scholarly journals Effect of Testosterone on Antler Growth in Male Sambar Deer (Rusaunicolor unicolor) in Horton Plains National Park, Sri Lanka

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. S. Weerasekera ◽  
N. L. Rathnasekara ◽  
D.K.K. Nanayakkara ◽  
H.M.S.S. Herath ◽  
S.J. Perera ◽  
...  

ABSTRACTThis study establishes the relationship between testosterone concentration with the different antler phases in male sambar deer (Rusa unicolor) inhabiting the Horton plains National Park, Sri Lanka (HPNP). Antler growth of sambar was categorized into seven phases; Cast (C), Growing single spike (GS), Growing into a Y as first tine appears (GIY), Growing Velvet begins to harden as third appears(GVT), Growth completed - velvet shedding begins (VS), Hard antler (HA), Casting (CT) based on phenotypic observations. The fecal samples were collected from 10 male sambar deer in each different phases of the antler growth cycle. Fecal testosterone level was estimated using radioimmunoassay (RIA). The results disclose that the dry feces of sambar deer in hard antler phase have a highest mean testosterone concentration of 18.52± 01.87 ng g−1. In the GVT phase the mean testosterone concentration was 09.50±2.01ng g −1, while in the VS phase the mean testosterone concentration increased to 14 ± 01.89 ng g−1. The study also reveals a declination of the testosterone concentration (06.80± 01.20 ng g-1) in CS phase. The C phase had a mean testosterone concentration of 05.52± 0.84 ng g−1. The fecal testosterone levels of the male sambar deer in HPNP changes according to the phase of the antler cycle.SUMMARY STATEMENTTestosterone concentration in fecal pellets of antler phases of male sambar deer in Horton plains National park, Sri Lanka evaluated by Radioimmunoassay kit. The results obtained in this study were agreement with identical research work carried out in other deer species with temperate ancestry.

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
D. S. Weerasekera ◽  
S. J. Perera ◽  
D. K. K. Nanayakkara ◽  
H. M. S. S. Herath ◽  
A. N. L. Rathnasekara ◽  
...  

This study is aimed at evaluating the relationship between endogenous testosterone levels and antler development in male sambar deer (Rusa unicolor unicolor) inhabiting the Horton Plains National Park, Sri Lanka. Seven antler growth stages of sambar were documented based on phenotypic observations for the first time in Sri Lanka as (a) cast, (b) growing 1—single spike, (c) growing 2—antler fork into a Y as the second tine appears, (d) growing 3—velvet begins to harden as the third tine appears, (e) growth completed—velvet shedding begins, (f) hard antler, and (g) casting. Fecal samples were collected every month for a period of eighteen months from male sambar deer in different stages of the antler growth cycle, feeding in the wet patana grasslands of the park, and the fecal testosterone level was estimated by radioimmunoassay. Ten animals were randomly selected from each antler stage for the experiment. The results disclose that the highest concentrations of testosterone were recorded in the hard antler stage. Velvet shedding was preceded by an increase in the testosterone level, and it is the sudden drop in the testosterone concentration which triggers the antler casting. The casting stage corresponded with the lowest mean testosterone concentration. Although the study was able to conclude a clear relationship between the fecal testosterone levels of the male sambar deer in the Horton Plains National Park and their antler stages, there is no clear seasonality for the antler cycle.


