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At least 973 records · Page 54Linked to original sources
PubMed1987

Sperm-epithelium relationships in relation to the time of insemination in little brown bats (Myotis lucifugus).

Copulation lasted for up to 46 min in little brown bats. Spermatozoa were stored in both the uterus and the utero-tubal junction, although intimate relationships between spermatozoa and the epithelium were particularly evident in the utero-tubal junction, and were established at the beginning of the period of sperm storage. Polymorphonuclear leucocytes were present in all uteri irrespective of whether or not they had been inseminated but were not generally present in the utero-tubal junction or oviduct. Engulfment of spermatozoa by the epithelial cells of the utero-tubal junction and by polymorphonuclear leucocytes in the uterine glands was evident soon after copulation. It is suggested that this may effect the removal of defective spermatozoa and allow luminal spermatozoa access to the spatially restricted storage sites. Uninseminated female bats attempted to elicit copulation from torpid males, and were also observed adjacent to copulating pairs. Female bats also uttered copulation calls.

Animals↗
PubMed1988

Ovarian function in the captive black mastiff bat, Molossus ater.

In nearly all animals from a laboratory breeding colony that were examined (85/86) the right ovary was significantly larger than the left. Although primordial follicles were present in both ovaries, Graafian follicles and CL were noted only in the right ovary. The left ovary usually had a much less prominent intraovarian vascular supply, and it is suggested that this may play a central role in limiting the ability of follicles to grow on that side. Many of the bats examined very soon after the introduction of stud males had well-developed CL, sometimes of 2-3 different ages, and uteri that had probably been subjected to stimulation by luteal hormones. Such observations made on females that had been housed with a stud male only for 24 h indicate that the black mastiff bat is a spontaneous ovulator with a functional luteal phase. It was common to observe an extended period after the introduction of a stud male during which spermatozoa were present in the vaginal smears from a female almost every day. Most of the ovulations that resulted in pregnancies appear to have occurred during this period. Of the 72 bats with CL, 11 possessed 2 or more CL of the same age, indicating that multiple ovulations can sometimes take place. The right ovaries of all females examined during advanced pregnancy had non-atretic, vesicular or Graafian follicles in addition to the CL of pregnancy.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Patterns of Leydig cell and LH gonadotroph activity, and plasma testosterone concentrations in the seasonally reproducing Schreibers' long-fingered bat (Miniopterus schreibersii).

Spermatogenesis in Schreibers' long-fingered bat from approximately 33 degrees S in South Africa was seasonal, and occurred in the 3 months (February-April) preceding ovulation. The ultrastructure of the Leydig cells indicated a period of increased steroidogenesis at this time, and plasma testosterone concentrations were elevated from March to May (10.3 ng/ml). The reproductive accessory glands were secretorily active between March and May, and copulation occurred at the end of this period of activity. Changes in LH-beta immunoreactivity suggest that the LH gonadotrophs were secretorily active 1 month before the onset of spermatogenesis and that peak activity coincided with peak plasma testosterone concentrations, spermiogenesis and spermiation. During winter (May-August) there was no reproductive activity and the bats remained active, only entering prolonged periods of torpor during particularly cold spells. A secondary elevation in plasma testosterone concentration, during reproductive inactivity (October; 9.3 ng/ml), was not accompanied by any change in Leydig cell ultrastructure, and the biological significance of this peak is unknown. Such synchronous activity of the pituitary, Leydig cells, seminiferous epithelium and accessory glands is associated with the typical reproductive cycle of long-fingered bats in which copulation and fertilization are restricted to a brief period at the end of summer, and in which neither sperm storage nor a prolonged period of copulation occur.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Effects of prolactin and hCG treatment on luteal activity and the conceptus during delayed implantation in Schreibers' long-fingered bat (Miniopterus schreibersii).

