Ovarian Eggs Research Articles

Biology and life table studies of the oriental tobacco budworm, Helicoverpa assulta (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), influenced by different larval diets

AbstractDevelopment, survivorship, pupal weight, oviposition, and life table parameters of the oriental tobacco budworm, Helicoverpa assulta Guenée, were evaluated in the laboratory on an artificial diet, pepper (Capsicum frutescens L.), and tobacco (Nicotiana tobacum L.). We found that the average developmental time of immature stages was longest on tobacco (36.2 d), intermediate on pepper (34.4 d), and shortest on artificial diet (33.5 d). Immature survival from egg to pupa varied from 31% on tobacco, 43% on pepper, and 74% on artificial diet. Pupal weight ranged from 197.4 mg/pupa on tobacco, 233.1 mg/pupa on pepper and 253.4 mg/pupa on artificial diet. The average numbers of eggs laid by adults reared as larvae on the artificial diet, pepper, or tobacco were 614, 421 and 334 eggs/female, respectively. Numbers of remaining eggs in ovaries of the adult females reared as larvae on the artificial diet, pepper, or tobacco were 16, 26, and 42 eggs/female, respectively. The longevity of adult females developed from larvae reared on the three diets was not significantly different, whereas the longevity of male adults from the larvae reared on artificial diet was longer (16.8 d) than that for males reared on tobacco (13.8 d) and pepper (13.3 d). The intrinsic, finite, gross, and net rates of increase were highest for females reared as larvae on artificial diet, lowest for females emerging from larvae reared on tobacco, and intermediate for females emerging from larvae reared on pepper. Generation times and doubling time of H. assulta were shortest for larvae fed artificial diet, intermediate from larvae reared on pepper, and longest from larvae reared on tobacco. We concluded that the artificial diet was the most suitable larval diet of H. assulta followed by pepper, and tobacco.

Wanted—egg donors for research: A research ethics approach to donor recruitment and compensation

As the demand for human eggs for stem cell research increases, debate about appropriate standards for recruitment and compensation of women intensifies. In the majority of cases, the source of eggs for research is women undergoing fertility treatment requiring ovarian stimulation and egg retrieval. The principle of “just participant selection” requires that research subjects be selected from the population that stands to benefit from the research. Based on this principle, infertile women should be actively recruited to donate eggs for fertility-related research only. It is unethical to exclusively or predominantly recruit infertile women to donate eggs for stem cell research that concerns general medical conditions. It is preferable to recruit women from the general population to donate eggs for such research, and these women should be viewed as healthy volunteers. To avoid exploitation, these donors should receive compensation for both the direct and indirect costs associated with their donation.

Immature stages of Microplitis rufiventris KOK. (Hym., Braconidae)

The braconid parasite, Microplitis rufiventrisKOK., is believed at present to be the most important parasite of the cotton leafworm, Spodoptera littoralis (BOISD.) in Egypt. A rather detailed description of the immature forms of the parasite is given. Ovarian egg, deposited egg, three instar larvae, cocoon, prepupa, and pupa are described. It is hoped that the distinct characteristics of the immature forms may settle some of the uncertainties about the true relations between certain species of the genus Microplitis.

Egg resorption behaviour by the solitary egg parasitoid Anaphes nitens under natural conditions

AbstractWe investigated under outdoor conditions and inside a climate chamber: (i) whether Anaphes nitens Girault (Hymenoptera: Mymaridae), an egg parasitoid of the Eucalyptus snout beetle, Gonipterus scutellatus Gyllenhal (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), experienced egg resorption, and (ii) how various treatments (location, food, and/or host supply) and body size influenced egg load, egg resorption, fecundity, and longevity. One‐day‐old females were mated and randomly assigned to five groups: (A) honey + hosts, (B) water + hosts, (C) only honey, (D) only water, and (E) control females killed at emergence. We compared the egg load of the newly emerged females, which represent the control group (egg load = ovarian eggs present at emergence), with the lifetime egg load (i.e., ovarian eggs + emerged offspring + not emerged offspring) of the females with various host and diet treatments, by dissection of the ovaries to find evidence of egg resorption. All groups reared outdoors had fewer eggs than the control, while indoors there was no significant difference. Outdoors, starved but host‐provided wasps (B) experienced the highest reduction of the lifetime egg load (51%). Groups without access to food (B + D) resorbed more eggs than groups provided with honey (A + C). Females with honey and hosts (A) had the highest lifetime fecundity, but those with water and hosts (B) showed a higher daily realized fecundity. Host‐deprived females with access to food (C) attained the longest lifespan. Our results suggest that under stress conditions, such as low temperature and food shortage, A. nitens females practice egg resorption, probably to save energy.

