Avian Reproduction

There are about 10,400 living avian species belonging to the class Aves, characterized by feathers which no other animal classes possess and are warm-blooded vertebrates with four-chamber heart. They have excellent vision, and their forelimbs are modified into wings for flight or swimming, though not all can fly or swim. They lay hard-shelled eggs which are a secretory product of the reproductive system that vary greatly in colour, shape and size, and the bigger the bird, the bigger the egg. Since domestication, avian species have been basically reared for eggs, meat, pleasure and research. They reproduce sexually with the spermatozoa being homogametic and carry Z-bearing chromosomes, and the blastodisk carries either Z-bearing or W-bearing chromosomes, hence, the female is heterogametic, and thus, determines the sex of the offspring. The paired testes produce spermatozoa, sex hormones and the single ovary (with a few exceptions) produces yolk bearing the blastodisk and sex hormones. Both testis and ovary are the primary sex organs involved in sexual characteristics development in avian. In avian reproduction, there must be mating for fertile egg that must be incubated to produce the young ones. At hatch, hatchling sex is identified and reared to meet the aim of the farmer.

Developmental variation in ovaries and kernels in a multi-kernelled rice variety- Jugal

ABSTRACTThe rice fruit or spikelet contains only one kernel. A handful traditional cultivars are available with more than one ovaries/kernels per spikelet. Jugal, a traditional rice cultivar from West Bengal, India possess multiple ovaries before flowering and multiples kernels per spikelet. In this endeavour, the single grained-spikelet varied from 0.00 to 46.26% per panicle. Single pistillated-spikelet was first reported on 8th day before flowering and it was 2.63%. The number of spikelet bearing single ovary/kernel gradually increased till the panicle emergence and then till physiological maturity of grains. Maximum single kernelled-spikelet was recorded on 30th day after panicle emergence (46.26%). The double ovary/kernelled-spikelet per panicle varied from 53.74% to 95.39%. High percentage of double pistillated-spikelet per panicle was recorded before heading and it was more than 90% or very near to 90%. Gradually the double pistillated-spikelet per panicle decreased with the advancement of developmental course of the panicle and continued to decrease till grain maturity. Lowest percentage (53.74%) of double kernelled-spikelet per panicle was observed on 30th day after panicle emergence and it almost remained static till harvest of the crop. Triple pistillated-spikelet was 4.33% per on 10th day before panicle emergence. On 9th day before panicle emergence it was 2.33% and on 8th day before panicle it was 1.00% only and subsequently, no triple pistillated-spikelet was observed till grain maturity. However, randomly one/two triple kernelled-spikelet was also reported. It would be useful if all the spikelets were doubled kernelled. The shape of kernels obtained from doubled kernelled-spikelets were slender, which has high demand among the urban and sub-urban consumers.

Management of the patients with stage I germ cell ovarian tumors

The goal of the treatment of children and adolescents with germ cell ovarian tumors is to save both life and its quality. One of the quality of life issue in pediatric patients is fertility preservation. The removal of the ovary on the affected side allows saving the ovary on the opposite side. The single ovary is able to save further full development of female secondary sexual characteristics and will play important role as psychological value. In addition, the reproductive function will be stored. Chemotherapy may badly impact the function of a single ovary. To find out in advance how chemotherapy will affect ovarian function is impossible, so it is necessary for patients with Stage I ovarian germ cell tumors to decide the possibility of dismissing chemotherapy from the treatment. Under certain conditions unilateral salpingo-oophorectomy may be sufficient for stage I disease. Risk factors which should be considered when refusing chemotherapy are discussed.

Microstomum (Platyhelminthes, Macrostomorpha, Microstomidae) from the Swedish west coast: two new species and a population description

Two new species of marine Platyhelminthes, Microstomum laurae sp. nov. and Microstomum edmondi sp. nov. (Macrostomida: Microstomidae) are described from the west coast of Sweden. Microstomum laurae sp. nov. is distinguished by the following combination of characters: rounded anterior and posterior ends; presence of approximately 20 adhesive papillae on the posterior rim; paired lateral red eyespots located level with the brain; preoral gut extending anterior to brain and very small sensory pits. Microstomum edmondi sp. nov. is a protandrous hermaphrodite with a single ovary, single testis and male copulatory organ with stylet. It is characterized by a conical pointed anterior end, a blunt posterior end with numerous adhesive papillae along the rim, and large ciliary pits. The stylet is shaped as a narrow funnel with a short, arched tip. In addition, the first records of fully mature specimens of Microstomum rubromaculatum von Graff, 1882 from Fiskebäckskil and a phylogenetic analysis of Microstomum Schmidt, 1848 based on the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I (COI) gene are presented.

Does Unilateral Oocyte Retrieval due to Transvaginally Inaccessible Ovaries, Contrary to Common Beliefs, Affect IVF/ICSI Treatment Outcomes That Much?

Objective. To investigate in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment outcomes of unilateral oocyte retrieval in patients with transvaginally inaccessible ovaries.Study Design. Ninety-two women who underwent unilateral oocyte retrieval were retrospectively matched for age, antral follicle count, and body mass index with 184 women who underwent bilateral oocyte retrieval. Each patient in bilateral oocyte retrieval group had the same number of cumulus oophorus complexes (COCs) from single ovary and had comparable number of follicles (±2) on contralateral site where follicular aspiration was performed.Results. The number of COCs, metaphase-2 oocytes, 2-pronuclei, and top-quality embryos was significantly lower in unilateral oocyte retrieval group. However, proportion of patients with an embryo transfer of at least one top-quality embryo was found to be comparable between unilateral and bilateral oocyte retrieval. Subsequently, clinical pregnancy and live birth rates were found to be similar between the groups. The ROC curve analysis revealed (AUC = 0.74, 95% CI 0.63–0.86,p=0.001) that retrieved COCs ≥ 5 from single ovary had sensitivity of 76.0% and specificity of 64.2% for occurrence of a clinical pregnancy.Conclusion. The patients with unilateral oocyte retrieval have reasonable chance of success with IVF. The retrieval of ≥5 COCs from accessible ovary might result in better treatment outcomes among these patients.