Reproductive strategies of a warm temperate vespertilionid, the large-footed myotis, Myotis moluccarum (Microchiroptera:Vespertilionidae)

1999 ◽  
Vol 47 (3) ◽  
pp. 261 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Lloyd ◽  
L. S. Hall ◽  
A. J. Bradley
Keyword(s):  
Light Microscopy ◽  
Reproductive Cycle ◽  
Reproductive Strategies ◽  
Post Partum ◽  
Sperm Storage ◽  
Adult Males ◽  
Short Period ◽  
Myotis Myotis ◽  
Monthly Changes ◽  
Warm Temperate

A population of M. moluccarum, which is known to be polyoestrous and monotocous, giving birth to two consecutive offspring annually, was investigated to determine the female reproductive cycle. The population was visited, and observations recorded, at approximately 5-week intervals from July 1994 to February 1995. At each visit, 2–4 females were collected and their reproductive tracts were removed, fixed and processed for light microscopy. During visits conducted after parturition periods, the age of the offspring was estimated in order to determine the duration of parturition. The two gestation periods of the breeding season were of approximately equal duration (11.5–12 weeks) despite the initial pregnancy occurring over much cooler months. While some copulations take place prior to ovulation, sperm storage is not a necessity, and copulation can occur until the time of ovulation. First ovulations of the season take place in early August and although several follicles may mature only one is ovulated. Analysis of climatic variables indicates that females undergo the first ovulation and pregnancy of the season during the cooler part of the year whereas lactation occurs during the warmer, wetter months. A post-partum oestrus occurs soon after parturition and adult males leave the population before the birth of the second offspring. Individual variation in the time before the post-partum oestrus may account for the reduced synchrony noted in the second parturition period. Monthly changes in the corpus luteum and ovaries are documented. The reproductive cycle of M. moluccarum resembles most closely that of tropical and sub-tropical vespertilionids; however, pre-ovulatory copulation, a short period of sperm storage and the development of typical over-wintering follicles (aspects of reproduction seen in species from cooler climates) remain inherent in the large-footed myotis.

Implications of body condition and seasonality on morphological and functional parameters of testes of Myotis nigricans (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae)

2018 ◽  
Vol 30 (7) ◽  
pp. 1029
Author(s):  
Marcelo Ferreira ◽  
Aline Soldati ◽  
Sirlene S. S. Rodrigues ◽  
Laércio dos Anjos Benjamin
Keyword(s):  
Light Microscopy ◽  
Body Condition ◽  
Environmental Variables ◽  
Reproductive Strategies ◽  
Leydig Cells ◽  
Dry Season ◽  
The Body ◽  
Reproductive Capacity ◽  
Seminiferous Tubules ◽  
The Mean

The insectivorous bat Myotis nigricans is widely distributed throughout the Neotropics, including Brazil, and has a reproductive biology that is affected by climate and food availability. To evaluate the reproductive capacity of this species, morphofunctional parameters of the testes were correlated with environmental variables and the body condition of individuals captured. After bats had been killed, their testes were removed, fixed in Karnovsky’s fluid for 24 h and embedded in resin for evaluation by light microscopy. The mean annual tubulosomatic index (0.58%) and the percentage of seminiferous tubules in the testes (88.96%) were the highest ever recorded for the Order Chiroptera. The percentage of Leydig cells and volume of the cytoplasm of Leydig cells were higher in the rainy than dry season (80.62 ± 3.19% and 573.57 ± 166.95 μm, respectively; mean ± s.d.). Conversely, the percentage of nuclei of the Leydig cells in the dry season (26.17 ± 3.70%; mean ± s.d.) and the total number of Leydig cells (6.38 ± 1.84 × 109; mean ± s.d.) were higher in the dry season. The results of the present study could help in future conservation of these bats because they provide a better understanding of the bats’ reproductive strategies and how the species can adapt to changes.