Rethinking Reproductive Gifts as Body Projects

In New Zealand, ovarian egg donation and surrogate pregnancy arrangements are often viewed through the interpretative lens of altruism and reproductive gift-giving. However, gift terminology does not represent the narrative accounts of all women who have participated in donor-assisted conception strategies. Drawing on interview data with New Zealand women, this article deals with accounts from donors who see their donative acts not so much as gifts, but as projects of the self, or as events that serve to mark out new beginnings in their lives.

Effect of photoperiod on parasitization by Trichogramma principium (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae)

The effect of photoperiod on parasitization of the eggs of the Angoumois grain moth, Sitotroga cerealella (Olivier, 1789) by Trichogramma principium Sugonyaev & Sorokina, 1976 was investigated under several photoperiodic regimes of L : D = 3 : 21, 6 : 18, 9 : 15, 12 : 12, 15 : 9, 18 : 6 and 21 : 3. In all regimes, certain wasps delayed ovipositing in this non-preferred host. Potential fecundity of T. principium females (the number of mature ovarial eggs at emergence) and subsequent oogenesis (estimated by the number of mature ovarial eggs in non-ovipositing females) was independent of photoperiod. However, the percentage of females that oviposited was higher for females that developed and were kept under 6-12 h long photophase than for those that developed and were kept under ultra short (3L : 21D) and under long (18L : 6D and 21L : 3D) photophases. The average duration of the pre-oviposition (egg retention) period showed the opposite pattern to the photoperiodic response. A possible explanation of this reaction is that the delay in oviposition is adaptive if the probability of finding a better host is high. In autumn, when the last Trichogramma females are still active but their lepidopteran hosts are already much less abundant, then parasitization of any suitable host is the best strategy.

A disorder of sympathomimetic amines leading to increased vascular permeability may be the etiologic factor in various treatment refractory health problems in women

There is an evidence that increased capillary permeability in the standing position is related to a deficit in the sympathetic nervous system. The leakage of this fluid leads to various clinical conditions which frequently puzzle the consulting physician because despite the frequency of this condition intelligent physicians and patients are unaware of the cause of their condition. One of the most common manifestations is the inability to lose weight despite proper dieting. A randomized study comparing the efficacy of a diuretic, a converting enzyme inhibitor, spironolactone and a sympathomimetic amine on weight loss in diet refractory women found that only the latter in the form of dextroamphetamine sulfate demonstrated significant weight reduction over a six month time span. In fact, the dextroamphetamine sulfate proved effective when given in the next 6 months to the three groups failing to respond for the first 6 months. The diagnosis of a deficit in sympathomimetic amines is established by demonstrating an abnormal clearance of a water load in the erect position and exclusion of other conditions that are associated with an abnormal free water clearance, e.g., hypothyroidism, renal or liver disease or congestive heart failure. The original definition of an abnormal water load test was excretion of <55% of a 1500 ml water load in 6h but we found that <75% defines a greater population who suffer from this problem. There are several conditions that have proven refractory to conventional theory that respond quickly and effectively to sympathomimetic amines. There have been many anecdotal reports of relieving interactable pain syndromes quickly and efficiently with sympathomimetic amine theory, despite failure with a multitude of other therapies. These include interstitial cystitis and pelvic pain that was attributed to endometriosis, gastrointestinal pain including esophagitis and gastroparesis, headaches, joint pain, fibromyalgia, and carpal tunnel syndrome. It is not clear if the improvement in pain is related to a decrease in fluid retention or a direct effect of the sympathomimetic amines on the sympathetic nervous system. Sympathomimetic amine theory has helped other conditions besides pain, e.g., chronic fatigue, vasomotor symptoms in young women not associated with decreased ovarian egg reserve, and chronic urticaria resistant to all other therapies. Thus, these studies strongly suggest that physicians be aware of this condition involving a deficit in the sympathetic nervous system when faced with various enigmatic complaints especially if standard therapy has not proven effective.

The effect of travel time on oviposition behavior and spatial egg aggregation: experiments with Drosophila

AbstractA higher degree of spatial egg aggregation is often observed in environments where resource patches are more sparsely distributed. This suggests a higher probability of species coexistence when resource distribution is sparse. However, it is still unclear how the degree of spatial egg aggregation increases. I propose a model to explain this phenomenon, which assumes that (i) egg load (the number of mature eggs in ovaries) increases in the travel period between resource patches and (ii) the retention of eggs in the ovaries is harmful (egg load pressure). With these assumptions, a female would lay accumulated eggs on arrival at a new resource patch, resulting in a higher degree of spatial egg aggregation. Laboratory experiments with three drosophilid species, Drosophila simulans Surtevant, Drosophila auraria Peng, and Drosophila immigrans Sturtevant, support the model. This study provides evidence that host availability affects the spatial egg aggregation via egg load.

