scholarly journals Social dominance, but not parasite load, affects sperm quality and sperm redox status in house sparrows

2019 ◽  
Vol 222 (17) ◽  
pp. jeb200675
Author(s):  
Sylvain Losdat ◽  
Alfonso Rojas Mora ◽  
Caroline Bellut ◽  
Rémi Chargé ◽  
Valentina Falchi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Dominance ◽  
Sperm Quality ◽  
Parasite Load ◽  
Redox Status ◽  
House Sparrows

scholarly journals Plasmodium transmission differs between mosquito species and parasite lineages

Parasitology ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 147 (4) ◽  
pp. 441-447 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rafael Gutiérrez-López ◽  
Josué Martínez-de la Puente ◽  
Laura Gangoso ◽  
Ramón Soriguer ◽  
Jordi Figuerola
Keyword(s):  
Avian Malaria ◽  
Transmission Rate ◽  
Mosquito Species ◽  
Parasite Load ◽  
Transmission Risk ◽  
House Sparrows ◽  
Plasmodium Relictum ◽  
Avian Malaria Parasite ◽  
Host Parasite ◽  
Avian Malaria Parasites

AbstractFactors such as the particular combination of parasite–mosquito species, their co-evolutionary history and the host's parasite load greatly affect parasite transmission. However, the importance of these factors in the epidemiology of mosquito-borne parasites, such as avian malaria parasites, is largely unknown. Here, we assessed the competence of two mosquito species [Culex pipiens and Aedes (Ochlerotatus) caspius], for the transmission of four avian Plasmodium lineages (Plasmodium relictum SGS1 and GRW11 and Plasmodium cathemerium-related lineages COLL1 and PADOM01) naturally infecting wild house sparrows. We assessed the effects of parasite identity and parasite load on Plasmodium transmission risk through its effects on the transmission rate and mosquito survival. We found that Cx. pipiens was able to transmit the four Plasmodium lineages, while Ae. caspius was unable to transmit any of them. However, Cx. pipiens mosquitoes fed on birds infected by P. relictum showed a lower survival and transmission rate than those fed on birds infected by parasites related to P. cathemerium. Non-significant associations were found with the host–parasite load. Our results confirm the existence of inter- and intra-specific differences in the ability of Plasmodium lineages to develop in mosquito species and their effects on the survival of mosquitoes that result in important differences in the transmission risk of the different avian malaria parasite lineages studied.

scholarly journals Sperm a cell in distress: Yoga to the rescue

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 ◽  
pp. 3
Author(s):  
Vidhu Dhawan ◽  
Rajeev Kumar ◽  
Neena Malhotra ◽  
Vatsla Dadhwal ◽  
Dibakar Borthakur ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Embryonic Development ◽  
Sperm Quality ◽  
Reproductive Potential ◽  
Redox Status ◽  
Paternal Genome ◽  
Critical Determinant ◽  
Complex Cells ◽  
Paternal Factors ◽  
Increase Risk ◽  
A Cell

Sperm, one of the complex cells of biological inheritance, are not only considered as mere vectors of transmission of paternal genome at the time of fertilization but also to events post-fertilization. The contribution of sperm molecular factors as a critical determinant of optimal embryonic development and pregnancy outcomes has been brought to surface. Spermatozoa with derangements in redox status, nuclear and mitochondrial genomic integrity, and dysregulated gene expression may affect the fertility status of the male and may result in impaired embryonic development and increase risk of genetic and epigenetic diseases in offspring. The integration of yoga-based lifestyle (YBL) as a part of the modern lifestyle has been found to be beneficial in the management of the derangements in the male reproductive functions in the distressing issue of infertility and early pregnancy loss (EPL) patients. As infertility and EPL are issues with a strong psychosomatic component, yoga a mind body intervention may be a useful adjunctive therapy in the management of these cases and may not only improve the sperm quality but also positively impact the reproductive potential, embryogenesis, and the health of the progeny. This short communication intends to highlight the importance of paternal factors as a causal factor for infertility, EPL, and also the promising role of integration of YBL in the management of such disorders.

scholarly journals Male age and its association with reproductive traits in captive and wild house sparrows

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Antje Girndt ◽  
Glenn Cockburn ◽  
Alfredo Sánchez-Tójar ◽  
Moritz Hertel ◽  
Terry Burke ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sperm Quality ◽  
Bird Species ◽  
Passer Domesticus ◽  
Reproductive Traits ◽  
House Sparrows ◽  
Reproductive Senescence ◽  
Young Males ◽  
Adaptive Models ◽  
Socially Monogamous ◽  
Sperm Traits

Evolutionary theory predicts that females seek extra-pair fertilisations from high-quality males. In socially monogamous bird species, it is often old males that are most successful in extra-pair fertilisations. Adaptive models of female extra-pair mate choice suggest that old males may produce offspring of higher genetic quality than young males because they have proven their survivability. However, old males are also more likely to show signs of reproductive senescence, such as reduced sperm quality. To better understand why old males account for a disproportionally large number of extra-pair offspring and what the consequences of mating with old males are, we compared several sperm traits of both captive and wild house sparrows, Passer domesticus. Sperm morphological traits and cloacal protuberance volume (a proxy for sperm load) of old and young males did not differ substantially. However, old males delivered almost three times more sperm to the female’s egg than young males. We discuss the possibility of a post-copulatory advantage for old over young males and the consequences for females mated with old males.

