ELUCIDATING THE GONADAL DEVELOPMENT AND SEX DIFFERENTIATION OF THE RICE PADDY EEL, Monopterus albus (Zuiew, 1993), BASED ON GONADAL HISTOMORPHOLOGY AND STEROID HORMONE LEVELS

The establishment and survival of the population of species in their breeding ground can be attributed to the species’ reproductive characteristic and capacity. The Monopterus albus species is an introduced fish in the Philippines. It is a protogynous hermaphrodite which has a natural ability for sex reversal. This study describes the histomorphology of the different stages of gonadal maturation and determines the concentration levels of the steroid hormones 17ß-estradiol (E2) and testosterone (T) in the blood plasma. These aim to a further understanding on the gonadal development and sex differentiation of the rice paddy eel as a hermaphroditic fish. Fish samples were collected randomly from farm ponds located in three provinces within the island of Luzon, Philippines. The sexual identity of the fish was categorized based on the presence or absence of ovarian and testicular tissues. Histological analysis of the gonad showed that immature, maturing-matured female gonad exhibited ovarian tissues of varying stages. The intersex gonad showed the existence of both ovarian and testicular tissues. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to determine the concentration levels of gonadal steroid hormones. Differences in the concentration levels of the two hormones were evident across all the stages of gonad maturation. The functional role of these hormones in vitellogenesis and spermatogenesis leads to the development of this sex-changing gonads. This reproductive characteristic contributes to our understanding of the reproductive success of hermaphroditic fish.

Protective Effect of Ethanolic Extract of Spirulina platensis on Reproductive Characteristic and Biochemical Profile in Female Guinea Pig (Cavia porcellus) Exposed to Lead Acetate

The effect of ethanolic extract of Spirulina platensis (EESP) on reproductive function of female guinea pigs exposed to oxidative stress induced by lead acetate was explored. 60 mature female guinea pigs were used. They were divided into 6 groups of 10 guinea pigs each. For 3 months, pigs in Groups 1 were orally given distilled water daily; Group 2 were treated with lead; Group 3: received lead acetate and Vitamin C while Groups 4,5 and 6 were given lead acetate with 50, 100 and 200 mg of EESP/kg.bw respectively by gavage. At the end of trial (90 days), 6 female pigs per group were sacrificed and some reproductive characteristics, oxidative stress and hepatic toxicity markers were evaluated. Results revealed that, exposure to Lead acetate induced a significant decrease (p < 0.05) of fertility index, reproductive organs and hormone concentrations. It equally led to a significant (p < 0.05) decline of serum content in superoxide dismutase, catalase and total peroxidase activities. The reverse effect was noted in malondialdehyde concentration, hepatic and renal toxicity biomarkers. Histological examination of the ovaries of lead treated females revealed lesions and severe degenerative changes in the structures of the ovaries. However, the administration of ethanolic extract of Spirulina platensis to treated females alleviated the toxicity of reproductive function and oxidative damage induced by lead acetate. In conclusion, the exposure of animals to lead acetate had negative effects on guinea pig reproductive characteristics. The co-exposition to lead acetate and ethanolic extract of Spirulina platensis however, reestablishes normal reproductive characteristic values.

Influence of the rootstock variety on the vegetative and uvological measures of grapes

The goal of research – signification of influence of the genotype of rootstock varieties on the vegetative and reproductive characteristic of the Purple early (Fioletoviy ranniy) grafted grape variety during adaptation in the field. Observations of research was made with using rootstock varieties - PP 101-14, Kober 5BB, Vierul-3. The influence of the rootstock genotype was introduced on the basis of by the survival rate of bushes, plant growth characteristics of the Purple early (Fioletoviy ranniy) variety, and uvological properties. The least death of bushes was found by usage the rootstock Vierul -3. Was revealed influence of the rootstock genotype on the vegetative measures of the grafted variety. The genotype of the Vierul - 3 rootstock variety was materially affected the leaf-area and leaf-area duration of the bush. Was found that influence of rootstock on the reproductive properties of graft - rootstock combinations. Grafting on the rootstock Cober 5BB foster the increase slightly of yield per Bush. Uvology indicators point at a positive effects of rootstock Vierul-3 on the weight of cluster and berries, the size of cluster and berries, the structure and form of the cluster and total sugars. On-farm research of agrocenosis, is advisable to graft the rootstock Vierul-3 for Fioletoviy ranniy variety.

Elaeis oleifera (Kunth) Cortés: A neglected palm from the Ecuadorian Amazon

Knowledge of the biology of Ecuadorian palms remains very limited. A particular case is the American oil palm, Elaeis oleifera (Kunth) Cortés, first described in Ecuador in 1986. The genus Elaeis has a trans-Atlantic (Africa-America) distribution, with E. oleifera from the Neotropics and E. guineensis Jacq. from Africa. It has been hypothesized that E. oleifera derives from populations of E. guineensis, which diverged 15 million years ago. At the local level, the populations of E. oleifera have a disjunctive distribution, with isolated populations within the Amazon and Caribbean regions, frequently associated with human or archaeological settlements. Despite the spatial and historical separation between the two species, there are no reproductive barriers to the generation of fertile hybrids. This important reproductive characteristic has allowed E. oleifera to become a major source of genetic variation for the improvement and adaptability of commercial populations of E. guineensis throughout the planet. The Ecuadorian populations of E. oleifera from Taisha - with morphological, reproductive and agronomically important biochemical characteristics - have been used for the creation of commercial hybrids, which today are planted in tropical regions.

