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Barauna AA, Conte MI, Leporati JL, Quiroga LB, Sanabria EA, Fornés MW. Testosterone is closely related to Leydig cell activity, environmental factors, and androgen receptor distribution in adult male lizards of Liolaemus cuyanus (Reptilia: Liolaemidae) during the reproductive cycle. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL ZOOLOGY. PART A, ECOLOGICAL AND INTEGRATIVE PHYSIOLOGY 2024; 341:421-430. [PMID: 38369873 DOI: 10.1002/jez.2794] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2023] [Revised: 12/29/2023] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 02/20/2024]
Abstract
Testosterone, the primary sex hormone in male lizards, is closely linked to Leydig cell activity (the cells where steroidogenesis occurs) throughout the reproductive cycle, but testosterone action is related to androgen receptors (ARs) distribution in the seminiferous epithelium. In temperate zones, environmental factors detected through the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis, downregulate plasma testosterone, resulting in a seasonal reproductive cycle. The aim of this work is to study plasma testosterone in adult male lizards of Liolaemus cuyanus, an oviparous species, throughout its reproductive cycle and its relationship with Leydig cell histology, TotalLeydigCell/ActiveLeydigCell (TLC/ALC) ratio, environmental factors (temperature, relative humidity and solar irradiation) and ARs distribution in seminiferous epithelium. Specimens (N = 27) were captured (October to March) in a semi-arid zone (Valle de Matagusanos, San Juan, Argentina) and grouped into three relevant reproductive periods: pre-reproductive (PrR), reproductive (R), and post-reproductive (PsR). Significant differences in plasma testosterone were found among these periods, highest during R than in PsR. A significant positive correlation between plasma testosterone and TLC/ALC ratio was also observed. Plasma testosterone has a significant positive correlation only with solar irradiation, but not with the other variables. In PrR and R, ARs distribution was cytoplasmic and nuclear, shifting to only cytoplasmic in PsR. These results highlight the close correspondence between plasma testosterone, Leydig cell histology and activity, environmental factors, and ARs distribution, resulting in a synchronization that allows males of L. cuyanus to coordinate their reproductive cycle with the most favorable environmental conditions, probably for mating and birth of offspring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Anabella Barauna
- IHEM (Instituto de Histología y Embriología de Mendoza)-CONICET, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas-Universidad Nacional de Cuyo, Mendoza, Argentina
| | - María Inés Conte
- IHEM (Instituto de Histología y Embriología de Mendoza)-CONICET, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas-Universidad Nacional de Cuyo, Mendoza, Argentina
| | - Jorge Leandro Leporati
- Universidad Nacional de San Luis, Facultad de Ingeniería y Ciencias Agropecuarias, San Luis, Argentina
| | - Lorena Beatriz Quiroga
- ICB, Universidad Nacional de San Juan, CONICET, Facultad de Filosofía Humanidades y Artes, San Juan, Argentina
| | - Eduardo Alfredo Sanabria
- ICB, Universidad Nacional de San Juan, CONICET, Facultad de Filosofía Humanidades y Artes, San Juan, Argentina
- Universidad Nacional de Cuyo, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Mendoza, Argentina
| | - Miguel Walter Fornés
- IHEM (Instituto de Histología y Embriología de Mendoza)-CONICET, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas-Universidad Nacional de Cuyo, Mendoza, Argentina
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Rocha ELB, da Silva LGVP, Barreto INR, Magalhães MDS, Dias LC, Matias de Oliveira RE, Braz JKFDS, de Oliveira MF, de Moura CEB. Gonadal Morphology of Stillborn Hawksbill Sea Turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata) Hatchlings. MICROSCOPY AND MICROANALYSIS : THE OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF MICROSCOPY SOCIETY OF AMERICA, MICROBEAM ANALYSIS SOCIETY, MICROSCOPICAL SOCIETY OF CANADA 2024; 30:169-177. [PMID: 38252589 DOI: 10.1093/micmic/ozae002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2023] [Revised: 12/20/2023] [Accepted: 01/06/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024]
Abstract
This study aimed to investigate sexual dimorphism in stillborn hawksbill sea turtles (Eretmochelys imbricata) through gonadal morphological characterizations. Macroscopic, light microscopy, and transmission electron analyses were performed for 30 gonad-mesonephros complexes. Female gonads were spindle-shaped and present a translucent whitish appearance with a grainy texture. Male gonads were approximately ovoid with a smooth opaque white surface. A primary sexual difference concerns different marrow structures, with females presenting organized cellularity featuring oocytes, lacunae, and blood vessels, while males presented a distinct organizational medulla pattern marked by testicular cords extending throughout the gonad length. Ultrastructurally, female's stroma presented interstitial cells and an abundant cytoplasm rich in electrodense droplets and large oval germline cells, with a conspicuous and noncentral nucleus. Males, on the other hand, presented testicular cord cells containing small amounts of heterochromatin and approximately triangular apical and basal cytoplasms with an evident nucleolus characteristic of support cells. Additionally, there were cells with a large spherical nucleus compared with the cell size and a relatively scarce cytoplasm, identified as gonocytes. These findings indicate that macroscopic, microscopic, and ultrastructural evaluations are effective and reliable techniques for the sexual identification of stillborn E. imbricata hatchlings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emanuel Lucas Bezerra Rocha
