Anthropometric study of male external genitalia of 320 healthy Nigerian adults

Five basic measurements of the male external genitalia were studied in 320 healthy male medical students belonging to the various parts of Nigeria (West Africa). Their ages range from 17 to 23 years. The measurements were as follows: average length of the penis (81.6 +/- 0.94 mm); circumference of the penis (88.3 +/- 0.02 mm); circumference of the scrotum (212.6 +/- 2.48 mm); length of right testis (46.8 +/- 0.54 mm); width of right testis (32.4 +/- 0.37 mm); length of left testis (46.0 +/- 0.53 mm); and width of left testis (31.4 +/- 0.36 mm). The size of the genitalia increases with the increase in age in younger year groups. The adult stages of genitalia development are reached at the age of 21 years in 89.0% of the individuals. The growth of the genitalia is continued with the increasing height and weight, but this growth slows down after attaining a definite height and weight.     

Women's Preferences for Penis Size: A New Research Method Using Selection among 3D Models

Women’s preferences for penis size may affect men’s comfort with their own bodies and may have implications for sexual health. Studies of women’s penis size preferences typically have relied on their abstract ratings or selecting amongst 2D, flaccid images. This study used haptic stimuli to allow assessment of women’s size recall accuracy for the first time, as well as examine their preferences for erect penis sizes in different relationship contexts. Women (N = 75) selected amongst 33, 3D models. Women recalled model size accurately using this method, although they made more errors with respect to penis length than circumference. Women preferred a penis of slightly larger circumference and length for one-time (length = 6.4 inches/16.3 cm, circumference = 5.0 inches/12.7 cm) versus long-term (length = 6.3 inches/16.0 cm, circumference = 4.8 inches/12.2 cm) sexual partners. These first estimates of erect penis size preferences using 3D models suggest women accurately recall size and prefer penises only slightly larger than average.     

Blood flow to the corpus cavernosum penis in the bull and goat buck during penile quiescence

Bulls and bucks were used to study the blood flow into and out of the corpus cavernosum penis (CCP) during the non-erect state of the penis. When contrast medium was injected into the dorsal artery of the penis in a bull cadaver and into surgically implanted catheters of anesthetized bucks, it flowed into the cavernous spaces of the CCP via the penetrating arteries. When contrast medium was injected directly into the CCP of the bull and buck there was no evidence of vascular exits along the body of the penis. The only venous outlets from the CCP were in the crus penis area. In the non-erect penis the vascular pressure within the CCP was 17.8 mm Hg higher in the bull and 8.3 mm Hg higher in the buck at the glans area than the crus area. During the non-erect state of the penis most of the blood flow to the CCP is from the dorsal artery of the penis via the penetrating arteries. The results showed that the pressure gradient provides the means for flow of blood from the glans area toward the base or crus penis area. This flow prevents platelet aggregation and clot formation and provides nutrition to local tissue during the long periods of non-erection.     

贵州省鼠耳蝠属一新纪录——狭耳鼠耳蝠

2010年10月在贵州省荔波县进行翼手目动物调查过程中,于荔波县洞塘乡捕获14只鼠耳蝠,经鉴定为狭耳鼠耳蝠Myotisblythii。主要鉴别特征:体型中等,前臂长64.60(60.78～67.72)mm(n=14,SD=1.71);耳狭长;耳屏直而细长,顶端尖锐;第三指最长、第五指最短;后足长约为胫长之半;无距缘膜;尾长67.99(60.56～73.82)mm(n=14,SD=3.7);雄性个体无阴茎骨,阴茎长12.58(8.42～15.72)mm(n=5,SD=2.86);颅全长24.09(23.48～24.72)mm(n=6,SD=0.55);头骨窄长;听泡发达;矢状脊较低;上颌内门齿有1个主尖和1个小附尖,外门齿小,与上犬齿分离;第2上前臼齿(P3)稍位于齿列内侧。此种鼠耳蝠为贵州省翼手目新纪录。     

Imposex expression in Hexaplex trunculus from the North Tunis Lake transplanted to Bizerta channel (Tunisia)