In Schreibers' long-fingered bat (Miniopterus schreibersii) from South Africa, implantation is delayed from May to August during which time the corpus luteum is inactive and plasma progesterone and LH concentrations low. Treatment of pregnant long-fingered bats with exogenous prolactin for 10 days in early delayed implantation (May) resulted in changes in luteal ultrastructure that were consistent with increased steroidogenesis, high plasma progesterone concentrations and the initiation of implantation. Treatment of bats with hCG for 10 days in early delayed implantation induced similar changes in luteal ultrastructure and plasma progesterone concentrations, but did not initiate implantation. Treatment with exogenous progesterone during early delayed implantation had no influence on the corpus luteum or the conceptus. We conclude that prolactin is the most important pituitary hormone in the control of delayed implantation, although the route via which it induces implantation is unknown.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Blood plasma concentrations of progesterone, sperm storage and sperm viability and fertility in Gould's wattled bat (Chalinolobus gouldii).

The fertility and viability of spermatozoa stored by male and female Gould's wattled bats, Chalinolobus gouldii, was investigated in a captive colony of ten bats (three males and seven females). Bats were housed in outdoor flight cages. Plasma progesterone concentrations, measured using double antibody radioimmunoassay, isolation experiments plus sperm motility and sperm membrane stability tests were used to evaluate the viability and fertility of stored spermatozoa. Mean plasma progesterone concentrations were lowest during midwinter (< 0.5 ng ml-1) with a 20-fold increase recorded in late winter to early spring. During pregnancy, plasma progesterone concentrations increased to about 13 ng ml-1 and returned to basal values soon after parturition. The results of the plasma progesterone assays and the isolation experiments indicate that female C. gouldii can store fertile spermatozoa for at least 33 days. The investigation of spermatozoa stored by male C. gouldii revealed that 6-7 months after peak spermatogenesis about 60% of the stored spermatozoa were motile and more than 60% had stable membranes, indicating that the spermatozoa stored by males were viable and likely to be fertile. The results of this study clearly indicate that both male and female C. gouldii are capable of storing fertile spermatozoa for prolonged periods.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Pineal organ-like organization of the retina in megachiroptean bats.

Phylogenetically originated from photoreceptive structures, the pineal organ adapts the organism to circadian and circannual light periodicity of the environment, while the retina develops to a light-based locator. Bats have a nocturnal life and an echolocator orientation presumably modifying the task of photoreception. Looking for morphological basis of the special functions, in the present work we compared the fine structure and immunocytochemistry of the retina and pineal organ in micro- and megacrochiroptean bats. We found that there is a high similarity between the retina and pineal organ in megachiropterans when compared to other species investigated so far. Besides of photoreceptor derived pinealocytes, the pineal organ of both micro- and megachiropterans contain intrapineal neurons and/or ganglionic cells as well as glial cells. Like spherules and pedicles of retinal photoreceptors, axon-type processes of pinealocytes form synaptic ribbon containig terminals. Similar to retinal photoreceptors and neurons, pinealocytes and pineal neurons contain immunoreactive glutamate and aspartate. In addition, excitatory amino acids accumulate in the pineal neurohormonal endings and might have a role in the hormonal (serotonin?) release of the organ. Concerning the structure of the retina the highest similarity to the organization of the pineal organ was found in the megachiroptean fruit eating bats Cynopterus sphinx and Rusettus niloticus. The retina of these species forms folds and crypts in its photoreceptor layer. This organization is similar to the folds of the pineal wall successively developed during evolution. Since a folded photoreceptor layer is not viable for a photolocator screen in decoding two-dimensional images, we suppose that this peculiar organization of the megachiropteran retina is connected to a "pineal-like" photometer task of the eye needed by these species active at night.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

[Rabies in insectivorous (Mollossidae) bats of southeastern Brazil].

Four rabid bats belonging to three species of Molossidae (one Molossus molossus, one Nyctinomops laticaudatus and two N. macrotis) were captured in the State of S. Paulo, southeastern Brazil. Three of these bats were found during the day in unusual, visible places and the other came flying through a window in the evening. A descriptive table containing data on 19 similar cases, belonging to eight species, is presented and suggests that bats with atypical behavior must dearly be suspected of being sick, possibly as having rabies.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Rabies in the insectivorous bat Tadarida brasiliensis in southeastern Brazil.

