白暨豚“淇淇”性自慰行为周期的研究

观察了人工饲养条件下成年雄性白暨豚“淇淇”性自慰行为的表达方式及其变化周期。性自慰行为有腹部贴池底、贴池壁和阴茎外露三种主要表现形式,性自慰行为有季节性变化趋势,腹部贴池底行为全年都发生,贴池壁行为和阴茎外露行为有明显的春季,秋季两个高峰,且春季高于秋季,性自慰行为发生的周期性变化是豚性腺活动的表现形式,性自慰性行为发生的先后顺序为贴池底、贴池壁和伸出阴茎。     

池养雄性白鱀豚性自慰行为与血清睾酮浓度之间的关系

自 1996年 3月至 1998年 12月 ,作者采用放射免疫分析法每月 1次测定雄性白豚 (Lipotesvexillifer)“淇淇”血清睾酮浓度。春季每天 1次 ,其它季节每三天 1次 ,每次 1h ,用目标动物取样法观察“淇淇”的行为。结果发现 ,性自慰 (腹面贴池壁、伸出阴茎 )行为的发生频率和血清睾酮激素水平都有周期性变化 ,春季为高峰期 ,秋季有 1个小峰 ,性自慰行为与血清睾酮激素浓度两者的周期较为一致。从性自慰行为和血清睾酮激素水平季节变化 ,推测出“淇淇”性腺活动的周期性变化 ,活动期为 2～ 10月 ,血清睾酮浓度为 2 4 8～ 9 6 6ng/ml;春季高峰在 4月前后 ,血清睾酮浓度为 3 4 4～ 9 6 6ng/ml;秋季小峰在 10月 ,血清睾酮浓度为 3 33～4 2 5ng/ml;11月至次年 1月为性腺活动相对静止期 ,血清睾酮浓度为 1 2 4～ 2 85ng/ml。白豚是一种季节性繁殖动物 ,繁殖高峰期在 4月前后。     

池养雄性白Ji豚性自慰行为与血清睾酮浓度之间的关系

自1996年3月至1998年12月,作者采用放射免疫分析法每月1次测定雄性白Ji豚（Lipotes vexillifer)“淇淇”血清睾酮浓度。春季每天1次,其它季节每三天1次,每次1h,用目标动物取样法观察“淇淇”的行为。结果发现,性自慰（腹面贴池壁、伸出阴茎）行为的发生频率和血清睾酮激素水平都有周期性变化,春季为高峰期,秋季有1个小峰,性自慰行为与血清睾酮激素浓度两者的周期较为一致。从性自慰行为和血清睾酮激素水平季节变化,推测出“淇淇”性腺活动的周期性变化,活动期为2－10月,血清睾酮浓度为2．48－9．66ng/ml。春季高峰在4月前后,血清睾酮浓度为3．44－9．66ng/ml;秋季小峰在10月,血清睾酮浓度为3．33－4．25ng/ml;11月至次年1月为性腺活动相对静止期,血清睾酮浓度为1．24－2．85ng/ml。白Ji豚是一种季节性繁殖动物,繁殖高峰期在4月前后。     

半自然水域中母仔长江江豚呼吸行为的初步观察

2005年5~6月,采用岸边定点和流动观察的方法,对生活在半自然夹江水域中的母仔长江江豚(Neophocaena phocaenoides asiaeorientalis)的呼吸行为进行了观察。结果表明,在仔豚出生的第一个月内,母仔豚的呼吸行为有以下主要特征:(1)仔豚出水仰角大于母豚;(2)母豚常背驮仔豚出水呼吸;(3)母仔豚呼吸行为多发生在夹江中心水域。     

半自然条件下成年雌性长江江豚的抚幼行为

2014年5-9月,采用目标动物取样法,对栖息在铜陵淡水豚国家级自然保护区半自然水域的两头成年雌性长江江豚分娩后4个月内的抚幼行为进行观察。结果表明,母豚有5种明显的抚幼行为,其中以护领行为和携带行为为主,托举行为、返回行为和干涉行为发生频率较低;随着幼豚发育,托举、携带、干涉行为呈下降趋势;护领行为先上升,后趋于平稳;返回行为变化相对平稳,但在幼豚2月龄左右出现一个高峰。此外,两头母豚间的干涉和返回行为发生频率差别较大。综合以上结果可见,出生后约两个月内是半自然水域长江江豚抚幼的关键时期,应在此期间加强管理。     