Fitness Measures In Female House Sparrows: No Correlation With The Expression Of Two Plumage Ornaments

2013 ◽  
Vol 37 (1) ◽  
pp. 4-13
Author(s):  
Ian Stewart ◽  
Daniel P. Wetzel ◽  
David F. Westneat
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Social Dominance ◽  
Competitive Ability ◽  
House Sparrow ◽  
Passer Domesticus ◽  
House Sparrows ◽  
Female Age ◽  
Fitness Measures ◽  
Status Signals ◽  
Male House

Abstract Male birds often possess conspicuous or colourful plumage traits which are thought to function either in mate choice or as status signals which indicate their competitive ability. Many studies have confirmed that the size or expression of these traits is positively correlated with their success at attracting mates, their social dominance, or their fitness. However, relatively few studies have examined plumage variation in females, likely because it is much less pronounced than in males. We examined whether female plumage is associated with fitness measures in the house sparrow (Passer domesticus). Male house sparrows have a conspicuous throat patch of black feathers that has been correlated with social dominance and fitness, and females also possess a variably-coloured throat patch, although the variation is much more subtle than in males. However, neither the timing of breeding nor reproductive performance was associated with throat patch colouration of female sparrows in any of three continuous study years, nor was it related to female age. The size of the other obvious female plumage trait, the wing bar, also did not predict fitness. We conclude that female plumage variation is not under sexual selection in the house sparrow.

scholarly journals What does testosterone do for red deer males?

2008 ◽  
Vol 276 (1658) ◽  
pp. 971-980 ◽  
Author(s):  
A.F Malo ◽  
E.R.S Roldan ◽  
J.J Garde ◽  
A.J Soler ◽  
J Vicente ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Red Deer ◽  
Sperm Quality ◽  
Natural Populations ◽  
Reproductive Investment ◽  
Parasite Load ◽  
Parasite Resistance ◽  
Testosterone Levels ◽  
Captive Populations ◽  
Testes Size ◽  
Sexual Traits

Testosterone has been proposed to have a dual effect, enhancing sexual traits while depressing parasite resistance in males. Here, we test this hypothesis in red deer, examining males from captive populations during the whole annual cycle and males from natural populations during the breeding season. We first explored the effects of body size, age and sampling date on testosterone to avoid confounding effects. Our results show that in captive populations seasonal changes in testosterone levels were mirrored by changes in testes size, and that during the rut there was a strong correlation between both. In natural populations, males with higher testosterone levels had larger testes, improved sperm quality, smaller burr diameter, stronger antlers, higher haematocrit levels, and increased nematode parasite load. By contrast, no significant relationship was found between testosterone and spleen size or tick parasite load. We conclude that testosterone (i) improves males' reproductive investment and physical stamina, (ii) improves antler strength but reduces burr diameter, and (iii) imposes a cost in terms of depressed parasite resistance.

scholarly journals Oxidative stress affects sperm performance and ejaculate redox status in subordinate house sparrows

2017 ◽  
Vol 220 (14) ◽  
pp. 2577-2588 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alfonso Rojas Mora ◽  
Alexandra Firth ◽  
Sophie Blareau ◽  
Armelle Vallat ◽  
Fabrice Helfenstein
Keyword(s):  
Oxidative Stress ◽  
Redox Status ◽  
House Sparrows

scholarly journals Selenium and endocrine systems

2005 ◽  
Vol 184 (3) ◽  
pp. 455-465 ◽  
Author(s):  
Geoffrey J Beckett ◽  
John R Arthur
Keyword(s):  
Thyroid Hormone ◽  
Tyrosine Kinases ◽  
Cell Function ◽  
Insulin Signalling ◽  
Sperm Quality ◽  
Cell Signalling ◽  
Redox Status ◽  
Diabetic Rat ◽  
Hormone Synthesis ◽  
Thyroid Hormone Synthesis

The trace element selenium (Se) is capable of exerting multiple actions on endocrine systems by modifying the expression of at least 30 selenoproteins, many of which have clearly defined functions. Well-characterized selenoenzymes are the families of glutathione peroxidases (GPXs), thioredoxin reductases (TRs) and iodothyronine deiodinases (Ds). These selenoenzymes are capable of modifying cell function by acting as antioxidants and modifying redox status and thyroid hormone metabolism. Se is also involved in cell growth, apoptosis and modifying the action of cell signalling systems and transcription factors. During thyroid hormone synthesis GPX1, GPX3 and TR1 are up-regulated, providing the thyrocytes with considerable protection from peroxidative damage. Thyroidal D1 in rats and both D1 and D2 in humans are also up-regulated to increase the production of bioactive 3,5,3′-tri-iodothyronine (T3). In the basal state, GPX3 is secreted into the follicular lumen where it may down-regulate thyroid hormone synthesis by decreasing hydrogen peroxide concentrations. The deiodinases are present in most tissues and provide a mechanism whereby individual tissues may control their exposure to T3. Se is also able to modify the immune response in patients with autoimmune thyroiditis. Low sperm production and poor sperm quality are consistent features of Se-deficient animals. The pivotal link between Se, sperm quality and male fertility is GPX4 since the enzyme is essential to allow the production of the correct architecture of the midpiece of spermatozoa. Se also has insulin-mimetic properties, an effect that is probably brought about by stimulating the tyrosine kinases involved in the insulin signalling cascade. Furthermore, in the diabetic rat, Se not only restores glycaemic control but it also prevents or alleviates the adverse effects that diabetes has on cardiac, renal and platelet function.

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