Animal Sciences Commons^™

Lichens In The Nests Of European Starling Sturnus Vulgaris Serve A Mate Attraction Rather Than Insecticidal Function, Lucia Mariel Ibañez, Renato Andres García, Vanina Dafne Fiorini, Diego Montalti

Turkish Journal of Zoology

The European starling Sturnus vulgaris is a hole-nesting bird in which the male builds a voluminous nest using a wide variety of materials such as twigs, grass, leaves, feathers, and lichens. The function of lichens in starling nests has not been assessed until now and we hypothesize that this material is related to a mate attraction function or is used to protect nestlings from parasites due to the presence of secondary compounds with insecticidal effects with the lichens. We aimed to identify the lichen species and frequency of lichen use in European starling nests, and to determine if the presence …

Calcium And Metabolism In Sperm: Fundamental Players For Fertilization And Embryo Development, Felipe Navarrete

Doctoral Dissertations

Mammalian sperm acquire the fertilizing ability in the female tract in a process known as capacitation. At the molecular level, capacitation is associated with the up-regulation of a cAMP-dependent pathway, changes in intracellular pH, intracellular Ca²⁺, ATP consumption and an increase in tyrosine phosphorylation. However, little is known about the function of Ca²⁺ and ATP during this important process. These signaling systems interact during capacitation are still not well understood. Results presented in this study indicate that Ca²⁺ ions have a biphasic role in the regulation of cAMP-dependent signaling. Sperm incubated in zero Ca²⁺ in …

Seasonal Hormones, Female Reproductive Tract Changes, And Some Field Observations Onbreeding Activities Of The Small Indian Mongoose (Herpestes Javanicus) From Its Nativerange Of Potohar Plateau, Pakistan, Faraz Akrim, Hira Fatima, Saidia Nazir, Tariq Mahmood, Riaz Hussain, Muhammad Sajid Nadeem

Turkish Journal of Zoology

The small Indian mongoose acts as a biological control agent for rodents, snakes, and many insects in agroecosystems. Its reproductive physiology has been studied mostly from its introduced range. We investigated the reproductive pattern of the female small Indian mongoose on the Potohar Plateau, i.e. its native range. We found a male:female ratio of 0.67 (n = 52); only 16% of the live-trapped females were found to be pregnant. Elevated estradiol and progesterone levels were found during March to May. LH levels showed 2 peaks: the first during March (25.5 mIU/mL) and the second in September (29.8 mIU/mL); however, FSH …

Evaluation Of A Role For Prolactin In The Recrudescense Of Ovarian Activity In Seasonally Anovulatory Mares, Erin Lea Oberhaus

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

A series of experiments studied the possible role for prolactin in the spring-time recrudescence of ovarian activity in mares. The first experiment was based on cabergoline administration to seasonally anovulatory mares to prevent the seasonal rise in endogenous plasma prolactin to assess whether reduced prolactin altered onset of ovarian activity or first ovulation. Although prolactin concentrations were reduced, basal prolactin concentrations recovered from suppression by the time of the next injection (10 days later), even though low-dose sulpiride stimulation of prolactin was still suppressed by 85%. The subsequent experiment tested whether season affected the duration and degree of suppression produced …

Association Between Reproduction And Postpartum Cow Health During Summer Months In Dairies Located In The Great Plains Region, L. Mendonca, A. Scanavez

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Postpartum cow health has an impact on fertility of dairy cows, and impaired fertility in dairy herds ultimately influences profitability of dairy farms. During summer months, postpartum cow health and reproductive performance are affected in dairies located in the Great Plains region. The goal for this study was to evaluate farm-level associations between reproductive efficiency and postpartum cow health in dairy herds located in the Great Plains region. Data from June to August of 2010 to 2016 from 18 herds located in Colorado, Kansas, Oklahoma, Nebraska, and Texas were extracted. Overall pregnancy per AI was used as the measure of …

