Reproductive products in the adult snow crab (Chionoecetes opilio). II. Multiple types of sperm cells and of spermatophores in the spermathecae of mated females

1999 ◽  
Vol 77 (3) ◽  
pp. 451-462 ◽  
Author(s):  
Guy Sainte-Marie ◽  
Bernard Sainte-Marie
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Tract ◽  
Periodic Acid ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Female Reproductive Tract ◽  
Snow Crab ◽  
Chionoecetes Opilio ◽  
Cellular Debris ◽  
Snow Crabs ◽  
Amorphous Matter

Contents of the spermathecae of mated adult snow crabs (Chionoecetes opilio) were examined by light microscopy. The contents could consist of water and three basic types of amorphous matter and of spermatophores. Water was present in the form of large patches or smaller spheres. Of the two major types of amorphous matter, one reacted positively and one negatively to periodic acid - Schiff's reagent (PAS), and one was only, and one predominantly, of male origin. The minor type of amorphous matter was orange and of female origin and could include dark cellular debris. Spermatophores enclosed either immature spermatids, mature spermatids, hitherto unreported spermatozoa, or cell forms intermediate between these three types. Peripheral mature spermatids and spermatozoa had a polarized orientation and were attached to the spermatophore wall. Overall, amorphous matter and spermatophores were topographically segregated by type within a spermatheca, and spermatophores enclosing immature spermatids occurred mostly in PAS-negative amorphous matter. Spermatid differentiation can unfold in the female reproductive tract as well as in the vas deferens, while the transformation of spermatids into spermatozoa was observed only in the female. The diversity of sperm cell types and the ordered placement of semen constituents within the spermatheca suggest that sperm are partitioned for short- or long-term use.

Reproductive products in the adult snow crab (Chionoecetes opilio). I. Observations on spermiogenesis and spermatophore formation in the vas deferens

1999 ◽  
Vol 77 (3) ◽  
pp. 440-450 ◽  
Author(s):  
Guy Sainte-Marie ◽  
Bernard Sainte-Marie
Keyword(s):  
Light Microscopy ◽  
Reproductive Tract ◽  
Vas Deferens ◽  
Periodic Acid ◽  
Snow Crab ◽  
Sperm Cells ◽  
Periodic Acid Schiff ◽  
Male Reproductive Tract ◽  
Chionoecetes Opilio ◽  
Amorphous Matter

Some of the events unfolding in the vas deferens of the adult snow crab (Chionoecetes opilio) were examined by means of light microscopy. Sperm cells entered the vas deferens as precursors of immature spermatids and developed into immature or mature spermatids within it. However, spermatozoa were not observed in the male reproductive tract. Two types of amorphous matter were added successively to sperm cells in the vas deferens. The first type was periodic acid - Schiff (PAS)-positive and apparently induced spermiogenesis when present in a sufficiently large amount. However, a smaller amount of this amorphous matter was sufficient to form the basal pellicle of spermatophores. The second type was PAS-negative and thickened the wall of spermatophores. Immature and mature spermatids were usually enclosed within distinct spermatophores. Enclosed mature spermatids were connected together by bridges formed by Feulgen-positive spikes coated and extended by PAS-positive amorphous matter. Once broken, the bridges appeared as arms that radiated from a spermatid. Peripheral mature spermatids were furthermore linked to the spermatophore wall by threads of PAS-positive amorphous matter. The bridges and threads may form a pathway for the diffusion of extraneous substances through the spermatophore wall to the innermost cells.

Sources of variability in prevalence and distribution of bitter crab disease in snow crab (Chionoecetes opilio) along the northeast coast of Newfoundland

2011 ◽  
Vol 68 (3) ◽  
pp. 463-471 ◽  
Author(s):  
Darrell R. Mullowney ◽  
Earl G. Dawe ◽  
J. Frank Morado ◽  
Richard J. Cawthorn
Keyword(s):  
Newfoundland And Labrador ◽  
Abiotic Factors ◽  
Distribution Patterns ◽  
Snow Crab ◽  
Commercial Fishery ◽  
Chionoecetes Opilio ◽  
Spatio Temporal ◽  
Snow Crabs ◽  
Northeast Coast

