A case of intersex occurrence in Steindachneridion parahybae (Steindachner, 1877) (Siluriformes: Pimelodidae) under captivity condition: A cytogenetic and morphological study

Poco se sabe sobre la biología reproductiva de Steindachneridion parahybae , una especie de teleósteo gonocorístico en peligro de extinción que habita la cuenca del río Paraíba do Sul y en éste trabajo se describe por primera vez la aparición de individuo intersexo en juvenil de S. parahybae . También se describió el aspecto normal de los ovarios y de los testículos de individuos juveniles procedentes del mismo lote de cría para su comparación; se realizó además el análisis citogenético. Un espécimen fue clasificado a priori como hembra debido a las características macroscópicas de los ovarios, con pequeños oocitos amarillos, sin flecos (característica principal de los bagres macho) y más grande que los testículos; sin embargo el análisis microscópico reveló la presencia de un ovotestis, incluyendo una espermatogénesis completa. S. parahybae presentó un número diploide, 2n = 56 cromosomas, sin evidencia de cromosomas sexuales diferenciados o supernumerarios entre ellos. Estos hallazgos pueden deberse al resultado de la exposición de los individuos a desorganizadores endocrinos o estar influenciados por las condiciones ambientales. Sin embargo no se puede descartar la posibilidad de la presencia de intersexos de forma espontánea. Por lo tanto, la importancia funcional y las consecuencias reproductivas de estas anomalías permanecen aún sin ser determinadas, sugiriendo que esta especie puede ser susceptible a los disruptores endocrinos. Estos resultados contribuyen a ampliar el conocimiento de la biología reproductiva de esta especie en peligro de extinción en condiciones de cautiverio.Little is known about reproductive biology of endangered Steindachneridion parahybae , a gonochoristic teleost species inhabiting the Paraíba do Sul River Basin, and herein is the first description of intersex in S. parahybae juvenile. The normal appearance of ovaries and testes in juvenile from the same lot of breeding were also described for comparison, even as cytogenetic analysis was performed in these juveniles. One specimen was a priori classified as female due to the macroscopic characteristic of ovaries, with small yellow oocytes, without fringes (a main characteristic of catfish male), and larger than testes; however the microscopic analysis revealed the presence of ovotestes, including the complete spermatogenesis. S. parahybae had diploid number, 2n = 56 chromosomes with no evidence of differentiated sex chromosomes or supernumerary chromosomes among them. These findings may be due to the result of exposure to endocrine disrupting compounds or may also be influenced by environmental conditions. The possibility of intersexes might also happen spontaneously and it cannot be ruled out. Therefore, the functional significance and reproductive consequences of this anomaly remain to be determined, suggesting that this species may be susceptible to endocrine disruption. These results contribute to gain expertise about reproductive biology of an endangered species in captivity.Fil: Honji, Renato Massaaki. Universidade de Sao Paulo; Brasil. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Caneppele, Danilo. Companhia Energética de São Paulo. Unidade de Hidrobiologia e Aquicultura; BrasilFil: Pandolfi, Matias. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Biodiversidad y Biología Experimental y Aplicada. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Biodiversidad y Biología Experimental y Aplicada; ArgentinaFil: Lo Nostro, Fabiana Laura. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Biodiversidad y Biología Experimental y Aplicada. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Biodiversidad y Biología Experimental y Aplicada; ArgentinaFil: Moreira, Renata G.. Universidade de Sao Paulo; Brasi

