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- Title
Seasonal variation of energy reserves and reproduction in neotropical free-tailed bats Molossus molossus (Chiroptera: Molossidae).
- Authors
Barros, M. S.; Morais, D. B.; Araújo, M. R.; Carvalho, T. F.; Matta, S. L. P.; Pinheiro, E. C.; Freitas, M. B.
- Abstract
Seasonal variation is a key factor regulating energy metabolism and reproduction in several mammals, including bats. This study aimed to track seasonal changes in the energy reserves of the insectivorous bat Molossus molossus associ-ated with its reproductive cycle. Adult males were collected during the four neotropical annual seasons in Vinosa - MG, Brazil. Blood and tissues were collected for metabolic analysis and testes were removed for histology and morpho-metry. Our results show that liver and breast muscle glycogen concentrations were significantly lower in winter. The adiposity index was significantly higher in the fall compared to winter and spring. Seminiferous tubules were greater in diameter in animals captured in fall and winter, indicating a higher investment in spermatic production during these seasons. The percentage of Leydig cells was higher in summer compared to fall and winter. We suggest that M. molossus presents a type of seasonal reproduction with two peaks of testicular activity: one in fall, with higher spenti production (spermatogenesis), and another in summer, with higher hormone production (steroidogenesis). The meta-bolic pattern may be associated with reproductive events, especially due to the highest fat storage observed in the fall, which coincides with the further development of the seminiferous tubules.
- Subjects
LATIN America; SEASONAL physiological variations; FREE-tailed bats; MOLOSSUS molossus; BAT reproduction; ENERGY metabolism; MAMMAL reproduction; SPERMATOGENESIS
- Publication
Brazilian Journal of Biology, 2013, Vol 73, Issue 3, p629
- ISSN
1519-6984
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1590/S1519-69842013000300022