Effects of unilateral/bilateral amputation of the ischiocavernosus muscle in male rats on erectile function and conception

Background The ischiocavernosus muscle (ICM) encompasses a pair of short pinnate muscles attached to the pelvic ring. The ICM begins at the ischial tuberosity and ends at the crus of the penis while covering the surface of the crus. According to the traditional view, the contraction of the ICM plays an auxiliary role in penile erection. However, we have previously shown that the ICM plays an important role in penile erection through an indirect method of diagnosing erectile dysfunction (ED) caused by ICM injury by observing the infertility of paired female rats. Since intracavernosal pressure (ICP) is the current gold standard for diagnosing ED, this study aimed to amputate unilaterally/bilaterally the ICM to establish an ED model by detecting the ICP, recording the infertility of matching female rats, and comparing the two methods. Results Forty sexually mature adult male rats were selected and randomly divided into the following groups: the control group (n = 10), sham operation group (n = 10), unilateral ischiocavernosus muscle (Uni-ICM) amputation group (n = 10), and bilateral ischiocavernosus muscle (Bi-ICM) amputation group (n = 10). Eighty female reproductive rats were randomly assigned to the above groups at a ratio of 2:1. We evaluated the time to conception for the paired female rats and the effects of unilateral/bilateral severing of the ICM on erectile function. The results showed that the baseline and maximum intracavernosal pressure (ICP) in the control group, sham operation group, Uni-ICM amputation group, and Bi-ICM amputation group were 17.44±2.50 mmHg and 93.51±10.78 mmHg, 17.81±2.81 mmHg and 95.07±10.40 mmHg, 16.73±2.11 mmHg and 83.49±12.38 mmHg, and 14.78±2.78 mmHg and 33.57±6.72 mmHg, respectively, immediately postsurgery. The max ICP in the Bi-ICM amputation group was lower than that in the remaining three groups (all P<0.05). The pregnancy rates were 100, 100, 90, and 0% in the control group, sham operation group, Uni-ICM amputation group, and the Bi-ICM amputation group, respectively. The pregnancy rate in the Bi-ICM amputation group was significantly lower than that in the remaining groups (all P<0.05). The time to conception was approximately 7–10 days later in the Uni-ICM amputation group than in the control and sham groups (all P<0.05). Conclusions Male rats undergoing Bi-ICM amputation may develop permanent ED, which affects their fertility. In contrast, rats undergoing Uni-ICM amputation may experience transient ED.

High-resolution AP-SMALDI MSI as a tool for drug imaging in Schistosoma mansoni

Schistosoma mansoni is a parasitic flatworm causing schistosomiasis, an infectious disease affecting several hundred million people worldwide. Schistosomes live dioeciously, and upon pairing with the male, the female starts massive egg production, which causes pathology. Praziquantel (PZQ) is the only drug used, but it has an inherent risk of resistance development. Therefore, alternatives are needed. In the context of drug repurposing, the cancer drug imatinib was tested, showing high efficacy against S. mansoni in vitro. Besides the gonads, imatinib mainly affected the integrity of the intestine in males and females. In this study, we investigated the potential uptake and distribution of imatinib in adult schistosomes including its distribution kinetics. To this end, we applied for the first time atmospheric-pressure scanning microprobe matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry imaging (AP-SMALDI MSI) for drug imaging in paired S. mansoni. Our results indicate that imatinib was present in the esophagus and intestine of the male as early as 20 min after in vitro exposure, suggesting an oral uptake route. After one hour, the drug was also found inside the paired female. The detection of the main metabolite, N-desmethyl imatinib, indicated metabolization of the drug. Additionally, a marker signal for the female ovary was successfully applied to facilitate further conclusions regarding organ tropism of imatinib. Our results demonstrate that AP-SMALDI MSI is a useful method to study the uptake, tissue distribution, and metabolization of imatinib in S. mansoni. The results suggest using AP-SMALDI MSI also for investigating other antiparasitic compounds and their metabolites in schistosomes and other parasites. Graphical abstract

THE INFLUENCE OF SPORTS ACTIVITY ON THE IMPORTANCE OF THE SEXUAL SOMATOTYPE OF ATHLETES IN PAIRED WOMEN’S ACROBATICS AND GYMNASTICS