Adult specimens of the muricid gastropod Hexaplex trunculus were collected from their natural habitat: the Lake Club station located in the North Tunis Lake, a sampling site characterized by the absence of shipping activity and an imposex incidence of 12.9%. These specimens were transplanted to a sampling site with intense shipping traffic: the Bizerta channel, where a preliminary survey detected an imposex incidence of 100%. The transplanted specimens were tagged prior to release and periodical recaptures were made every 60 days during a study period of 8 months (from July 2004 to March 2005) in order to compare the imposex development between both sampling sites. After 5 months of exposure in the Bizerta channel, all transplanted females were affected by imposex (with the development of an incomplete male genital tract). Microscopic examinations showed that imposex begun by the development of a small portion of vas deferens located halfway between the expected position of the future penis and the vagina. The imposex indices used in this study were the imposex frequency (I (%)), the vas deferens sequence index (VDSI), the relative penis length index (RPL), the average female penis length index (FPL) and the average female vas deferens length (VDL). All these indices increased in the transplanted population as compared to the population from the original sampling site, but VDSI and VDL were considered the best indices to assess the environmental pollution by tributyltin (TBT) and its deleterious effects in H. trunculus.     

Anogenital distance and umbilical cord testosterone level in newborns in Zaria, Northern Nigeria

The anogenital distance (AGD) is the distance between the anus and the base of the penis in males and anus to fourchette (AF) distance in females and is a sexually dimorphic index that, on average, is twice as great in males as in females, so it is used as an indicator of appropiate masculine development. In this study, the anogenital distance (AGD) and anthropometric measurements such as birth weight, birth length, head circumference and placenta weight of 200 newborns (100 male, 100 female) were taken and umbilical cord serum was assayed for testosterone concentration using Radioimmunoassay (Microwell). Data obtained were analysed using Student t-test and Pearson's Correlation Analysis as applicable. Results revealed that mean total anogenital distance was 22.53±0.70mm, and it was significantly higher in males: 31.11±0.64mm than in females: 13.89±0.26mm and we observed that there was positive correlation between birth weight and AGD in females. In males head circumference correlated positively with AGD. The mean cord testosterone concentration was 2.78±0.30ng/ml in males and 2.09±0.22ng/ml in females and did not have any significant correlation with anogenital distance. It was concluded that AGD of the population studied, though high was not significantly higher than AGD in other parts of the world and umbilical cord testosterone level did not have any significant effect on AGD. Keywords: Anogenital distance, Ethnicity, Umbilical cord testosterone, Anthropometry.     

Copulatory behavior in relation to anatomical characteristics of three macaques

Anatomy of copulatory organs and patterns of copulatory behavior were studied in three species of Macaca. The copulatory behavior of the rhesus monkey (M. mulatta) and crab-eating macaque (M. fascicularis) were similar. Mounting time was longer in stump-tailed macaque (M. arctoides) (48 seconds) than in the rhesus monkey or crab-eating macaque (8.5 seconds). Species differences were correlated with anatomical differences in the female and male reproductive organs. In the stump-tailed macaque the male has a relatively long penis, and the female has an elaborate vestibular colliculus in the vestibule. Both rhesus and crab-eating macaques have a short penis, and the female has no vestibular colliculus. Under scanning electron microscope, cone-like projections (3–4 mm) were observed on the surface of the glans and corpus penis of M. arctoides. In M. fascicularis shorter projections (0.05–0.1 mm) were observed on the glans penis but not the corpus penis.     

沟牙田鼠的形态特征及分类地位探讨

沟牙田鼠是分布于中国四川西部和甘肃南部的一种罕见小型啮齿动物,迄今标本收藏甚少,种、属地位存在异议,有人认为应并入田鼠属。我们根据四川九寨沟自然保护区采到的16号不同年龄、性别的沟牙田鼠,就其牙齿形态和成年雄性的阴茎结构与其它田鼠类作了比较,发现其成体和幼体在M³和M₃形态上有很大不同。其他重要区别包括：上门齿宽大;下门齿外露部分很短,下门齿总长仅及下颌长的77％左右,远比其他田鼠小;M齿环呈圆弧形或豆形亦很特殊;成年雄性的阴茎骨近支烧瓶状,远支基部膨大与田鼠类差别很大。结果表明：沟牙田鼠属是有别于田鼠属的有效属。     

大蹼铃蟾的两性异形

2018年6—8月,测量采自云南省昆明市金殿水库后山的71只(47♂,24♀)大蹼铃蟾Bombina maxima成体的体长、头长、头宽等15项形态特征指标并检验该物种的两性异形。结果表明:雄性平均体长为53.54 mm±1.14 mm,雌性平均体长为52.74 mm±1.45 mm,雄性与雌性平均体长比为1.015,两性异性指数为0.01;大蹼铃蟾的体长、体质量与性别之间的差异无统计学意义;除了雌性的眼间距外,其余13项形态特征与体长均有极显著相关性;以体长为协变量的协方差分析结果显示,大蹼铃蟾的头长、吻长、前臂宽、腿或后肢全长、胫长、胫宽和跗足长在两性间的差异有高度统计学意义;雄性的这7项形态特征随体长的生长速率大于雌性。性选择假说能解释大蹼铃蟾的两性异形现象。     

