Patterns of Leydig cell and LH gonadotroph activity, and plasma testosterone concentrations in the seasonally reproducing Schreibers' long-fingered bat (Miniopterus schreibersii)
in ReproductionSearch for other papers by R. T. F. Bernard in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by C. Bojarski in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by R. P. Millar in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Summary. Spermatogenesis in Schreibers' long-fingered bat from ∼ 33° 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-β 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.
Keywords: plasma testosterone; Leydig cell ultrastructure; gonadotroph activity; bat
Reproduction is committed to supporting researchers in demonstrating the impact of their articles published in the journal.
The two types of article metrics we measure are (i) more traditional full-text views and pdf downloads, and (ii) Altmetric data, which shows the wider impact of articles in a range of non-traditional sources, such as social media.
More information is on the Reasons to publish page.
| Sept 2018 onwards | Past Year | Past 30 Days | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full Text Views | 400 | 276 | 31 |
| PDF Downloads | 131 | 46 | 1 |
Online ISSN: 1741-7899
Print ISSN: 1470-1626
Strengthening biomedical communities
to advance science and health
CONTACT US
Bioscientifica Ltd | Starling House | 1600 Bristol Parkway North | Bristol BS34 8YU | UK
Bioscientifica Ltd | Registered in England no 3190519