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PubMed1999

cDNA cloning of an adult male putative lipocalin specific to tergal gland aphrodisiac secretion in an insect (Leucophaea maderae).

Lma-P22 is a cuticular surface protein specific to the tergal gland secretion of Leucophaea maderae adult males which is ingested by females just before copulation. The complete Lma-P22 cDNA sequence was determined by RT-PCR using primers based on Edman degradation fragments. The recombinant protein expressed in Escherichia coli was recognized by an anti-Lma-P22 antibody. Northern blot analysis indicates that the corresponding mRNA is transcribed only in the epidermis of male tergites. Sequence analysis indicated that Lma-P22 deduced protein belongs to the lipocalin family. Lipocalins are extracellular proteins which carry hydrophobic compounds and some of them can bind sexual pheromone in vertebrates. Lma-P22 is the first example of a lipocalin-like protein involved in insect sexual behavior.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed2003

"Z"-plasty of the transverse vaginal septum using Garcia's procedure and the Grünberger modification.

OBJECTIVE: Evaluation of the Grünberger modification of Garcia's "Z"-plasty of the obstructed and nonobstructed transverse vaginal septum. DESIGN: Description of the surgical procedure and record of postoperative results and follow-up evaluations yearly after the operation. SETTING: Department of gynecology and obstetrics at a university hospital. PATIENT(S): The operation was performed over a period of 25 years on 13 patients. INTERVENTION(S): Z-plasty of the obstructed and nonobstructed transverse vaginal septum using Grünberger's modification of Garcia's procedure. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENT(S): Width of the vagina and quality of postoperative sexual life. RESULT(S): In all cases, a functioning vagina with at least a 4-cm width in the former area of the septum was created and no postoperative contractures occurred. Lubrication during copulation is perceived to be adequate. A satisfactory sexual life was reported by all of the patients. Cosmetically, the results were always satisfying. CONCLUSION(S): The Grünberger modification of the Garcia Z-plasty method is a convenient and effective technique for the surgical treatment of transverse vaginal septa.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2003

Endocrine correlates of sexual behavior in the Mohor gazelle (Gazella dama mhorr).

In this study, we quantitatively examined male sexual behavior in relation to fecal estrogen and progesterone concentrations in female Mohor gazelles. We investigated the hypothesis that, during natural mating, males detect cues relating to the potential for successful conception and pregnancy. Time series analysis revealed that males could detect the approach of estrus 2-3 days before female fecal estrogens and estrogen/progestagen (E/P) ratio reached their peak values. Males also paid closer attention to those females excreting higher fecal estrogen concentrations. Mounting and copulation frequencies were positively correlated with both peri-ovulatory fecal estrogen concentrations, and the frequency of pre-copulatory courtship behaviors. These data suggested that males invest their reproductive effort selectively by mating the most fertile females, assuming that estrogen is a valid index of fertility. This assumption was investigated by examining sequential phases of the reproductive cycle for evidence that oocytes and follicles produced in a more estrogenic environment would lead to the formation of the most competent corpora lutea, thereby maximizing the chance of sustaining pregnancy. Associations between sexual behavior and hormone excretion support the hypothesis that males may use this mechanism to assess female fertility.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Elemental composition of Mysis mixta (Crustacea, Mysidacea) and energy costs of reproduction and embryogenesis under laboratory conditions.

Mysis mixta were reared under laboratory conditions (temperature: 9-10 degrees C; salinity: 7 per thousand, ad libitum food). Dry weight, ash, total carbon and nitrogen content of mysids (muscle tissue, eggs, and embryos of different developmental stages) have been analyzed. We found significant variations in ash content and elemental composition during growth and maturation for both sexes. The proportion of carbon in abdominal muscle decreased gradually from juveniles with body weight of 3-4 mg (42.9%) to males and gravid females ( approximately 40.0%). The nitrogen content was relatively constant (11.4% in average) with significant differences only between juveniles (11.3%) and mature females (11.6%). In embryos, carbon and nitrogen content were highest in early stages (58.6 and 14.3%, respectively). By the end of the marsupial development, carbon had decreased to 51.4% and nitrogen to 12.6%. The C:N ratio reflected the change in somatic carbon content, and the ratio decreased 6.2% from juveniles to gravid females, indicating lipids to be an energy source during maturation and reproduction. The weight-specific female investment in reproduction increases with body size. In gravid females, intersegmental growth during brooding period was observed, while males appear to store energy only for copulation and die after mating. Ontogenetic variation in body composition has implications for elemental budgets of M. mixta, its value as prey for fish and in modeling energy and nutrient cycling.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2003

Costs of mating and egg production in female Callosobruchus chinensis.