Abstract Mullowney, D. R., Dawe, E. G., Morado, J. F., and Cawthorn, R. J. 2011. Sources of variability in prevalence and distribution of bitter crab disease in snow crab (Chionoecetes opilio) along the northeast coast of Newfoundland. – ICES Journal of Marine Science, 68: . Bitter crab disease (BCD), caused by a parasitic dinoflagellate of the genus Hematodinium, is a source of mortality in Newfoundland and Labrador snow crab (Chionoecetes opilio). Prevalence and distribution patterns have been spatially and temporally variable since the discovery of BCD in 1990, and controlling factors are poorly understood. Data from a long-term trap survey in two bays along the northeast coast of Newfoundland are analysed, investigating the influences and interactions of various biotic and abiotic factors over BCD. Factors examined include host size and density, temperature, salinity, and depth. The density of small to medium-sized snow crabs was directly related to prevalence and distribution of BCD, whereas all other factors had either an indirect or no effect. Further, much of the spatio-temporal variability in disease expression is a function of variability in host productivity, growth, and movement. The study also considers the impacts BCD can exert on the commercial fishery, and the potential for predicting intermediate to long-term recruitment potential based on BCD prevalence levels.

Functional Maturity in Small Male Snow Crabs (Chionoecetes opilio)

1988 ◽  
Vol 45 (12) ◽  
pp. 2106-2109 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. P. Ennis ◽  
R. G. Hooper ◽  
D. M. Taylor
Keyword(s):  
Rapid Development ◽  
Carapace Width ◽  
Reproductive Potential ◽  
Snow Crab ◽  
Small Male ◽  
Chionoecetes Opilio ◽  
In Captivity ◽  
Breeding Migration ◽  
High Level ◽  
Snow Crabs

The mean size of male snow crabs (Chionoecetes opilio) in sexual pairs during the annual spring breeding migration to shallow water in Bonne Bay, Newfoundland, decreased from 118.6 mm carapace width (CW) in 1983 to 100.3 mm in 1987. This decrease is due to an increase in males <95 mm CW participating from 1.5% in 1983 to 32.3% in 1987. This change appears to have resulted from a reduced abundance of commercial size [Formula: see text] males due to a rapid development of an illegal fishery on this previously unfished population and, as a consequence, less competition between males for possession of females. The percentages of spermathecae containing new spermatophores for females paired with males <95 mm CW (67%) and those with males [Formula: see text] (79%) were not significantly different. We assumed that each female with new spermatophores had recently mated with the male with which it was paired. Observations on selected pairs in captivity showed that males <95 mm CW are capable of mating with both primiparous and muitiparous females. Our results indicate that small mature males can replace large males in breeding activity in a snow crab population. We conclude that in the male-only snow crab fishery in Atlantic Canada with a minimum legal size of 95 mm CW, population reproductive potential is maintained at a high level despite high exploitation rates on males [Formula: see text].

Development of parthenogenetic and fertilized mouse embryos in the uterus and in extra-uterine sites

Development ◽  
1975 ◽  
Vol 34 (2) ◽  
pp. 387-405
Author(s):  
S. A. Iles ◽  
M. W. McBurney ◽  
S. R. Bramwell ◽  
Z. A. Deussen ◽  
C. F. Graham
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Tract ◽  
Neural Tissue ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Mouse Embryos ◽  
Female Reproductive Tract ◽  
Embryonic Cells ◽  
Haploid Embryos ◽  
Keratinized Epithelium ◽  
Mouse Eggs

Mouse eggs were activated with hyaluronidase in vitro and subsequently transferred to the oviduct. In the female reproductive tract they formed morulae and blastocysts which died soon after implantation. Haploid blastocysts were transferred beneath the kidney capsule and here some formed disorganized egg-cylinder structures in a week. Morulae and blastocysts from haploid and diploid parthenogenones were also transferred beneath the testis capsule. Two to four months later the growths which had formed were sectioned. They contained neural tissue, pigment, keratinized epithelium, glandular epithelium, ciliated epithelium, cartilage, bone, muscle, adipose tissue, and haemopoietic tissue. The range of cell types was similar to that produced by fertilized control blastocysts except that the parthenogenones did not form identifiable yolk-sac carcinoma or embryonal carcinomacells. The growths from haploid and diploid parthenogenones in the testis were stained with Feulgen and their DNA content measured. Growths from diploid embryos contained the normal diploid amount of DNA while growths from haploid embryos contained less than this amount. Cell cultures were prepared from the growths. The cells which were investigated contained no Y chromosome, suggesting that they were derived from the embryonic cells rather than the cells of the male host. These cells contained a near diploid chromosome number, although some of them were originally derived from haploid embryos.

