Period Of Reproductive Activity Research Articles

Characterizing the seasonal abundance and reproductive activity of overwintering Anopheles (Diptera: Culicidae) mosquitoes.

In temperate regions of the United States, female Anopheles mosquitoes respond to low temperatures and short photoperiods by entering an overwintering dormancy or diapause. Diapause in Anopheles results in reduced frequency of blood-feeding and reproductive arrest, indicating a period when pathogen transmission by these mosquitoes is unlikely. However, it is unclear precisely how late into the fall and how early in the spring these mosquitoes are biting, reproducing, and potentially transmitting pathogens. This is further complicated by the lack of clear markers of diapause in Anopheles (e.g., changes in egg follicle length). Our goal was to characterize the seasonal reproductive activity of female Anopheles in central Ohio, United States and evaluate egg follicle length as an indicator of Anopheles diapause. We used traditional mosquito traps and aspirators to collect Anopheles from urban woodlots and culverts, respectively, from late September 2021 through mid-May 2022 in central Ohio. By measuring their egg follicle length, reproductive status, and blood-feeding status, we found that egg follicle length is not a reliable indicator of Anopheles diapause. We also found that a small proportion of An. punctipennis (Say), An. perplexens (Ludlow), and An. quadrimaculatus (Say) continued to bite and reproduce into early November 2021 and that females of these species terminated reproductive dormancy and began biting by mid-March 2022. This period of reproductive activity extends beyond current mosquito surveillance and control in Ohio. Our findings suggest that within temperate regions of North America, Anopheles have the capacity to transmit pathogens throughout the spring, summer, and fall.

Contraception History and Nutritional Status Affected the Menopause Incidents on Women

Menopause is a natural process that every woman will experience. Menopause is the end of a woman's reproductive period or the time her last menstrual cycle occurs. The active reproductive period is marked by the first menstruation or what is usually called menarche. The diagnosis of menopause is made after amenorrhea for at least one year. Cessation of menstruation may be preceded by a longer menstrual cycle with less bleeding. The type of research was analytical observational or analytical survey with a retrospective cohort approach. This research was conducted at the Bara-Baraya Community Health Center, Makassar City, South Sulawesi The samples in this study were women who had gone through menopause, were able to speak Indonesian, were not seriously ill (such as a stroke) and were not impaired by their sense of sight and hearing (such as blindness or deafness). This research used 47 respondents taken by purposive sampling technique. The data analysis used the multiple linear regression test. The results of this study showed there was an effect of contraceptive history and nutritional status on the incidence of menopause in women. Therefore, it is hoped that there will be a program for health workers around menopause for women.

Impact of black cumin and green tea on fertility, immunity and offspring morphology during reproductive aging in mice

With the advancement of age in mammalian females, the reproductive ability is severely compromised, and infertility occurs. Black cumin seeds and green tea are believed to have pro-oxidant effects against various age-related disorders. Using mice model, this study was conducted to elucidate the impact of black cumin and green tea on fertility and offspring morphology of mammalian females during reproductive aging. For this, twenty aged female mice (£180 days old) were served either with or without black cumin through feed, green tea through drinking water, or their combination. The mice were regularly checked for estrus cycle and mated with males. Similar reproductive patterns were observed in all the groups up to 285 days. After that, weak estrus or anestrus was observed in the control group; however, the active reproductive period was observed to extend up to 350, 375, and 432 days in mice treated with black cumin, green tea, and their combination, respectively. Accordingly, the treatment of black cumin and green tea significantly increased the average number of pups per litter, having comparatively higher birth weight and weaning weight. Moreover, the duration of hair development and eye-opening were significantly reduced in all treated mother. The serum immunoglobulin results revealed higher immunity in mice treated with black cumin and green tea treatment either separately or in combination. Similarly, healthy ovarian follicles with a compact layer of granulosa cells and expanded cumulus cell layer surrounded by oocytes in all the treated mice compared to those of untreated mice. These findings will be helpful for developing breeding strategies during the reproductive aging of mammalian females. Bangladesh Journal of Animal Science 52 (1): 29-37, March 2023

Potential Use of Saraca Asoca in the Management of Artavadushti w.s.r. to Menstrual Disorders in Modern Era