豚鹿几种激素的季节性变化模式研究

动物季节性发情繁殖涉及下丘脑-垂体-性腺轴系统复杂的神经内分泌过程。豚鹿Axis porcinus的繁殖行为在一定程度上受季节影响。本研究通过检测2015年5月、8月和10月雌性豚鹿血液中繁殖相关激素含量的变化模式,结合温度、湿度和光照时间的变化情况,粗略描绘了春季、夏季和秋季豚鹿内分泌调节动态。结果发现,豚鹿属于短光照繁殖类型动物,其繁殖激素存在季节性的周期变化。8月温湿度指数较高且光照时间较长,豚鹿血浆中三碘甲腺原氨酸、四碘甲腺原氨酸含量极显著低于5月、10月(P0.01);促黄体素、催乳素含量极显著低于5月、10月(P0.01);外周血液促卵泡素含量极显著低于5月(P0.01);夏季高温、高湿和长光照影响了豚鹿繁殖相关激素的分泌。     

白鹤幼鹤行为发育

2012年10月至2013年5月,采用焦点取样法对在吉林莫莫格国家级自然保护区内秋季和春季迁徙停歇的以及在江西鄱阳湖国家级自然保护区内越冬的白鹤(Grus leucogeranus)幼鹤行为进行了研究。结果表明,幼鹤取食行为比例从秋季迁徙时的23.0%增加到越冬晚期时的82.7%,但春季迁徙期减少为61.9%;幼鹤乞食行为比例从秋季迁徙时的58.2%减少至春季迁徙时的1.2%;幼鹤警戒行为比例从秋季迁徙时的1.0%增加至春季迁徙时的7.1%。幼鹤在春季迁徙期的理羽及静栖行为显著高于越冬期,这种行为的差异可能与食物的丰富度相关。环境因子中,风速对幼鹤静栖行为有显著影响,幼鹤取食及警戒行为与气温呈显著正相关。秋季迁徙及越冬晚期,幼鹤行为日节律在13:00—14:00时出现明显的取食低谷期,而春季迁徙期时则推后1小时。整个观察期间,幼鹤从雄鹤和雌鹤获得食物频次无显著差异,但不同时间段幼鹤从雄、雌成鹤处获得食物频次差异是显著的。研究从行为学的角度展示白鹤幼鹤的生长过程及不同性别成鹤对幼鹤生长的贡献。     

人工饲养条件下白鱀豚的行为节律

1985年4月至1986年3月观察了饲养6年的雄性白鱀豚“淇淇”的十种宏观行为,即顺时针方向游、逆时针方向游、仰游、侧游、转游、直立、玩、性行为、捕食和休息。行为型式变换次数的统计表明,白鱀豚存在明显的食前节律和昼夜节律。另外,顺时针方向游发生在夜间为多,逆时针方向游白天发生的多。以上2种行为所占的总时间大致相等。典型的休息行为均发生在夜间,全年在1月和5—8月出现2个高峰期。4—5月和8—9月出现2个性行为高峰。转游在早晨和白天摄食后共出现1个高峰期,而且与饲养池条件有关。呼吸行为的昼夜节律不明显。     

紫水鸡非繁殖期日节律与时间分配

2011年1月至11月使用瞬时扫描法及焦点动物取样法对云南省大理市洱源县西湖湿地(26°00′~26°01′N,100°02′~100°03′E,平均海拔1 970 m)的紫水鸡(Porphyrio porphyrio)行为进行了观察,将行为定义为取食、寻食、休息、修饰、警戒、位移和其他共7类,扫描时将取食和寻食合并为觅食,分析非繁殖期的日节律和时间分配特点。觅食高峰出现在早晨和傍晚,低谷在秋季为下午14:30时(占所有行为类型56.56%)、冬季12:30时(55.61%)、春季11:00时(55.80%)。休息高峰秋季出现在12:30时(26.79%),冬季一日内呈上升趋势,春季呈双峰型,低谷在13:30时(14.64%)。从时间分配来看,寻食、取食、修饰等行为在不同季节间存在显著差异,寻食时间从高至低依次为冬季、春季、秋季,分别占总活动时间的19.87%、9.36%、3.03%;取食时间则相反,依次为秋季(72.54%)、春季(56.78%)及冬季(44.59%);与新西兰Pukepuke Lagoon种群相比,西湖湿地紫水鸡种群在秋季大量取食,在冬季增加寻食和休息时间,以应对高原湿地的温度和食物变化。修饰行为在繁殖期前(春季)最多(15.84%),繁殖期后(秋季)减少(11.10%)。以上结果说明,为适应气候、食物等条件的年周期变化,紫水鸡行为策略在不同时期和地点具有可塑性,这可能是该物种在滇西北地区得以繁衍及扩散的原因之一。     