Costs of reproduction include the costs of mating and egg production. Specific techniques such as irradiation or genetic mutation have been used to divide the expense into costs of mating and egg production in previous studies. We tried to divide the costs in the adzuki bean beetle, Callosobruchus chinensis (Coleoptera: Bruchidae), which needs some kinds of bean as an oviposition substrate. Mated females that were not allowed to lay eggs had a shorter life span than virgin females, but they had a longer life span than mated females that were allowed to lay eggs. The results showed two independent significant costs, mating and egg production, on the life span in C. chinensis. Costs of mating, however, include the costs of sexual harassment by males and copulation itself, and we need further studies to divide the costs. The present method for dividing the cost of reproduction into costs of mating and egg production can be applied to a broad taxonomic range of insect species, and thus it will be a useful model system for inter-specific comparisons of costs of mating and egg production.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Mating and hormonal triggers regulate accessory gland gene expression in male Drosophila.

Drosophila melanogaster males transfer accessory gland proteins, as part of their seminal fluid, to females during each mating. Since accessory gland proteins are important for male reproductive success, it is important that the male replenish the proteins he transferred during mating. Previous studies had shown that mating induces the resynthesis of accessory gland proteins, but since mating includes a set of stereotyped behavior patterns as well as the act of copulation, it was not known which aspect of the mating process induces accessory gland protein synthesis. By exposing males to females whose ovipositors had been sealed shut, we have shown that resynthesis of accessory gland proteins occurs only when seminal fluid is transferred to females. By applying juvenile hormone or 20-hydroxyecdysone topically to the cuticle of male flies, we showed that these hormones can act in vivo to stimulate the synthesis of accessory gland proteins to levels similar to those observed after mating.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1998

Offspring and sex ratio are independent of sperm management in Eupelmus orientalis females.

Sperm stocks in both males and females of the parthenogenetic wasp Eupelmus orientalis were investigated at various points during reproduction and compared to the progeny of females in controlled conditions. One day-old virgin males had approximately 5500 sperm, and from a total of about 1697 sperm transferred per copulation, 21% are stored in the spermathecae by females 24 hours after mating. At the end of the egg-laying period (at least 42 days), 2/5 of the initial amount of sperm remained in this storage organ. This decrease (from approximately 350 to 150) occurred essentially during the first 21 days of egg-laying activity, indicating that the majority of sperm stored were used during this period. Between 21 days and the end of fertile life, the number of sperm remained constant. The mean offspring production throughout reproductive life after one mating was 153, with 56.5% of the daughters laid at the beginning of the laying activity. Sex ratio was entirely female biased during the first 15 days (mean=0.65), then it decreased and became nearly equal after 20 days. Present results propose that females maximize the production of daughters i.e. of inseminated eggs until the 20th day and after this time lay as many daughters and sons despite their still having stored sperm. Physiological constraints due to ageing are proposed to explain this phenomenon.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1999

Drosophila melanogaster sex peptide stimulates juvenile hormone synthesis and depresses sex pheromone production in Helicoverpa armigera.

Previous studies demonstrate that virgin female adult Helicoverpa armigera (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) moths exhibit calling behaviour and produce sex pheromone in scotophase from the day after emergence, and that mating turns off both of these pre-mating activities. In the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster, a product of the male accessory glands, termed sex peptide (SP), has been identified as being responsible for suppressing female receptivity after transfer to the female genital tract during mating. Juvenile hormone (JH) production is activated in the D. melanogaster corpus allatum (CA) by SP in vitro. We herein demonstrate cross-reactivity of D. melanogaster SP in the H. armigera moth: JH production in photophase virgin female moth CA in vitro is directly activated in a dose-dependent manner by synthetic D. melanogaster SP, and concurrently inhibits pheromone biosynthesis activating neuropeptide (PBAN)-activated pheromone production by isolated pheromone glands of virgin females. Control peptides (locust adipokinetic hormone, AKH-I, and human corticotropin, ACTH) do not inhibit in vitro pheromone biosynthesis. Moreover, SP injected into virgin H. armigera females, decapitated 24 h after eclosion, or into scotophase virgin females, suppresses pheromone production. In the light of these results, we hypothesize the presumptive existence of a SP-like factor among the peptides transmitted to female H. armigera during copulation, inducing an increased level of JH production and depressing the levels of pheromone produced thereafter.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1999

Purification and characterization of an oviposition-stimulating protein of the long hyaline tubules in the male migratory grasshopper, Melanoplus sanguinipes.