Progress of a family depends on health of women in the family because she is the only creature who has amazing power of creation. A woman suffers from various menstrual disorders (Artavadushti) in her life span. Ashoka (Saraca indica or Saraca asoca (Roxb.), belonging to the family Caesalpinioideae, is one of the most important herb extensively used in bleeding disorders in women throughout her active reproductive period. Ashoka means no grief in Sanskrit language. So it is also called as “friend of women” because it has reputation of its bark for retaining a woman healthy and youthful. Chemically, it contains glycosides, flavonoids, tannins and saponins. Its actions are spasmogenic, uterotonic, oxytocic, antibacterial, antit-umour, anti-implantations, anti-progestational and anti-estrogenic to fight against menorrhagia, leucorrhoea and anticancer. In view of these properties and also its Rasa, Guna, Veerya, Vipaka it can be used in the treatment of bleeding gynaecological diseases.

Studies on Population Dynamic, Biology of The Cotton Mealybug, Phenacoccus solenopsis Tinsley (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) and Its Natural Enemies as A New Insect on Okra Plant, (Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench) at Qena Governorate, Egypt

Phenacoccus solenopsis Tinsley is one of the most important insect pests that infested many important economic crops all over the world. The insect was recorded for the first time on the okra plants at the inception of March during the season of 2019 on the farm of the Faculty of Agriculture, South Valley University, Qena. Results of both seasons showed that the highest weekly population count of P. solenopsis was found during the first week of June. The highest percentages of the total monthly mean count were found to be 37.87and 39.56%, in June during the 1st and 2nd seasons, respectively. In addition, it has three generations per season under field conditions. The impact of some biotic and abiotic factors influencing the enumeration of P. solenopsis was studied. One species of wasp, Aenasius arizonensis (Girault) has been recorded as a parasitoid on P. solenopsis. The parasitism rate reached 12.31% during the first season. The predation rate reached 4.55% and it was attributed to the Nephus includens (Kirsch). Under laboratory conditions, the biology studies of P. solenopsis (Tinsley) were carried out on the sprouted potato plants. The results of the various biological factors recorded that the female fertility rate ranged between (310 to 650 eggs/female), which increases the survival rate. The female longevity reached (27.23±2.35 days) and the total life cycle ranged from 39-55 days. Accordingly, the information obtained from this study leads to the selection of appropriate means of management during the active reproductive period of P. solenopsis.

Research progress on reproductive biology of important economic shrimps of Palaemonoidea

Palaemonoidea is one of the most important economic shrimps in China, belonging to Caridea, Decapoda, Crustacea. Reproductive biology mainly focuses on the information related to species reproduction, especially to shrimp artificial breeding. At present, <italic>Macrobrachium rosenbergii</italic>, <italic>Macrobrachium nipponense</italic> and <italic>Exopalaemon carinicauda</italic> have been comprehensively studied and cultured on a large scale. There are still a large number of species to be explored in Palaemonoidea, such as <italic>Palaemon gravieri</italic>, <italic>Macrobrachium hainanense</italic>, <italic>Exopalaemon modestus</italic> and <italic>Exopalaemon annandalei</italic>, etc. The purpose of this review is to understand the common and unique reproductive habits of species of Palaemonidae, and to compare the differences and similarities of reproductive habits between Penaeidae, Cambarus and Palaemonidae, as the results might provide a scientific basis for the follow-up study of species of Palaemonoidea. We found that shrimps of Palaemonoidea had a long reproductive period, usually from April to October, and there were usually more than one active reproductive period during the reproductive season. They were able to be sexually mature multiple times during the breeding period and participate in reproduction. And they had generally higher sex ratio(usually higher than 1), which ensured the ability of the groups to breed the next generation. In conclusion, the species of Palaemonoidea had strong fecundity. The female reproductive system of species of Palaemonoidea showed no obvious similarity, according to the existing research data. On the contrary, we found that the gonad structure of some species of Palaemonoidea was similar to that of other families. By summarizing and analyzing various viewpoints, we designed a method for the division of embryonic development period, which might be more reasonable and scientific. There were eight stages in the embryonic development of Palaemonoidea shrimp, which were fertilized egg stage, cleavage stage, blastocyst stage, gastrula stage, pre nauplius stage, post nauplius stage, pro zoea stage and intramembranous zoea stage. After eight periods of development, the larvae hatched from the mother. Due to the weak motility and predation ability of early larvae, the residual yolk was the main source of nutrition. Then the movement ability and predation ability of the larvae gradually formed and improved, and they could start to filter and feed on all kinds of algae. The whole development process was affected by many environmental factors, such as temperature, salinity and pH value. In addition, a variety of genes have been found to participate in the reproductive process of species of Palaemonoidea. Among these, genes related to gonadogenesis, sexual differentiation, development of embryo and larvae, molt, immunity process have been reported, and these genes play important roles in reproduction by affecting group sex ratio, survival rate and growth rate of embryo larvae.