Osteocalcin during the reproductive cycle in normal and diabetic rats

1989 ◽  
Vol 120 (1) ◽  
pp. 143-151 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Verhaeghe ◽  
E. Van Herck ◽  
R. Van Bree ◽  
F. A. Van Assche ◽  
R. Bouillon
Keyword(s):  
Calcium Phosphate ◽  
Reproductive Cycle ◽  
Post Partum ◽  
Plasma Concentrations ◽  
Diabetic Rats ◽  
Reproductive Period ◽  
Adult Rats ◽  
Pregnant Rats ◽  
Low Calcium ◽  
High Calcium

ABSTRACT Concentrations of osteocalcin were measured in plasma and bone of normal and diabetic rats during the reproductive cycle and compared with plasma 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25-(OH)2D3) concentrations. The age-dependence of osteocalcin was also examined. Plasma concentrations of osteocalcin levels were low but detectable in 21-day-old fetuses (3·7 ± 0·3 nmol/l); osteocalcin concentrations were highest in weaning rats (104 ± 9 nmol/l) and decreased thereafter. In adult rats, plasma concentrations of both osteocalcin and 1,25-(OH)2D3 increased during the last days of normal pregnancy, and even more so in rats fed a diet low in calcium and phosphate. After an early post-partum decline, osteocalcin concentrations in plasma remained at non-pregnant levels in lactating rats fed a high calcium/phosphate diet while their 1,25-(OH)2D3 concentrations were higher than in non-pregnant rats; however, lactating rats fed a low calcium/phosphate diet showed increasing osteocalcin concentrations. In spontaneously diabetic BB rats, plasma osteocalcin concentrations were severely decreased compared with those in non-diabetic rats, more than would have been expected from their decreased 1,25-(OH)2D3 concentrations. Moreover, plasma osteocalcin did not increase during pregnancy or lactation in diabetic rats, even when fed a low calcium/phosphate diet. Fetuses of diabetic rats also had lower plasma osteocalcin levels than fetuses from non-diabetic rats or than weight-matched fetuses from semistarved rats. In contrast to plasma osteocalcin concentrations, bone osteocalcin concentrations and content were not altered by pregnancy, lactation, low calcium/phosphate diet or diabetes. These data show that plasma osteocalcin concentrations change during the reproductive period in normal rats but not in diabetic rats, and that osteocalcin levels do not seem to be regulated solely by 1,25-(OH)2D3. Journal of Endocrinology (1989) 120, 143–151

Creep feeding and prepartum supplementation effects on growth and fertility of Brahman-cross cattle in the dry tropics

1996 ◽  
Vol 36 (4) ◽  
pp. 389 ◽  
Author(s):  
G Fordyce ◽  
NJ Cooper ◽  
IE Kendall ◽  
BM O'Leary ◽  
Jde Faveri ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Post Partum ◽  
Bos Indicus ◽  
Weather Conditions ◽  
Wet Season ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Research Committee ◽  
Creep Feeding ◽  
Dry Tropics ◽  
Creep Feed ◽  
Short Period

Post-partum anoestrus is a primary contributor to low branding rates in Bos indicus cattle herds in the dry tropics of northern Australia [Entwistle, K. W. (1983). Australian Meat Research Committee Review No. 431. To increase branding rates, it was hypothesised that creep feeding for a short period in mid-late lactation during the latter half of the growing season may trigger an earlier onset of post-partum oestrus cycling, just as short-term, high-level, prepartum supplementation can achieve. Two experiments were conducted using Fn Brahman-cross cows (1/2, 5/8 and 3/4 crosses with Beef Shorthorn) which calved from late October to late Januarv. Cows were mated from mid-late Januarv to mid-April. Calves in one treatment in both experiments had ad libitum access to creep feed (calf pellets: 16% crude protein, 10 MJ ME/kg) for 4042 days from late February to early April. In experiment 2, the effects on cow growth and fertility due to supplementation with either cottonseed meal (1.5 kg/day) or molasses with 7.4% (w/w) urea for 49 days late in the dry season before calving ('spike' feeding) were also evaluated. Control cattle were unsupplemented. Creep feed was only consumed at 0.1 and 0.4 kg/day in experiments 1 and 2, respectively. Short-term creep feeding had no consistent effects on cow liveweights, condition, or fertility, or on calf growth and temperaments under extensive grazing conditions during the tropical wet season. Spike feeding reduced weight loss by 0.2-0.4 kg/day (P<0.01). The effects on liveweights did not persist into the wet season. There were no effects on cow fertility in this year of extreme weather conditions, when 4 months of nutritional and climatic stress followed supplementation.