Case Study: Improving Heat Abatement Strategies For Lactating Dairy Cows In Southwest Kansas, L. Mendonca, A. Scanavez

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Temperature loggers attached to intravaginal devices can be used to assess severity of heat stress in dairy cows. Vaginal temperature data collected using this method can be used to evaluate effectiveness of heat abatement systems. The goal for this study was to use vaginal temperature information to evaluate the impact of implementing new heat abatement strategies in order to minimize heat stress in lactating dairy cows. Vaginal temperature of cows from 2 dairies located in southwest Kansas were assessed during summers of 2014 and 2017. Dairy A improved the heat abatement systems in 2017, while Dairy B did not. Historical …

Managing Sociality Of A Captive Female Bornean Orangutan From Breeding To Post-Partum At The Smithsonian's National Zoo, Marie Vergamini

Theses and Dissertations

The Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ Orangutan Species Survival Plan® aims to maintain 100 Bornean orangutans (Pongo pygmaeus) in captivity. Because investment in breeding these lineages is high, properly managing sociality of potential mothers is essential. This study assessed how behaviors of a captive breeding female at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo changed from pre-gestation through the offspring’s sixth month of age to improve breeding recommendations.

The infant Bornean orangutan was born September 2016. Results indicate that during breeding, the mother socialized most with two adult females. During pregnancy, the pregnant female socialized in less energy-consuming ways, i.e. grooming. …

Effects Of Increasing Dietary Lysine On Performance Of Lactating Sows In Commercial Conditions, K. M. Gourley, J. C. Woodworth, J. M. Derouchey, M. D. Tokach, S. S. Dritz, R. D. Goodband, S. J. Kitt, E. W. Stephenson

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

A total of 710 mixed parity sows (Line 241; DNA, Columbus, NE) were used in a 21-d study to determine the effect of standardized ileal digestible (SID) lysine (Lys) intake during lactation on sow and litter performance and subsequent reproductive performance of primiparous and multiparous sows housed in a commercial production system. On d 112 of gestation, females were weighed and blocked by BW within expected farrowing date and parity (1 to 7) and randomly assigned to 1 of 4 dietary treatments within blocks. Dietary treatments were corn-soybean meal-based and consisted of increasing SID Lys (0.75, 0.90, 1.05, and 1.20%). …

Local And Systemic Actions Of Gnrh Relating To Estradiol And Associated Reproductive Parameters In Beef Cattle, Jerica J.J. Rich

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

In cattle, estradiol is responsible for modulating many mechanisms involved in successful reproduction. Specifically estradiol is the primary signal for the initiation of standing estrus (Allrich, 1994), and cattle expressing estrus prior to fixed time AI (FTAI) have been reported to have increased preovulatory estradiol concentrations (Perry and Perry, 2008) and increased pregnancy success compared to animals that did not exhibit estrus (Richardson et al., 2016). Gonadotropin releasing hormone, classically, stimulates estradiol production via the two-cell two-gonadotropin hypothesis (Fortune and Quirk, 1988), and GnRH administered systemically in small doses (5 μg) has been reported to elicit an LH pulse similar …

Seasonal Pattern Of Population Dynamics, Spawning Activities, And Diet Composition Of Sardine (Sardina Pilchardus Walbaum) In The Eastern Adriatic Sea, Barbara Zorica, Vanja Cikes Kec, Olja Vi̇djak, Viktor Kraljevic, Goran Brzulja

Turkish Journal of Zoology

Monthly samples from commercial catches obtained with purse seiners operating in the Croatian fishing grounds (eastern Adriatic Sea) were collected throughout 2013, excluding January and December due to a fishing ban. Overall, 1010 sardine individuals were analyzed. Total body length ranged from 10.4 to 17.6 cm (mean ± SD: 13.9 ± 1.28 cm). Slightly larger individuals were caught during autumn at the beginning of the spawning season. Analysis of length-mass relationship showed that sardine specimens grow isometrically (b = 3.063). Seasonal oscillations of condition factor indicated that the examined specimens were in the best condition at the beginning of the …