尼日利亚非洲蜂和安徽意大利蜜蜂及其杂交二代形态特征与微卫星DNA遗传多样性

对来自安徽的意大利蜜蜂、尼日利亚非洲蜂与意大利蜂蜂王与非洲蜂雄蜂杂交所选育的杂交二代3个群体,利用形态学和微卫星DNA多态性相结合的方法进行研究。对安徽意大利蜜蜂、尼日利亚非洲蜂及其杂交二代形态特征进行测量结果是,吻长平均值分别为6.09、5.23 mm和5.53 mm,右前翅宽平均值分别为3.35、8.42 mm和8.65 mm,前翅面积平均值分别为15.18、13.23 mm2和13.95 mm2,前翅肘脉a平均值分别为0.59、0.49 mm和0.55 mm,第3+4背板长平均值分别为4.38、3.80mm和4.04 mm,差异极显著(P≤0.01)。右前翅长平均值分别为9.06、3.12 mm和3.22 mm,差异显著(0.010.05)。对3个群体进行多态检测,共检测到121个等位基因,平均每个位点的等位基因数为8.067,单个位点的等位基因数从3到13不等,表明3个群体都具有较丰富的遗传多样性。3个群体期望杂合度为0.5801至0.8526,平均期望杂合度为0.7591(0.0762)。所有位点的多态信息含量为0.5158至0.8363,平均多态信息含量为0.7283(0.0879)。3个群体的平均期望杂合度,意大利蜜蜂为0.6208,非洲蜂为0.5780,杂交二代为0.7451,非洲蜜蜂和安徽意蜂与其杂交二代之间差异均极显著,安徽意蜂与非洲蜜蜂之间差异不显著。3个群体都具有较高的杂合度和较丰富的多态性,其中杂交二代最高。意大利蜜蜂和尼日利亚非洲蜂平均遗传分化系数FST为0.0436,两个群体间的分化程度极显著,8个位点都极显著地贡献于这一结果。群体内的近交系数FIS较低,为0.070,15个位点显著地贡献于这一结果,表明非洲蜂与意大利蜜蜂的近交较少。非洲蜂和意大利蜜蜂遗传距离为0.725,Nm值为0.213,两个群体间表现出较远的遗传距离,而且彼此之间基因流动较少。安徽意蜂和非洲蜂群体间长期存在地理隔离,两个群体间形态指标差异显著,杂交二代群体形态指标低于安徽意蜂,但比尼日利亚非洲蜂均有不同程度的提高,在形态特征上体现了杂交优势,两群体杂交二代等位基因数、基因杂合度及多态信息含量等遗传多样性指标均有显著提高。     

Modified penis lengthening surgery: review of 52 cases

A modified surgical method for penis lengthening was, for the first time, set up in this laboratory. The procedure involves covering the dissected corpus cavernosum with either a scrotal flap or a skin graft after releasing the superficial ligament and even some deep suspensory ligament. The advantage of the scrotal flap is emphasized to cover the wound, and a V-Y suture was made to avoid the traction. The results, both in appearance and increased length, were satisfactory in 52 cases. Among the 52 patients, 39 suffered from congenital short penis and 13 from traumatic injuries. The significance and the blood supply of the penis are discussed.     