To breed or not to breed: an analysis of the social and density-dependent constraints on the fecundity of female badgers ( Meles meles )

1992 ◽  
Vol 338 (1286) ◽  
pp. 393-407 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Social Organization ◽  
Post Partum ◽  
Seasonal Pattern ◽  
Reproductive Failure ◽  
Late Winter ◽  
Breeding Cycle ◽  
Adult Males ◽  
Potential Productivity ◽  
The Social ◽  
Two Peaks

Data from post-mortem examinations, population density estimates and long term capture-mark-recapture studies have been combined to look at the pattern of reproductive behaviour and the social factors leading to reproductive failure in badgers in Britain. The results are used to evaluate whether the hypothesis that the defence of oestrous females (as opposed to defence of food resources) best explains territorial behaviour and the social organization of badgers. Badgers in Britain have two peaks of reproductive activity, one immediately post partum and one in the summer/autumn. These coincide with two peaks of ovulation, and in the late winter/spring there is a steep rise in the number of sows carrying blastocysts, to reach an asymptote in June for yearling sows and April in older sows. Measured by their contribution to overall productivity, winter/spring matings were much more important than summer/autumn matings, contributing 65% of total autumn blastocysts in yearling sows and 71% of autumn blastocysts in older sows. The relative importance of the two mating periods is reflected in the seasonal pattern of bite wounding in adult male badgers; minor bite wounding in January-March was 2.3 times as frequent as in August-October, and moderate-extensive bite wounding was 3.1 times more frequent. In the populations studied, pre- and post-natal losses were high, with reproductive failure occurring at all stages of the breeding cycle, so that less than 30% of potential productivity was achieved. Indeed 22% of sows failed to develop blastocysts; these had a lower body mass, less body fat, larger adrenal glands, poorer health and higher bite wound scores than sows with blastocysts. Only 44% of adult sows implanted their blastocysts and proceeded to the end of pregnancy. However, it was less easy to identify features characteristic of sows that did or did not go on to implant their blastocysts. Finally, 35% of sows that produced cubs ceased lactation early, and this loss of entire litters was thought to be due to infanticide by dominant sows. The presence of annexe setts correlates with increased productivity in younger sows, and this is thought to be because annexe setts enable younger sows and their cubs to avoid the aggression of older, more dominant sows. Living in large social groups has no net reproductive gain for adult males or females, and there was a decline in productivity (per adult) with increasing group size. Although paternity measures were not available to assess the individual gains from group living, the absence of mate guarding and the frequency of cuckoldry and of mixed-paternity litters suggests that mating is not the sole, or probably even the major, prerogative of a dominant boar. The data so far question the hypothesis that the social organization of badgers evolved to monopolize access to oestrous females.

The mental gland of Bolitoglossa nicefori (Caudata: Plethodontidae)

2009 ◽  
Vol 30 (4) ◽  
pp. 561-569 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ezequiel González-León ◽  
Martha Patricia Ramírez-Pinilla
Keyword(s):  
Light Microscopy ◽  
Surface Area ◽  
Breeding Season ◽  
Significant Variation ◽  
Secretory Granules ◽  
Slight Variation ◽  
Adult Males ◽  
Negative Stain ◽  
Plethodontid Salamander ◽  
Macroscopic Observation

AbstractThe mental gland of the plethodontid salamander Bolitoglossa nicefori was examined by macroscopic observation and light microscopy and compared with morphological descriptions of other species of Plethodontidae. The mental gland is an oval shaped pad which develops exclusively in reproductive males. It is composed of 255 to 710 simple glands of merocrine secretion arranged in a dorso-ventral disposition. The outlets of the glands are spindle-shaped or fusiform. Negative stain reaction for AB and PAS is consistent with results of the glandular components of mental glands from other Plethodontidae. Males of this species produce sperm continuously throughout the year: all examined adult males showed conspicuous mental glands. However, an evident and significant increase in the surface area of the mental gland pad, in the density of the glands, and in the number of tubular glands was observed in the males collected during the breeding season. At the histological level, a slight variation was observed among males in the height and diameter of the simple tubular glands, and significant variation was found in the diameter of the secretory granules. This variation may reflect the fact that, although males potentially can mate during all months of the year, females oviposit seasonally. During this defined season, the hypertrophy of the mental gland is the greatest.