An oviposition-stimulating protein (OSP) was isolated and purified from the long hyaline tubules of the male accessory gland complex in the migratory grasshopper, Melanoplus sanguinipes. Gel filtration of the native OSP, using Sephadex G-100, indicates its molecular weight to be about 60000Da with the oviposition-stimulating activity while sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis shows that the OSP comprises two subunits, each with a molecular weight of 30000Da. The purified OSP appears as a single symmetric peak on fast performance liquid chromatography using Mono Q. Isoelectric focusing of the OSP indicates an apparent pI of 5.5. Injection of the OSP induces oviposition in about 70% of ovulated virgin females within 48h. Stimulation of oviposition can be blocked by a polyclonal antibody raised against the OSP 30000Da subunits. Amino acid analysis of the dimer and its subunits shows a comparatively high content of aspartic acid/asparagine (14.8%) as well as leucine (12.2%) and glutamic acid/glutamine (12.0%). The N-terminal 21 amino acid sequence of the OSP shows little similarity to known peptides. Immunoreactivity with the anti-OSP antibody was observed in the viscous secretion, spermatheca, and the egg-pod froth of mated females, confirming transfer of the OSP from male to female during copulation.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1999

Juvenile hormone biosynthesis, oocyte growth and vitellogenin accumulation in Choristoneura fumiferana and C. rosaceana: a comparative study.

We assessed the effects of age and mating status on in vitro juvenile hormone (JH) biosynthesis, oocyte growth, egg production and vitellogenin (Vg) accumulation in the tortricid moths, Choristoneura fumiferana and C. rosaceana. To determine whether vitellogenesis is dependent on the presence of JH, we also examined the effects of decapitation and JH analog treatments on egg production. In both species, the corpora allata (CA) of adult females released fmol quantities of JH, with JH II being the major homolog produced. The CA began producing detectable quantities of JH around the time of emergence. Full activation of the CA was observed a few hours sooner in C. fumiferana than in C. rosaceana. In pharate adults and young virgin females of both species, growth of the basal oocyte reflected changes in CA activity. Decapitation of newly emerged females significantly reduced egg production, but treatment of decapitated females with the JH analog methoprene resulted in egg production that was similar to (C. fumiferana) or greater than (C. rosaceana) that of controls, indicating that JH is required for oocyte maturation. Vg was first observed in the hemolymph before the presumptive time of CA activation, suggesting that the synthesis of this protein is not dependent on JH. The presence of normal quantities of Vg in the hemolymph of pupae decapitated before CA activation confirmed this hypothesis. The Vg titer underwent a transient decline following CA activation and was significantly lower in mated than in virgin females of both species 3 and 5 days after copulation. Since CA activation at emergence and mating are both expected to cause a rise in the JH titer, we suggest that the declines in the levels of Vg result from JH-enhanced Vg uptake by the developing oocytes. Mating induced a significant increase in egg production but had no measurable impact on rates of JH biosynthesis in vitro.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2002

Pathology and ultrastructure of the insect virus, Hz-2V, infecting agonadal male corn earworms, Helicoverpa zea.

The pathology of the reproductive tract of Hz-2V-infected agonadal male corn earworm moths, Helicoverpa zea, was studied. The examination of the reproductive tissues of adult agonadal males infected with Hz-2V during different lifestages allowed us to positively correlate the grossly malformed tissues of typical agonadal male moths to the corresponding normal tissues in uninfected males. The reproductive tissues responsible for producing sperm, a pheromonostatic peptide (PSP), and the spermatophore in normal male moths were absent or grossly malformed in the agonadal male moths. Hz-2V was observed replicating in one area of these malformed reproductive tissues in pharate adult males as early as 7 days post-pupation. Interestingly, reproductive tissues essential for initiation of copulation and transfer of reproductive fluids into a female moth during mating appear to be intact and may be functional. These data suggest that agonadal adult males are able to mate with healthy female moths and transfer Hz-2V particles, without fertilizing female moths or altering their sexual receptivity to further mating with other male moths.