2016 ◽  
Vol 19 (s1) ◽  
pp. 13-14
Author(s):  
Maria Pobożniak ◽  
Dominika Grabowska ◽  
Marta Olczyk

Abstract The aim of the present research work was to investigate the effect of orange and cinnamon oil on the occurrence and harmfulness of Thrips tabaci Lind on onion. In 2014, the nonchemical treatment was made with Prev-B2 (the concentration of 0.4%), which contains: 4.2% of orange oil, 2.1% of boron and product Canol 70% p/p exstract of Cinnamomum zeylanicum. In 2015, only Prev-B2 product was used. The standard sprayer was used and the treatments were done: twice in 2014 and three times in 2015. The thrips were collected directly from the leaves, using standard sweeping nets. The plants were examined to find the leave damages caused by feeding thrips. In 2014, Thrips tabaci was recorded from 11 June to 19 August, whereas in 2015 from 24 June to 4 August. Over two years of observations, the highest number of thrips was collected from onion growing on control plots (not treated with any preparation). Also, the mean percentage of areas damaged on the onion leaves was significantly higher on control plots than on plots treated with cinnamon oil in 2014 and orange oil in 2015.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eranthi Weeratunga ◽  
Chandanie Senadheera ◽  
Manjula Hettiarachchi ◽  
Bilesha Perera

Abstract Background Coping strategies are essential in the cancer management/recovery process and show an integral part in patients with cancer globally. In Sri Lanka, validated scales to measure coping are scarce. This study was examined the Sinhalese version of the Brief COPE for its psychometric properties. Methods This scale is self-administered (28 items) and consists of adaptive and maladaptive coping strategies; divided into 14 subscales. Cancer patients were registered ‘first come - first serve’ basis using their appointment register at the Radiotherapy Unit, Oncology ward, Teaching Hospital, Karapitiya, Galle, Sri Lanka. They were requested to complete the Sinhalese version of the Brief COPE and demographic details. Test-retest reliability was checked using the same subjects two weeks later. Factorial validity was performed using exploratory factor and principal component analysis. Results were regarded as statistically significant if p < 0.05. Results The mean (±SD) age of the sample was 61(±12) years. The mean adaptive coping (±SD) and maladaptive coping were 37.50 (±8.14) and 17.10 (±2.44) respectively. The internal consistency of the overall scale was good (Cronbach’s alpha - 0.819). Adaptive and maladaptive coping showed a high Cronbach’s alpha (0.861 and 0.396). The test-retest reliability was found to be 0.66. The Sinhala version of BC was found to have a negative correlation with the CES-D scale but was positively correlated with the WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire. Seven factors were extracted. Conclusion The Sinhala version of the Brief COPE is a valid and reliable tool to assess coping strategies among patients with cancer. The findings of this study would let the health authorities get an understanding of coping strategies among patients with cancer; and the impact on cancer victims and family members to relieve their suffering.


Author(s):  
Hansani Madushika Abeywickrama ◽  
Swarna Wimalasiri ◽  
Yu Koyama ◽  
Mieko Uchiyama ◽  
Utako Shimizu ◽  
...  

Symptom burden and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) are important predictors of how a disease affects patients’ lives, especially for endemic health problems such as chronic kidney disease of uncertain etiology (CKDu). Our study describes symptom burden, HRQOL, and associated demographic and clinical variables in CKDu patients in the Girandurukotte area, Sri Lanka. A cross-sectional study included 120 CKDu patients attending the renal clinic in the endemic area. The instruments applied were the Kidney Disease Quality of Life—Short Form (KDQOL-SFTM) version 1.3 and CKD Symptom Index—Sri Lanka. Socio-demographic, disease-related, and anthropometric variables were also investigated. The mean age of patients was 61.87 (SD 11.31), while 69.2% were male. The mean glomerular filtration rate was 28.17 (SD 14.03) mL/min/1.73 min2, and 70.8% were anemic. Bone/joint pain was the most experienced symptom while the median number of symptoms reported by patients was 5 (IQR 3–7). The mean symptom burden, physical component summary, mental component summary, and kidney-disease-specific component scores were 12.71 (SD 10.45), 68.63 (SD 19.58), 78.53 (SD 18.78), and 81.57 (SD 5.86), respectively. Age was found to be a significant predictor of HRQOL, while hemoglobin level and being a farmer were significant predictors of symptom burden. Our data indicate that CKDu patients in all stages experience at least one symptom affecting all aspects of HRQOL.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document