Semen quality, testicular B-mode and Doppler ultrasound, and serum testosterone concentrations in dogs with established infertility

Retrospective examination of breeding records enabled the identification of 10 dogs of normal fertility and 10 dogs with established infertility of at least 12 months of duration. Comparisons of testicular palpation, semen evaluation, testicular ultrasound examination, Doppler ultrasound measurement of testicular artery blood flow, and measurement of serum testosterone concentration were made between the two groups over weekly examinations performed on three occasions. There were no differences in testicular volume (cm3) between the two groups (fertile right testis = 10.77 ± 1.66; fertile left testis = 12.17 ± 2.22); (infertile right testis = 10.25 ± 3.33; infertile left testis = 11.37 ± 3.30), although the infertile dogs all had subjectively softer testes compared with the fertile dogs. Infertile dogs were either azoospermic or when they ejaculated, they had lower sperm concentration, sperm motility, and percentage of morphologically normal spermatozoa than fertile dogs. Furthermore, infertile dogs had reduced sperm membrane integrity measured via the hypoosmotic swelling test. Infertile dogs had significantly lower basal serum testosterone concentrations (1.40 ± 0.62 ng/mL) than fertile dogs (1.81 ± 0.87 ng/mL; P < 0.05). There were subjective differences in testicular echogenicity in some of the infertile dogs, and important differences in testicular artery blood flow with lower peak systolic and end-diastolic velocities measured in the distal supratesticular artery, marginal testicular artery, and intratesticular artery of infertile dogs (P < 0.05). Notably, resistance index and pulsatility index did not differ between infertile and fertile dogs. These findings report important differences between infertile and fertile dogs which may be detected within an expanded breeding soundness examination

Reproductive behavior of the mangrove crab Ucides cordatus (Crustacea; Brachyura; Ucididae)

The aim of the present work was to study the reproductive behavior of the mangrove crab (Ucides cordatus) in the estuary of the Igaraçú River (Piauí, Brazil). Courtship and mating were observed in December 2007 and in January-March 2009. The most frequently observed reproductive behavior was the transference of eggs onto the abdomen of the female. Some disputes between males and some copulations were observed. The males mated with more than one female each night and all mating activity occurred at night. The establishment of a closed season coinciding with the mating season represented an effective strategy for the preservation of the species when the socioeconomic situation of the community of gatherers was taken into account

Perfil sócio-econômico e saber etnobiológico do catador de caranguejo-uçá, Ucides cordatus (Linnaeus, 1763) da Área de Proteção Ambiental do Delta do Rio Parnaíba

The aim of this study was to establish the socio-economic profile of the gatherers of caranguejo-uçá working in the Environmental Preservation Area (APA) in the Parnaíba River Delta, and to assess their knowledge of the biology and the interaction with the environment and the protection laws regarding this species. Twenty-six gatherers were interviewed from August 2005 through July 2006. They were questioned about their social situation, their folk knowledge on the biology of these crabs, the ways used to capture them, and how they perceive the protection of the mangrove environment. All the interviewees were males, ranging from 16 to 51 years old. They caught around 51 crabs/day during the rainy season and around 83 in the dry season. The gatherers went to the mangrove forest about 4 times per week. Their monthly household income was R$291.00. Out of 26 gatherers, 92.31$291,00. Dos catadores, 92,3% afirmaram conhecer o período de defeso, porém, destes apenas 61,5% conheciam o período correto. De acordo com os catadores, o período de muda do caranguejo ocorre de agosto a outubro, mesmos meses citados para ocorrência do “caranguejo-leite”. Eles reconhecem e respeitam o período da “andada” que ocorre de janeiro a março. A ocorrência de fêmeas ovígeras acontece em sincronia com a “andada”, de janeiro a abril. Os catadores afirmam que os caranguejos se alimentam de folhas, raízes e brotos, e que seus principais predadores são o macaco-prego e o guaxinim. Entre eles, 69,2% perceberam a diminuição do tamanho do pescado e o aumento do esforço na captura. O estudo do conhecimento etnobiológico dos catadores pode servir de base para trabalhos que visem à preservação desse pescado, assim como para a conservação e exploração sustentável do seu ecossistema

Reproductive tactics optimizing the survival of the offspring of Cichlasoma orientale (Perciformes: Cichlidae)

High mortality rates have been observed in Teleost during early developmental stages, as well as great variations in reproductive tactics, which are related to adaptations towards environmental conditions and ecological niches for which different species have a specific response. The objective of this study was to describe reproductive tactics related to the survival of Cichlasoma orientale offspring, including aspects of body size, parental care, fecundity, oocyte size and spawning patterns. Samples were performed monthly from August 2011 to July 2013, in lentic and lotic environments at Curu river basin, Brazilian Northeastern semiarid region. Individual behavior (n=113) was observed underwater for over 50 hours by ad libitum sampling and focal-animal sampling. Collected individuals (males n=185, females n=95) were evaluated regarding the standard length, batch fecundity, oocyte size and spawning pattern. In females with mature ovaries, oocyte groups at different developmental stages were observed, these cells were counted and measured, and fecundity was estimated by the gravimetric method. Our results showed that the species displayed biparental care behavior and, on average, males were larger than females. Based on 46 ovaries, the average batch fecundity was 2 052±849 (range: 254-3 389). Standard length and batch fecundity were positively correlated, but no correlation was found between oocyte size and standard length. The maximum diameter observed in the most developed oocytes was 1.8mm. The observed distribution of oocyte size classes indicated synchronous oocyte development in three groups: previtellogenic, vitellogenic and mature, showing that C. orientale is a multiple spawner. Differences in the amount of oocytes among the three groups were observed, with the most developed group showing the smallest number of oocytes. The combination of low fecundity and large egg size is characteristic of demersal spawners due to a greater environmental stability. Multiple spawning increases chances of survival mainly because of increased fecundity per reproductive season, and the reduced competition among the offspring. We concluded that C. orientale makes a heavy investment in larval survival in detriment of the offspring number. Survival is favored by the large size of oocytes, large yolk reserve, biparental care and multiple spawning pattern