Sexual Dimorphism in Aggression: Sex-Specific Fighting Strategies Across Species

Aggressive behavior is thought to have evolved as a strategy for gaining access to resources such as territory, food, and potential mates. Across species, secondary sexual characteristics such as competitive aggression and territoriality are considered male-specific behaviors. However, although female–female aggression is often a behavior that is displayed almost exclusively to protect the offspring, multiple examples of female–female competitive aggression have been reported in both invertebrate and vertebrate species. Moreover, cases of intersexual aggression have been observed in a variety of species. Genetically tractable model systems such as mice, zebrafish, and fruit flies have proven extremely valuable for studying the underlying neuronal circuitry and the genetic architecture of aggressive behavior under laboratory conditions. However, most studies lack ethological or ecological perspectives and the behavioral patterns available are limited. The goal of this review is to discuss each of these forms of aggression, male intrasexual aggression, intersexual aggression and female intrasexual aggression in the context of the most common genetic animal models and discuss examples of these behaviors in other species.Fil: Pandolfi, Matias. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Biodiversidad y Biología Experimental y Aplicada. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Biodiversidad y Biología Experimental y Aplicada; Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Departamento de Biodiversidad y Biología Experimental; ArgentinaFil: Scaia, María Florencia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Biodiversidad y Biología Experimental y Aplicada. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Biodiversidad y Biología Experimental y Aplicada; Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Departamento de Biodiversidad y Biología Experimental; ArgentinaFil: Fernandez, Maria Paz. Columbia University; Estados Unido

Gonadotropins and Growth Hormone Family Characterization in an Endangered Siluriform Species, Steindachneridion parahybae (Pimelodidae): Relationship With Annual Reproductive Cycle and Induced Spawning in Captivity

The aim of this study was to identify and characterize pituitary cells of Steindachneridion parahybae females in captivity, highlighting the possible relationship with reproductive disorders at this level, since this species shows oocyte final maturation, ovulation and spawning dysfunction in captivity. The localization and distribution of growth hormone (GH), prolactin (PRL), somatolactin (SL), b-luteinizing hormone (b-LH), and b-follicle stimulating hormone (b-FSH) immunoreactive (-ir) cells in the adenohypophysis was studied by immunohistochemical and Western blot methods. In addition, cellular morphometric analyses and semi-quantification of ir-cells optical density (OD) during the annual reproductive cycle and after artificial induced spawning (AIS) were performed. Results showed that the distribution and general localization of pituitary cell types were similar to that of other teleost species. However, the morphometrical study of adenohypophysial cells showed differences along the reproductive cycle and following AIS. In general, females at the vitellogenic stage presented greater OD values for GH, PRL and SL than at other maturation stages (previtellogenic and regression stages), probably indicating an increased cellular activity during this stage. Conversely, b-LH OD did not vary during the annual reproductive cycle. After AIS, b-LH, SL and GH ir-cells showed an increase in OD values suggesting a possible involvement on oocyte final maturation, ovulation and spawning or a feedback control on the brain-pituitary-gonads axis. Reproductive dysfunction in S. parahybae females in captivity may be due to alteration of the synthesis pathways of b-LH. In addition, GH family of hormones could modulate associated mechanisms that influence the reproductive status in this species.Fil: Honji, Renato Massaaki. Universidade de Sao Paulo; Brasil. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Biodiversidad y Biología Experimental y Aplicada. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Biodiversidad y Biología Experimental y Aplicada; ArgentinaFil: Caneppele, Danilo. Companhia Energetica De Sao Paulo ; BrasilFil: Pandolfi, Matias. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Biodiversidad y Biología Experimental y Aplicada. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Biodiversidad y Biología Experimental y Aplicada; ArgentinaFil: Lo Nostro, Fabiana Laura. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Biodiversidad y Biología Experimental y Aplicada. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Biodiversidad y Biología Experimental y Aplicada; ArgentinaFil: Moreira, Renata. Universidade de Sao Paulo; Brasi

Effects of bisphenol A administration during critical stages of sexual development

