Logotipo ImpactU
Autor

Sperm Viability in the Reproductive Tract of Females in a Population ofSceloporus mucronatusExhibiting Asynchronous Reproduction

Acceso Cerrado
ID Minciencias: ART-0000193232-12
Ranking: ART-ART_B

Abstract:

Asynchronous reproduction is a common phenomenon in high-elevation populations of lizards from Central México. Sperm storage in the reproductive tract of females is the mechanism for making oocyte fertilization possible. Our study addresses questions related to functional oviductal sperm storage of females mating on different dates throughout the reproductive season. A population of Sceloporus mucronatus with copulation in the summer and ovulation in the fall was chosen for this experiment. Eleven females that copulated in the field during June and 13 females that copulated in captivity during August were maintained in the laboratory until parturition. The number of pregnant females and the litter sizes produced in each experimental group were indicative of the viability of the stored sperm. Sperm stored in the reproductive tract of females were able to fertilize eggs after 4 months. No significant differences were found in the number of pregnant females between the 2 experimental groups nor in the litter sizes that they produced. We found that the amount of time sperm were held in the female reproductive tract (ca. 3 months) had no effect on the capacity of sperm to fertilize eggs. Histological examination of 8 oviducts collected before the mating season eliminated the possibility of sperm storage from one year to the next. In this system, sperm retention could have evolved as a response mechanism to deal with the asynchrony between sexes in the reproductive cycles. However, we cannot rule out alternative hypotheses.

Tópico:

Animal Behavior and Reproduction

Citaciones:

Citations: 12
12

Citaciones por año:

Altmétricas:

Paperbuzz Score: 0
0

Información de la Fuente:

SCImago Journal & Country Rank
FuenteWestern North American Naturalist
Cuartil año de publicaciónNo disponible
Volumen69
Issue1
Páginas96 - 104
pISSNNo disponible
ISSN1527-0904

Enlaces e Identificadores:

Scienti ID0000193232-12Minciencias IDART-0000193232-12Openalex URLhttps://openalex.org/W2102992521
Doi URLhttps://doi.org/10.3398/064.069.0121
Artículo de revista