The annual reproductive cycle and sperm storage in the bearded dragon, Pogona barbata

2000 ◽  
Vol 48 (4) ◽  
pp. 411 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew P. Amey ◽  
Joan M. Whittier
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Cycle ◽  
Reproductive Output ◽  
Late Summer ◽  
Sperm Storage ◽  
Early Summer ◽  
Breeding Period ◽  
Eastern Australia ◽  
Bearded Dragon ◽  
Reproductive Females ◽  
Term Storage

Pogona barbata, a large lizard that inhabits the open woodlands of eastern Australia, has been reported to have a high annual reproductive output, which is contrary to expectations for a large lizard. To better understand this anomaly, its reproductive cycle and morphology were investigated. Males were spermatogenic year round, with only a brief period of regression in January (late summer). Females were vitellogenic and gravid through August–December (spring to early summer). Two or three large clutches (14–26 eggs per clutch) were produced each breeding period. Females had two germinal beds in each ovary, and all four actively produced eggs simultaneously. Clutches overlapped such that the next clutch began vitellogenesis before the first was laid. These characteristics make this species’ reproductive output one of the largest known among lizards. Reproductive females had sperm stored in oviductal crypts, but there was no evidence of sperm storage outside the breeding period. The short-term storage of sperm by breeding females may promote sperm competition between males.

scholarly journals The Male Reproductive Cycle of the Spotted Toad-Headed Agama,Phrynocephalus maculatus, in Iran

2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-5
Author(s):  
Soheila Rahmani ◽  
Vida Hojati
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Cycle ◽  
Arid Regions ◽  
Tunica Albuginea ◽  
Reproductive Activity ◽  
Seminal Vesicles ◽  
Adult Males ◽  
Germinal Layer ◽  
Histological Studies ◽  
The Right ◽  
Semnan Province

The spotted toad-headed agama,Phrynocephalus maculatus, distributed in the central and southeastern arid regions of Iran, belongs to the Agamidae family. In this research, the male reproductive cycle of this species was studied from 5 April to 5 August, 2013. Totally, 40 adult males were collected at midday from southern deserts of Damghan County, located in Semnan Province of Iran. Testes were removed and processed for morphometric and histological studies. The spermatogenic cycle begins from early April, mating occurs in mid-May, and it ends in August. Maximum reproductive activity occurs in early June and reduces from early July and ends in August. The numbers of seminal vesicles were 33–127 and their diameter varied between 69.0 and 258.3 microns. The diameter of tunica albuginea varied between 3.0 and 8.1 microns. The diameter of germinal layer varied between 10.0 and 110.0 microns. There were significant differences in macroscopic and microscopic testicular characters between months. Also, there were no significant differences in the testicular and hemipenal characters between the left side and the right side of body. Since spermatogenesis occurs from April through August,P. maculatusfollows an associated reproductive cycle typical for temperate species.

scholarly journals The Mostafa Maged hemostatic flipping-over technique to control and prevent the post-partum bleeding from the lower uterine segment in placenta previa cases

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 237
Author(s):  
Mostafa Maged Ali
Keyword(s):  
Placenta Previa ◽  
Post Partum ◽  
Lower Uterine Segment ◽  
New Technique ◽  
Post Partum Hemorrhage ◽  
Short Period ◽  
Long Time ◽  
A New Technique ◽  
First Time ◽  
Post Partum Bleeding

