Relationship Between the Amount of Subcutaneous Fat, Testicular Morphometry, Epididymis and Some Sperm Parameters in Leptonycteris yerbabuenae Bat Before, During and After Mating

Abstract

Studies in reproductive age mammals show that the increase in fat content is inversely related to sperm quality in response to a decrease in testosterone levels. In turn the decrease in androgen concentration is related to morphophysiological involution in the testis and epididymis. However, the bat Leptonycteris yerbabuenae increases the body fat content previous the mating period, contrary to what was reported in most mammals. Therefore the aim of this study was to determine the importance of variation in fat content in L. yerbabuenae in relation to testicular and epididymal cycle; and sperm parameters. The results clearly show an increase in the fat content as it approaches the mating season. Also, there is an increase in the size of the testis and epididymis. In the post-mating months, both: fat and testis, decrease and the sperm cells were not presents. Leptonycteris yerbabuenae has a different behaviour to most mammals, accumulate fat while producing, transit and sperm storage could be happening. So, in this model, we must do studies that meet these processes emerging from that reported in other mammals.