Wnt-7a maintains appropriate uterine patterning during the development of the mouse female reproductive tract

Development ◽  
1998 ◽  
Vol 125 (16) ◽  
pp. 3201-3211 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Miller ◽  
D.A. Sassoon
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Tract ◽  
Hox Genes ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Female Reproductive Tract ◽  
Molecular Characteristics ◽  
Anteroposterior Patterning ◽  
Stratified Epithelium ◽  
Distinct Cell ◽  
Hoxa Gene Expression ◽  
Posterior Shift

The murine female reproductive tract differentiates along the anteroposterior axis during postnatal development. This process is marked by the emergence of distinct cell types in the oviduct, uterus, cervix and vagina and is dependent upon specific mesenchymal-epithelial interactions as demonstrated by earlier heterografting experiments. Members of the Wnt family of signaling molecules have been recently identified in this system and an early functional role in reproductive tract development has been demonstrated. Mice were generated using ES-mediated homologous recombination for the Wnt-7a gene (Parr, B. A. and McMahon, A. P. (1995) Nature 374, 350–353). Since Wnt-7a is expressed in the female reproductive tract, we examined the developmental consequences of lack of Wnt-7a in the female reproductive tract. We observe that the oviduct lacks a clear demarcation from the anterior uterus, and acquires several cellular and molecular characteristics of the uterine horn. The uterus acquires cellular and molecular characteristics that represent an intermediate state between normal uterus and vagina. Normal vaginas have stratified epithelium and normal uteri have simple columnar epithelium, however, mutant uteri have stratified epithelium. Additionally, Wnt-7a mutant uteri do not form glands. The changes observed in the oviduct and uterus are accompanied by a postnatal loss of hoxa-10 and hoxa-11 expression, revealing that Wnt-7a is not required for early hoxa gene expression, but is required for maintenance of expression. These clustered hox genes have been shown to play a role in anteroposterior patterning in the female reproductive tract. In addition to this global posterior shift in the female reproductive tract, we note that the uterine smooth muscle is disorganized, indicating development along the radial axis is affected. Changes in the boundaries and levels of other Wnt genes are detectable at birth, prior to changes in morphologies. These results suggest that a mechanism whereby Wnt-7a signaling from the epithelium maintains the molecular and morphological boundaries of distinct cellular populations along the anteroposterior and radial axes of the female reproductive tract.

Ejaculate-storage patterns and the site of fertilization in female snow crabs (Chionoecetes opilio; Brachyura, Majidae)

2000 ◽  
Vol 78 (11) ◽  
pp. 1902-1917 ◽  
Author(s):  
Guy Sainte-Marie ◽  
Bernard Sainte-Marie ◽  
Jean-Marie Sévigny
Keyword(s):  
Microscopy Study ◽  
Sperm Precedence ◽  
Single Male ◽  
Chionoecetes Opilio ◽  
Intermediate Chamber ◽  
Snow Crabs ◽  
Multiple Male ◽  
Storage Patterns ◽  
Basic Configuration ◽  
Amorphous Matter

A light-microscopy study of mated female snow crabs (Chionoecetes opilio) was conducted to investigate the site of fertilization and to resolve how multiple ejaculates are stored in the spermathecae. In its basic configuration, an ejaculate consisted of a layer or patch of spermatophores enclosing mature spermatids that was capped by a relatively large volume of amorphous matter, which in turn could include a patch of spermatophores containing immature spermatids. Up to 10-12 ejaculates were stored in the spermathecae with the largest loads. An ejaculate was initially deposited in the intermediate chamber and ventral part of the spermatheca, and was displaced toward the dorsal part of the spermatheca when a new ejaculate was inserted. Ejaculates were neatly stratified along the ventrodorsal axis of spermathecae with small to moderate loads, but they were disrupted and the storage pattern was disorderly in spermathecae with large loads. Ejaculate stratification favors last-male sperm precedence and single-male paternity. However, multiple-male paternity might occur in females with large spermathecal loads, in part because several ejaculates can co-occur close to the oviduct opening. Mixing of male and female gametes in preparation for oviposition, and probably also fertilization, occurs to some degree in the ovaries.