- Department of Animal Sciences, Universidade Federal Rural do Semi-Árido (UFERSA), Avenida Francisco Mota, 572, Costa e Silva, Mossoró, Rio Grande do Norte 59625-900, Brazil
| | - Lucas Gabriel Verissimo Pinheiro da Silva
- Instituto Federal do Rio Grande do Norte (IFRN), Avenida Senador Salgado Filho, 1559, Tirol, Natal, Rio Grande do Norte 59015-000, Brazil
- Associação de Proteção e Conservação Ambiental Cabo de São Roque (APC Cabo de São Roque), Rua da Praia de Caraúbas, 150, Praia de Caraúbas, Maxaranguape, Rio Grande do Norte 59580-000, Brazil
| | - Isadora Natália Rocha Barreto
- Instituto Federal do Rio Grande do Norte (IFRN), Avenida Senador Salgado Filho, 1559, Tirol, Natal, Rio Grande do Norte 59015-000, Brazil
- Associação de Proteção e Conservação Ambiental Cabo de São Roque (APC Cabo de São Roque), Rua da Praia de Caraúbas, 150, Praia de Caraúbas, Maxaranguape, Rio Grande do Norte 59580-000, Brazil
| | - Marcela Dos Santos Magalhães
- Department of Morphology, Universidade Federal do Amazonas, Avenida General Octávio Jordão Ramos, 1200, Campus Universitário Setor Norte, Coroado, Manaus 69067-005, Brazil
| | - Lucas Castanhola Dias
- Department of Morphology, Universidade Federal do Amazonas, Avenida General Octávio Jordão Ramos, 1200, Campus Universitário Setor Norte, Coroado, Manaus 69067-005, Brazil
| | - Radan Elvis Matias de Oliveira
- Department of Animal Sciences, Universidade Federal Rural do Semi-Árido (UFERSA), Avenida Francisco Mota, 572, Costa e Silva, Mossoró, Rio Grande do Norte 59625-900, Brazil
| | - Janine Karla França da Silva Braz
- Multicampi School of Medical Sciences, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN), Rua José Evaristo, s/n, Penedo, Caicó, Rio Grande do Norte 59300-000, Brazil
| | - Moacir Franco de Oliveira
- Department of Animal Sciences, Universidade Federal Rural do Semi-Árido (UFERSA), Avenida Francisco Mota, 572, Costa e Silva, Mossoró, Rio Grande do Norte 59625-900, Brazil
| | - Carlos Eduardo Bezerra de Moura
- Department of Animal Sciences, Universidade Federal Rural do Semi-Árido (UFERSA), Avenida Francisco Mota, 572, Costa e Silva, Mossoró, Rio Grande do Norte 59625-900, Brazil
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Field EK, Terry J, Hartzheim AM, Krajcir K, Mullin SJ, Neuman-Lee LA. Investigating relationships among stress, reproduction, and immunity in three species of watersnake. Gen Comp Endocrinol 2023; 343:114350. [PMID: 37524232 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2023.114350] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2023] [Revised: 07/06/2023] [Accepted: 07/27/2023] [Indexed: 08/02/2023]
Abstract
Energy is a finite resource required for all physiological processes and must be allocated efficiently among essential activities to ensure fitness and survival. During the active season, adult organisms are expected to prioritize investment in reproduction over other energetically expensive processes, such as responding to immunological challenges. Furthermore, when encountering a stressor, the balance between reproduction and immunity might be disrupted in order to fuel the stress response. Because of the distinct differences in life histories across species, watersnakes provide a unique group of study in which to examine these tradeoffs. Over a two-year period, we captured three watersnake species throughout Northeast Arkansas. Animals were subjected to restraint stress and blood samples were collected throughout the acute stress response. Blood samples were used to assess innate immunity and steroid hormone concentrations. We found the peak in corticosterone concentration is season-specific, potentially because energetic reserves fluctuate with reproductive activities. We also found body condition was positively related to acute stress and negatively related to immunity. Watersnakes evidently prioritize reproduction over immunity, especially during the energetically intensive process of vitellogenesis. Energetic tradeoffs between reproduction, immunity, and the stress response are complex, and this study contributes to our understanding of energetic shifts in free-living organisms in the context of stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily K Field
- Department of Biological Sciences, Arkansas State University, Jonesboro, AR, United States; Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks, Mississippi Museum of Natural Science, Jackson MS, United States.
| | - Jennifer Terry
- Department of Biological Sciences, Arkansas State University, Jonesboro, AR, United States
| | - Alyssa M Hartzheim
- Department of Biological Sciences, Arkansas State University, Jonesboro, AR, United States; North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, Raleigh, NC, United States
| | - Kevin Krajcir
- Department of Biological Sciences, Arkansas State University, Jonesboro, AR, United States; Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission, Little Rock, AR, United States
| | - Stephen J Mullin
- Department of Biological Sciences, Arkansas State University, Jonesboro, AR, United States.
| | - Lorin A Neuman-Lee
- Department of Biological Sciences, Arkansas State University, Jonesboro, AR, United States.