El bisfenol A (BPA) es un compuesto estrogénico utilizado en la fabricación de plásticos policarbonatos, que tiene efectos deletéreos sobre el eje reproductor de los individuos expuestos y el de su descendencia. El BPA actuaría sobre el eje hipotálamo-hipófiso-gonadal de ratas hembra modificando sus procesos de maduración. El objetivo del presente trabajo fue estudiar el efecto del BPA sobre la maduración del eje reproductor de ratas hembra peripúberes expuestas a este compuesto desde el inicio de la gestación y durante la lactancia (Grupo 1, 2,5 mg/kg/día)) y otro grupo (Grupo 2, 6,0 mg/kg/día) expuesto desde los 21 días y hasta los 30 días de edad. Se administró BPA en el agua de bebida o etanol al 0,1% (grupo control), (n=10/grupo). Se determinó LH, FSH (RIA, ng/ml), estradiol (ELISA, pg/ml), se evaluaron peso corporal y pesos relativos de útero y ovario. Se realizó estudio histológico de cortes de ovario y útero. Grupo 1, los niveles de LH y estradiol aumentaron significativamente (Control: 11 ± 1,0 vs. BPA: 40 ± 4,0, p<0,001; Control: 20 ± 0,5 vs. BPA: 40 ± 2,0, p<0,0001), mientras los de FSH mostraron tendencia al aumento pero éste no fue significativo. Los pesos corporales y el peso relativo del ovario no se modificaron con el tratamiento. El estudio histológico mostró mayor número de folículos maduros y desarrollo de células de la teca y epitelio cilíndrico en útero de los animales tratados. Grupo 2, LH y estradiol aumentaron significativamente (Control: 3,3 ± 0,3 vs. BPA: 5,1 ± 0,3, p<0,01; Control: 25,0 ± 0,5 vs. BPA: 27,1 ± 0,7, p<0,05). La FSH, si bien mostró tendencia a aumentar, ésta no fue significativa. Los pesos corporales y los pesos relativos de ovario y útero no se modificaron con este tratamiento. En la histología se observa mayor desarrollo de la teca interna y un mayor número de folículos maduros en los animales tratados. No se encontraron diferencias evidentes en el alto del epitelio uterino. La exposición aguda o crónica a BPA en etapas clave de la maduración sexual modifica la actividad del eje reproductor. Los resultados obtenidos sugieren que el BPA ejercería su efecto estrogénico, actuando sobre los mecanismos de retroalimentación positivos.Bisphenol A (BPA) is an estrogenic compound used in the manufacture of polycarbonate plastic. It has deleterious effects on the reproductive axis in human and wildlife, both in individuals exposed to it and their descendants. Evidence suggests that BPA exerts its influence on the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis of female rats by interfering with its maturation process. The aim of the present study was to analyse the effect of BPA on maturation of the hypothalamo-pituitary-gonadal axis of peripuberal female rats, exposed to it since the beginning of the gestation and during the lactation period (Group 1, 2.5 mg/kg/day), and from the age of 21 days till the age of 30 (Group 2, 6.0 mg/kg/day). The animals were treated with BPA or 0.1% ethanol (Control Group) in their drinking water (n=10/grupo). LH, FSH (RIA, ng/ml) and estradiol (ELISA, pg/ml) were measured in serum. Ovaries and uterus relative weights were obtained. Histological studies were performed on several sections of uterus and ovaries. Group 1, LH and estradiol serum levels increased significantly (Control: 11 ± 1.0 vs. BPA: 40 ± 4.0, p<0.001; Control: 20 ± 0.5 vs BPA: 40 ± 2.0, p<0.0001). FSH levels showed an increasing trend as well, but this was not statistically significant. Corporal weights and ovaries relative weights were not modified by treatment. Histological studies showed an increase in the total number of mature follicles, and development of the theca cells and ovarian stroma, in animals exposed to BPA. Group 2, LH and estradiol serum levels increased significantly (Control: 3.3 ± 0.3 vs. BPA: 5.1 ± 0.3, p<0.01; Control: 25.0 ± 0.5 vs. BPA: 27.1 ± 0.7, p<0.05). Although FSH levels exhibited an increasing trend, this did not reach statistical significance. Corporal weights and ovaries and uterus relative weights were not modified by treatment. Histological studies revealed major development of the internal theca, and an increase in the number of mature follicles, in those animals under treatment. No significant differences were found in the height of the epithelium of the uterus. Acute or chronic exposure to BPA during critical stages of sexual development modifies the activity of the reproductive axis. The results obtained suggest that BPA may exert its estrogenic effect, acting on the positive feedback mechanism.Fil: Cardoso, Nancy Patricia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Departamento de Ciencias Fisiológicas; ArgentinaFil: Pandolfi, Matias. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Departamento de Biodiversidad y Biología Experimental. Laboratorio de Embriología Animal; ArgentinaFil: Ponzo, Osvaldo. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Departamento de Ciencias Fisiológicas; ArgentinaFil: Carbone, Silvia Elena. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina; ArgentinaFil: Peñalba, Romina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Departamento de Ciencias Fisiológicas; ArgentinaFil: Dicugno. Mariana. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Sede Hospital Britanico Bs.as; ArgentinaFil: Scacchi, Pablo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina; ArgentinaFil: Reynoso, Roxana. Hospital Británico; Argentin