Follicular Dynamics In Insulin Resistant Mares, Julio Cesar Prado

Masters Theses

Obesity and insulin resistance have been linked to prolonged interovulatory period, aberrations in the estrous cycle, and continuous reproductive activity during the non-breeding season. EMS has been determined to influence the intrafollicular environment of mare ovaries. In humans, insulin resistance has been linked to polycystic ovaries as part of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS). A study was conducted to determine 1) the impact of insulin resistance on follicle growth and size at ovulation, and 2) whether predicted ovulatory follicles respond to hCG administration in Insulin-resistant (IR) mares. Mares were selected for the study based on insulin sensitivity and separated into an …

Reproductive Characteristics Of Landlocked Fall Chinook Salmon From Lake Oahe, South Dakota, Kelsen L. Young, Michael E. Barnes, Jeremy L. Kientz

The Prairie Naturalist

Lake Oahe, South Dakota, USA, landlocked fall Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) reproductive characteristics were examined over a 27 year period, from 1988 to 2015. Mean total lengths of spawning females ranged from 665 mm (1995) to 812 mm (2015) with considerable year-to-year variation. Post-spawn female weights varied, ranging from 2.02 kg (2000) to 5.55 kg (2015), with an overall mean of 3.04 kg. Fecundity peaked at 4,555 eggs per female in 2003, which was just 3 years after a low of 2,011 eggs per female in 2000. Relative fecundity based on female weight was greatest at 1,211 eggs/kg …

Sex And Seasonal Differences In Diet And Nutrient Intake In Verreaux's Sifakas (Propithecus Verreauxi), Flávia Koch, Joerg U. Ganzhorn, Jessica M. Rothman, Colin A. Chapman, Claudia Fichtel

Publications and Research

Fluctuations in food availability are a major challenge faced by primates living in seasonal climates. Variation in food availability can be especially challenging for females, because of the high energetic costs of reproduction. Therefore, females must adapt the particular demands of the different reproductive stages to the seasonal availability of resources. Madagascar has a highly seasonal climate, where food availability can be extremely variable. We investigated the seasonal changes in diet composition, nutrient and energy intake of female and male sifakas (Propithecus verreauxi) in a dry deciduous forest in western Madagascar. We examined how females adjust their diet to different …

Do Female Western Mosquitofish, Gambusia Affinis, Prefer Ornaments That Males Lack?, Scott L. Kight, Olga Degtyareva, Heather Fackelman, Ariel Casner

Department of Biology Faculty Scholarship and Creative Works

Some species in the family Poeciliidae are known for extravagant male ornaments and courtship behavior (e.g. guppies), but the majority of poeciliids are characterized by coercive male copulation attempts that seem to circumvent female choice. In some lineages with male ornaments, female sensory bias may have preceded the evolution of corresponding male signals. We examined female preferences for colorful ornaments in Western mosquitofish, Gambusia affinis, in which males lack ornamentation and reproduce primarily through coercive mating attempts. We found that females exhibited a positional affinity for males that were artificially ornamented with blue coloration over males that had been …

Ten-Year Status Of The Eastern Migratory Whooping Crane Reintroduction, Richard P. Urbanek, Sara E. Zimorski, Eva K. Szyskoski, Marianne M. Wellington

Proceedings of the North American Crane Workshop

From 2001 to 2010, 132 costume-reared juvenile whooping cranes (Grus americana) were led by ultralight aircraft from Necedah National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) in central Wisconsin to the Gulf Coast of Florida on their first autumn migration (ultralight-led or UL), and 46 juveniles were released directly on Necedah NWR during autumn of the hatch year (direct autumn release or DAR). Return rate in spring was 90.5% for UL and 69.2% for DAR, the lower value of the latter attributable to 1 cohort with migration problems. Overall population survival 1 year and from 1 to 3 years post-release was 81% and 84%, …