Tácticas reproductivas para optimizan la supervivencia de la descendencia de Cichlasoma orientale (Perciformes: Cichlidae)

High mortality rates have been observed in Teleost during early developmental stages, as well as great variations in reproductive tactics, which are related to adaptations towards environmental conditions and ecological niches for which different species have a specific response. The objective of this study was to describe reproductive tactics related to the survival of Cichlasoma orientale offspring, including aspects of body size, parental care, fecundity, oocyte size and spawning patterns. Samples were performed monthly from August 2011 to July 2013, in lentic and lotic environments at Curu river basin, Brazilian Northeastern semiarid region. Individual behavior (n=113) was observed underwater for over 50 hours by ad libitum sampling and focal-animal sampling. Collected individuals (males n=185, females n=95) were evaluated regarding the standard length, batch fecundity, oocyte size and spawning pattern. In females with mature ovaries, oocyte groups at different developmental stages were observed, these cells were counted and measured, and fecundity was estimated by the gravimetric method. Our results showed that the species displayed biparental care behavior and, on average, males were larger than females. Based on 46 ovaries, the average batch fecundity was 2 052±849 (range: 254-3 389). Standard length and batch fecundity were positively correlated, but no correlation was found between oocyte size and standard length. The maximum diameter observed in the most developed oocytes was 1.8mm. The observed distribution of oocyte size classes indicated synchronous oocyte development in three groups: previtellogenic, vitellogenic and mature, showing that C. orientale is a multiple spawner. Differences in the amount of oocytes among the three groups were observed, with the most developed group showing the smallest number of oocytes. The combination of low fecundity and large egg size is characteristic of demersal spawners due to a greater environmental stability. Multiple spawning increases chances of survival mainly because of increased fecundity per reproductive season, and the reduced competition among the offspring. We concluded  that C. orientale makes a heavy investment in larval survival in detriment of the offspring number. Survival is favored by the large size of oocytes, large yolk reserve, biparental care and multiple spawning pattern.Las altas tasas de mortalidad se han observado en teleósteos durante las etapas iniciales del desarrollo, así como una gran variación en las tácticas reproductivas, que están relacionados con adaptaciones a las condiciones ambientales y nichos ecológicos con cada especie que presenta una respuesta específica. El objetivo de este estudio fue describir las tácticas reproductivas relacionadas con la supervivencia de la descendencia de Cichlasoma orientale, incluyendo aspectos tales como el tamaño corporal, el cuidado parental, la fecundidad, el tamaño de los ovocitos y los patrones de desove. Las muestras se recolectaron mensualmente desde agosto 2011 hasta julio 2013, en ambientes lénticos y lóticos en la cuenca del río Curu, región semiárida del noreste de Brasil. El comportamiento individual (n=113) se observó bajo el agua durante más de 50 horas por un muestreo ad libitum y muestreo de grupos focales. Para los individuos recolectados (n=185 machos, hembras n=95) se evaluó: la longitud, la fecundidad por camada, el tamaño estándar de los ovocitos y el patrón de desove. En las hembras con ovarios maduros, se observó la cantidad de grupos de ovocitos en diferentes etapas de desarrollo y estas células fueron contadas y medidas y la fecundidad se estimadó por el método gravimétrico. Las especies muestran un comportamiento de cuidado biparental y, en promedio, los machos son más grandes que las hembras. Con base en 46 ovarios, la fecundidad promedio de lotes fue de 2 052±849 (254-3 389). Longitud estándar y fecundidad parcial se correlacionaron positivamente, pero no se encontró correlación entre el tamaño de los ovocitos y la longitud estándar. Los oocitos más desarrollados miden 1.8mm. La distribución observada de las clases de tamaño de los ovocitos indica desarrollo de los ovocitos sincrónico en tres grupos: previtelogénicos, vitelogénicos y maduros, lo que demuestra que C. orientale es una especie con desova múltiple. Se observaron diferencias en la cantidad de ovocitos entre los tres grupos, con el grupo más desarrollada que muestra el menor número de ovocitos. La combinación de la baja fecundidad y gran tamaño del huevo es una característica de los reproductores demersales, debido a una mayor estabilidad del medio ambiente. Múltiples desoves aumenta las posibilidades de supervivencia, principalmente debido al aumento de la fecundidad por temporada reproductiva y reducción de la competencia entre la descendencia. Llegamos a la conclusión de que C. orientale hace una fuerte inversión en la supervivencia de las larvas en detrimento del número de descendientes. La supervivencia se ve favorecida por el gran tamaño de los ovocitos, gran reserva de yema de huevo, cuidado biparental y patrón de desove múltiple