Post-partum hemorrhage is still a headache to all obstetricians around the whole world. Every obstetrician exerts his own full effort to control bleeding which can occur post-partum by applying all maneuvers to preserve the fertility and the uterus for the patient. We demonstrate a new technique (Mostafa Maged) technique to control and prevent post-partum hemorrhage. It is so simple maneuver and easy to be applied within short period of time. Satisfactory hemostasis can be assessed after application. The aim of this technique is to see the Success in Controlling and prevention of the bleeding from placenta previa cases from lower uterine segment. The average duration of this new technique is (5-7) minutes. The results have shown that the hysterectomy done to one patient with new technique (1/13) (7.6%) cases because of the uncontrollable bleeding, blood was creeping down from the flipped sutured lower uterine segment. All of patients are introduced to the operating room as first-time cesarean section. One patient (7.6%) out of thirteen patients were tachycardiac post-operatively due to the more loss of blood as the new (Mostafa Maged) technique took a long time in these two patients (8 minutes). The tests of success were expected if hemostasis is done by the bimanual compression at first place.

scholarly journals Reproductive Behaviors of Wild Chinese Pangolin (Manis Pentadactyla): A Case Study Based on Long-Term Monitoring

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nick Ching-Min Sun ◽  
Kurtis Jai-Chyi Pei ◽  
Li-Yue Wu
Keyword(s):  
Maternal Separation ◽  
Post Partum ◽  
Activity Patterns ◽  
Camera Traps ◽  
Adult Males ◽  
Reproductive Behaviors ◽  
In The Wild ◽  
Manis Pentadactyla ◽  
History Of ◽  
Almost All

Abstract Observations of Chinese pangolin (Manis pentadactyla) in the wild are extremely rare and challenging because of their nocturnal and cryptic activity patterns and low population density. The present article reported the first field observation in eastern Taiwan, from October 4, 2012 to June 16, 2016, on the reproductive behavior of the Chinese pangolin based on the monitoring of a female (LF28) using radiotelemetry and camera traps. During this period, LF28 aged from 1 to 4.5-years old and gave two single-births, both took place in early December, at 3 and 4 years old, respectively. We recorded the entire 157 days of the first nursing period from parturition to maternal separation. For the second infant, the gestation period was estimated to be around 150 days based on the evidence that the pregnancy started in early Jul. 2015 and the offspring was born on Dec. 9, 2015. During the entire nursing period, LF28 frequently moved the offspring from one nursing burrow to another staying various durations ranging from 1 day to more than 35 days, and almost all (= 15/16) of these burrows were located in the core (MCP75) of LF28’s home range. Started from the month of parturition and lasting throughout the whole nursing period, different adult males constantly visiting the nursing burrows were recorded. Mating behavior was recorded once outside the burrow in March, which provided evidence of the occurrence of post-partum estrus in this species. Delay implantation was proposed based on the observation of a several months lag between copulation and the estimated pregnancy initiation date. The present study demonstrated the advantage of using remote technologies to learn the life history of resting fossorial species.

Reproductive biology of the Sword Snake Tomodon dorsatus (Serpentes: Dipsadidae) in South Brazil: comparisons within the tribe Tachymenini

2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (4) ◽  
pp. 445-459
Author(s):  
Luiza Loebens ◽  
Selma Maria Almeida-Santos ◽  
Sonia Zanini Cechin
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Cycle ◽  
Reproductive Strategies ◽  
Sexual Maturity ◽  
Reproductive Effort ◽  
Caudal Vertebra ◽  
Ductus Deferens ◽  
Histological Changes ◽  
Males And Females ◽  
Autumn And Winter ◽  
South Brazil

Abstract We described the reproductive cycle, size-fecundity relationships, reproductive effort, and sexual maturity of Tomodon dorsatus in South Brazil. We examined 87 individuals (25 males and 62 females) from herpetological collections. The description of the reproductive cycle was based on the morpho-anatomical and histological changes in male testes, ductus deferens, and kidney and in female ovary and oviduct. The age at the onset of sexual maturity was estimated by skeletochronology of the caudal vertebra. The reproduction is seasonal semi-synchronous with most of the individuals showing a reproductive peak in the spring. Males and females have developed sperm storage strategies, increasing the reproductive success. Males store sperm in the ductus deferens during the autumn and winter, while females storage takes place in the utero-vaginal junction furrows during the autumn and early winter. Larger females produce a higher number of larger follicles and eggs. Females invest more in growth before reaching sexual maturity than males. Females reach sexual maturity earlier (4 years old) than males (5 years old) and have larger bodies but lower longevity. Reproductive strategies of Tachymenini specie are highly conserved.

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