Literaturdatenbank
Literaturdatenbank |
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Sousa, A. L., Campos-Junior, P. H. A., Costa, G. M. J., & França, L. R. D. (2014). Spermatogenic cycle length and sperm production in the freshwater turtle kinosternon scorpioides. Biology of Reproduction, (published online before print).
Added by: Sarina Wunderlich (06 Jul 2014 16:17:22 UTC) |
| Resource type: Journal Article DOI: 10.1095/biolreprod.113.112391 BibTeX citation key: Sousa2014 View all bibliographic details  |
Categories: General Keywords: Cuora yunnanensis, Fortpflanzung - reproduction, Geoemydidae, Schildkröten - turtles + tortoises Creators: Campos-Junior, Costa, França, Sousa Collection: Biology of Reproduction |
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| Abstract |
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Kinosternon scorpioides is a Brazilian freshwater turtle that belongs to the class of Reptilia, encompassing almost ten thousand species. Nevertheless, very little is known about testicular quantitative parameters, particularly those related to spermatogenesis in this vertebrate class. Our main objectives were to investigate in detail the structure and function of the testis in K. scorpioides, particularly the aspects related to spermatogenic cycle length and Sertoli cell (SC) and spermatogenic efficiencies. Nine sexually mature turtles were examined and intraperitoneal BrdU injections were administered to estimate duration of spermatogenesis. Based on the acrosome development in spermatids and the overall germ cell associations, ten stages of the seminiferous epithelium cycle were characterized. Similar to birds, humans and some primate species, several stages were observed per seminiferous tubule cross-sections. One spermatogenic cycle and the entire spermatogenic process lasted respectively ~12 and ~53 days. The SC efficiency (round spermatids per SC) and daily sperm production per gram of testis were respectively ~20 and ~40 million. As established for mammals, our findings suggest that SC efficiency is also a critical determinant of sperm production in reptiles. To our knowledge, this is the first study to investigate the kinetics of spermatogenesis and testis function in any reptilian species. Besides allowing a better understanding of reproductive biology in reptiles, this data will be useful in comparative studies. Moreover, these results could provide the basis for investigations related to the evaluation of spermatogonial stem cell physiology and niche in Kinosternon scorpioides.
Added by: Sarina Wunderlich |