This is the first recorded case of rabies in the insectivorous bat Tadarida brasiliensis in the State of S. Paulo, Southeastern Brazil. The infected bat was found in the afternoon while hanging on the internal wall of an urban building. This observation reinforces the notion as to the caution one must exercise regarding bats found in unusual situations.

Animals↗
PubMed2002

Streblidae (Diptera) of phyllostomid bats from Minas Gerais, Brazil.

Eight streblid species were collected from eight phyllostomid bat species, from April to November 1997, at or near the Reserve "Parque Estadual do Rio Doce", Minas Gerais, Southeastern Brazil. In total, 48 specimens of streblid were removed from 57 phyllostomid bats. Most of batflies species were associated with a single species of the host, and only Paratrichobius longicrus (Miranda Ribeiro) and Trichobius joblingi Wenzel were recorded on three bat species. Trichobius lonchophyllae Wenzel represents a new record for the Brazilian Southeastern region.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

Reproductive patterns and feeding habits of three nectarivorous bats (Phyllostomidae: Glossophaginae) from the Brazilian Cerrado.

The reproductive patterns and feeding habits of three sympatric nectarivorous bats, Glossophaga soricina, Anoura caudifera, and A. geoffroyi were studied in the Pousada das Araras Natural Reserve, located in Central Brazil. The bats were captured with mist nets from August 2000 to July 2001. Reproductive condition was determined by external analyses of the specimens and feeding habits from fecal samples. Glossophaga soricina was the most abundant species (65%), followed by A. geoffroyi (30%) and A. caudifera (5%). Significant differences were observed in the sex-ratio of the two more abundant species. Anoura geoffroyi showed a monoestrous pattern; its reproductive peaks occurred between the end of the dry season and the beginning of the rain season. A seasonal bimodal pattern was recorded for G. soricina, with pregnant specimens showing one peak observed in the dry season and another in the middle of the rainy season. The reproductive pattern of A. caudifera could not be satisfactorily defined because of the small sample size. However, this species apparently has a reproductive cycle similar to that of G. soricina. The patterns observed in this study seem to be related with the climate in the Brazilian savanna (Cerrado), with two well-defined seasons (dry and wet). By adjusting the parturition close to or in the rain season the three species could be favoring a greates survival rate for the offspring, since the critical lactation period would then occur in a time of maximum food availability. The three bat species showed a generalist diet, consuming fruits, pollennectar, and arthropods. Significant differences were observed in the diet of G. soricina: fruits and arthropods predominated in the dry season and pulp (fruits) in the rainy season. Males and females of this species ate the same items in similar proportions. Although A. geoffroyi has not showed a preference for a specific item, consumption of fruits and arthropods was generally greater than that of pollen.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

First record of the bat Mimon crenulatum (E. Geoffroy, 1801) (Mammalia: Chiroptera) in the state of Rio de Janeiro, Southeastern Brazil.

The present study reports an extension of the geographic range of the phyllostomid bat Mimon crenulatum. This is the first record of this species in the state of Rio de Janeiro, Southeastern Brazil. Bats were captured in two conservation units of the Atlantic Forest. Data on the ecology and morphometry of the individuals are presented and compared with data recorded for other localities. The occurrence of this bat species in the region, though new, is consistent with information on its natural history found in the literature.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

Effects of prior infestation on host choice of bat flies (Diptera: Streblidae).