The role of photoperiod and melatonin in the control of seasonal reproduction in mammals

&lt;b&gt;Melatonin secreted by pineal cells is a hormone whose biosynthesis is coordinated by neurons of the master clock located in the hypothalamic suprachiasmatic nuclei (SCN), characterized by the generation of a 24-hour rhythm. In many species of mammals, fluctuations in melatonin secretion affect reproductive functions, e.g. by regulating the frequency and amount of pulsatile secretion of hypothalamic and gonadotropic hormones. Seasonal breeding is a common adaptive strategy among mammals, allowing them to reproduce during the periods of the year that are most favourable for the later survival and growth of the offspring. This type of reproduction is characteristic of sheep, with winter reproductive activity, and hamsters, with summer reproductive activity. In these animals, melatonin synthesis is largely regulated by the photoperiod, which indirectly influences the period of reproductive activity or passivity. The aim of this study was to gather available knowledge on melatonin as a key element controlling seasonal reproduction. The paper presents the general shape of the circadian rhythm and the neuroendocrine mechanism regulating animal reproduction depending on the variable photoperiod. The collected results suggest that melatonin, kisspeptins, gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), sex hormones and thyroid hormones participate in the regulation of seasonal reproduction in mammals. &lt;/b&gt;

Association between reproduction and immunity in the Egyptian mongoose Herpestes ichneumon is sex‐biased and unaffected by body condition

AbstractThe Egyptian mongoose (Herpestes ichneumon) is a carnivore in expansion on the western limits of Europe, where its reproductive ecology is unknown. In this study, we weighed and measured the gonads of 507 wild‐caught mongooses ranging its geographical distribution and all seasons of the year. Based on the variation in gonad weight, we determined periods of reproductive activity for females (December–June) and males (throughout the year), with both sexes showing a peak in gonad weight during February. We also identified periods of lactation (March‐August, n = 10), gestation (December–July, n = 20) and mean litter size (1–4 offspring, 2.75 ± 0.79, n = 20). Next, we constructed two separate models to explain the variation in ovarian and testicular weight, using age cohort, season and region, spleen weight, body condition and the environmental variables habitat, river network and Egyptian mongoose density as predictors. Ovarian weight was influenced by season and spleen weight. Females with heavier ovaries were found in spring and simultaneously exhibited heavier spleens. Testicular weight was influenced by season, spleen weight and age, as well as several environmental variables. Males with lower spleen weight exhibited heavier testes, indicating a male‐specific negative association between reproductive and immune activity. Overall, the results of this study refine our knowledge on Egyptian mongoose reproductive ecology. They indicate that reproduction timing is determined by females, whose breeding is seasonal but who are unaffected by the set of environmental variables we tested, as opposed to males, who are influenced by these environmental conditions and seem to be reproductively active year round. These results also support a negative reproduction‐immunity trade‐off in males, that is independent of body condition and absent in females.

Capital-Income Breeding in Male Ungulates: Causes and Consequences of Strategy Differences Among Species

