Reproductive ecology of the orange horshoe bat, Rhinonycteris aurantius (Hipposideridae : Chiroptera), a tropical cave-dweller

1995 ◽  
Vol 22 (6) ◽  
pp. 687 ◽  
Author(s):  
SK Churchill
Keyword(s):  
Food Availability ◽  
Late Pregnancy ◽  
Sperm Storage ◽  
Reproductive Pattern ◽  
Wet Season ◽  
Pregnancy And Lactation ◽  
Cave Environment ◽  
Second Year ◽  
Sexually Mature ◽  
Cave Dweller

Rhinonycteris aurantius has a seasonally monoestrous reproductive pattern. Males do not become sexually mature until their second year, at about 16 months of age. Mature spermatozoa were observed in the testes in April, with increasing numbers of sperm recorded until copulation in July, declining numbers from August to October and none observed during the wet season from December to March. Females attain sexual maturity at seven months of age. The gestation period is prolonged (approximately 150 days) from July to December with the young weaned and independent by late February. Despite this species' utilisation of hot and humid caves during the dry season, late pregnancy, parturition and weaning take place away from the cave environment. The first three months of pregnancy in females and the production of sperm in males occurs during periods of low food availability. However, there is coincidence of maximum food availability with late pregnancy and lactation, obviating sperm storage and/or delayed embryonic development.

scholarly journals The birthweight and survival of Merino lambs can be predicted from the profile of liveweight change of their mothers during pregnancy

2011 ◽  
Vol 51 (9) ◽  
pp. 776 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. M. Oldham ◽  
A. N. Thompson ◽  
M. B. Ferguson ◽  
D. J. Gordon ◽  
G. A. Kearney ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Maternal Nutrition ◽  
Late Pregnancy ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Birth Rank ◽  
Maternal Genotype ◽  
Condition Score ◽  
Pregnancy And Lactation ◽  
Second Year ◽  
Lamb Survival ◽  
Poor Nutrition

The single largest influence on the survival of lambs in the first few days of life is their birthweight. Fetal growth and birthweight are regulated by genotype of the fetus, maternal genotype, maternal nutrition and the external environment. In this paper we report the extent to which the changes in maternal liveweight during pregnancy and lactation (liveweight profile) of Merino ewes can be used to predict the birthweight and survival of their progeny to weaning. At two sites [Victoria (Vic.) ~700 ewes and Western Australia (WA) ~300 ewes] in each of 2 years, a similar experiment used adult Merino ewes to explore effects of nutrition from joining to Day 100 of pregnancy and from Day 100 of pregnancy to weaning. The average difference between extreme treatments at Day 100 of pregnancy were 7 kg in ewe liveweight and 0.7 of a condition score (CS) and at lambing 11.9 kg and 1.3 of a CS. This resulted in average birthweights of progeny from different treatments ranging from 4.0 to 5.4 kg and survival to weaning ranging from 68 to 92%. Across the four experiments between 68 and 85% of all lamb deaths to weaning occurred within 48 h of birth. Lambs born to ewes in CS 2 at Day 100 of pregnancy were lighter (P < 0.05) in both years at the Vic. site than those from ewes in CS 3 at Day 100 of pregnancy. Lambs born to the ewes grazing a feed on offer of 800 kg DM/ha during late pregnancy were also lighter than those from other levels of feed on offer between 1100 and 3000 kg DM/ha at the Vic. site in both years and at the WA site in 1 year (P < 0.001). Lambs from the 800 kg DM/ha treatment during late pregnancy at the Vic. site had a lower survival than other treatments, especially in the second year. There were no significant effects of treatments on lamb survival at the WA site; however, the results were in the same direction. The birthweight of individual lambs was significantly related to the liveweight profile of their mothers. Their liveweight at joining, change in liveweight to Day 100 of pregnancy and change in liveweight from Day 100 to lambing all contributed (P < 0.05) to the prediction of the birthweight of their lambs. The responses were consistent across experimental sites and years, lamb birth rank and sex, and confirmed that the effects of poor nutrition up until Day 100 of pregnancy could be completely overcome by improving nutrition during late pregnancy. At the Vic. site, survival to 48 h was most influenced by the birthweight of the lamb and survival was significantly higher in single- than twin-born lambs and female than male lambs after adjusting for differences in birthweight. A higher chill index during the 48 h after birth reduced survival of both single and twin lambs to a similar extent, but reduced survival of male lambs more than female lambs. There were no effects of birthweight or chill index on lamb survival at the WA site where most lambs weighed more than 4 kg at birth and climatic conditions during lambing were less extreme. Overall, these results supported our hypothesis that improving the nutrition of Merino ewes during pregnancy increases birthweight and this leads to improved survival of their progeny.

