Histochemical localization of enzymes and lipids in the ovary of a vespertilionid bat, Scotophilus heathi, during the reproductive cycle

Abstract

The present study describes seasonal changes in ∆ 5 3β hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3β-HSD), glusose-6 phosphates dehydrogenase (G-6-PD), and lipids in the ovary of a vespertilionid bat, Scotophilus heathi. Total lipids and 3β-HSD activity are restricted to thecal and interstitial cells of the ovary. The total lipids, 3β-HSD, and G-6-PD significantly increase during recrudescence, and remain high during winter dormancy and breeding as compared to the other reproductive phases. High incidence of lipids and enzyme activity in interstitial cells during the breeding period and at the time of ovulation clearly suggests that these cells are actively involved in steroidogenesis. A decline in enzymes and lipid activity during winter dormancy, which correlates with the declining levels of steroidogenesis, might be the factors responsible for prolonged survival of the Graafian follicle in the ovary of S. heathi.Key words: enzymes, lipids, ovary, reproductive cycle, Scotophilus heathi. RESUMOO presente estudo descreve as mudanças sazonais na ∆ 5 3β hidroxiesteróide desidrogenase (3β-HSD), glicose-6 fosfato desidrogenase (G-6-PD), e lipídios no ovário de um morcego vespertilionidae, Scotophilus heathi. As atividades totais dos lipídios e do 3β-HSD estão restritas às células tecais e intersticiais do ová-rio. Os lipídios, 3β-HSD e G-6-PD totais, aumentaram significantemente durante a recrudescência, e permaneceram elevados durante a dormência de inverno e o período de acasalamento, quando comparados a outras fases reprodutivas. A alta incidência de atividade de lipídios e enzimas nas células intersticiais durante o período de acasalamento e durante o período de ovulação sugere claramente que estas células estão ativamente envolvidas na esteroidogênese. O declínio da atividade dos lipídios e enzimas durante a dormência de inverno, o qual se correlaciona com os níveis decrescentes da esteroidogênese, podem ser o fator responsável pela longa sobrevivência do folículo de De Graaf no ovário do S. heathi. Palavras-chave: enzimas, lipídios, ovário, ciclo reprodutivo, Scotophilus heathi.

Ecomorphology and sensory biology of bats

“…In this special issue, contributors offer a glimpse into the many adaptations of the first and only flying mammals. The researchers revisit some territory that was very familiar to Prof. Bhatnagar, from bat brain morphology (Reep & Bhatnagar, 2000) to anatomy of gliding mammals (Bhatnagar & Wible, 1994), and bat reproductive biology (e.g., Bhatnagar, 1978;Krishna & Bhatnagar, 2011;Rehorek et al, 2010;Singh et al, 2005). High-resolution computed tomography is employed by Maugoust and Orliac (2023) to study virtual endocasts of bats, a potentially more efficient route to explore a topic that previously required intricate dissection (Reep & Bhatnagar, 2000).…”