基于SPEI指数的长江中下游流域干旱时空特征分析

基于长江中下游流域1961—2015年129个气象站点的逐日气温和降水数据,利用标准化降水蒸散指数(SPEI),对长江中下游流域近55年年尺度及各季节干旱变化趋势、站次比、强度和频率进行了分析,并探讨了干旱和区域气温、降水变化及ENSO的关系。结果表明:(1)在区域尺度,近55年长江中下游流域年尺度、春季和秋季呈干旱化趋势,春季干旱化趋势显著;夏季和冬季呈湿润化趋势。空间变化上,对于年尺度,汉江流域、中游干流区及洞庭湖流域以干旱化趋势为主,鄱阳湖流域、下游干流区和太湖流域以湿润化趋势为主;春季和秋季分别有96.90%和92.25%的站点呈干旱化趋势;夏季和冬季分别有82.95%和72.87%的站点呈湿润化趋势。(2)年尺度、春季和秋季干旱站次比及强度均呈增加趋势,春旱站次比与强度增加趋势显著;夏季和冬季干旱站次比和强度均呈下降趋势。(3)年尺度和春季干旱频率在21世纪初均达到最高,年尺度、春季和夏季干旱频率从20世纪90年代到21世纪初均呈增加趋势。(4)春、秋季干旱化趋势与降水量的减少及气温的上升相关,夏、冬季降水量的增加使得夏、冬季呈湿润化趋势。冬季SOI和次年春季干旱相关性极显著,冬季发生拉尼娜事件时,次年春季更易发生干旱。     

Fine structure of the male reproductive system in two species ofHaplognathia sterrer (Gnathostomulida,Filospermoidea)

Summary The structure of the male reproductive systems of two species ofHaplognathia cf.lyra andH. cf.rosacea was described. The structure of the testes and the anterior portions of the sperm ducts in both species was found to be similar. However, considerable species differences were found between the structures of the glands and muscles associated with the reproductive systems. These were more elaborate inH. cf.lyra than inH. cf.rosacea. The former species possessed an H-shaped sperm duct gland, three distinct groups of penis muscles and a penis with two cell types and with a lumen. The latter species had paired sperm duct glands, no specialized penis muscles and a penis with only one cell type and without a detectable lumen. No open gonopore was observed in either species. The sperm presumably exit through a ventral tissue connection observed connecting the penis and the ventral epidermis. These findings were discussed in the light of Mainitz's (1977) theory concerning the primitive penis type within the Gnathostomulida.Abbreviations ap anterior-posterior penis muscles - bm basement membrane - csd common sperm duct - dl dorsal lumen of the penis - dp dorsal gland cells of the penis - dv dorsoventral muscles anterior to the penis - dw sperm duct wall cell - e epidermis - ex exit cell - g intestine - gl gut lumen - n nerve - p penis - sd sperm duct - sdg sperm duct gland - tw testes wall cell - vl ventral lumen of the penis - vp ventral gland cells of the penis This project was supported by NSF grant #GB 42211 (R.M. Rieger P.I.). The line drawings have been executed after our design by Ms. Linda McVay     

Influence of chlormadinone acetate on hypothalamic differentiation in male rats

The effect of chlormadinone acetate on adult male rats during the hypothalamic differentiation phase was studied. Psychic intersexuality with increased male and increased female sexual behavior was observed both before and after postpuberal castration and sex hormone replacement. Organ weights of testes, seminal vesicles, and ventral prostrates were normal, but penis and adrenal gland weights were significantly smaller. Body growth was also significantly reduced compared with control animals. The effects of chlormadinone acetate on androgen-dependent brain differentiation are discussed and compared with analogous effects of cyproterone acetate and orchidectomy.     