Animals↗
PubMed1986

A model describing the kinetics of mating in Drosophila.

The kinetics of mating in species of Drosophila that copulate for periods of time greater than the duration of experimental observation can be described precisely by an equation that combines second order reaction kinetics with the exponential decay of a lag factor. The two rate constants for this kinetic system were estimated from mating data using a wild-type D. simulans strain, a wild-type D. melanogaster strain, and vestigial mutant D. melanogaster males with wild-type females. The results confirm the applicability of second order kinetics, and demonstrate the usefulness of the model in comparisons of mating rates among strains of flies. In most cases, the model explains more than 95% of the variance in the data, and in addition sheds light on the mechanics of the process of mating.

Animals↗
PubMed1983

The spermatozoon of Myzostomum cirriferum (Annelida, Myzostomida).

The Myzostomum spermatozoon has several unique features: The chromatin material is condensed into a variable number of dense balls (usually 42); there is an incomplete myelin-like cover rather than a regular nuclear envelope; a palisade of microtubules surround two mitochondria which extend along the 30-microns-long cell body; an axoneme of the 9+0 formula originates at one end of the cell body, runs intracellularly for a short distance (less than 1 micron), then continues outside the cell body although attached to it by means of a "flagellum-cell body junction," which consists of two sets of strands connecting the membrane of the flagellum to that of the cell body. Two "dorsal rods" in the microtubular palisade evidently are connected to these strands. The flagellum also has a free portion (around 70 microns) which terminates in a pointed spine, called the "sting." No typical centriole and no acrosome have been found. The spermatozoon usually swims with flagellum foremost but may reverse the direction. The cell body also undulates but with an independent wavelength. Presumably some of these peculiarities are specializations for locomotion within body tissues rather than in water; Myzostomum has "dermal copulation."

Animals↗
PubMed1980

Daily spermatozoal production and epididymal spermatozoal reserves of the human male.

Testicular and epididymal spermatozoal reserves were determined for 11 healthy men, a vasectomized man and 12 other men. For healthy men testis weight (19 testes) averaged 16.9 plus or minus 1.2 gm. and daily spermatozoal production was 4.25 times 10(6) per gm. (range equals 1.4 to 6.3 times 10(6) per gm.). Based on our total sample (23 patients) 67 per cent of the men 20 to 50 years old probably produce between 45 times 10(6) and 207 times 10(6) spermatozoa per day. Daily spermatozoal production was normal in 1 vasectomized man. Epididymal reserves of healthy men totaled 182 times 10(6) spermatozoa per epididymis, of which 26 per cent were in the caput, 23 per cent in the corpus and 52 per cent in the cauda. The interval between any previous ejaculation and death was unknown but we assumed that these values are typical for men copulating or masturbating every 1 to 7 days. Extragonadal spermatozoal reserves totaled approximately 440 times 10(6), of which less than 225 times 10(6) would be available for ejaculation in the ductuli deferentia and caudae epididymides. Transit time of spermatozoa through the caput, corpus and cauda epididymidis was estimated as 0.72, 0.71 and 1.76 days. In a vasectomized man extragonadal reserves totaled 7 times 10(9) spermatozoa or about 75 days of production by the testes. Thus, spermatozoal production in man is much less efficient than in other mammals, the extragonadal reserves of spermatozoa are small and maturation of spermatozoa in the caput plus corpus epididymidis occurs in less than 2 days. In terms of these quantitative characteristics the reproductive capacity of man is considerably less than that of a rhesus monkey.

Animals↗
PubMed1976

Reduction perineoplasty for scrotal elephantiasis: a method of surgical reconstruction of the penis and scrotum.

Scrotal elephantiasis can be insidious in onset, idiopathic as to cause and debilitating in progress. The massive scrotal enlargement results in a sac-like structure that first envelopes and then completely covers the penis, testes and the regional spermatic cord structures, causing loss of topographic identification. The urethra leads into a stratified, squamous epithelial-lined canal, which traverses the edematous subcutaneous tissue to open irregularly at the inferior aspect of the scrotal bag. The difficulty of acquiring sustained periods of cleanliness, the incontinence of urine despite an intact urethral sphincter, the unesthetic gross appearance and the loss of libido and mechanical copulation function are the significant symptoms and signs that indicate the extent of the debility. A form of treatment that would alleviate this distressful state and would be feasibly applicable should be worthy of critical consideration. Therefore, a case of a reduction scrotoplasty (reduction perineoplasty) for idiopathic lymphedema of the penis and scrotum is presented.

