RESUMEN
Responsible for post-testicular maturation, concentration, protection and sperm storage, the epididymis is an organ that can be easily subdivided into three segments: caput, corpus and cauda. Each epididymal region displays different morphology and functions within the sperm maturation process. Despite the great importance of this organ, studies on its morphology and hormonal control in bats remain scarce. Thus, the aim of this study was to morphologically analyze the epididymis of the bat Molossus molossus (Chiroptera: Molossidae), in order to evaluate its morphological and morphometric variations, as well as some aspects of its hormonal control during the annual reproductive cycle. For this purpose, 60 sexually adult males were used in this study, comprising five specimens collected monthly for one year to form 12 sample groups. The epididymis was subjected to morphological, morphometric and immunohistochemical analyses. The results demonstrated that the processes of total testicular regression and posterior recrudescence suffered by M. molossus also impacts the physiology of the epididymis, however, a delay in the epididymal response is seen due to the storage of sperm. Similar to other mammals, the epididymis of M. molossus has a large predominance of principal and basal cells. The epididymal seasonal variations appear to be directly correlated to rainfall and photoperiod, but not to temperature. Meanwhile, epididymal physiology appears to be regulated, at least partially, by the expression of the androgen receptor in epithelial cells, which has agonist effects on cell proliferation.
Asunto(s)
Quirópteros/metabolismo , Epidídimo/metabolismo , Maduración del Esperma/fisiología , Espermatozoides/citología , Animales , Disgenesia Gonadal 46 XY/fisiopatología , Masculino , Receptores Androgénicos/metabolismo , Reproducción/fisiología , Estaciones del Año , Espermatogénesis/fisiología , Testículo/anomalías , Testículo/fisiopatologíaRESUMEN
Bats are mammals that play a fundamental role in the regulation of the ecosystems by, for example, controlling the insect populations. Therefore, insectivorous species, such as Molossusmolossus, have become the target of great scientific interest. Despite the different studies that exist on the species, there is still no consensus regarding its reproduction. Thus, this study aimed to analyze the morphophysiology and some aspects of the hormonal control of the testes of M. molossus (Chiroptera: Molossidae), by evaluating its morphological and morphometric variations throughout the annual reproductive cycle. Sixty sexually adult males of M. molossus were used in the study, with five specimens collected each month for one year, forming 12 sample groups. The testes of each bat were submitted to morphological, morphometric, and immunohistochemical analyses. Molossusmolossus presented an annual reproductive cycle with two peaks of spermatogenic activity, one in April and the other in September, and a period of total testicular regression in December, which has never been described. The cycle appeared to be regulated by rainfall and was, at least partially, controlled by the expression of the androgen receptor in Sertoli cells, which has agonist effects on cell proliferation.