Sexual behavior and hormonal estrus cycles in captive aged lowland gorillas (Gorilla gorilla)

To evaluate whether observed cycles in proceptive behavior in aging lowland gorilla females (age 40+) at Brookfield Zoo were driven by ovarian activity, we compared monthly behavioral data to estradiol and progestogen cycles based on fecal hormone assessments. Progestogen peaks showed regularity and close coincidence with monthly sexual behaviors. Estradiol was more variable. Progestogen peaks varied between 22+/-5 days for the control female (29 years old), to 24+/-2.5 and 29+/-8 for the two aged subjects. In the first aged female, which was housed with other females and a silverback, the high degree of cyclicity in sexual behavior, regularity of progestogen cycles, and close concordance between hormonal cycling and sexual behavior strongly compared to patterns found (in this and other studies) in gorilla females <35 years old. Cyclical progestogen peaks were longer and more variable in the second aged female-perhaps because she lacked the social mediation of other females or a male. For husbandry reasons she is not housed with the gorilla group, behavioral data were not collected from her. The value of our longitudinal study is in obtaining reproductive profiles of primate females that are approaching maximum lifespan. This pilot study is part of a larger research project on reproductive senescence that will include other captive females >35 years old, a population that is rapidly increasing in North American zoos as gorillas continue to age.     

Effects of estrone, estradiol and estriol combined with dihydrotestosterone on mounting and lordosis behavior in castrated male rats

Prepuberally castrated male rats were injected with estrone (1 or 5 μg), estradiol (1 or 5 μg) or estriol (1, 5, or 25 μg) either alone or in combination with dihydrotestosterone, (0.5 mg). Each of these steroids, when given alone, had no or only weak stimulatory effects on male sexual behavior. When combined with dihydrotestosterone all estrogens stimulated full copulatory behavior, the order of potency being estradiol, estrone, and estriol. Lordosis behavior in response to male mounting or manual stimulation was facilitated by all estrogens. All estrogens caused a slight weight increase of the seminal vesicles, ventral prostate and glans penis.     

Seasonal change of protozoa and micrometazoa in a small pond with leaf litter supply

Protozoa and micrometazoa were observed in a small pond with leaf litter over a 2 year period. The total number of taxa observed in this pond was 83 protozoans and 30 micrometazoans, and the correspondence of each taxon and the habitats of surface water, leaf litter on the pond bottom and sedimented mud was noted. The microfauna in the litter on the pond bottom had a higher diversity than in the water or the sedimented mud. Patterns of seasonal change in the density of organisms — with one or two peaks in a year — were recognized in some taxa of protozoa and micrometazoa. Most peaks of bacterivorous protozoa in the leaf litter appeared in late autumn and spring. This phenomenon is considered to be closely related to the litter decomposition, because reduction of dissolved oxygen and/ or high bacterial density were observed in these two seasons. Nineteen species of protozoa from this pond were cultured in vitro with fallen leaves. From the results of the cultures and the observation of food vacuoles of protozoa in situ, part of the food web of the microfauna in the pond was estimated.     

Various Isoforms of Myomodulin Identified from the Male Copulatory Organ of Lymnaea Show Overlapping yet Distinct Modulatory Effects on the Penis Muscle

Abstract: Male copulatory behavior in the snail Lymnaea stagnalis is controlled by several types of peptidergic neurons, including a cluster of neurons in the ventral lobe of the right cerebral ganglion that show immunoreactivity to myomodulin-A of Aplysia and innervate the penis complex. We identified structurally myomodulin-A and three related peptides from Lymnaea and showed that they are present in a characteristic ratio in both the penis nerve and penis complex, suggesting that they are processed from a single precursor and transported from the ventral lobe to the penis complex. All four peptides decreased the relaxation time of electrically evoked contractions of the penis retractor muscle. However, their effects on the amplitude of contraction were different, ranging from no effect to an increase or a decrease in the amplitude. A mixture of the peptides in a ratio as determined by direct mass spectrometry of the penis nerve decreased the contraction time, the relaxation time, and the amplitude. These effects resemble those of one particular peptide in the mixture. The direct mass spectrometry determinations of the peptide profile in the penis nerve suggest that many more, as yet unidentified, neuropeptides are involved in modulation of muscle activities of the penis complex.     

Gonadal hormones and sexual behavior in groups of adult talapoin monkeys (Miopithecus talapoin).