SERUM PROTEIN CONCENTRATION AND SOMATIC INDEX IN RELATION TO MORPHOMETRIC MATURITY FOR MALE SNOW CRAB, CHIONOECETES OPILIO (O. FABRICIUS, 1788), IN THE BAIE DES CHALEURS, CANADA (DECAPODA, BRACHYURA)

Crustaceana ◽  
1999 ◽  
Vol 72 (5) ◽  
pp. 497-506 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michel Comeau ◽  
Marc Lanteigne ◽  
Roland Cormier
Keyword(s):  
Serum Protein ◽  
Protein Concentration ◽  
Mature Male ◽  
Snow Crab ◽  
Juvenile Male ◽  
Chionoecetes Opilio ◽  
Wet Weight ◽  
Snow Crabs ◽  
Somatic Index ◽  
Serum Protein Concentration

AbstractThe serum protein concentrations of juvenile and mature male snow crabs, Chionoecetes opilio, were measured using a refractometer. The somatic indices of juvenile and mature male snow crab were calculated using the weight of the dry flesh of the chelae versus its wet weight. Results indicate that juvenile male snow crab have significantly higher serum protein concentrations and significantly lower somatic indices than their mature counterparts. These observations are attributed to basic physiological differences that could be explained by a terminal moult. Les concentrations en proteines seriques de males juveniles et a maturite du crabe des neiges Chionoecetes opilio ont ete mesurees au moyen d'un refractometre. Les indices somatiques de ces individus ont ete calcules en utilisant le rapport entre le poids sec et le poids humide de la chair. Les resultats indiquent que les individus males juveniles ont des concentrations en proteines seriques significativement plus elevees et des indices somatiques significativement plus bas que les individus males matures. Ces observations sont attribuees a des differences physiologiques de base qui peuvent etre expliquees par une mue terminale.

scholarly journals Measles-based Zika vaccine induces long-term immunity and requires NS1 antibodies to protect the female reproductive tract.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthias Schnell ◽  
Drishya Kurup ◽  
Christoph Wirblich
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Tract ◽  
Female Reproductive Tract ◽  
Viral Clearance ◽  
Measles Vaccine ◽  
Fetal Protection ◽  
Cell Responses ◽  
Asian Strain ◽  
African Strain ◽  
The Brain

Abstract Zika virus (ZIKV) can cause devastating effects in the unborn fetus of pregnant women. To develop a candidate vaccine that can protect human fetuses, we generated a panel of live measles vaccine (MV) vectors expressing ZIKV-E and -NS1. Our MV-based ZIKV-E vaccine, MV-E2, protected mice from the non-lethal Zika Asian strain (PRVABC59) and the lethal African strain (MR766) challenge. Despite 100% survival of the MV-E2 mice, however, complete viral clearance was not achieved in the brain and reproductive tract of the lethally challenged mice. We then tested a combination of two MV-based vaccines, the MV-E2 and a vaccine expressing NS1 (MV-NS1[2]), and we observed durable plasma cell responses, complete clearance of ZIKV from the female reproductive tract, and complete fetal protection in the lethal African challenge model. Our findings suggest that NS1 antibodies are required to enhance the protection achieved by ZIKV-E antibodies in the female reproductive tract.

scholarly journals Mucosal Immunity in HIV/SIV Infection: T Cells, B Cells and Beyond

2019 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 63-75 ◽  
Author(s):  
Barbara L. Shacklett
Keyword(s):  
T Cells ◽  
Mucosal Immunity ◽  
Reproductive Tract ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Female Reproductive Tract ◽  
Multiparameter Flow Cytometry ◽  
Mucosal Tissues ◽  
New Information ◽  
Innate Lymphocytes ◽  
Hiv 1

As our understanding of mucosal immunity increases, it is becoming clear that the host response to HIV-1 is more complex and nuanced than originally believed. The mucosal landscape is populated with a variety of specialized cell types whose functions include combating infectious agents while preserving commensal microbiota, maintaining barrier integrity, and ensuring immune homeostasis. Advances in multiparameter flow cytometry, gene expression analysis and bioinformatics have allowed more detailed characterization of these cell types and their roles in host defense than was previously possible. This review provides an overview of existing literature on immunity to HIV-1 and SIVmac in mucosal tissues of the female reproductive tract and the gastrointestinal tract, focusing on major effector cell populations and briefly summarizing new information on tissue-resident memory T cells, Treg, Th17, Th22 and innate lymphocytes (ILC), subsets that have been studied primarily in the gastrointestinal mucosa.

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