The Mann-Whitney U-test was used to compare the scores given by male and female judges and those given by professional and nonprofessional judges.Results: The following ideal transverse ratios were determined: intercanine width/oral fissure breadth, 0.638; oral fissure breadth/interparopia width: the distance between left and right paropia, 0.617; and intercanine width/face width at the level of the labial commissures, 0.300. A range of −10% to +10% was proposed as the thresholds of esthetic smile evaluations. It was shown that gender of the raters had no effect on the rating of photographs, nor were there any statistically significant differences between the professional and nonprofessional judges’ ratings.Conclusions: Balanced transverse relationships in the facial region are important for smile esthetics, and there is a wide range of esthetically acceptable variations in the transverse relationships between the maxillary arch, mouth, and face.

scholarly journals Pcsk6 mutant mice exhibit progressive loss of ovarian function, altered gene expression, and formation of ovarian pathology

Reproduction ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 141 (3) ◽  
pp. 343-355 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michelle L Mujoomdar ◽  
Laura M Hogan ◽  
Albert F Parlow ◽  
Mark W Nachtigal
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Ovarian Function ◽  
Elevated Serum ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Reproductive Capacity ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Altered Gene ◽  
Ovarian Pathology ◽  
Targeted Gene Expression ◽  
Benign Ovarian Tumors

Bioactivation of precursor proteins by members of the proprotein convertase (PC) family is essential for normal reproduction. ThePcsk6gene is a member of the PC family that is expressed in numerous ovarian cell types including granulosa cells and oocytes. We hypothesized that loss of PCSK6 would produce adverse effects in the mouse ovary. Mice incapable of expressing PCSK6 (Pcsk6tm1Rob) were obtained, and reproductive parameters (serum hormones, whelping interval, estrus cyclicity, and fertility) were compared toPcsk6+/+mice. WhilePcsk6tm1Robfemale mice are fertile, they manifest reduced reproductive capacity at an accelerated rate relative toPcsk6+/+mice. Reproductive senescence is typically reached by 9 months of age and is correlated with loss of estrus cyclicity, elevated serum FSH levels, and gross alterations in ovarian morphology. A wide range of ovarian morphologies were identified encompassing mild, such as an apparent reduction in follicle number, to moderate – ovarian atrophy with a complete absence of follicles – to severe, manifesting as normal ovarian structures replaced by benign ovarian tumors, including tubulostromal adenomas. Targeted gene expression profiling highlighted changes in RNA expression of molecules involved in processes such as steroidogenesis, gonadotropin signaling, transcriptional regulation, autocrine/paracrine signaling, cholesterol handling, and proprotein bioactivation. These results show that PCSK6 activity plays a role in maintaining normal cellular and tissue homeostasis in the ovary.

scholarly journals The effects of inbreeding on sperm morphometry of captive-bred endangered mammals

2017 ◽  
Vol 95 (8) ◽  
pp. 599-606 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Lawrence ◽  
G. Mastromonaco ◽  
K. Goodrowe ◽  
R.M. Santymire ◽  
W. Waddell ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Captive Breeding ◽  
Negative Relationship ◽  
Tail Length ◽  
Poor Quality ◽  
Sperm Head ◽  
Head Width ◽  
Canis Rufus ◽  
Sperm Tail ◽  
Sperm Morphometry ◽  
Red Wolves

Captive breeding is used for the conservation of endangered species, but inbreeding can result when a small number of founders are used to establish populations. Inbreeding can reduce the proportion of normal sperm in an ejaculate, but may also have effects on sperm size and shape (morphometry). We investigated the effects of inbreeding on sperm morphometry of black-footed ferrets (Mustela nigripes (Audubon and Bachman, 1851)) and red wolves (Canis rufus Audubon and Bachman, 1851) from captive breeding programs to determine if more inbred males produced sperm of poor quality (bulky head, small midpiece, short tail). We measured sperm head length, head width, midpiece length, midpiece width, and tail length on 10 sperm from each male of both species. A negative relationship between variation in sperm tail length and inbreeding coefficient (f) was found in black-footed ferret, suggesting that more inbred individuals will have reduced genetic and phenotypic variation. Analyses indicated a negative relationship between sperm head width and f and a positive relationship between sperm tail length and f in red wolf, suggesting that more inbred male red wolves could have faster sperm. These results indicate that inbreeding affects functionally important aspects of sperm morphometry, but that these effects may not be entirely negative.

scholarly journals Prolactin reeeptor gene polymorphism and its association with litter size in Polish Landrace

2001 ◽  
Vol 44 (5) ◽  
pp. 547-552 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Kmiec ◽  
A. Dybus ◽  
A. Terman
Keyword(s):  
Gene Locus ◽  
Prolactin Receptor ◽  
Reproductive Traits ◽  
Gene Marker ◽  
Chromosome 16 ◽  
Specific Primers ◽  
Dna Mutations ◽  
Pcr Rflp ◽  
Left And Right ◽  
Discrete Scale