The capital and income breeding concept links energy resources used during reproduction to the timing of their acquisition. During reproduction, capital breeders rely on resources gained previously and accumulated for reproductive investment. By contrast, income breeders use mainly resources collected during the period of reproductive activity. Most commonly, this concept is applied to females; relatively few studies have considered males. Moreover, there has been little attention to the link between the capital-income divide and other aspects of mating strategy. We studied adult males of three wild ungulates with different levels of polygyny. A large dataset (4,264 red deer, 53,619 roe deer, and 13,537 Alpine chamois, respectively) was obtained during 2007–2017 in the whole territory of Slovenia and in the Trento province, Italy. During the rut, body mass loss of males in highly polygynous species was more than twice that of weakly polygynous species: on average, red deer stags lost 19.5%; chamois bucks 16.0%; and roe deer bucks 7.5% of their body mass. This indicates potential for a hitherto unrecognised link between the degree of intrasexual competition and the degree of capital mating. The variability in body mass at the end of the rut was clearly reduced in both highly polygynous species (from 15.1 to 9.4% in red deer, and from 12.5 to 10.5% in chamois), but did not change in roe deer. Finally, roe deer bucks had recovered body mass to that of the pre-rut period by just 2 months after the rut, while red deer stags did not manage to compensate the loss of weight until the end of the year. We suggest that, at least in ungulates, there is a link between the degree of polygyny and that of capital breeding. Males of capital and income breeders underwent body mass changes resulting from different reproductive investment during the rut. Capital breeders lost considerably more weight, and invested a variable amount of energy among individuals or among years, possibly to cope with different environmental or body conditions. In so doing, they ended the rut with poorer but more even condition among individuals.

Evaluation of Some Reproductive and Developmental Parameters of Paracoccus Marginatus (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) Under Laboratory Conditions

The papaya mealybug Paracoccus marginatus Williams and Granara De Willink (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) is an invasive insect species attacking a diverse range of host plants. It causes an enormous damage to crops including those of very great economic importance including the papaya, being its main host. Considering its potential threat to fruit and crops of economic importance throughout Togo, this study, which was carried out in the laboratory under conditions of 28 ± 2°C, 75 ± 5% RH, 12 : 12 LD, made it possible to determine some biological parameters of P. marginatus, essential for the implementation of management programmes for this species. The results showed that a female of P. marginatus had three periods of reproductive activity, namely pre-oviposition, oviposition and post-oviposition periods which last on average 7.74 ± 1.26; 6.13 ± 3.02 and 7.45 ± 4.27 days respectively. During oviposition, a female P. marginatus lays an average of 25.262 ± 11.16 eggs per day, for an average total of 224.32 ± 29.99 eggs during her lifetime, which averages 18.44 ± 3.31 days. During the post-embryonic development of P. marginatus which lasts on average 25.98 ± 4.47 days for the female against 29.70 ± 5.58 days for the male and which passes through three larval stages, the important mortality rates of the first and second larval stages were noted. They are estimated to an average of 61.40 ± 0.05 and 52.8 ± 0.025 respectively. However, at the third stage, the rate is 35.02 ± 0.03 for the female and zero for the male. These results provide a better understanding of the biology of P. marginatus under local conditions and thus provide a basis for controlling the population of the species and the damage it causes in Togo.

Sex- and season-dependent differences in the expression of adiponectin and adiponectin receptors (AdipoR1 and AdipoR2) in the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis of the Eurasian beaver (Castor fiber L.)

Adiponectin, a product of the Adipoq gene, is an adipocyte-derived protein hormone of the cytokine family and the most abundantly expressed adipokine. Adiponectin and its receptors AdipoR1 and AdipoR2 (collectively referred to as the adiponectin system) are widely expressed in the central nervous system and other tissues, which suggests that this hormone has pleiotropic effects. Adiponectin could also play a role in the modulation of the hypothalamic–pituitaryadrenal (HPA) hormonal regulatory axis. There is a general scarcity of data on the adiponectin system in wild animals where annual changes in reproductive activity are linked with fluctuations in the activity of the HPA axis. The Eurasian beaver (Castor fiber L.) could be an interesting and suitable model for investigating the above processes. We hypothesized that the expression of the adiponectin system in the tissues of the beaver HPA axis is sex- and season-dependent. The study was performed on adult animals harvested during three different stages of reproductive activity: April (‘breeding’), July (‘post-breeding’) and November (‘pre-breeding’). The expression of the adiponectin system was confirmed in all branches (mediobasal hypothalamus, pituitary, adrenal cortex) of the HPA axis in both sexes and during all periods of reproductive activity. The expression of Adipoq, AdipoR1 and AdipoR2 was generally dependent on sex and the period of the reproductive season. The expression of adiponectin system genes was particularly pronounced in the adrenal cortex. These findings suggest that the adiponectin system in the Eurasian beaver could link reproductive processes with stress responses and energy metabolism.

