Seasonal adiposity and androstenedione production as a possible mechanism for asynchronous reproductive activity between males and females of vespertilionid bat, Scotophilus heathi.
Relationship between changes in the body weight and circulating androstenedione concentration was examined in order to find out their involvement in asynchronous gametic cycle of male and female S. heathi. Body weight of both male and female bats increased from September due to accumulation of white adipose tissue and reached to a peak in November. The body weight declined gradually due to consumption of adipose tissue during December and January reaching basal level in February. A significant correlation between body weight and serum androstenedione concentration was observed. Correlated with maximum body weight, peak androstenedione level was found during November in both male and female bats. Peak androstenedione level during November may be responsible for stimulating spermatogenesis in the male, but may suppress follicular growth and ovulation in the female, thus resulting in asynchronous gametic cycle of male and female S. heathi.
Krishna
A
A
Department of Zoology, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India. akrishna@banaras.ernet.in
Abhilasha
Singh
K
K
D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000502:physiology*; D000735:Androstenedione / Q000097:blood*; D000818:Animals; D001835:Body Weight; D002685:Chiroptera / Q000502:physiology*; D004622:Embryo, Mammalian; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D010507:Periodicity; D012098:Reproduction / Q000502:physiology*; D012621:Seasons; D012737:Sex Factors; D014599:Uterus
D000735:Androstenedione