Thyroid hormones, testosterone, and estradiol-17 beta in plasma of Epomops franqueti (Tomes, 1860) (Chiroptera) in the rain forest of the Equator.
Using Japanese catching nets a total of 77 males and 37 females of the fruit eating bat Epomops franqueti (Megachyroptera) were captured during a period of 1 year around Kisangani (Zaïre). Adult males with white epaulets weighing 143 +/- 3.6 g (18) had their testes present in the scrotum and higher plasma concentrations of thyroxine (T4) and testosterone than adult males without epaulets and with abdominal testes (weight 107.5 +/- 2.0 g (39)) or juveniles (72.7 +/- 2.8 g (20)). Mean embryo weight of pregnant bats was 4.26 +/- 1.09 g (12) ranging from 1.8 to 14.8 g whereas body weight of mothers (+ embryos) was 117.0 +/- 3.6 g (12). Body weight of nonpregnant bats was 107.3 +/- 2.1 (10) and of female juveniles 74.6 +/- 4.3 (15). Plasma concentrations of triiodothyronine (T3) were lowest in nonpregnant adults and comparable in juveniles and pregnant bats. No difference in plasma T4 concentrations was found between all groups. Estradiol-17 beta concentrations were three times higher in pregnant bats compared to nonpregnant ones or juveniles. A possible relationship between these high figures and elevated T3 values has been discussed.
Ifuta
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Department of Ecology, University of Kisangani, Zaïre.
Gevaerts
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Kühn
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D000818:Animals; D002685:Chiroptera / Q000097:blood*; D015023:Democratic Republic of the Congo; D004958:Estradiol / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D011247:Pregnancy; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood*; D013974:Thyroxine / Q000097:blood*; D014284:Triiodothyronine / Q000097:blood*
D014284:Triiodothyronine; D013739:Testosterone; D004958:Estradiol; D013974:Thyroxine