The Gift-Exchange and Reciprocity of Women in Donor-Assisted Conception

This paper explores the rhetoric of gift-exchange as it pertains to the donation of ovarian eggs (oocytes) and participation in surrogate pregnancy arrangements. It does so by drawing on the analysis of interviews with New Zealand women engaged in these practices. Contrary to the view that women's reproductive gift-giving is intrinsically coercive and exploitative, the narrative accounts of donors involved in this research tend to suggest that women's moral identities as ethical subjects are created in the donative process. Despite this, many anxieties and contradictions involving the exchanges of women involved in donor-assisted reproduction remain. This paper discusses some of these complexities in light of perceptions and theorisations of the gift relationship.

Description of the Tadpole of the Rhacophorid Frog Rhacophorus Georgii Roux (Rhacophoridae) from Sulawesi, Indonesia

Abstract Rhacophorus georgii is a poorly known species from southeast Asia. The morphology and habitat of oviposition and the tadpole of Rhacophorus georgii are described, and counts of ovarian egg compliments reported. Tadpoles were located in water pools in cavities of tree trunks in the Lambusango Reserve, Buton Island, southeast Sulawesi. The tadpole generally conforms to a lentic, benthic morphotype, with an anteroventral mouth, somewhat depressed body and notably elongated tail. Foamy egg masses were located attached to the trunks of trees, 1–3 cm above water-filled tree cavities. Ovarian egg complements recorded were 29–108. These findings make a significant contribution to the knowledge of the frog fauna of Sulawesi.

Effect of experience on response of Trichogramma buesi Voeg. and T. principium Sug. et Sor. (Hymenoptera, Trichogrammatidae) females to different ages of host eggs

Laboratory experiments have demonstrated that patterns of distribution of T. principium and T. buesi females by the number of mature ovarial eggs is strongly dependent on the age of the host (Sitotroga cerealella) eggs offered for parasitization. The approximate percentage of parasitizing females estimated from these distributions was 1.5–2 times higher for females offered young host eggs than for those offered “old” eggs, that had developed for six days at a temperature of 20°C. In both species, females more often oviposited in old (non-preferred) eggs when they had previously experienced fresh (preferred) eggs. This result contradicts the widely accepted assumption that in insect parasitoids, experience of parasitizing a preferred host decreases the probability of parasitizing a non-preferred host. One might expect that under natural conditions, a rather long time interval also precedes parasitization of less preferred host eggs by Trichogramma females, and duration of this interval may be also dependent on availability of other host species.

Effect of food, light and host instar on the egg load of the synovigenic endoparasitoid Venturia canescens (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae)

Laboratory experiments investigated the effect of host instar, light and food on the number of mature eggs in ovaries (egg load) of the synovigenic parasitoid Venturia canescens (Grav.) (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae). The wasps that developed from third or fifth instar larvae of Ephestia kuehniella Zeller (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) were exposed to food (honey) or had no food, had access to water or not, and were reared at the photoperiod 16:8 h light:dark or in continuous darkness at 25 ± 1°C, and 60–70% relative humidity. After death, the parasitoids were dissected to remove the reproductive systems, and mature eggs in ovaries were counted. A three-way ANOVA for egg number with host instar, food and light as factors revealed that egg load varied significantly. In addition, some interactions among the three factors were also found to be significant. The maximum average number (215.80 ± 8.51) of mature eggs was found when the parasitoids developed from third instar larvae, were exposed to continuous darkness and fed with honey. In conclusion, host instar, food supplement and photoperiod could have potential for improving biological control efficacy in stores. However, further studies determining the effect of these factors on egg laying behavior and fecundity should be done.

P-767: The effect of cetrorelix vs. ganirelix on pregnancy outcome following minimal gonadotropin stimulation in women with elevated day 3 serum follicle stimulating hormone levels

Pregnancies following in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (IVF-ET) have been recorded despite elevated day 3 serum follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) following minimal gonadotropins to prepare for oocyte retrieval. To prevent premature luteinizing hormone (LH) surge sometimes a gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) antagonist is used. The objective of the present study was to determine pregnancy rates (PRs) following IVF-ET in women with decreased ovarian egg reserve according to which GnRH antagonist was used.

P-720: Pregnancy rates following single embryo transfer in women with decreased ovarian egg reserve

Some studies suggest that when day 3 serum follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) is elevated, subsequent pregnancy rates following in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (IVF-ET) are extremely low. However, other studies do not agree. The objective of the present study was to determine the pregnancy rates following IVF-ET in women with such a marked diminished ovarian egg reserve that only a single embryo was transferred.