Three heterosexual groups of six to eight monkeys were studied; all females were ovariectomized, whereas males were either intact or castrated. Aggressive hierarchies were evident in all groups, with females generally outranking males. When females were treated with estradiol, all males looked more frequently at the latters' sexual skin swellings, but only one male who was both dominant and intact copulated with them. Thus, either castration or low rank resulted in decreased levels of sexual behavior in male talapoins. The sexual behavior of dominant castrated males was restored by testosterone therapy, whereas subordinate castrates never copulated, even after large doses of testosterone, though penile erections and ejaculatory reflex (during masturbation) were restored. Following removal of a dominant male, the sexual behavior of the next male in rank was restored, provided he was not castrated and untreated. In contrast to males, female talapoins showed no consistent correlation between their rank and sexual activity. Estradiol therapy was without overall effect upon the frequency of female mounting behavior, though some females mounted and presented to one another more often. Estradiol treatment also caused females to present to males more frequently, but only to those that were sexually active (i.e., who mounted females).     

Evaluation of sexual functions and sexual behaviors after penile brachytherapy in men treated for penile carcinoma

Purpose

To assess sexual functions and behaviors of men treated by penile brachytherapy for a cancer of the penis.

Materials and methods

Thirty eight men (19 patients treated by penile brachytherapy for a cancer of the penis and 19 age paired-matched controls) participated in a survey about sexuality. The mean age of patients and controls were 73.2 +/- 11.7 and 70.0 +/- 10.5 years, respectively (NS). Controls were men without penile pathology, without history of cancer and no evidence of cognitive impairment. All agreed to participate in the survey about sexuality using 2 questionnaires : the IIEF questionnaire, which explores 4 domains of sexual functions, namely erection, satisfaction, orgasm and desire, and a questionnaire created using the BASIC IDEA grid, which addresses nine domains: behavior, affect, sensation, self-image, cognition, interpersonal, drugs, expectation and attitude.

Results

Patients had better scores than controls in 3 domains of the IIEF: erection, desire and satisfaction. These results contrasted with the frequency of intercourse and the quality of erection (evaluated through the BASIC IDEA questionnaire) that were not significantly different between the two populations. Patients also had significantly higher frequency of masturbation (p <0.001) lower worry about sexual performance and higher expected satisfaction for future life (p: 0.021) than controls.

Conclusion

Penile brachytherapy is a treatment of cancer of the penis that seems to have a moderated impact on sexual functions since most of sexual scores are not inferior in these patients than in age pair-matched controls.

     

Spatial and temporal distribution of the zoobenthos community in a woodland pond (Switzerland)

Spatial and temporal changes of zoobenthos composition and density were assessed in a woodland pond, near Geneva (Switzerland), by monthly sampling (during 15 months), on the three main substrates: a submerged macrophyte (Chara sp.), an emergent macrophyte (Typha latifolia stems) and allochthonous detritus (oak leaves).Many taxa showed preferences for one or two of the substrates, as expressed by differences in densities, but few taxa presented an exclusivity for one substrate. Zoobenthos densities (per m² of pond bottom) were largely dominated on all substrates and seasons by Chironomidae and Oligochaeta. Other dense macroinvertebrates included Ostracoda (on Chara and Typha stems), Gastropoda (on Typha stems), Ephemeroptera (all substrates), and Ceratopogonidae (on Typha stems).The magnitude of temporal differences in densities was expressed by the ratio of maximal to minimal monthly densities and reached values between 2.8 to 11.8. On all substrates the highest monthly densities were observed in summer or beginning of autumn. The temporal changes in densities were strongly influenced by the life cycles of the invertebrates: presence of numerous young individuals in summer (for example Cypridopsis vidua, Cloeon dipterum, Caenis horaria, Ferrissia wautieri), and emergence (for example Chironomidae in April). Fluctuations in densities, especially on Chara and leaves, were also attributed to modification of substrate condition (surface availability, stage in the decomposition or senescence process). Temporal fluctuations of densities were compared with other lentic water bodies: highest densities showed a common trend, occurring between end of spring and beginning of autumn.     

豢养条件下白鱀豚雌雄个体的感情协调及其行为分

为独居6年的雄性白鱀豚“淇淇”成功地介绍了雌性白鱀豚“珍珍”。通过近两年的驯养,已使雌雄豚生活融洽。本文还对不同个体之间的行为关系作了仔细的观察和研究,特别对白鱀豚的性行为和人工饲养条件下繁殖的可行途径作了探讨。