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Slow life histories in lizards living in the highlands of the Andes Mountains. J Comp Physiol B 2017; 188:491-503. [PMID: 29150716 DOI: 10.1007/s00360-017-1136-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2017] [Revised: 10/24/2017] [Accepted: 10/29/2017] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
In the highlands of the Andes, lizards must balance precisely the allocation of energy for growth and reproduction to ensure their survival. We studied the individuals' age, growth rates, age at sexual maturity, and maximum life span of the viviparous lizard Phymaturus antofagastensis, endemic of cold and harsh environments at high altitudes in the Andes Mountains of Catamarca province, Argentina. We also estimated key life history parameters like reproductive effort, lifetime reproductive effort, net reproductive rate, and relative reproductive time in P. antofagastensis as well as in other Phymaturus to compare the interplay among growth, maintenance, and reproduction in species that live across a latitudinal and altitudinal gradient. We found that females and males of P. antofagastensis mature late in life, at 6-7 years old, respectively, and some individuals reached 20 years of age. Adult females showed higher specific growth rates than males and an adult life span of 9 years which, due to their biennial reproduction, results in an estimated production of only four litters in life. This species exhibits one of the highest lifetime reproductive efforts described for lizards. Our results indicate the existence of a tradeoff between the number of reproductive events throughout life and reproductive effort devoted to each event in Phymaturus, related to the phylogenetic group. The palluma group shows low reproductive effort but high number of reproductive events throughout their lives, whereas the patagonicus group shows high reproductive efforts in low number of reproductive events.
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Portelinha TC, Jahn GA, Hapon MB, Verdade LM, Piña CI. Hormone Levels and Ultrasound Evaluation ofCaiman latirostris(Crocodylia, Alligatoridae) Ovulation. SOUTH AMERICAN JOURNAL OF HERPETOLOGY 2015. [DOI: 10.2994/sajh-d-14-00030.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
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Park CJ, Ha CM, Lee JE, Gye MC. Claudin 11 inter-sertoli tight junctions in the testis of the korean soft-shelled turtle (Pelodiscus maackii). Biol Reprod 2015; 92:96. [PMID: 25761591 DOI: 10.1095/biolreprod.114.117804] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2014] [Accepted: 03/03/2015] [Indexed: 11/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Expression of claudin 11 (CLDN11), a tight junction (TJ) protein, was examined in the Korean soft-shelled turtle (Pelodiscus maackii) testis. Spermatogenesis began during the breeding season and peaked at the end of the breeding season. Spermiation started in summer and peaked in autumn. The deduced amino acid sequence of P. maackii CLDN11 was similar to those of avian and mammalian species. During the nonbreeding season when spermatogenesis and testosterone production were active, testicular Cldn11 levels were high. In the seminiferous epithelium, strong, wavy CLDN11 strands parallel to the basement membrane delaminate the spermatogonia, and early spermatocytes are in the open compartment. Otherwise, CLDN11 was found beneath the early spermatocytes and in the Sertoli cell cytoplasm. Punctate zonula occludens 1 (ZO-1) immunoreactivity was found within the CLDN11 strands parallel to the basement membrane or at the outermost periphery of the seminiferous epithelium close to the basal lamina. During the breeding season, when circulating testosterone levels and spermatogenic activity was low, testicular CLDN11 level was lower than those during the nonbreeding season. CLDN11 was found at apicolateral contact sites between adjacent Sertoli cells devoid of the postmeiotic germ cells. At this time, lanthanum tracer diffused to the adluminal compartment of seminiferous epithelium. In cultured testis tissues, testosterone propionate significantly increased the level of Cldn11 mRNA. In P. maackii testis, CLDN11 participates in the development of the blood-testis barrier (BTB), where the CLDN11 expression was coupled with spermatogenic activity and circulating androgen levels, indicating the conserved nature of TJs expressing CLDN11 at the BTB in amniotes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chan Jin Park
- Department of Life Science, College of Natural Sciences, Hanyang University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Cheol Min Ha
- Department of Life Science, College of Natural Sciences, Hanyang University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jae Eun Lee
- Department of Life Science, College of Natural Sciences, Hanyang University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Myung Chan Gye
- Department of Life Science, College of Natural Sciences, Hanyang University, Seoul, Korea
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Testosterone Cycle and Regulation of Reproductive Events in the LizardPhymaturus punae(Liolaemidae) from the Highlands of the Andes, Argentina. J HERPETOL 2014. [DOI: 10.1670/12-171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
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The germ cell development strategy and seasonal changes in spermatogenesis and Leydig cell morphologies of the spiny lizard Sceloporus mucronatus (Squamata: Phrynosomatidae). ZOOMORPHOLOGY 2013. [DOI: 10.1007/s00435-013-0210-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
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