Evaluation of the Breeding Soundness of Male Camels (Camelus dromedarius) via Clinical Examination,Semen Analysis,Ultrasonography and Testicular Biopsy: A Summary of 80 Clinical Cases

Male camel infertility is a heterogeneous disorder. A variety of factors may adversely affect sperm production and function and impair fertility. This study was designed to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of ultrasonography and testicular biopsy in the evaluation of the breeding soundness of male dromedaries compared with results obtained by clinical examination and semen analysis. Eighty‐four male dromedary camels (5–15 years old) were used in this study during the rutting season (November–May). Four sexually mature male camels were used as controls. These animals were apparently healthy and had histories of normal fertility. Eighty infertile male camels were subjected to an algorithmic approach based on information collected during careful examinations of the camels' breeding histories, clinical examinations, testicular evaluations, testicular ultrasonographies, the results of the semen analyses and testicular biopsies to diagnose the camels' infertilities. The differences in the semen parameters between the control and infertile male camels were highly significant (p < 0.01). Regarding the diagnoses of male camel infertility, the results of testicular ultrasonographies and biopsies were compared with those from the semen analyses, and the accuracies of these tests were 92.5% and 90%, respectively. Additionally, the results of the testicular ultrasonographies were matched with those of the testicular biopsies of the infertile animals, and this comparison resulted in 85% accuracy. Testicular biopsy is a promising method that, along with a carefully performed history, clinical examination, an appropriate testicular ultrasonography procedure and semen analysis, can afford veterinarians the opportunity for more precise diagnosis and treatment of many dromedary infertility disorders.     

Sexual dimorphism,survival and dispersal in red deer

A detailed and extensive mark-recapture-recovery study of red deer on the island of Rum forms the basis of the modeling of this article. We analyze male and female deer separately, and report results for both in this article, but use the female data to demonstrate our modeling approach. We provide a model-selection procedure that allows us to describe the survival by a combination of age-classes, with common survival within each class, and senility, which is modeled continuously as a parametric function of age. Dispersal out of the study area is modeled separately. Survival and dispersal probabilities are examined for the possible influence of both environmental and individual covariates, including a range of alternative measures of population density. The resulting model is succinct and biologically realistic. We compare and contrast survival rates of male and female deer of different ages and compare the factors that affect their survival. We demonstrate large differences in the rate of senescence between males and females even though their senescence begins at the same age. The differences between the sexes suggest that, in population modeling of sexually size-dimorphic species, it is important to identify sex-specific survival functions.     

Sex determination in malaria parasites

A century ago, W. G. MacCallum identified distinct male and female forms in malaria parasites of both birds and humans. Since then, scientists have been puzzled by the high female-to-male ratios of parasites in Plasmodium infections and by the mechanism of sex determination. The sex ratio of malaria parasites was shown to become progressively more male as conditions that allow motility and subsequent fertilization by the male parasites become adverse. This resulted from an increased immune response against male gametes, which coincides with intense host erythropoietic activity. Natural and artificial induction of erythropoiesis in vertebrate hosts provoked a shift toward male parasite production. This change in parasite sex ratio led to reduced reproductive success in the parasite, which suggests that sex determination is adaptive and is regulated by the hematologic state of the host.     

The dispersal of Culicoides brevitarsis in eastern New South Wales and associations with the occurrences of arbovirus infections in cattle

Distributions of the vector Culicoides brevitarsis Kieffer (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) (determined from light trap data) and 2 arboviruses (determined from seroconversions in sentinel cattle) were studied in eastern New South Wales in 1993–94. C brevitarsis was recorded progressively from endemic areas on the north coast, to Nowra on the south coast, and westward to Scone, in the Hunter Valley. C brevitarsis also survived through winter at Paterson, in the Hunter Valley. Its apparently focal reappearance in this marginal area had no obvious effect on the broad pattern of its progression or the dispersal of Akabane and bluetongue viruses. These viruses were first recorded from foci near Coffs Harbour, on the mid-north coast. Their first occurrences at different locations were associated with those of C brevitarsis, but not with each other. The viruses were found only within the recorded limits of the vector's distribution. Delays between the initial occurrence of C brevitarsis and first evidence of virus transmissions at locations ranged from 2 to 7 months. The delays decreased away from the points of focus and were negatively associated with the time of initial occurrence of the vector. Seroconversions to the viruses were related to the presence of C brevitarsis. However, the densities of C brevitarsis had no apparent effect on the initial numbers of cattle seroconverting to either virus. The results support the conclusion that the progressions of C brevitarsis and Akabane and bluetongue viruses were the result of gradual movements by the vector.     

Plasma progesterone and luteinising hormone levels in cattle after synchronisation of oestrus with dinoprost

The plasma levels of progesterone and luteinising hormone (LH) were monitored in a group of cattle after pretreatment with two injections of 25 mg dinoprost. Close groupings of preovulatory LH peaks were observed and the possible significance of this is discussed. Based on the findings of this study, supporting evidence is provided for the timing of insemination after injection of cattle which have been synchronised for oestrus with dinoprost.     

Reproductive characteristics of the fishery important temperate demersal berycid Centroberyx gerrardi indicate greater reproductive output in regions of upwelling

The reproductive biology of Centroberyx gerrardi (Günther) was investigated across ~2,000 km of its southern Australian distribution, encompassing different jurisdictions and varying environmental features. Greater gonad mass and prevalence of spawning fish, along with lower ratios of lengths at maturity:maximum lengths and ages at maturity:maximum ages, were identified at the western‐most (Capes) and eastern‐most (Great Australian Bight; GAB) regions. Across the study region, spawning peaks in summer/autumn, when water temperatures are warmest. Regional differences in potential “reproductive output,” while not consistent with the eastward decline in mean monthly water temperature, may instead be related to summer upwelling in the Capes and GAB, driving greater oceanic productivity prior to peak spawning, supporting larval survival. In autumn, the prevailing southward and eastward flowing, downwelling Leeuwin Current (LC) strengthens, providing a dispersal mechanism along the west and south Australian coasts, but limiting upwelling effects. Predicted changes in environmental conditions and their potential impacts on C. gerrardi are discussed, in particular how these factors may affect recruitment to stocks and fisheries, requiring a better understanding of source‐sink relationships for this species. As environmental changes occur, management strategies to sustain fish resources must adapt to spatially variable and changing reproductive output and be collaborative across jurisdictions.