Experimental approaches provide insight into the dynamics of species competition and coexistence, but studies of ectoparasitic arthropods are rare. Host choice experiments were undertaken in Amazonian Peru, by using obligate bat fly parasites of Seba's short-tailed bat, Carollia perspicillata (L.). The fly species Trichobius joblingi Wenzel strongly preferred clean hosts to those previously infested with individuals of T. joblingi. Abundance thresholds may limit conspecific parasites on host individuals, and similar morphologies and habitat use may increase intraspecific competition among individuals of T. joblingi. T. joblingi did not distinguish between clean hosts and those previously infested with flies of another species, Speiseria ambigua Kessel. Results suggest that the presence of a morphologically dissimilar species does not preclude subsequent colonization. Differential microhabitat selection, aided by adaptive morphology, may facilitate species coexistence among ectoparasitic bat fly species.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

Detection of human blood in the bat tick Carios (Ornithodoros) kelleyi (Acari: Argasidae) in Iowa.

The argasid tick Carios (Ornithodoros) kelleyi Cooley & Kohls is a common ectoparasite of bats and has been found in massive numbers in homes with associated bat colonies in eastern Iowa. This tick feeds nearly exclusively on bats in nature. Several inhabitants of infested homes complained of "bug bites" at night while asleep that may have resulted in erythematous, edematous, urticaric skin lesions and constitutional signs and symptoms. We provide laboratory evidence that a single, engorged C. kelleyi nymph contained host blood from a human female. The clinical implications of our findings are intriguing but unclear.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Ectoparasitic insects of bats in British Columbia, Canada.

One species of parasitic bug (Hemiptera : Cimicidae), 3 species of fleas (Siphonaptera: Ischnopsyllidae), and 2 species of parasitic flies (Diptera : Nycteribiidae) were collected from 9 species of bats (Chiroptera : Vespertilionidae) in southern interior and northeastern British Columbia, Canada. Female bats that return daily to maternity roosts were more frequently infested with both cimicids and ischnopsyllids than were male bats. Some differences in ectoparasite infestation can be attributed to differences in roosting behavior of the host. New national records for 2 parasite species, and 8 new host records are established for Canada.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Microstructures of the osseous spiral laminae in the bat cochlea: a scanning electron microscopic study.

The architecture and surface structures of the primary and secondary osseous spiral laminae in the cochlea of the bat, an animal able to hear high frequency sounds, were examined by scanning electron microscopy to understand the micromechanical adaptations of the bony supportive elements in the inner ear to the specific hearing function. The bat used was Myotis frater kaguyae. The myotis bat cochlea was seen to consist of a hook and a spiral portion with one and three-quarter turns and was characterized by: 1) a distinct ridge-like projection running spirally along the middle line on the vestibular leaf of the primary osseous spiral lamina; 2) a wide secondary osseous spiral lamina; and 3) a narrow spiral fissure between the primary and secondary osseous spiral laminae. The ridge on the primary osseous spiral lamina was 150 microns high in the hook and basal turn, then lowered toward apex, and flattened before the apical end. The surface structures appeared to provide a firm anchorage of the auditory teeth. The secondary osseous spiral lamina, which anchors the fibers of the basilar membrane, was sharply projected and measured 150 microns in width in the hook, and then narrowed gradually toward apex to disappear in the helicotrema. The spiral fissure for the basilar membrane was about 40 microns in width in the hook and about 120 microns in the apical turn. The findings suggest the presence of a narrow and rigid basilar membrane with a high amount of fibers and a strong bony support to the auditory teeth for scaffolding the tectorial membrane during intense vibration in response to high frequency sounds.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗
PubMed1978

Fine structure of the Kupffer cell in the bat, with special reference to the worm-like bodies.