PENGUJIAN FERTILITAS PATIN PASUPATI SECARA INTERNAL DAN EKSTERNAL MENGGUNAKAN PATIN SIAM Pangasianodon hypophthalmus (Sauvage, 1878) DAN PATIN JAMBAL Pangasius djambal Bleeker, 1846

Pasupati is a pangasiid catfish resulted from hybridization between female striped pangasiid (Pangasianodon hypophthalmus) and male jambal (Pangasius djamba). Pasupati is known as a superior white-fleshy pangasiid catfish promoted for an export commodity. However, its reproductive characteristic in relation to its fertility has not been examined yet. The present study was conducted to investigate the successful of fertilization between female and male pasupati, reciprocal cross between pasupati with striped catfish, and reciprocal cross between pasupati with jambal catfish.Two to three females and males pasupati were used in the present study. All of breeders were hormonally induced for artificial. The result showed that there is no embryogenesis occurred when sperm from pasupati, striped and jambal catfish were used to fertilize eggs of pasupati catfish. On the other side, sperm enabled to fertilize eggs of striped cat fish producing low percentage of larvae with maternaly similar morphological appearances at juvenile stage. This phenomena showed that spontaneous gynogenesis occurred. In conclusion, female and male of pasupati cat fish are sterile.

Aspek biologi reproduksi ikan pari blentik Neotrygon kuhlii di perairan Selat Sunda

<p class="BasicParagraph"><strong>ABSTRACT</strong></p><p class="BasicParagraph"> </p><p class="BasicParagraph">Bluespotted stingray fish <em>Neotrygon kuhlii</em> is the important fish economically captured from Sunda Strait. Intensive fishing could decrease bluespotted stingray stock. This study was aimed to know the length-weight, and reproduction characteristic. The reproduction characteristic covered the size of first gonad maturity, the level and also index of gonad maturity of bluespotted stingray fish in Labuan Fishing Dock, Banten. The result showed the equilibrium of length-weight of female fish was about W=0.0007L2,1496. Meanwhile, the male fish was about W=0.0000L2.251. Male fish was better than female fish according their relatively condition factor. Decreasing of the factor condition was caused by feeding habit to grow the reproduction cells. The size of first gonad maturity for the female and male respectively were about 550–799 dan 550–760 mm. The highest level maturity even female or male was on IV achieved in June and Juli 2013. Increasing the index (IKG) was followed by the level of gonad maturity.</p><p class="BasicParagraph"> </p><p class="BasicParagraph">Kata kunci: bluespotted stingray, reproductive characteristic, condition factor, Sunda Strait<strong></strong></p><p class="BasicParagraph"><strong> </strong></p><p class="BasicParagraph"><strong> </strong></p><p class="BasicParagraph"><strong>ABSTRAK</strong></p><p class="BasicParagraph"><strong> </strong></p><p class="BasicParagraph">Ikan pari blentik <em>Neotrygon kuhlii</em> merupakan salah satu sumberdaya ikan ekonomis penting dan sebagai hasil penangkapan di Selat Sunda. Penangkapan yang intensif dapat mengakibatkan penurunan stok ikan pari blentik. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui panjang bobot, dan karakteristik reproduksi. Karaktersitik reproduksi itu sendiri meliputi ukaran pertama kali matang gonad, tingkat kematangan gonad dan indeks kematangan gonad ikan pari blentik di perairan Selat Sunda yang didaratkan di Pelabuhan Perikanan Pantai (PPP) Labuan, Banten. Berdasarkan hubungan panjang bobot ikan pari betina diperoleh persamaan hubungan panjang dan bobot untuk ikan pari blentik betina W=0,0007L2,1496. Sementara itu pada ikan jantan, persamaan hubungan panjang bobot W=0,0000L2,251. Ikan pari blentik jantan mempunyai faktor kondisi yang relatif lebih besar daripada ikan pari betina. Penurunan nilai faktor kondisi disebabkan bagian terbesar dari makanan yang dikonsumsi digunakan untuk perkembangan sel-sel reproduksinya. Kisaran ukuran pertama kali matang gonad ikan pari blentik betina 550–799, sedangkan untuk ikan pari jantan adalah dengan kisaran panjang total tubuh 550–760 mm. Tingkat kematangan gonad tertinggi ikan betina dan jantan (TKG IV) ditemukan pada bulan Juni dan Juli 2013. Indeks kematangan gonad (IKG) ikan pari semakin meningkat seiring dengan meningkatnya TKG.</p><p class="BasicParagraph"><strong> </strong></p><p>Keywords: ikan pari blentik, karakteristik reproduksi, faktor kondisi, Selat Sunda</p>