The article presents research materials relating to the study of the individual characteristics of the 2D:4D finger index in young athletes in pair female acrobatics and gymnastics. The aim of the study is to study and comparatively analyze the features of the 2D: 4D finger proportions in the "upper" and "lower" female partners in paired female acrobatics and among the female athletes involved in artistic gymnastics, referred to adolescence; confirmation of the influence of the 2D:4D finger ratio on the athletic capabilities of athletes and the formation of their sexual somatotype. It has been proved that the presence in these groups of female athletes with certain values of the inverse, andromorphic sexual somatotype indicates an increased level of testosterone in the body of these athletes and inverse adaptive changes with the formation of masculinization phenomena in them. Research methods and organization. To conduct research on the features of the 2D:4D finger proportions in the "upper" and "lower" female partner athletes in paired female acrobatics and in athletes engaged in artistic gymnastics, the following methods were used: anthropometric method to determine: IPD) and somatotyping according to the classification of J. Tanner and W. Marshall; 2) measurement and comparison of II and IV fingers of the hands of athletes using the finger ratio method according to J.T. Menning – 2D:4D Digit Ratio; 3) as well as the method of literary analysis, using available sources of information; 4) method of mathematical statistics. Organization of the study. This study was conducted in 2019-2020 with the involvement of 31 pairs of acrobats and 59 athletes involved in artistic gymnastics in Ukraine (Nikolaev and Poltava). "Lower" acrobats and gymnasts (n=90) - adolescent – 19.35±1.07 years; "Upper" acrobats (n=31) – pubertal age – 14.68±1.14 years (p≤0,01). Their experience in these sports ranged from 2.5 to 10 years. The level of sportsmanship – from I-III sports category to a candidate for master of sports, master of sports. Research results. After carrying out the study of the necessary anthropometric measurements for each participant (indicators of the width of the shoulders and pelvis, the length of the II and IV fingers of both hands) and processing the obtained anthropometric values, the values of the sexual dimorphism index (SDI) in each study group were determined by mathematical recalculation.

Loss in the making: absence of pelvic fins and presence of paedomorphic pelvic girdles in a Late Devonian antiarch placoderm (jawed stem-gnathostome)

Within jawed vertebrates, pelvic appendages have been modified or lost repeatedly, including in the most phylogenetically basal, extinct, antiarch placoderms. One Early Devonian basal antiarch, Parayunnanolepis , possessed pelvic girdles, suggesting the presence of pelvic appendages at the origin of jawed vertebrates; their absence in more derived antiarchs implies a secondary loss. Recently, paired female genital plates were identified in the Late Devonian antiarch, Bothriolepis canadensis , in the position of pelvic girdles in other placoderms. We studied these putative genital plates along an ontogenetic series of B. canadensis ; ontogenetic changes in their morphology, histology and elemental composition suggest they represent endoskeletal pelvic girdles composed of perichondral and endochondral bone. We suggest that pelvic fins of derived antiarchs were lost, while pelvic girdles were retained, but reduced, relative to Parayunnanolepis . This indicates developmental plasticity and evolutionary lability in pelvic appendages, shortly after these elements evolved at the origin of jawed vertebrates.

In vitro effects of artesunate on the survival of worm pairs and egg production of Schistosoma mansoni

The effect of artesunate (ART) on the survival time of adult worm pairs of Schistosoma mansoni and on their egg output during in vitro culture was assessed. ART significantly decreased the survival time of both paired male and female worms at concentrations of 5, 10, 20 and 40 mg l− 1 during in vitro cultivation. An inhibitory effect of ART on the daily egg output of paired female worms during in vitro cultivation was also observed.

Effect of sex difference on platelet adhesion, spreading and aggregate formation under flow

SummaryThere are clear but poorly understood differences in the etiology and prognosis of thrombotic diseases in men and women. Due to the fact that platelets play a central role in the formation of occlusive thrombi in atherosclerotic coronary arteries, previous studies have examined whether sex differences exist for platelets, and have obtained conflicting results. Additionally, due to the increased use of genetically modified mouse models to explore the molecular mechanisms underlying platelet activation and thrombotic disorders, it is critical to determine if sex is a confounding variable. Our study of the role of sex differences in platelet function was designed to utilise purified platelets from inbred paired female/male littermates in order to minimise genetic and environmental variability. In the current study, we demonstrate that platelet adhesion to and spreading on immobilised fibrinogen, thrombin or collagen was equivalent for both female and male mouse platelets. The ability of the soluble agonist thrombin or convulxin to potentiate platelet Pselectin exposure, fibrinogen binding, or adhesion and spreading on immobilised fibrinogen was equivalent for both female and male mouse platelets. Our data show that an equivalent degree of platelet adhesion and aggregation on collagen or fibrinogen under shear flow was observed for both female and male mouse platelets. In conclusion, our data would argue against an intrinsic difference for female mouse platelets in regulating the major functional platelet responses: platelet adhesion, spreading, or aggregation under flow.