The livers from normal bats captured in summer and autumn (active period) and in winter (hibernating period) were electron microscopically examined with reference to the worm-like bodies. 1) The worm-like bodies were numerous in bats captured in the active periods, while they were few in hibernating bats. The development of this body varied considerably from cell to cell. 2) The worm-like body seemed to develop from a short and straight tubular invagination of the plasma membrane, whereas the fully developed unit of the body comprised a twisted and complicatedly branching tubule extended in the cytoplasm, the end of which seemed to be retained as the orifice to the extracellular space. The contents of the tubule continuous with the cell coat showed faint transverse striation and a median dense line. A large worm-like body was presumably composed of a number of the units tangled complicatedly with each other, showing a large accumulation of abundant profiles of closely packed tubules. In some Kupffer cells a long tortuous tubule with a median dense line penetrated the cytoplasm transversely and communicated at both ends with two opposite surfaces facing the sinusoid. 3)The cytoplasmic area of the worm-like bodies was almost completely devoid of organelles; no communication between the worm-like bodies and other organelles was recognized. This finding suggested the resemblance of the area of the worm-like bodies to the ectoplasm. This assumption also was supported by frequent occurence of large coated vesicles along the worm-like bodies often communicating with them. 4)The worm-like bodies did not show any signs of enlargement even in Kupffer cells ingesting blood cells in their phagocytic vacuoles. Their profiles were found abutting on the phagosomes, but direct communication between both structures was not found. 5)It was proposed in this study that the worm-like bodies might possibly represent a membrane reservoir and contribute to the enlargement of the Kupffer cell surface.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Cytoarchitecture and sound activated responses in the auditory cortex of the big brown bat, Eptesicus fuscus.

Under free field and closed-system stimulation conditions, we studied the frequency threshold curves, auditory spatial sensitivity and binaurality of neurons in the primary auditory cortex (AC) of the big brown bat, Eptesicus fuscus. All 298 recorded AC neurons discharged phasically. They were recorded at depths less than 1,000 microns with response latencies of 7-25 ms, best frequencies (BFs) of 28-97 kHz and minimum thresholds (MTs) of 8-90 dB SPL. They received excitatory inputs from the contralateral ear and either excitatory (EE) or inhibitory (EI) inputs from the ipsilateral ear. These cortical neurons were tonotopically organized along the anteroposterior axis of the AC. High best frequency neurons were located anteriorly and low best frequency neurons posteriorly. They were most sensitive to sounds delivered from a restricted region of the contralateral frontal auditory space (0 degree-50 degrees in azimuth and 2 degrees up, 15 degrees down in elevation). Frontal auditory space representation appears to be systematically arranged according to the tonotopic axis such that the lateral space is represented posteriorly and the middle space anteriorly. Cortical neurons sequentially isolated from an orthogonally penetrated electrode had similar frequency threshold curves, BFs, MTs, points of maximal auditory spatial sensitivity and binaurality. The EE and EI columns are organized concentrically such that the small number of centrally located EE columns were surrounded by an overwhelming number of EI columns. Using Nissl and Golgi stains as well as c-fos immunocytochemistry, we studied the cytoarchitecture, cell types and sound elicited Fos-like immunoreactivity in the primary AC of this bat species. The primary AC of this bat species can be described into molecular (137 microns), external granular (55 microns), external pyramidal (95 microns), internal granular (102 microns), internal pyramidal (191 microns) and multiform (120 microns) layers. The main type of cells distributed among these six layers are the small, medium and large pyramidal cells. Others include the stellate, horizontal, granular, fusiform, basket, and Martinotii cells. When stimulated with 30 kHz and 79 dB SPL sounds under natural conditions, bilaterally and symmetrically distributed Fos-like immunoreactive neurons were observed in about 20% of neurons in each AC. When stimulated under monaurally plugged conditions, 39-48% more of Fos-like immunoreactive neurons were observed in the ipsilateral AC. This finding supports the fact that the primary AC receives auditory inputs mainly from the contralateral ear.

Acoustic Stimulation↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Nipah virus infection in bats (order Chiroptera) in peninsular Malaysia.

Nipah virus, family Paramyxoviridae, caused disease in pigs and humans in peninsular Malaysia in 1998-99. Because Nipah virus appears closely related to Hendra virus, wildlife surveillance focused primarily on pteropid bats (suborder Megachiroptera), a natural host of Hendra virus in Australia. We collected 324 bats from 14 species on peninsular Malaysia. Neutralizing antibodies to Nipah virus were demonstrated in five species, suggesting widespread infection in bat populations in peninsular Malaysia.

Animals↗