An Investigation On Some Biological And Reproduction Characteristics Oferiphia Verrucosa (Forskål, 1775) In The South Black Sea (Turkey), Uğur Karadurmuş, Mehmet Aydin

Turkish Journal of Zoology

In this study, a total of 1360 specimens of Eriphia verrucosa were collected from the South Black Sea region of Turkey between February 2012 and January 2013 to determine their biological and reproductive characteristics. The overall sex ratio of all individuals was calculated as 1:0.42 (M/F). The mean carapace width was determined as 6.76, 5.57, and 5.62 cm for males, nonovigerous, and ovigerous females, respectively. The minimum and maximum weight was recorded as 4.07 and 301.4 g for both sexes. The highest correlation between morphological characteristics was determined for carapace length and crab weight in nonovigerous females (R2 = 0.973; …

Effects Of Lysine On Performance Of Lactating Primiparous Sows, K. M. Gourley, J. C. Woodworth, J. M. Derouchey, M. D. Tokach, S. S. Dritz, R. D. Goodband

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

A total of 111 primiparous sows (Line 241; DNA, Columbus, NE) were used in a 21-d study to determine the effect of lysine (Lys) intake during lactation on sow and litter performance and subsequent reproductive performance of primiparous sows. At d 110 of gestation, sows were weighed and randomly assigned to treatment based on weight block. Dietary treatments consisted of increasing levels of standardized ileal digestible (SID) Lys (0.80, 0.95, 1.10, and 1.25% with other AA meeting or exceeding NRC [2012] recommendations as a ratio to Lys). All other nutrients met or exceeded the NRC (2012) estimates. During the lactation …

Comparing Reproductive Capacity Of Nearshore And Offshore Red Snapper, Lutjanus Campechanus, On Artificial Reefs In The Western Gulf Of Mexico, Ricky J. Alexander

Theses and Dissertations

Red snapper collected quarterly from four artificial reefs in south Texas were examined to compare total length, total weight, age, and the proportion of male to female red snapper, calculate gonadosomatic index values, batch fecundity, annual spawning frequency, and annual fecundity, and estimate size and age at maturity. Spawning occurred from April to September, with most active spawning observed in June (58%). Despite larger red snapper producing more eggs, and fish being larger offshore, most active spawning (68%) and egg production (74%) was observed nearshore. Female red snapper reached 50% maturity (L50) between 350-550 mm, and L75 by 600 mm. …

Mate Choice In Temperate And Tropical Spiny Lobsters With Contrasting Reproductive Systems, Mark Butler Iv, Rodney Bertelsen, Alison Macdiarmid

Biological Sciences Faculty Publications

Sperm limitation of reproductive success is common in decapod crustaceans, favouring mating systems in which females compete for large males of high reproductive value. We investigated these phenomena in two species of spiny lobsters—one temperate, one tropical—with contrasting reproductive systems: the Southern Rock Lobster (Jasus edwardsii) and the Caribbean Spiny Lobster (Panulirus argus). We hypothesized that female mate selection should be more pronounced in the temperate J. edwardsii than in the tropical P. argus because J. edwardsii matures later, has a shorter mating season, and produces just one clutch of eggs per year that benefit from …

The Reproductive Ecology Of The Timber Rattlesnake, Crotalus Horridus, In Northwestern Arkansas: Interactions Between Environment, Steroid Hormones, And Life History, Craig Michael Lind

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

In this dissertation I examined the relationship between individual energetic status, hormone production, and life history trait expression in field-active Timber Rattlesnakes, Crotalus horridus. In chapter one I reviewed what is known regarding these relationships in snakes and defined major research goals. In chapter two I described the seasonal profile of testosterone (T) and corticosterone (CORT) in relation to the breeding season and to individual energetic status in males. Results showed that the seasonal pattern of T production in C. horridus was different than other pit viper species with similar mating patterns. Testosterone was elevated in the months leading up …