Emergency contraception using progestin drugs in domestic cats

Today, in conditions of strict quarantine, when it is not always possible to carry out surgery in cats, some methods of emergency drug contraception can be used. Over the years, many contraceptive medications have been developed for companion animals, but many secondary adverse effects have limited their use. However, in all species, the secondary adverse effects of progesterone-type drugs limit their use and vary depending on when treatment is given in relationship to the stage of the estrous cycle. An ideal non-surgical sterilant would be safe, effective, permanent, administered as a single injection and capable of being manufactured inexpensively. Contraceptives are used for cats, as a method of renewable fertility over time for breeding animals, as a method of suppressing sexual function for animals at risk for surgery, and to prevent over populations in stray cats. The use of non-surgical, safe and effective methods of suppression of sexual function in cats eliminates traumatization, anesthesia and complicated postoperative period in animals, which in some cases are impossible in the state of health, etc. The most common and affordable method of medical contraception is progestins, such as megestrol acetate, medroxyprogesterone acetate, proligestone (used orally or as a depot injection). These drugs are effective in inhibiting sexual function. Contraceptives for felids are available as implants, depot injections, and pills or liquid for oral administration, powder for mixing with food, or as vaccines. Regimens may differ according to the timing of first treatment, whether coinciding with the active reproductive period, preceding this period, or during anestrus. Ideally, the treatment regimen is initiated during anestrus to minimize the dose needed for reproductive suppression and to avert exposure to endogenous steroids that can cause lesions in reproductive organs.

Histoarchitectural changes of Adrenal gland in Emballonurid male bat, Taphozous longimanus (Hardwicke) during the reproductive cycle

Taphozous longimanus has two adrenal glands, one on each side, situated retroperitoneally occupying an antero-mesial position abutting against the ipsilateral kidney. The left adrenal gland is pyramidal and the right adrenal gland is oval in shape. The diameter of the left adrenal gland is always higher than that of the right adrenal gland during different periods of reproductive activity. Each gland is duplex organ consisting of cortex and medulla. Cortex is divided into two zones which are poorly differentiated from each other. An outer zone is zona glomerulosa, and inner zone is zona fasciculata. The zona glomerulosa of left and right adrenal gland during the breeding period are larger than that of zona glomerulosa of left and right adrenal gland during the pre-breeding period respectively. The diameter of zona fasciculata of left and right adrenal gland during the breeding period is smaller than that of zona fasciculata of left and right adrenal gland of the pre-breeding period. There is no clear histological difference between medulla of right adrenal gland to that of left adrenal gland during the breeding period but the diameter of zona glomerulosa and medulla during the breeding period is larger than that of the pre-breeding period.

ОЦЕНКА АГРЕССИВНОГО ПОТЕНЦИАЛА КАРЦИНОМ МОЛОЧНОЙ ЖЕЛЕЗЫ У ПАЦИЕНТОК РАЗЛИЧНОГО РЕПРОДУКТИВНОГО ПЕРИОДА

The study found that patients with breast cancer during the active reproductive period had a decrease in the blood content of estradiol (37,5 %) and progesterone (25 %). In patients of the postmenopausal period identified hormonal imbalance, characterized by a more pronounced (100 %) increased levels of estradiol and progesterone in the blood on the background of lowering of the content of luteinizing and follicle-stimulating hormone 50 % and 75 % of the patients respectively, and improvement in 64 % of cases the concentrations of prolactin. In the group of patients of the active reproductive period, an increase in the content of luteinizing hormone was observed in 37,5 %, follicle – stimulating hormone – in 12,5 %, and prolactin – in 25 % of cases. The content of luteinizing hormone in the blood was directly dependent on the concentration of follicle-stimulating hormone (p<0,05). Determining the content of these hormones is an important additional indicator for evaluating the degree of tumor aggressiveness when choosing treatment tactics for patients with breast cancer.

POSTNATAL MORTALITY IN NEONATE RATTLESNAKES ASSOCIATED WITH OPHIDIOMYCES OPHIODIICOLA.