Inter-specific parasite competition: mixed infections ofSchistosoma mansoniandS. rodhainiin the definitive host

SUMMARYCompetition between parasite species has been predicted to be an important force shaping parasite and host ecology and evolution, although empirical data are often lacking. Using theMus musculus-Schistosoma mansoniandSchistosoma rodhainihost-parasite systems we characterized mate choice and inter-specific competition between these two schistosome species. Simultaneous infections revealed species-specific mate preferences for both species as well as suggesting mating competition, with maleS. rodhainiappearing dominant over maleS. mansoni.S. rodhainihomologous pairs were also shown to have increased reproduction per paired female in the presence of a competitor in simultaneous infections. Overall total reproductive success was, however, similar between the two species under conditions of direct competition due to the greater initial infectivity ofS. mansoniin comparison toS. rodhaini. Inter-specific competition was also implicated as increased parasite virulence to the host. The potential effects of such interactions on parasite and host ecology and evolution in nature are discussed.

Male and female song structure and singing behaviour in the duetting eastern whipbird, Psophodes olivaceus

In many tropical bird species, partners combine their songs to form precise duets, of which the function is imperfectly understood. Duet structure and sex differences in vocal strategies may be important indicators of different selective pressures that have led to the evolution and maintenance of these complex acoustic displays. This study examines the singing behaviour of a population of the eastern whipbird, a bird that forms antiphonal duets initiated exclusively by the male. In all, 7% of duets recorded were between a paired female and a male other than her social partner. Males sang more often than females, their songs were longer and moved through a wider frequency range, and they had a larger song repertoire. Females sang two types of song: response songs, used primarily in a duet context, and structurally distinct solo songs, typically used during interactions with other females. Eastern whipbirds lacked unique song types among the repertoires of individual males and females. Males and females combined songs non-randomly to produce specific duets that were shared across the population. Results suggested that song and duet type matching might play an important role in intrasex interactions, such as defence of a territory, or a partner, from same-sex intruders.

The Reproductive Behaviour and the Nature of Sexual Selection in Scatophaga Stercoraria L. (Diptera : Scatophagidae)

Sexual attractiveness of calypterate Diptera may be measured by their ability to elicit encounters from individuals of opposite sex. Stationary female S. stercoraria elicit a much higher encounter rate from searching males than do stationary males and immobile pairs elicit an intermediate rate. It is therefore concluded that males can 'recognise' these three types of individual; probably by visual means. Sexual attractiveness after contact may be measured by the extent to which a contact courtship bout progresses or by measuring the 'bout duration'. There is no difference between the bout durations of males with other males and that with pairs. This implies that on contact there is no ability to discriminate between pairs and males. This is not true, however, when an attacking male manages to touch a paired female during a contact bout. This results in a struggle between males for the possession of the female. Paired males perform characteristic rejection response patterns to different types of encounter bout, depending on the direction of attack and the extent to which the bout proceeds. The responses appear to have evolved to prevent touching of the female by the attacker. By far the most common type of bout occurs when the attacker mounts a pair. The paired male almost always reponds by raising both middle legs and 'standing' (straightening the front legs), a reaction which doubles the distance between the attacker and the female and thus effectively prevents contact of the attacker with the female. This is essentially a contact reaction, since a premature response would allow direct access to the female rather than having the effect of 'shrugging off' the attacker. The rejection reactions of paired males could have arisen from the avoidance reactions of single males. Single ('searching') males perform most of the reactions of paired males but less vigorously, and in addition perform swaying movements similar to those of females. The avoidance reactions of single males may have adaptive value in reducing the time wasted in a bout with another male. With both single and paired males, the intensity of the rejection response elicited is proportional to the extent to which the bout proceeds after contact. Males in the passive phase (i.e. paired to ovipositing females) react most intensely to a given type of bout. Struggles occur in about 7% of encounters with both type of pair and result from failure of the rejection responses, instability, or multiple attacks. They involve up to several minutes time waste before one male finally dominates. Take-overs (where the original male is ousted) are much more frequent in attacks of pairs involved in oviposition than with pairs in genital contact, occurring in 1.75% and 0.65% of encounters respectively. The second male then begins genital contact immediately.