Reproductive exocrine and endocrine profiles and their seasonality in male langur monkeys (Presbytis entellus entellus)

Abstract

The reproductive exocrine and endocrine profiles in male langurs are reported with an emphasis on seasonality. The animals showed positive response to electroejaculation throughout the year. The sperm concentration varied between 10-383 x 10(6)/ejaculation with wide fluctuations all through the year. No appreciable changes in the motility and percent live sperm were observed throughout the year. The levels of seminal fructose and magnesium remained unchanged throughout the year, while acid phosphatase showed wide fluctuations. Citric acid showed elevation during February and March and LDH showed elevated levels during April and May. The annual range of serum testosterone was 6-34 nMol/l with a peak during July. Cortisol ranged between 575-1587 nMol/l and prolactin ranged between 107-900 mU/l. Wide fluctuations were observed in hormonal levels. No seasonality was exhibited in the seminiferous tubule diameter, nuclear diameter of Sertoli cells and Leydig cells, and the cholesterol, glycogen, and sialic acid contents of testis. None of the parameters studied have shown any correlation with season. The results suggest that the male langurs lack seasonality in their reproductive exocrine and endocrine profiles and thus could be used as model for research in human reproduction.

Status of Spermatogenesis and Sperm Parameters in Langur Monkeys Following Long‐term Vas Occlusion With Styrene Maleic Anhydride

“…Preliminary investigations for short‐term reversal by a noninvasive approach have been successfully demonstrated in langur monkeys (Lohiya et al, 1998b; Mishra, 1999). The present investigation addresses the issues related to the long‐term sequel of vas occlusion with SMA on the status of spermatogenesis, sperm antibodies, and serum testosterone in langur monkeys, an animal model closer to human in anatomy and reproductive exocrine and endocrine profiles (David and Ramaswami, 1971; Lohiya et al, 1988; 1998c).…”

Safety evaluation of long-term vas occlusion with styrene maleic anhydride and its non-invasive reversal on accessory reproductive organs in langurs

“…However, the reasons for the decline in fructose, ACP and zinc in the seminal plasma remain unknown, but they could not be related to the functional status of ARGs as the serum testosterone, PSA and ultrastruc- tural study indicated no drastic changes in the secretory activity of the seminal vesicle and prostate. Although it has been well-established that the langurs lack seasonality in their reproductive and breeding pattern, variation in semen volume during different seasons, has also been reported [11]. Thus, the role of variable climatic conditions in bringing out fluctuations in the biochemical composition of seminal plasma cannot be ruled out.…”

“…Adult male langurs, 6-7-year-old, as identified by musculature, sexual skin in the rump and dentition [10] and weighing 12-15 kg were used in the present investigation. They are non-seasonal breeders and show closer association to humans in reproductive exocrine and endocrine profiles [11]. The animals were trapped in and around Jaipur and kept in quarantine for a period of 3 months in individual metallic cages and fed with seasonal vegetables, fruits and wheat cakes; water was provided ad libitum.…”

Repeated vas occlusion and non‐invasive reversal with styrene maleic anhydride for male contraception in langur monkeys

“…At least three pre‐treatment semen samples were obtained as reference controls by penile electrovibration by delivering intermittent charges of 40 V with a frequency of 20 impulses/sec, duration of 20 × 10 6 /sec and delay of 1 × 10 6 /sec using an electric stimulator [Model SD 9, Grass Medical Instruments, USA] (Lohiya et al ., 1998c).…”

“…Following the demonstration of the successful delivery of SMA into the vas lumen by no‐scalpel injection in men (Guha et al ., 1997) and the non‐invasive reversal of SMA occlusion in langur monkeys (Lohiya et al ., 1998b), an attempt has now been made to demonstrate if repeated vas occlusion with SMA followed by non‐invasive reversal could be used as a spacing method for male contraception. The study was performed in langur monkeys, which are closer to the human both anatomically and physiologically (Lohiya et al ., 1988; Lohiya et al ., 1998c), so that the technique, if successful, could be readily extrapolated to the human.…”