scholarly journals Interaction of late pregnancy and lactation in rats

Reproduction ◽  
1999 ◽  
Vol 115 (2) ◽  
pp. 341-347 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. R. Koiter ◽  
H. Moes ◽  
N. Valkhof ◽  
S. Wijkstra
Keyword(s):  
Late Pregnancy ◽  
Pregnancy And Lactation

ANALYSIS OF RIBOSOMES AND POLYSOMES DERIVED FROM RABBIT MAMMARY GLANDS DURING PREGNANCY AND LACTATION

1971 ◽  
Vol 49 (4) ◽  
pp. 667-NP ◽  
Author(s):  
I. D. HERRIMAN ◽  
G. D. BAIRD ◽  
JUDY M. BRUCE
Keyword(s):  
Electron Microscopy ◽  
Density Gradient ◽  
Gradient Analysis ◽  
Late Pregnancy ◽  
Sucrose Density Gradient ◽  
Mammary Glands ◽  
Pregnancy And Lactation

SUMMARY Whole-ribosome and polysome-enriched fractions were prepared from the mammary glands of rabbits during late pregnancy and lactation. The composition of the fractions was determined by sucrose density gradient analysis and electron microscopy. The range of size of polysomal aggregates was similar in the late-pregnant and lactating gland, with aggregates containing five to nine ribosomal units predominating. However, the amount of polysomes relative to monosomes was invariably found to increase after parturition. The greater portion of this increase was accounted for by the increased abundance of aggregates containing five to nine units.

Influence of temperature on maternity roost selection by noctule bats (Nyctalus noctula) and Leisler’s bats (N. leisleri) in Białowieża Primeval Forest, Poland

2006 ◽  
Vol 84 (6) ◽  
pp. 900-907 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ireneusz Ruczyński
Keyword(s):  
Late Pregnancy ◽  
Ground Level ◽  
Data Logger ◽  
Primeval Forest ◽  
Tree Cavities ◽  
Roost Selection ◽  
Pregnancy And Lactation ◽  
Maximum Temperatures ◽  
Białowieża Primeval Forest ◽  
Nyctalus Noctula

This study tests whether the temperature of tree cavities determines their selection by bats in Białowieża Primeval Forest (BPF), eastern Poland. Using a data logger, I simultaneously measured the temperature in cavities selected by bats as roosts and the temperature in available but unselected cavities. The maternity roosts chosen by noctule bats, Nyctalus noctula (Schreber, 1774), and Leisler’s bats, N. leisleri (Kuhl, 1817), during late pregnancy and lactation were warmer than unoccupied cavities, but temperature ranges in the two types of cavity did not differ. A logistic regression model showed that the mean cavity temperature during the night (2200–0400) and the minimum cavity temperature over a 24 h period were crucial for roost selection. This suggests that female noctule and Leisler’s bats selected roosts that promoted juvenile growth and used tree cavities that could save them energy while they were active because the cavity temperatures were close to the lower critical temperature of their thermoneutral zone. I also suggest that selection of warmer cavities minimized the bats' energy expenditure prior to emergence from the roost and that passive rewarming inside the cavity was an important factor in minimizing energetic costs of roosting by bats in BPF. Mean and maximum temperatures recorded near tree trunks increased with the height at which the temperature was measured (ground level, 10, 20, and 30 m), suggesting that bats can gain thermal benefits from insolation of the trunk by selecting highly placed cavities, as was observed in BPF.

scholarly journals Pregnancy- and lactation-associated osteoporosis with vertebral fractures: a systematic review

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ying Qian ◽  
Lei Wang ◽  
Lili Yu ◽  
Weimin Huang
Keyword(s):  
Back Pain ◽  
Vertebral Fractures ◽  
Data Extraction ◽  
Treatment Options ◽  
Osteoporotic Fractures ◽  
Late Pregnancy ◽  
Mean Value ◽  
Thoracolumbar Region ◽  
Pregnancy And Lactation ◽  
Z Scores

