Infundibular sperm storage and uterine muscular twisting in the Amazonian lancehead, Bothrops atrox.

Although knowledge about the reproduction of snakes of the genus Bothrops has increased recently, many questions remain regarding sperm storage by these neotropical pitvipers. The relationship between two known sperm storage sites-the nonglandular uterus and the infundibulum-has yet to be detailed for Bothrops. In addition, the formation of uterine muscular twisting (UMT) and its function in sperm storage in the nonglandular uterus have been questioned. This article presents data on both sperm storage sites (posterior infundibulum and nonglandular uterus) in the Amazonian lancehead, Bothrops atrox, aiming to address the role of UMT in bothropoid reproduction considering female reproductive stages, timing of sperm storage, and morphology and histochemistry of sperm receptacles. The oviduct of B. atrox is composed of the infundibulum (anterior and posterior), the glandular uterus, the nonglandular uterus and the pouch. Sperm storage occurs in the posterior infundibulum and nonglandular uterus in vitellogenic females. In the posterior infundibulum sperm is stored in receptacles, while in the nonglandular uterus it is stored in crypts in the UMT of vitellogenic females. Both sperm storage sites possess granules testing positive for neutral mucopolysaccharides in the presence of spermatozoa, possibly favoring the conditions for spermatozoa surveillance during sperm storage in the reproductive tract.

[Loss of risk perception to zoonoses and the figure of community dog]. / La pérdida de la percepción al riesgo de zoonosis y la figura del perro comunitario.

Dogs may cause zoonoses and damages; especially when we accept as normal some dangerous behavior, losing the perception of disease risk. The purpose of this review was to demonstrate that the presence of stray dogs as well as community dogs, are public health hazard. Through sustainable epidemiological information, we believe this measure could prevent it from spreading. Dog's aggressiveness regulates its social relationships through submission or dominance; those characteristics are difficult to be recognized by human population. In Chile, 327.150 people were bitten by dogs, between years 2003 and 2012 with a cost of USD$22.7 to USD$177,9 million in addition to the USD$3,13 million for the surgical intervention of 767 human subjects of Hydatidosis during 2012. However zoonosis more dangerous is Rabies with death results. As a conclusion we state that the presence of stray and community dogs in the streets cannot be tolerated. This measure must have a sustainable technical of Health and Public safety because population have lost its ability of recognize the risk of contracting zoonotic diseases, with high costs for the health care system, besides the economical decline and psychological damage to the affected individuals.

La pérdida de la percepción al riesgo de zoonosis y la figura del perro comunitario / Loss of risk perception to zoonoses and the figure of community dog

Resumen Los perros son causantes de zoonosis y lesiones; en especial, si aceptamos como normales conductas peligrosas; perdiendo la percepción al riesgo a enfermar. El objetivo de este manuscrito fue demostrar, que la presencia de perros vagos y comunitarios, es un peligro para la salud y seguridad pública, a través de información epidemiológica que sustenta la medida de evitar su libre circulación. La agresividad de los perros regula sus relaciones sociales a través de sumisión o dominancia; características de difícil reconocimiento para la población humana. En Chile, 327.150 personas resultaron mordidas por perros, entre los años 2003-2012, con un costo de U$22,7 a U$177,9 millones; además de los U$3,13 millones por intervenir quirúrgicamente 767 sujetos humanos de hidatidosis durante el año 2012. Sin embargo, la zoonosis más temida es la rabia, dado el resultado mortal de ésta. No se debe tolerar la presencia de perros vagos y comunitarios en las calles, medida que debe tener un sustento técnico de salud y seguridad pública; debido a que la población ha perdido la capacidad de percibir el riesgo de contraer enfermedades zoonóticas, de altos costos para el sistema asistencial; sin considerar el desmedro económico al núcleo familiar y el daño psicológico a los afectados.

Dogs may cause zoonoses and damages; especially when we accept as normal some dangerous behavior, losing the perception of disease risk. The purpose of this review was to demonstrate that the presence of stray dogs as well as community dogs, are public health hazard. Through sustainable epidemiological information, we believe this measure could prevent it from spreading. Dog's aggressiveness regulates its social relationships through submission or dominance; those characteristics are difficult to be recognized by human population. In Chile, 327.150 people were bitten by dogs, between years 2003 and 2012 with a cost of USD$22.7 to USD$177,9 million in addition to the USD$3,13 million for the surgical intervention of 767 human subjects of Hydatidosis during 2012. However zoonosis more dangerous is Rabies with death results. As a conclusion we state that the presence of stray and community dogs in the streets cannot be tolerated. This measure must have a sustainable technical of Health and Public safety because population have lost its ability of recognize the risk of contracting zoonotic diseases, with high costs for the health care system, besides the economical decline and psychological damage to the affected individuals.

The reproductive cycle of the male sleep snake Sibynomorphus mikanii (Schlegel, 1837) from southeastern Brazil.

This study describes the male reproductive cycle of Sibynomorphus mikanii from southeastern Brazil considering macroscopic and microscopic variables. Spermatogenesis occurs during spring-summer (September-December) and spermiogenesis or maturation occurs in summer (December-February). The length and width of the kidney, the tubular diameter, and the epithelium height of the sexual segment of the kidney (SSK) are larger in summer-autumn (December-May). Histochemical reaction of the SSK [periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) and bromophenol blue (BB)] shows stronger results during summer-autumn, indicating an increase in the secretory activity of the granules. Testicular regression is observed in autumn and early winter (March-June) when a peak in the width of the ductus deferens occurs. The distal ductus deferens as well as the ampulla ductus deferentis exhibit secretory activities with positive reaction for PAS and BB. These results suggest that this secretion may nourish the spermatozoa while they are being stored in the ductus deferens. The increase in the Leydig cell nuclear diameter in association with SSK hypertrophy and the presence of sperm in the female indicate that the mating season occurs in autumn when testes begin to decrease their activity. The peak activity of Leydig cells and SSK exhibits an associated pattern with the mating season. However, spermatogenesis is dissociated of the copulation characterizing a complex reproductive cycle. At the individual level, S. mikanii males present a continuous cyclical reproductive pattern in the testes and kidneys (SSK), whereas at the populational level the reproductive pattern may be classified as seasonal semisynchronous.