The superior laryngeal nerve and the superior laryngeal artery

Length, diameter and anastomoses of the nervus vagus and its ganglion inferius were measured 44 halved heads. On the average, 8.65 fiber bundles of the vagus nerve leave the retro-olivary area. In the area of the jugular foramen is the near superior ganglion of the 10th cranial nerve. In this area were found 1.48 (mean value) anastomoses with the 9th cranial nerve. 11.34 mm below the margo terminalis sigmoidea branches off the ramus internus of the accessory nerve which has a length of 9.75 mm. Further anastomoses with the 10th cranial nerve were found. The inferior ganglion of the 10th nerve had a length of 25.47 mm and a diameter of 3.46 mm. Five mm below the ganglion the 10th nerve had a width of 2.9 and a thickness of 1.5 mm. The mean length of the superior sympathetic ganglion was 26.6 mm, its width 7.2 and its thickness 3.4 mm. In nearly all specimens anastomoses of the superior sympathetic ganglion with the ansa cervicalis profunda and the inferior ganglion of the 10th cranial nerve were found. The superior laryngeal nerve branches off about 36 mm below the margo terminalis sigmoidea. The width of this nerve was 1.9 mm, its thickness 0.8 mm on the right and 1.0 mm on the left side. The division in the internal and external rami was found about 21 mm below its origin. Between the n. vagus and thyreohyoid membrane the ramus internus had a length of 64 mm, the length of external ramus between the vagal nerve and the inferior pharyngeal constrictor muscle was 89 mm. Its mean length below the thyreopharyngeal part was 10.7 mm, 8.6 branchlets to the cricothyroid muscle were counted. The superior laryngeal artery had its origin in 80% of cases in the superior thyroideal artery, in 6.8% this vessel was a branch of the external carotid artery. Its average outer diameter was 1.23 mm on the right side and 1.39 mm on the left. The length of this vessel between its origin and the thyreohyoid membrane was 34 mm. In 7% on the right side and in 13% on the left, the superior laryngeal artery reached the larynx through a foramen thyreoideum. Ranges of diameters and lengths of vessels and nerves in the larynx are given.     

蝴蝶兰红花系品种杂交种子形态及胚培养研究

对21个蝴蝶兰自交或杂交组合的种子形态进行观察和无菌培养,结果表明,蝴蝶兰不同组合的种子形态有一定差异,平均种子长、宽及种胚长、宽分别为0.292±0.025 mm、0.073±0.003 mm及0.151±0.009 mm、0.069±0.003 mm。种子萌发率及萌发所需时间因组合而异,平均萌发率为72.4%,原球茎及第一片叶出现所需时间分别为22±3 d、78±6 d,杂交组合启动萌发早、萌发率高。种子启动萌发所需时间、萌发率与果实、种子大小相关不显著,而种子启动萌发所需时间与种胚长、宽呈极显著负线性相关,表明种胚越大,萌发越快。     

Morphofunctional characterization of the reproductive system of the gastropods <Emphasis Type="Italic">Littorina brevicula,L. mandshurica</Emphasis>, and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Nucella heyseana</Emphasis> from uncontaminated and contaminated areas of Peter the Great Bay,Sea of Japan

The structure and state of the reproductive system were studied in the periwinkles Littorina brevicula and L. mandshurica from the coastal area of Vladivostok and in the dogwhelk Nucella heyseana from the protected area of Vostok Bay and from contaminated sites in Amursky Bay. These species were investigated for the presence of imposex and intersex (pathological changes caused by endocrine disruption under the influence of toxic substances). The pathological changes revealed in the gonads of Littorina were oocyte resorption and lipofuscin accumulation; an intersex condition was not found. Imposex specimens (with penis formation) were found among Nucella females from Amursky Bay. The relative penis length in females was 25% of the penis length in males. This kind of pathology was not found in Nucella from clean waters of Vostok Bay.     

Copulation in free-ranging black-handed spider monkeys (Ateles geoffroyi)

I report ad libitum data on 18 copulations involving free-ranging black-handed spider monkeys (Ateles geoffroyi) on Barro Colorado Island, Panama. All copulations were performed in a dorsoventral position, as is typically reported for this genus. Intromission often appeared difficult to achieve, possibly as a result of the large size of the glans penis in these animals. The average length from intromission to termination of thrusting exceeded 17 min, followed by an average period of almost 2 min before separation occurred, which suggests the possibility of a copulatory lock. Offspring of the female participant were almost always in close proximity to or in contact with the pair, and harassment by the offspring was observed only during the final stages of the copulation. All but one copulatory event occurred in complete seclusion from other adult males, and sexual behavior was not limited to any one adult male in the group.     

Abundance and morphometry of tuberculosa Anadara and A. similis (Mollusca: Bivalvia) in the Manglar de Purruja, Dulce Gulf, Costa Rica

The density, population, length, yield and sex proportion of the mollusks Anadara tuberculosa and A. similis were studied in Bahía de Golfito, Golfo Dulce, Pacific coast of Costa Rica from February 1998 to February 1999. A. tuberculosa was more abundant (0.9 units m(-2)), than A. similis (0.2 units m(-2)); the highest abundance was found at the canal mouths. The average lengths were 43.3 mm for A. tuberculosa and 42.8 mm for A. similis (both under the Costa Rican legal minimal length for exploitation: 47 mm). Maximum lengths were measured in the middle and upstream Canal Mayor, respectively: 43.0 mm and 43.4 mm. The correlation between length and fresh weight was 0.81 (Pearson). The average total weights were 26.2 g for A. tuberculosa and 19.1 g for A. similis. The condition index (a meat yield measurement) was higher in A. similis (21.2%) than in A. tuberculosa (17.2%). The maximum yield for both species lies in the 31-35 mm range. The male ratio was 43.7%. A species recovery plan is urgent because these results suggest both a decrease in density and illegal exploitation.     