Parasite Infection Mediates Trait Tradeoffs In Fundulus Heteroclitus, Sarah Dunn

Honors College Theses

To be successful, an animal must eat, grow, and reproduce. With limited resources, there are tradeoffs between these critical life history parameters but the direction of the tradeoffs is largely unknown in a changing environment. To determine whether environmental context affects life-history tradeoffs, I surveyed and quantified investment into reproduction, growth, and a proxy for immunity (parasitism), in the mummichog, Fundulus heteroclitus, a common inhabitant of salt marshes in Georgia. Three salt marsh sites along coastal Georgia (Shellman Bluff, Skidaway Island, and Tybee Island) were selected using a proxy for anthropogenic disturbance (impervious surface), which also fell along a …

Analysis Of Long-Term Selection (28 Generations) For Reproduction, Growth, And Carcass Traits In Swine, Wan-Ling Hsu

Wan-Ling Hsu

The objectives were 1) to estimate responses from 28 generations of selection for increased pigs born alive (BA) with additional selection for increased 180 d weight (WT) and longissimus muscle area (LMA) and decreased backfat (BF) in the last eight generations, 2) to estimate genetic parameters for an array of traits, and 3) to investigate whether a plateau in response for BA has occurred. All lines were derived from the same Large White/Landrace composite population. Index selection for ovulation rate and embryo survival (G0-11) was initiated in L2 in 1981; L1 was selected randomly control line for L2 (G0-23). L2 …

Growth And Reproduction Of Cyprinion Macrostomus (Heckel, 1843) And Cyprinion Kais (Heckel, 1843) Populations In Karakaya Dam Lake (Euphrates River), Turkey, Aysel Alkan Uçkun, Di̇dem Gökçe

Turkish Journal of Zoology

This study investigated the age-length relationship, length-weight relationship, somatic condition, gonadosomatic index, and reproduction properties of Cyprinion macrostomus and Cyprinion kais. C. Kais is an endemic species included on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species in the Tigris-Euphrates Basin. A total of 153 C. Macrostomus and 114 C. Kais were collected. The estimated length-weight relationships were W = 0.725 × FL2.92 (r2 = 0.87) for C. Macrostomus and W = 0.417 × FL3.02 (r2 = 0.93) for C. Kais. The age-length relationships were Lt = 15.0 [1 - e-0.212 (t + 0.407)] and Lt = 15.4 [1 - e-0.205 …

Reproduction, Postnatal Development, And Social Behavior Of Ellobius Lutescens Thomas, 1897 (Mammalia: Rodentia) In Captivity, Alaetti̇n Kaya, Yüksel Coşkun

Turkish Journal of Zoology

The reproduction, postnatal development, and social behaviors of the Transcaucasian mole vole (Ellobius lutescens) were studied in the laboratory in 2012/2013. The collected voles were kept in glass cages in captivity conditions and observations were made throughout the year. The litter size, gestation period, neonate weight, eye-opening, weaning, and earliest sexual maturity age were observed. Pups were born with 'nipple-seizing incisors'. These incisors were different from those of adults. The molars and normal incisor eruption appeared after 19-21 days. Females have three pairs of nipples. The adult females were bigger in size than the males, yet the males consumed more …

Assessing Age, Growth, And Reproduction Of Alburnus Mossulensis And Acanthobrama Marmid (Cyprinidae) Populations In Karakaya Dam Lake (Turkey), Aysel Alkan Uçkun, Di̇dem Gökçe

Turkish Journal of Zoology

In total, 626 individuals of Alburnus mossulensis and 586 individuals of Acanthobrama marmid were collected monthly from Karakaya Dam Lake on the upper Euphrates River. The gonadosomatic index, somatic condition, oocyte size, and fecundity were calculated on a monthly basis. Reading of scales indicated that the maximum age was 4+ years for A. mossulensis and A. marmid. The estimated length-weight relationships were W = 0.206 × FL^{2.065} for females and W = 0.119 × FL^{2.138} for males in A. mossulensis, and W = 0.029 × FL^{2.678} for females and W = 0.030 × FL^{2.631} for males in A. marmid. Growth …