Drainage↗
PubMed2003

Effects of sensorial denervation induced by capsaicin injection at birth or on day three of life, on puberty, induced ovulation and pregnancy.

Evidence that ovarian innervation plays a role in the regulation of ovarian functions has been widely reported. The present study analyzed the effects of treating neonatal rats with capsaicin on: the onset of puberty, serum hormone levels, timing of first vaginal estrus, ovulation rates, ovarian and uterine weights, follicular development, and noradrenaline concentration in the ovaries. The study was based on two experimental models: untouched rats and hemispayed animals. The results indicate that newborns treated with capsaicin did not show changes in the onset of puberty, though the number of ova shed by these animals was lower than in control rats. The number of follicles counted in the ovaries of newborn, or 3-day old-capsaicin-treated animals, was significantly lower and showed an increase in the number of atretic follicles compared to vehicle treated rats. All capsaicin treated animals copulated, but only 6/23 delivered pups. The number of ova shed by capsaicin-treated animals after eCG or eCG-hCG treatment was significantly lower than in the control group. Present results could indicate that some specific neural information registered in the ovary is sent to the central nervous system, and that such information plays a role in the mechanism regulating ovarian function.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The role of 5alpha-reductase activity in sexual behaviors of the green anole lizard.

Both testosterone (T) and its metabolite, 5alpha-dihydrotestosterone (DHT), can facilitate male sexual behavior in the lizard Anolis carolinensis. The present study addresses the role of DHT synthesis in regulating male sexual behavior by inhibiting 5alpha-reductase, the enzyme that converts T into DHT. In two separate experiments (one replacement and one maintenance paradigm), breeding adult males were castrated and implanted with capsules of T, DHT, or a control capsule (blank, BL). The animals were then injected with the 5alpha-reductase inhibitor, FCE, or with steroid suspending vehicle (SSV) as a control. Both experiments produced similar results. Overall, T was most effective in eliciting courtship and copulatory behaviors above control levels. In both experiments, treatment with FCE attenuated the T-induced effects on courtship behavior, whereas the inhibition of 5alpha-reductase activity resulted in modest and inconsistent effects on the latency to intromission and the proportion of copulating males. DHT treatment did not significantly increase courtship or copulatory behaviors above control levels. These results suggest that (a) 5alpha-reductase activity is necessary but that DHT alone is not sufficient for stimulating courtship in male A. carolinensis; and (b) courtship behavior is more sensitive than copulatory behavior to the activity of the androgen metabolizing enzyme.

3-Oxo-5-alpha-Steroid 4-Dehydrogenase↗
PubMed2001

Sexual and aggressive interactions in a visible burrow system with provisioned burrows.

The visible burrow system (VBS) is a habitat providing burrows and an open area for mixed-set rat colonies. Provisioning of food and water in the burrows makes it unnecessary for potentially defensive animals to leave the burrows to eat/drink on the surface, and enables evaluation of new types of agonistic interactions that may emerge when this necessity is removed. In such colonies, subordinate males showed high magnitude tunnel guarding behavior, occupying a tunnel opening onto the surface and confronting the dominant. Dominants, in response, made lunges into the tunnels, but quickly retreated without gaining entry, apparently stopped by contact with the defender's vibrissae. Dominants also made and continued to make lateral attacks to the wall adjacent to the tunnels guarded by subordinates, although these were useless in terms of affording contact with the subordinate. Dominant-female agonistic interactions were more frequent than those of dominants and subordinates. These were largely initiated by the male, and involved female defensive behavior. Nonetheless, females, unlike subordinates, failed to show tunnel guarding and continued to utilize the surface freely. They also spent more time in the vicinity of the dominant over days of colony formation. This apparent paradox may reflect that females were seldom wounded, and that the initial site of male contact with females was the female's anogenital area, findings suggesting that interactions of males and females often reflect male sexual advances, countered by female defenses that effectively protect nonestrus females from mounting and copulation.

Aggression↗