Seasonal changes in plasma levels of sex hormones in the greater Rhea (Rhea americana), a South American Ratite with a complex mating system

Autor: Natalia Soledad Della Costa, Joaquin Luis Navarro, Mónica B. Martella, Alvina Leche, Marilina Vera Cortez, Cristian Hansen, Diego J. Valdez
Rok vydání: 2013
Předmět:
Male
Sexual Reproduction
Animal sexual behaviour
Greater rhea
Physiology
Biología
SEXUALES
Rheiformes
lcsh:Medicine
ÑANDUES
Biochemistry
purl.org/becyt/ford/1 [https]
Sexual Behavior
Animal
Behavioral Ecology
Testosterone
lcsh:Science
Chromatography
High Pressure Liquid
media_common
Avian Biology
Multidisciplinary
biology
Estradiol
Ecology
Animal Behavior
Challenge hypothesis
Female
Seasons
Reproduction
Anatomy
HORMONAS
CIENCIAS NATURALES Y EXACTAS
Research Article
medicine.medical_specialty
media_common.quotation_subject
Argentina
Zoology
Endocrine System
RATITES
Ciencias Biológicas
Internal medicine
medicine
Animals
Reproductive Endocrinology
purl.org/becyt/ford/1.6 [https]
Evolutionary Biology
Models
Statistical
Endocrine Physiology
lcsh:R
Ecology and Environmental Sciences
Reproductive System
Biology and Life Sciences
biology.organism_classification
Mating system
Hormones
Endocrinology
Luminescent Measurements
lcsh:Q
Animals
Zoo
Physiological Processes
Ratite
Hormone
Zdroj: PLoS ONE
PLoS ONE, Vol 9, Iss 5, p e97334 (2014)
CONICET Digital (CONICET)
Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas
instacron:CONICET
ISSN: 1932-6203
Popis: Seasonal rhythm in sex hormones has been extensively studied in birds, as well as its relationship with the type of mating system. The Greater Rhea (Rhea americana), a South American ratite species, reproduces seasonally and has a complex mating system: female-defense polygyny and sequential polyandry. The present study aimed at analyzing the endocrine basis of reproduction in this species and its relationship with its mating system. We used HPLC and electrochemiluminescence techniques to identify and measure plasma testosterone and estradiol levels. Annual oscillations in sex hormones, testosterone and estradiol, in adult males and females were observed. Lower levels of these hormones were exhibited during the non reproductive season (February to July), whereas their maximum values were reached in September for males and November-December for females. These fluctuations reflect the seasonal changes in gonadal function. By contrast, no significant sex hormones oscillations were observed in juvenile males and females (negative control of seasonal changes). Greater rheas maintain high testosterone and estradiol levels throughout the reproductive period. The high testosterone levels during incubation and chick rearing did not inhibit parental behavior in males, which appears not to conform to the ??Challenge Hypothesis??. In females, the high estradiol levels throughout the reproductive season would be needed to sustain their long egg-laying period. Fil: Valdez, Diego Javier. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas y Tecnicas. Centro Cientifico Tecnologico Cordoba. Instituto de Diversidad y Ecologia Animal; Argentina Fil: Vera Cortez, Marilina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas y Tecnicas. Centro Cientifico Tecnologico Cordoba. Instituto de Diversidad y Ecologia Animal; Argentina Fil: Della Costa, Natalia Soledad. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas y Tecnicas. Centro Cientifico Tecnologico Cordoba. Instituto de Diversidad y Ecologia Animal; Argentina Fil: Leche, Alvina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas y Tecnicas. Centro Cientifico Tecnologico Cordoba. Instituto de Diversidad y Ecologia Animal; Argentina Fil: Hansen, Cristian. Laboratorio de Análisis Clínicos Especializados; Argentina Fil: Navarro, Joaquin Luis. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas y Tecnicas. Centro Cientifico Tecnologico Cordoba. Instituto de Diversidad y Ecologia Animal; Argentina Fil: Martella, Monica Beatriz. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas y Tecnicas. Centro Cientifico Tecnologico Cordoba. Instituto de Diversidad y Ecologia Animal; Argentina
Databáze: OpenAIRE
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