The Reproductive Biology Of The Finetooth Shark, Carcharhinus Isodon, In The Northwest Atlantic Ocean, Amanda N. Brown

UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Shark fisheries are a multimillion dollar industry in the United States and have significant contributions both recreationally and commercially. In order to maintain this industry, fisheries must be properly managed. An understanding of life history and reproduction is crucial in order to adequately manage shark fisheries. The finetooth shark, Carcharhinus isodon, is a member of the small coastal shark (SCS) fishery complex. It is found in Atlantic waters from South Carolina to Florida and throughout the Gulf of Mexico. This species has recently come under increased fishing pressure and has previously been overfished. New data is needed in order …

The Effect Of Parental Size On Spermatophore Production, Egg Quality, Fertilization Success, And Larval Characteristics In The Caribbean Spiny Lobster, Panulirus Argus, Mark J. Butler Iv, Alison Macdiarmid, Gaya Gnanalingam

Biological Sciences Faculty Publications

The average size of spiny lobsters (Decapoda; Palinuridae) has decreased worldwide over the past few decades. Market forces coupled with minimum size limits compel fishers to target the largest individuals. Males are targeted disproportionately as a consequence of sexual dimorphism in spiny lobster size (i.e. males grow larger than females) and because of protections for ovigerous females. Therefore, overexploitation of males has led to sperm limitation in several decapod populations with serious repercussions for reproductive success. In the Caribbean spiny lobster, Panulirus argus, little is known about the effect of reduced male size on fertilization success or the role …

Atrazine Influence On Northern Pike Sperm Motility And Viability In Minnesota, Andy Stevens, Paul Pallardy

Journal of Undergraduate Research at Minnesota State University, Mankato

Concern has been noted by fish hatchery biologists with the Department of Natural Resources that southern Minnesota northern pike Esox lucius populations have exhibited reduced hatching rates, a trend not occurring with northern Minnesota pike populations. The chemical atrazine is a frequently used herbicide in Minnesota and has been found to cause gonadal dysgenesis and reproductive development issues in amphibians and fish. Sperm, length, and age data were collected from northern pike in four Minnesota lakes. Water samples were obtained from two of the lakes to test for atrazine. Test results indicated atrazine concentrations0.10 and r2 < 0.06 for all regressions). Sperm motility reductions in northern pike could be related to declining populations and warrants further research.

Effects Of Pubertal Status And Number Of Estrous Cycles Prior To Breeding In Beef Heifers, Average Daily Gain On Reproductive Performance And Comparison Of Two Fixed Time Ai Estrus Synchronization Protocols, Rebecca Vraspir

Department of Animal Science: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Reproductive success is the most important factor in beef cattle production and is affected by timing of pubertal onset in heifers, and reproductive biotechnologies utilized. Three studies were conducted to evaluate the effects of pubertal status, ADG, and 2 fixed time AI protocols on reproductive success in beef heifers.

In the first study, heifers that were pubertal prior to breeding had a greater AI and overall pregnancy rate; produced more calves born within the first 21 d of the calving season; and weaned older, heavier calves than non-pubertal heifers. Additionally, heifers that had ≥2 estrous cycles, prior to the first …

Influence Of Steroids And Gonadotropins On Reproduction In Beef Cattle, Thomas L. Devine

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The objective of this thesis was to evaluate the influence of steroids and gonadotropins on reproduction in beef cattle. In experiment 1, beef heifers were used to determine the influence of growth-promoting implants on growth, reproductive development, estrous behavior, and pregnancy rate. Heifers were assigned to 1 of 4 implant treatment groups: control (CON); trenbolone acetate (TBA); trenbolone acetate plus estradiol (TBA+E2) or zeranol (ZER). Heifers were implanted once, A.I. and exposed to bull during this experiment. Body weight, BCS, HH, RTS, estrous behavior and pregnancy data were collected throughout this experiment. Average daily gain of heifers was greater for …