Ophidiomycosis, historically referred to as snake fungal disease (SFD), caused by Ophidiomyces ophiodiicola, is a significant disease of snakes characterized by crusty scales, pustules, subcutaneous nodules, and death. Ophidiomycosis is a proposed threat to sustainability of free-ranging snake populations throughout the United States and Europe, but the clinical progression during periods of reproductive activity (gravid females, neonates) is unknown. In spring 2012, five apparently healthy gravid eastern massasauga (Sistrurus catenatus) rattlesnakes from Clinton County, Illinois, were brought into captivity to give birth and be returned into the population. While in captivity, one adult female and 21 neonates died. Five individuals were subsequently confirmed positive for O. ophiodiicola by using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). In 2016, a gravid timber rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus) with ophidiomycosis from Jackson County, Illinois, gave birth in captivity to 13 neonates. Skin swabs were taken from all neonates immediately after birth and confirmed negative for O. ophiodiicola by using qPCR. The neonates remained housed with the positive female for 10 days before all animals were reswabbed and released back into the wild. One neonate was O. ophiodiicola positive at time of release. The initial negative result followed by a positive result several days postpartum suggests that the neonate was infected by the female after direct contact. Both case series represent natural infection of neonates after parturition and highlight the importance of this disease in a demographically important age class.

Aspectos reproductivos y pesqueros de Prochilodus magdalenae Steindachner, 1879 (Characiformes: Prochilodontidae) en la ciénaga de Marriaga, río Atrato, Colombia

Prochilodus magdalenae ha sido históricamente una de las fuentes de alimento de mayor importancia para la población a nivel nacional. Esta especie endémica de Colombia ha proporcionado más del 50 % del volumen de capturas en las principales cuencas trasandinas del país. El aislamiento de la población de P. magdalenae en la cuenca del Atrato hace necesario que se establezcan medidas de conservación ajustadas a sus características biológicas y reproductivas. En el presente estudio se registró información biométrica de las capturas de P. magdalenae provenientes de la pesca artesanal en la ciénaga de Marriaga (cuenca baja del río Atrato) desde abril de 2014 a marzo de 2015. Se registraron 574 individuos de los cuales 427 eran hembras y 147, machos. La distribución de las tallas para las hembras estuvo entre 200 y 470 mm de longitud estándar (LE) y para los machos entre 210 y 415 mm. El análisis de la longitud y el peso evidenció un crecimiento isométrico (b=2,9577) y una gran correlación entre las dos variables (r2=0,8119) para las hembras, en tanto que para los machos el crecimiento fue alométrico negativo (b=1,8793) con una correlación baja (r2=0,5628). La talla media de madurez (TMM) para la población total fue de 365 mm (LE). La época de mayor actividad reproductiva se estimó entre octubre y mayo. La distribución de las tallas y la talla media de madurez (TMM), así como las épocas de desove, difirieron de las registradas en las zonas baja y media del Atrato, así como en las otras cuencas trasandinas. © 2019. Acad. Colomb. Cienc. Ex. Fis. Nat.

Monitoring the activity and biology of pest Bruchus rufimanus (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) in beans crops

The main objective of this study is the Population dynamics evaluation of broad bean bruchid Bruchus rufimanus (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) in crops beans of Vicia faba within the El Asnam’s region (Algeria). A weekly monitoring of B. rufimanus was made during breeding diapauses in the laboratory and during their colonization in the parcel of variety of Séville, and then a comparative study had been implemented to characterize the total haemolymphatic protein levels during diapause and the periods of reproductive activity. The obtained results demonstrated that after the diapause period, the colonization of the field by adults of B. rufimanus coincides with the period of full bloom of the host plant which represents a trophic source necessary for the reproductive activity. 54 beetles were captured from which 28 were males. Oviposition covering a period of one month and 15 days, with a total of 168 eggs being counted, of which 72 were placed on the low layer pods. The total hemolymphatic protein content of B. rufimanus was found a high concentration during diapause and varying between 46 to 85.8ìg/ìl. High levels of protein were probably due to the stock of proteins during the larval life of this pest. Protein levels had decreased significantly in April, reflecting a recovery in the activity and colonization of bean fields for food, sexual partnership, spawning, and other activities. However, throughout the month of May, the protein concentration increased due to the pollen supply provided by the host plant and weeds present in the agrosystem.

Seasonality of Immunological and Health-State Parameters of Wild Broadnose Sevengill Shark, Notorynchus cepedianus.