西南大西洋阿根廷滑柔鱼生物学年间比较

将2007年2—5月、2008年3—5月、2010年1—3月我国鱿钓船在西南大西洋公海海域采集的阿根廷滑柔鱼样本,比较其不同年间的生物学特性。结果表明,渔获物雌雄比为1.14—1.50:1;3a雌性个体的胴长(体重)分别为188—346mm(110—856g)、200—364mm(145—950g)、124—276mm(72—425g),雄性个体的胴长(体重)为178—298mm(102—703g)、193—314mm(145—680g)、104—335mm(70—374g)。2010年渔获个体明显比2007和2008年小。各年间及雌、雄个体间的体重与胴长关系均存在差异(P<0.001),渔获物中年间性成熟组成差异明显,此外各年3月份渔获个体也存在显著差异。雌、雄个体的胴长平均生长率分别为0.53—1.07 mm/d、0.47—0.68 mm/d,相对生长率分别为0.24—0.41%d-1、0.23—0.33%d-1;雌、雄个体的体重平均生长率在1.70—5.25 g/d、1.64—4.59 g/d,相对生长率分别为0.92—1.37%d-1、0.86—1.40%d-1。渔汛期间,胴长、体重与时间的关系均符合指数生长曲线,但生长指数年间差异明显。综合分析认为:2007年渔获物基本上为南巴塔哥尼亚种群;2008年以南巴塔哥尼亚种群为主,但也有少量较小个体的夏季产卵种群;2010年则以夏季产卵种群为主,并有少量的南巴塔哥尼亚种群。     

Optimization of diet and culture environment for larvae and juvenile freshwater pearl mussels,Hyriopsis (Limnoscapha) myersiana Lea, 1856

Summary

Culture of the freshwater pearl mussel, Hyriopsis (Limnoscapha) myersiana, was carried out in three consecutive steps: (1) culture of glochidia larvae in artificial media, (2) rearing the early juveniles (0–120 days old) in a nursery, and (3) rearing the juveniles (120–360 days old) in an earthen pond. The percentage survival of glochidia in standard tissue culture medium (M199) supplemented with common carp plasma was 95±2.5. All surviving larvae (100%) transformed to juveniles, the duration of transformation being 8 days. The early juveniles (0–60 days old) were fed with a mixture of four selected phytoplankton species (Chlorella sp., Kirchneriella incurvata, Navicula sp. and Coccomyxa sp.). The survival rate of juveniles was 8±0.2%. The average length of these juveniles increased from 0.13±0.01 mm to 1.41±0.16 mm and the average height from 0.16±0.01 mm to 0.98±0.09 mm. Subsequently, 60–120-day juveniles were fed with one of the same four phytoplankton species or a combination of the four. Feeding the juveniles with K. incurvata resulted in the highest survival rate (65±8.32%), with an average length of 3.46±0.04 mm and an average height of 1.94±0.04 mm. Finally, the 120–360-day juveniles were cultured in an earthen pond. There were progressive changes in average weight (0.0037±0.002 g to 11.24±5.02 g), length (3.48±0.39 mm to 54.08±6.21 mm), height (1.97±0.24 mm to 25.09±2.48 mm) and width (0.98±0.06 mm to 12.28±3.21 mm) from 120 to 360 days. The average growth rates per day of these parameters were 0.0497±0.01 g, 0.2414±0.15 mm, 0.0975±0.08 mm and 0.0493±0.03 mm, respectively. H. (L.) myersiana juveniles developed the complete structural composition of the adult by 160 days, and at 360 days, gametogenesis was complete.     

应用阴茎骨鉴定雄性褐家鼠年龄组的探讨

1986年10-11月,作者在长春市研究了城市褐家鼠的种群生态。获得标本 1,214号(531,683),解剖、测量、记录了雄性睾丸重量、长度和宽度,制取了雄性阴茎骨。对其种群阴茎骨长度作了分析,并依据阴茎骨长度作褐家鼠的频数分配,对照体长、体重、睾丸及头骨等特征,划分5个年龄组。分析结果表明,应用雄性褐家鼠阴茎骨划分年龄组,其组间差异显著,组间交叉不大,相对准确,能比较接近实际年龄,故用阴茎骨长度作为划分褐家鼠种群年龄组标准是可行的。