[Seasonal changes in seminiferous tubules and Leydig cells of hibernating bats].
We studied the seasonal course of Leydig cells combined with spermatogenesis and blood testosterone concentrations. The reproductive cycle of Pipistrellus kuhli kuhli and Eptesicus serotinus is characterized by seminiferous tubules which reactivate after a period of complete quiescence extending for the whole winter hibernating sleep and spring (March-June) periods. During hibernation, Leydig cells show ultrastructural features which stress a low secretory activity with corresponding low concentration of blood testosterone. With the beginning of summer, Leydig cells increase their metabolic activity reaching a top in the mating season (fall) when also blood testosterone and spermatogenesis reach the highest levels. The authors, after some comparative morphological considerations with different hibernating animals, assert that the reproductive processes of these two bats are not strictly species-linked, but rather dependent, besides seasonal thermal changes, upon habitat and feeding sources.
Orlandini
G
G
Istituto di Anatomia Umana Normale, Università degli Studi di Parma.
Gatti
R
R
D000818:Animals; D002685:Chiroptera / Q000097:blood / Q000502:physiology*; D006605:Hibernation; D007985:Leydig Cells / Q000502:physiology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008297:Male; D012098:Reproduction; D012621:Seasons; D012671:Seminiferous Tubules / Q000502:physiology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D013091:Spermatogenesis; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood
D013739:Testosterone
Modificazioni stagionali dei tubuli seminiferi e delle cellule di Leydig in pipistrelli ibernanti.