Abstract Background To review, analyze and characterize the pregnancy and lactation-related osteoporosis (PLO) with vertebral fractures based on the extraction data in the previous studies. Methods A comprehensive literature search of electronic databases including the PubMed, Embase and Web of Science was conducted from January 1st,1990 to December 1st, 2020. The enrolled data were pooled to analyze the baseline characteristics, clinical features, risk factors and treatment options. Results A total of 65 articles with 338 cases were enrolled for data extraction. The enrolled cases aged from 19 to 47 years, with a mean value of 35.7 years old. The average body mass index (BMI) was 22.2 kg/m2 ranged from 16.0 to 39.0 kg/m2. Of the 173 cases, 149 cases with vertebral fractures occurred in the first pregnancy, 19 cases in the second pregnancy, four cases in the third pregnancy and one case in the fourth pregnancy. Up to 91.5% of the back pain occurred within the last 3 months of pregnancy and the first 3 months after delivery. The most involved vertebral levels were L2, L1 and T12 accounting for 32.6% of all the fractures. The average fracture numbers were 4.4 levels per patient. The lumbar Z-scores were mostly recorded with a mean value of − 3.2 ranged from − 7.8 to 0. Conclusions PLO with vertebral fractures is a rare clinical entity, which is more likely to occur in older and thinner pregnant women. Back pain is the clinical complaint and mostly occurs in the late pregnancy and early lactation periods. Most vertebral fractures appear in the first pregnancy but it can occur in any time of pregnancy. Thoracolumbar region is the mostly involved region. As compared with postmenopausal osteoporotic fractures, PLO usually has multiple levels fractures. Bisphosphonates are the most widely used treatment so far, however, many factors need to be taken into account to decide which drug to choose in PLO and further studies are necessary for clear recommendation in the future.

scholarly journals Expression of a hypomorphic Pomc allele alters leptin dynamics during late pregnancy

2020 ◽  
Vol 245 (1) ◽  
pp. 115-127 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hui Yu ◽  
Zoe Thompson ◽  
Sylee Kiran ◽  
Graham L Jones ◽  
Lakshmi Mundada ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fat Mass ◽  
Energy Homeostasis ◽  
Leptin Receptor ◽  
Late Pregnancy ◽  
Placental Development ◽  
Hypomorphic Mutation ◽  
Protein Levels ◽  
Maximal Arc ◽  
Hypothalamic Arcuate Nucleus ◽  
Pregnancy And Lactation

Proopiomelanocortin (POMC) neurons in the hypothalamic arcuate nucleus (ARC) are essential for normal energy homeostasis. Maximal ARC Pomc transcription is dependent on neuronal Pomc enhancer 1 (nPE1), located 12 kb upstream from the promoter. Selective deletion of nPE1 in mice decreases ARC Pomc expression by 70%, sufficient to induce mild obesity. Because nPE1 is located exclusively in the genomes of placental mammals, we questioned whether its hypomorphic mutation would also alter placental Pomc expression and the metabolic adaptations associated with pregnancy and lactation. We assessed placental development, pup growth, circulating leptin and expression of Pomc, Agrp and alternatively spliced leptin receptor (LepR) isoforms in the ARC and placenta of Pomc∆1/∆1 and Pomc+/+ dams. Despite indistinguishable body weights, lean mass, food intake, placental histology and Pomc expression and overall pregnancy outcomes between the genotypes, Pomc ∆1/∆1 females had increased pre-pregnancy fat mass that paradoxically decreased to control levels by parturition. However, Pomc∆1/∆1 dams had exaggerated increases in circulating leptin, up to twice of that of the typically elevated levels in Pomc+/+ mice at the end of pregnancy, despite their equivalent fat mass. Pomc∆1/∆1dams also had increased placental expression of soluble leptin receptor (LepRe), although the protein levels of LEPRE in circulation were the same as Pomc+/+ controls. Together, these data suggest that the hypomorphic Pomc∆1/∆1 allele is responsible for the perinatal super hyperleptinemia of Pomc∆1/∆1 dams, possibly due to upregulated leptin secretion from individual adipocytes.