Immunohistochemical study of pituitary cells in wild and captive Salminus hilarii (Characiformes: Characidae) females during the annual reproductive cycle

Freshwater fish that live exclusively in rivers are at particular risk from fragmentation of the aquatic system, mainly the species that migrate upriver for reproduction. That is the case of Salminus hilarii, an important migratory species currently classified as “almost threatened” in the São Paulo State (Brazil), facing water pollution, dam construction, riparian habitat destruction and environmental changes that are even more serious in this State. Additionally, this species show ovulation dysfunction in captivity. Our studies focused on the identification and distribution of the pituitary cell types in the adenohypophysis of S. hilarii females, including a morphometric analysis that compares pituitary cells from wild and captive broodstocks during the reproductive annual cycle. The morphology of adenohypophysial cells showed differences following the reproductive cycle and the environment. In general, optical density suggested a higher cellular activity during the previtellogenic (growth hormone) and vitellogenic (somatolactin) stages in both environments. Additionally, the nucleus/cell ratio analysis suggested that growth hormone and somatolactin cells were larger in wild than in captive females in most reproductive stages of the annual cycle. In contrast, prolactin hormone showed no variation throughout the reproductive cycle (in both environments). Morphometrical analyses related to reproduction of S. hilarii in different environmental conditions, suggest that somatolactin and growth hormone play an important role in reproduction in teleost and can be responsible for the regulation of associated processes that indirectly affect reproductive status.This work was supported by a research grant from FAPESP (01/10483-1) and a master student fellowship (CNPq 134451/2005-8). The authors would also like to thank the fishermen who collected the wild females, as well as the Ponte Nova Fish Farm for providing the facilities for the maintenance of the captivity animals

Immunohistochemical study of pituitary cells in wild and captive Salminus hilarii (Characiformes: Characidae) females during the annual reproductive cycle

Freshwater fish that live exclusively in rivers are at particular risk from fragmentation of the aquatic system, mainly the species that migrate upriver for reproduction. That is the case of Salminus hilarii, an important migratory species currently classified as “almost threatened” in the São Paulo State (Brazil), facing water pollution, dam construction,\ud riparian habitat destruction and environmental changes that are even more serious in this State. Additionally, this species show ovulation dysfunction in captivity. Our studies focused on the identification and distribution of the pituitary cell types in the adenohypophysis of S. hilarii females, including a morphometric analysis that compares\ud pituitary cells from wild and captive broodstocks during the reproductive annual cycle. The morphology of adenohypophysial cells showed differences following the reproductive cycle and the environment. In general, optical density suggested a higher cellular activity during the previtellogenic (growth hormone) and vitellogenic (somatolactin) stages in both environments. Additionally, the nucleus/cell ratio analysis suggested that growth\ud hormone and somatolactin cells were larger in wild than in captive females in most reproductive stages of the annual cycle. In contrast, prolactin hormone showed no variation throughout the reproductive cycle (in both environments). Morphometrical analyses related to reproduction of S. hilarii in different environmental conditions,\ud suggest that somatolactin and growth hormone play an important role in reproduction in teleost and can be responsible for the regulation of associated processes that indirectly affect reproductive status.FAPESP (01/10483-1)CNPq 134451/2005-