Abstract. Prolactin reeeptor gene (PRLR), which is localized on chromosome 16 in pigs, is a candidate gene marker for reproductive traits. The experiment was aimed to detect the DNA mutations in that gene and to find probable relations between the genotype and some reproductive traits in Polish Landrace pigs 207 sows and 8 boars from pedigree herd were studied. The polymorphism in PRLR gene locus was detected using PCR-RFLP method, with specific primers and restriction enzyme Alul. Two different alleles were identified: PRLRA; PRLRB. The frequency of PRLRA was estimated at 0.44 and PRLRB – 0,56. In the studied population of pigs frequencies of genotypes AA, AB and BB were 0.247, 0.386 and 0.367, respectively. The relations between PRLR genotypes and teats number on the left and right body side, total number of teats, number of piglets in the litter and the age at the first parity were analyzed. All data were transformed from the discrete scale into the quantitative one. The analysis showed the significant dependencies (P ≤ 0,01) between the number of piglets in the first litter and genotype of prolactin receptor. Significantly greater number of piglets characterized the sows carrying AA genotype.

Sexual Maturity, Spawning Periodicity and Fecundity of Obtuse Barracuda Sphyraena obtusata (Cuvier, 1829) along Karnataka Coast, Southeastern Arabian Sea

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
M.M. Meshram ◽  
Mridula Rajesh ◽  
K.M. Rajesh ◽  
N.K. Suyan
Keyword(s):  
Gonadosomatic Index ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Gravimetric Method ◽  
Reproductive Traits ◽  
Breeding Period ◽  
Southeastern Arabian Sea ◽  
Spawning Periodicity ◽  
Gravid Females ◽  
First Maturity ◽  
Management And Conservation

Background: The success or failure of spawning in any population affects the fishery. Hence, studies on spawning, maturation, fecundity and length at first maturity become essential in drafting management strategies. The detailed information on reproductive traits of Sphyraena obtusata will be helpful in sustainable management and conservation in the study area. Methods: Three hundred and fifty five specimens of S. obtusata were collected fortnightly from Mangaluru and Malpe fishing harbors during August 2019 to March 2020. Maturity of gonads was examined by macroscopic and histological investigations. Spawning periodicity was worked out based on maturity stages and seasonal gonadosomatic index. Gravimetric method of analysis was employed to evaluate the fecundity from randomly collected samples of gravid females. Result: Overall sex ratio revealed that the population had significantly higher (p less than 0.05, X2 test) proportion of females than males. The length at 50% maturity (Lm50) for females and males was estimated at 21.1 and 21.5 cm respectively. The gonadosomatic index (GSI) and the availability of matured individuals for both the sexes in various percentage indicated a prolonged breeding period from October to March with peaks in November and December. The absolute fecundity varied from 91,942 eggs (20.0 cm TL) to 1,34,445 eggs (27.0 cm TL) with an average of 1,12,878 ± 2,984 hydrated oocytes per female.

scholarly journals Studies on gonadosomatic index, fecundity and hatchability of domesticated stock of asala Schizothorax richardsonii (Gray) from Nallu River of Lalitpur District

Our Nature ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 19-27
Author(s):  
Suresh Kumar Wagle
Keyword(s):  
Water Temperature ◽  
Egg Size ◽  
Gonadosomatic Index ◽  
Winter Season ◽  
Summer Season ◽  
Reproductive Capacity ◽  
Schizothorax Richardsonii ◽  
Breeding Seasons ◽  
Frequent Observation ◽  
Hatching Rates

The present work embodies studies on the reproductive capacity of captive stock of asala Schizothorax richardsonii collected from Nallu River of Lalitpur district. Gonadosomatic index (GSI) estimates ranged from 3.08±0.9% in May to 26.55±1.8% in November. Positive correlation (r=0.667) was found between egg size and GSI. The egg size (2.7 to 2.9 mm) in October and November was significantly (P<0.01) larger than the eggs measured in other months. Based on peak GSI level, S. richardsonii spawned by manual stripping in two breeding season i.e. winter (October-November) and summer (Mach-April) in Godawari (1500 masl). Mean incubation period of fertilized eggs was 259 h and 248 h during winter and summer season at 14.2 to17.5 oC and 14.5 to15.5 oC water temperature, respectively. Percent hatching rates of eggs ranged between 38 to 90% and were not significantly different (P>0.05) between breeding seasons. Overripe eggs obtained during winter season breeding (16.5%) were significantly higher (P<0.01) than the summer season breeding (3.6%).  This suggests that more frequent observation of the spawner is necessary during winter season for recognizing their appropriateness to ovulation. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/on.v12i1.12253Our Nature (2014), 12(1): 19-27

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document