scholarly journals Ligilactobacillus salivarius PS2 Supplementation during Pregnancy and Lactation Prevents Mastitis: A Randomised Controlled Trial

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (9) ◽  
pp. 1933
Author(s):  
Esther Jiménez ◽  
Susana Manzano ◽  
Dietmar Schlembach ◽  
Krzysztof Arciszewski ◽  
Rocio Martin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Placebo Group ◽  
Post Partum ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Late Pregnancy ◽  
Probiotic Strain ◽  
Study Groups ◽  
Rank Test ◽  
Double Blind ◽  
Pregnancy And Lactation ◽  
Randomised Controlled

Mastitis is considered one of the main reasons for unwanted breastfeeding cessation. This study aimed to investigate the preventive effect of the probiotic strain Ligilactobacillus salivarius PS2 on the occurrence of mastitis in lactating women. In this multicountry, multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, 328 women were assigned to the probiotic or the placebo group. The intervention started from the 35th week of pregnancy until week 12 post-partum. The primary outcome was the incidence (hazard) rate of mastitis, defined as the presence of at least two of the following symptoms: breast pain, breast erythema, breast engorgement not relieved by breastfeeding, and temperature > 38 °C. The probability of being free of mastitis during the study was higher in the probiotic than in the placebo group (p = 0.022, Kaplan–Meier log rank test) with 9 mastitis cases (6%) vs. 20 mastitis cases (14%), respectively. The hazard ratio of the incidence of mastitis between both study groups was 0.41 (0.190–0.915; p = 0.029), indicating that women in the probiotic group were 58% less likely to experience mastitis. In conclusion, supplementation of L. salivarius PS2 during late pregnancy and early lactation was safe and effective in preventing mastitis, which is one of the main barriers for continuing breastfeeding.

Russia worries about food prices amid harvest plenty

2021 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Food Availability ◽  
Food Prices ◽  
Import Quota ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Safety Concerns ◽  
Export Restrictions ◽  
Domestic Prices ◽  
Second Year ◽  
Western Nations

Significance Last year brought yet another large grain harvest and other farming sectors including meat and dairy performed well. However, a second year of export restrictions on wheat reflects political worries about managing domestic prices, not actual food availability. Impacts As expected, Russia has renewed its food embargo against Western nations to the end of 2021. A Russian ban on certain produce from Uzbekistan, later reversed, may reflect political friction more than safety concerns. To offset the loss of Uzbek tomatoes, Russia has increased its import quota for Turkey by 25%.

scholarly journals Occludin protects secretory cells from ER stress by facilitating SNARE-dependent apical protein exocytosis

2020 ◽  
Vol 117 (9) ◽  
pp. 4758-4769 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tao Zhou ◽  
Yunzhe Lu ◽  
Chongshen Xu ◽  
Rui Wang ◽  
Liye Zhang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Er Stress ◽  
Protein Secretion ◽  
Milk Proteins ◽  
Late Pregnancy ◽  
Mutant Mice ◽  
Snare Proteins ◽  
Secretory Cells ◽  
Tissue Polarity ◽  
Pregnancy And Lactation ◽  
Dependent Protein

Tight junctions (TJs) are fundamental features of both epithelium and endothelium and are indispensable for vertebrate organ formation and homeostasis. However, mice lackingOccludin(Ocln) develop relatively normally to term. Here we show thatOclnis essential for mammary gland physiology, as mutant mice fail to produce milk. Surprisingly,Oclnnull mammary glands showed intact TJ function and normal epithelial morphogenesis, cell differentiation, and tissue polarity, suggesting thatOclnis not required for these processes. Using single-cell transcriptomics, we identified milk-producing cells (MPCs) and found they were progressively more prone to endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress as protein production increased exponentially during late pregnancy and lactation. Importantly,Oclnloss in MPCs resulted in greatly heightened ER stress; this in turn led to increased apoptosis and acute shutdown of protein expression, ultimately leading to lactation failure in the mutant mice. We show that the increased ER stress was caused by a secretory failure of milk proteins inOclnnull cells. Consistent with an essential role in protein secretion, Occludin was seen to reside on secretory vesicles and to be bound to SNARE proteins. Taken together, our results demonstrate thatOclnprotects MPCs from ER stress by facilitating SNARE-dependent protein secretion and raise the possibility that other TJ components may participate in functions similar toOcln.

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