Histidine-Rich Glycoprotein Inhibits HIV-1 Infection in a pH-Dependent Manner

Histidine-rich glycoprotein (HRG) is an abundant plasma protein with a multidomain structure, allowing its interaction with many ligands, including phospholipids, plasminogen, fibrinogen, IgG antibodies, and heparan sulfate. HRG has been shown to regulate different biological responses, such as angiogenesis, coagulation, and fibrinolysis. Here, we found that HRG almost completely abrogated the infection of Ghost cells, Jurkat cells, CD4+ T cells, and macrophages by HIV-1 at a low pH (range, 6.5 to 5.5) but not at a neutral pH. HRG was shown to interact with the heparan sulfate expressed by target cells, inhibiting an early postbinding step associated with HIV-1 infection. More importantly, by acting on the viral particle itself, HRG induced a deleterious effect, which reduces viral infectivity. Because cervicovaginal secretions in healthy women show low pH values, even after semen deposition, our observations suggest that HRG might represent a constitutive defense mechanism in the vaginal mucosa. Of note, low pH also enabled HRG to inhibit the infection of HEp-2 cells and Vero cells by respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and herpes simplex virus 2 (HSV-2), respectively, suggesting that HRG might display broad antiviral activity under acidic conditions.Fil: Dantas, Ezequiel Carlos. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas en Retrovirus y Sida. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas en Retrovirus y Sida; ArgentinaFil: Díaz, Fernando Erra. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas en Retrovirus y Sida. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas en Retrovirus y Sida; ArgentinaFil: Pereyra Gerber, Federico Pehuén. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas en Retrovirus y Sida. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas en Retrovirus y Sida; ArgentinaFil: Varese, Augusto. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas en Retrovirus y Sida. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas en Retrovirus y Sida; ArgentinaFil: Jerusalinsky, Diana Alicia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Biología Celular y Neurociencia "Prof. Eduardo de Robertis". Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Biología Celular y Neurociencia; ArgentinaFil: Epstein, Alberto Luis. Université de Versailles Saint-quentin-en-yvelines.; Francia. Inserm; FranciaFil: García Rivello, Hernán J.. Hospital Italiano. Instituto Universitario. Escuela de Medicina; ArgentinaFil: del Valle Jaén, Ana. Hospital Italiano. Instituto Universitario. Escuela de Medicina; ArgentinaFil: Pandolfi, Julieta Belen. Hospital Italiano. Instituto Universitario. Escuela de Medicina; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Ceballos, Ana. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas en Retrovirus y Sida. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas en Retrovirus y Sida; ArgentinaFil: Ostrowski, Matias. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas en Retrovirus y Sida. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas en Retrovirus y Sida; ArgentinaFil: Sabatté, Juan. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas en Retrovirus y Sida. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas en Retrovirus y Sida; ArgentinaFil: Geffner, Jorge Raúl. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas en Retrovirus y Sida. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas en Retrovirus y Sida; Argentin

A ética do silêncio racial no contexto urbano: políticas públicas e desigualdade social no Recife, 1900-1940

Mais de meio século após o preconceito racial ter se tornado o principal alvo dos movimentos urbanos pelos direitos civis nos Estados Unidos e na África do Sul, e décadas depois do surgimento dos movimentos negros contemporâneos no Brasil, o conjunto de ferramentas legislativas criado no Brasil para promover o direito à cidade ainda adere à longa tradição brasileira de silêncio acerca da questão racial. Este artigo propõe iniciar uma exploração das raízes históricas desse fenômeno, remontando ao surgimento do silêncio sobre a questão racial na política urbana do Recife, Brasil, durante a primeira metade do século XX. O Recife foi eé um exemplo paradigmático do processo pelo qual uma cidade amplamente marcada por traços negros e africanos chegou a ser definida política e legalmente como um espaço pobre, subdesenvolvido e racialmente neutro, onde as desigualdades sociais originaram na exclusão capitalista, e não na escravidão e nas ideologias do racismo científico. Neste sentido, Recife lança luzes sobre a política urbana que se gerou sob a sombra do silêncio racial.More than half a century after racial prejudice became central to urban civil rights movements in the United States and South Africa, and decades after the emergence of Brazil’s contemporary Black movements, Brazil's internationally recognized body of rights-to-the-city legislation still adheres to the country's long historical tradition of racial silence. This article explores the historical roots of this phenomenon by focusing on the emergence of racial silence in Recife, Brazil during the first half of the 20th Century. Recife was and remains a paradigmatic example of the process through which a city marked by its Black and African roots came to be legally and politically defined as a poor, underdeveloped and racially neutral space, where social inequalities derived from capitalist exclusion rather than from slavery and scientific racism. As such, Recife'sexperience sheds light on the urban policies that were generated in the shadow of racial silence