Signs of multiple spawning in Graneledone pacifica (Cephalopoda: Octopodidae)

The examination of five females of the deep-benthic octopus Graneledone pacifica—a large-egged species: mature ovarian egg length &gt;20 mm—showed that their developing oocyte size-distribution was normal in two specimens at an early maturation stage (largest oocyte length=3 mm), bimodal in two specimens at a more advanced stage (largest oocyte length=6 and 8 mm, respectively), three-modal in the farthest advanced stage specimen (largest oocyte length=14 mm). According to the literature, the simultaneous occurrence of oocyte cohorts at different oogenic stages, including a distinct cohort of oocytes at an advanced maturing stage in one specimen, suggests that G. pacifica is a multiple spawner.

줄종개 Cobitis tetralineata (Pisces; Cobitidae)의 개체군 생태

Population ecology of Cobitis tetralineata was examined at Churyeong Stream, Seomjin River, Korea. C. tetralineata inhabited on the sand bottoms with in current velocity, and in water depth. This species was active on the sand during the daylight hours from March to October, but they hibernated in the inside of the sand during the winter season. Sex ratio of female to male was 1:0.57, and female was (TL) larger than male. The age group of C. tetralineata (female) population showed that the group is 0+ years old, the group 1+ years old, the group 2+ years old, and the group longer than 90 mm over 3 years old. Males months old after hatching had lamina circularis at the base of its pectoral fin as a secondary sexual character. And in its spawning season, lateral color pattern of male was changed as a sexual dimorphism. The spawning season may be from late June to middle July, water temperature. The average number of mature eggs in ovary was about , egg diameter was about . C. tetralineata fed mainly on Chironomidae, Arcellidae, Branchioda and Algae. The feeding rate was the highest in April and September, but they did not fed in the winter.

Dolichopteryx minuscula, a new species of spookfish (Argentinoidei: Opisthoproctidae) from the Indo-West Pacific

A new species Dolichopteryx minuscula is described on the basis of three specimens [49.4–59.6 mm in standard length (SL)] collected from the Indo-West Pacific. The new species is characterized by pouchlike eyes with a small lens (lens diameter 2.2% SL), an adipose fin, the anal fin base originating posterior to the dorsal fin base, and 16–17 (= 5–6 + 1 + 10–11) gill rakers. Total fecundity was relatively low, only 658 ova being obtained from one specimen, despite the ovary being mature. Ovarian eggs were clearly subdivided into “undeveloped” (0.1–0.7 mm diameter classes, n = 561) and “developed” (1.0–1.3 mm classes, n = 97) groups, based on their frequency distribution. Such relatively low fecundity and frequency distributions of ovarian eggs suggest that Dolichopteryx species spawn iteratively during spawning season.

Reproductive cycle of the Namaqua sand lizard, Pedioplanis namaquensis (Squamata: Lacertidae), from southern Africa

The reproductive cycle of the Namaqua sand lizard, Pedioplanis namaquensis, from southern Africa is described from histological examination of gonadal material from museum specimens. Males followed a seasonal testicular cycle in which sperm was produced in January–March and September–December. Testes in regression were present in March and May. Females with enlarged ovarian follicles (>4 mm length) or oviductal eggs were collected between November and February. Clutch size for 14 females was 3.8 ± 0.97 S.D. eggs, range 3–5. Histological evidence is presented that two clutches may be produced in the same reproductive season.

Some patterns of age and geographical variation in fish fecundity

Some patterns of age and geographical variation in fecundity indices were analyzed in three freshwater fishes (river perch, bream, and Sevan khramulya). A trend to increase in the ovarian relative weight and mature egg size with age has been revealed. Two species with a wide range (perch and bream) demonstrated a tendency to decrease in the ovarian relative weight and increase in the definitive oocyte weight in females of populations living in the geographical center of the range. The coefficient of correlation between the absolute individual fecundity and body weight of females was proposed as a population marker of the fish reproductive system.

Dolichopteryx rostrata, a new species of spookfish (Argentinoidea: Opisthoproctidae) from the eastern North Atlantic Ocean

A new species, Dolichopteryx rostrata, is described on the basis of a single specimen (66.2 mm in standard length) collected west of the Hebrides Islands, eastern North Atlantic Ocean. The new species is characterized by an elongate snout and head, small pouchlike eyes, an adipose fin, short dorsal fin base, anal fin base originating under dorsal fin base, a clear longitudinal suborbital brownish band extending forward from behind posterior margin of orbit to snout tip, and 41 (=26 + 15) vertebrae. Total fecundity is low; the ovarian eggs number only 473, despite the ovary having developed ova. Ovarian eggs could be clearly subdivided into an “undeveloped group” (0.1–0.7 mm diameter classes, n = 405) and a “developed group” (0.9–1.3 mm classes, n = 68), based on their frequency distribution.