Seasonal fluctuation in environmental parameters can influence immune responses of vertebrates and consequently influence their health and disease resistance. Although seasonality of immune function is well documented in a broad range of vertebrate taxa, this information remains virtually unexplored in cartilaginous fish. Here we examine seasonal variation in immune and general-health parameters of free-living adult broadnose sevengill sharks, Notorynchus cepedianus, along an annual cycle. We sampled sharks during autumn/winter (i.e., coolest temperatures and nonreproductive period) and spring/summer (i.e., warmest temperatures and active reproductive period) and assessed aspects of immunity, general condition, and reproductive hormone levels. A seasonal influence was observed in some, but not all, parameters evaluated. Lower lymphocyte counts and higher heterophil counts and granulocyte to lymphocyte (G∶L) ratios were observed in sharks sampled during autumn/winter than in those sampled during spring/summer. On the other hand, total leukocyte counts, eosinophil counts, bacterial agglutination mediated by natural antibodies, and hematocrit did not vary seasonally. The observed seasonal patterns could be explained as (1) greater levels of stress based on the G∶L ratio, (2) a sign of immunosuppression or depressed immune investment based on the low lymphocyte counts, and/or (3) a sign of ongoing infection based on the higher heterophil counts in the colder seasons with respect to the warmer ones. In addition, the pattern is in line with the notion that while acquired components are usually depressed by lower temperatures, some innate components might increase to offset that reduction. Immune and health-state parameters were mostly independent of reproductive hormone levels, providing little support for a trade-off with reproduction. Overall, the observed seasonal pattern in immunity of broadnose sevengill sharks could be related to changes in abiotic environmental condition, such as water temperature and photoperiod, although other factors such as availability of high-quality food may play a part.

Microanatomy of the testes and testicular ducts of the butterfly lizard, Leiolepis ocellata Peters, 1971 (Reptilia: Squamata: Agamidae) during the active reproductive period

AbstractThe microanatomy of the testes and testicular ducts (rete testis, ductuli efferentes, ductus epididymis and ductus deferens) of Leiolepis ocellata (Agamidae) was investigated using light microscopy including histochemistry. Each testis contains seminiferous tubules and interstitial tissues. The former house spermatogenic cells (spermatogonia A &amp; B, preleptotene, primary and secondary spermatocytes, spermatids (steps 1–8) and spermatozoa) and Sertoli cells, while the latter comprise peritubular and intersitial tissues. The rete testis is an anastomosing duct, having intratesticular and extratesticular portions. The proximal region of ductuli efferentes has wider outer ductal and luminal diameters than those of the distal region. The convoluted ductus epididymis is subdivided into four regions (initial segment, caput, corpus and cauda), based on the ductal diameter, epithelium characteristics and cell components. The ductus deferens has the greatest diameter and is divided into the ductal and ampulla ductus deferens. The ductal portion is subdivided into the proximal and distal regions, based on the epithelium types and ductal diameters. The ampulla ductus deferens is a fibromuscular tube, having numerous mucosal folds projecting into the lumen. Spermiophagy is detectable in the ductus epididymis and ductus deferens. The present results contribute to improved fundamental knowledge on the microanatomy of the reptilian reproductive system.

Sexual maturity, habitat and ecological aspects of the range expansive Isopod Sphaeroma venustissimum in Tunisian waters (Central Mediterranean Sea)

A total of 4665 specimens of Sphaeroma venustissimum Monod, 1931 were collected between February 2012 and January 2013, in Tunis Southern Lagoon, a brackish area located in northern Tunisia. This species was mainly recorded in the Atlantic Ocean and recently extended its natural range toward the southern Mediterranean Sea. Biological and ecological traits were not available to date with special regard to its native and recipient habitat. S. venustissimum isopoda inhabits area below stones covered by biofouling and empty nests of barnacles. The species occursand reproduces in Tunis Southern Lagoon throughout the year with a peak in early spring and late summer. Males significantly outnumbered females during high reproductive activity period (May - July). The first gravid female was observed at 7 mm and the fecundity ranged between 6 and 17 eggs. Among the gravid females, a significant relationship was noted between the importance of brood versus total body length for all ovigerous female cohorts. The recruitment occurred throughout the year with a winter peak. S. venustissimum have established a sustainable population in Tunisia and have spread into the wild in its new host area.