Vasotocinergic control of agonistic behavior told by Neotropical fishes

The hypothalamic neuropeptides of the vasopressin-oxytocin family (and their homologs for non-mammalian species) are key modulators of the Social Brain Network, acting via specific receptors reported in all the nuclei of this network. Different conclusive examples have proven the context-dependency actions of hypothalamic nonapeptides on social behavior in several vertebrate taxa. Teleost fishes provide endless possibilities of experimental model systems to explore the underlying mechanisms of nonapeptide actions on social behavior given that they are the most diverse group of vertebrates. Although it has been difficult to identify commonalities of nonapeptide actions across species, indisputable evidence in many teleost species have demonstrated a clear role of vasotocin in the modulation of aggressive and sexual behaviors. Though Neotropical South American fish contribute an important percentage of teleost diversity, most native species remain unexplored as model systems for the study of the neuroendocrine bases of social behavior. In this review, we will revise recent data on the two model systems of Neotropical fish, South American cichlids and weakly electric fish that have contributed to this issue.Fil: Silva, Ana C.. Universidad de la República; Uruguay. Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas "Clemente Estable"; UruguayFil: Pandolfi, Matias. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Biodiversidad y Biología Experimental y Aplicada. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Biodiversidad y Biología Experimental y Aplicada; Argentin

Social control of spermatogenesis and steroidogenesis in cichlid fish: A comparative approach

Social animals with hierarchical dominance systems are susceptible to changes their environment. Interactions with conspecifics can greatly affect individual’s behavior and reproductive success. This review will show how social behavior modulates gonadal steroidogenesis and spermatogenesis in African and Neotropical cichlid fish with different social systems and how this modulation regulates reproductive capacity. Social behavior and aggressiveness are strongly linked to sex steroids, glucocorticoids and neuropeptides. The challenge hypothesis suggests that behavioral interactions increase androgen levels in response to social instability, but there is little evidence regarding estradiol levels. It has been recently demonstrated that in male Cichlasoma dimerus, a Neotropical cichlid fish, the challenge hypothesis could also be extended to estrogens. In C. dimerus, dominant males have higher gonadosomatic index than subordinated; the percentage of spermatocytes and spermatids is higher in subordinates, while dominants show a greater percentage of spermatozoa. In other species of African cichlids, socially suppressed subordinate males are not reproductively incompetent maintaining some activity at every level of their reproductive axis. Axis reactivation upon social ascent is similar to the initiation of puberty in mammals, as well as the reoccurrence of puberty observed in seasonally breeding animals. In conclusion, social behavior and reproductive strategies in females cichlids are still understudied, and Neotropical cichlids still constitute a group that deserves more attention, considering cichlids’ diversity in mating systems, reproductive behavior and parental care. This review highlights the importance of performing further studies and additional research in these two areas, which still remain to be addressed.Fil: Scaia, María Florencia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Biodiversidad y Biología Experimental y Aplicada. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Biodiversidad y Biología Experimental y Aplicada; Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Departamento de Biodiversidad y Biología Experimental; ArgentinaFil: Cavallino, Luciano. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Biodiversidad y Biología Experimental y Aplicada. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Biodiversidad y Biología Experimental y Aplicada; Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Departamento de Biodiversidad y Biología Experimental; ArgentinaFil: Pandolfi, Matias. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Biodiversidad y Biología Experimental y Aplicada. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Biodiversidad y Biología Experimental y Aplicada; Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Departamento de Biodiversidad y Biología Experimental; Argentin