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Morales ME, Campo Verde Arbocco F, Muñoz-San Martín C, Abba AM, Ríos TA, Cassini GH, Cattan PE, Jahn GA, Superina M. High Trypanosoma cruzi prevalence in armadillo (Zaedyus pichiy; Xenarthra: Chlamyphoridae) populations from Mendoza, Argentina. Parasitol Res 2023:10.1007/s00436-023-07861-z. [PMID: 37184599 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-023-07861-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2023] [Accepted: 04/27/2023] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
Armadillos are considered important reservoir hosts for Trypanosoma cruzi, the causative agent of Chagas disease. The first report of T. cruzi infection in pichis (Zaedyus pichiy), a small armadillo species endemic to central Argentina and Chile, dates back to 1935. However, more recent reports on T. cruzi in this species are scarce. The objective of this study was to assess T. cruzi infection and parasite load in Z. pichiy from Mendoza Province, an area endemic to human Chagas disease. Blood samples were obtained in 2014-2016 from pichis from Lavalle (low Monte), Malargüe (Patagonian steppe), and San Carlos (ecotone) departments, Mendoza Province, Argentina. The detection and quantification of T. cruzi was performed through qPCR amplification using satellite primers. Of the 265 analyzed samples, 201 (76%) were positive for T. cruzi. Parasite loads varied between < 0.1-55.8 parasite-equivalents/mL (par-eq/mL), with a median of 1.1 par-eq/mL in quantifiable samples. The prevalence was similar in Malargüe and Lavalle (85-94%), but significantly lower in pichis from San Carlos (50%). Animals from Lavalle captured after hibernation had significantly higher parasite loads (median 2.0 par-eq/mL). In Malargüe, T. cruzi infection and parasite loads were significantly lower before than after hibernation in 2016. The high prevalence and low median parasite load suggest a chronic and persistent infection of T. cruzi in pichis. Regional differences and a marked increase in precipitation during 2015-2016 could have influenced annual and seasonal infection rates of this vector-borne disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melisa E Morales
- Laboratorio de Medicina Y Endocrinología de La Fauna Silvestre, IMBECU, UNCuyo - CONICET, Av. Dr. Adrian Ruiz Leal S/N, Parque General San Martín, Mendoza, Argentina
| | - Fiorella Campo Verde Arbocco
- Laboratorio de Reproducción Y Lactancia, IMBECU, UNCuyo - CONICET, Mendoza, Argentina
- Universidad de Mendoza, Mendoza, Argentina
| | - Catalina Muñoz-San Martín
- Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Escuela de Medicina Veterinaria, Universidad Bernardo O'Higgins, Santiago, Chile
- Núcleo de Investigaciones Aplicadas en Ciencias Veterinarias Y Agronómicas, Universidad de Las Américas, Campus Providencia, Santiago, Chile
| | - Agustín M Abba
- CEPAVE, Universidad Nacional de La Plata - CONICET, La Plata, Argentina
| | - Tatiana A Ríos
- CEPAVE, Universidad Nacional de La Plata - CONICET, La Plata, Argentina
| | - Guillermo H Cassini
- División Mastozoología, Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales "Bernardino Rivadavia" (MACN-BR - CONICET), Av. Angel Gallardo 490, C1405DJR, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Departamento de Ciencias Básicas, Universidad Nacional de Luján (UNLu), Ruta 5 Y Av. Constitución, Luján (B), 6700, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Pedro E Cattan
- Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas Animales, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias Y Pecuarias, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Graciela A Jahn
- Laboratorio de Reproducción Y Lactancia, IMBECU, UNCuyo - CONICET, Mendoza, Argentina
| | - Mariella Superina
- Laboratorio de Medicina Y Endocrinología de La Fauna Silvestre, IMBECU, UNCuyo - CONICET, Av. Dr. Adrian Ruiz Leal S/N, Parque General San Martín, Mendoza, Argentina.
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PAVLIČEV MIHAELA, WAGNER GÜNTER. The Evolutionary Origin of Female Orgasm. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL ZOOLOGY PART B-MOLECULAR AND DEVELOPMENTAL EVOLUTION 2016; 326:326-337. [DOI: 10.1002/jez.b.22690] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2016] [Revised: 06/20/2016] [Accepted: 06/23/2016] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- MIHAELA PAVLIČEV
- Center for Prevention of Preterm Birth; Perinatal Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center; Cincinnati Ohio
- Department of Pediatrics; University of Cincinnati College of Medicine; Cincinnati Ohio
| | - GÜNTER WAGNER
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology; Yale University; New Haven Connecticut
- Yale Systems Biology Institute; Yale University; West Haven Connecticut
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences; Yale Medical School; New Haven Connecticut
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology; Wayne State University; Detroit Michigan
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Loughry WJ, McDonough CM. Beyond Natural History: Some Thoughts About Research Priorities in the Study of Xenarthrans. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2013. [DOI: 10.5537/020.014.0102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
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Howell-Stephens J, Bernier D, Brown JS, Mulkerin D, Santymire RM. Using non-invasive methods to characterize gonadal hormonal patterns of southern three-banded armadillos (Tolypeutes matacus) housed in North American zoos. Anim Reprod Sci 2013; 138:314-23. [PMID: 23541612 DOI: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2013.02.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2011] [Revised: 01/29/2013] [Accepted: 02/12/2013] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Understanding the basic reproductive biology and limitations to successful breeding of the southern three-banded armadillo (Tolypeutes matacus) is necessary to maintain viable zoo populations. Our objectives were to: 1) describe the reproductive biology using non-invasive, fecal hormone analysis; 2) assess influence of season on gonadal hormonal patterns in both the sexes; 3) characterize reproductive cyclicity and pregnancy in the female; and 4) characterize the onset of sexual maturity in males. Nineteen armadillos were monitored including: 13 (7 males, 6 females) from Lincoln Park Zoo and six (3 males, 3 females) from San Antonio Zoological Garden. Fecal samples (n=5220; 275/animal/yr) were collected 5 to 7 times a week for 1 year. Hormones were extracted from feces and analyzed for progestagen (females) and androgen (males) metabolite concentrations using enzyme immunoassays. Mean estrous cycle length (26.4±1.3 days) did not vary (P<0.05) among individuals (n=9). Mean gestation length (n=3) was 114.0±0.6 days long with mean fecal progestagen metabolites increasing 10-fold during pregnancy. Seasons did not influence (P<0.05) fecal androgen or progestagen metabolites. These data can assist with management decisions, which will directly affect the success of this species in zoos.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Howell-Stephens
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Illinois, Chicago, IL 60607, USA.
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Superina M. Husbandry of a pink fairy armadillo (Chlamyphorus truncatus): case study of a cryptic and little known species in captivity. Zoo Biol 2011; 30:225-31. [DOI: 10.1002/zoo.20334] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
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Turbill C, Bieber C, Ruf T. Hibernation is associated with increased survival and the evolution of slow life histories among mammals. Proc Biol Sci 2011; 278:3355-63. [PMID: 21450735 PMCID: PMC3177628 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2011.0190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 197] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Survival probability is predicted to underlie the evolution of life histories along a slow-fast continuum. Hibernation allows a diverse range of small mammals to exhibit seasonal dormancy, which might increase survival and consequently be associated with relatively slow life histories. We used phylogenetically informed GLS models to test for an effect of hibernation on seasonal and annual survival, and on key attributes of life histories among mammals. Monthly survival was in most cases higher during hibernation compared with the active season, probably because inactivity minimizes predation. Hibernators also have approximately 15 per cent higher annual survival than similar sized non-hibernating species. As predicted, we found an effect of hibernation on the relationships between life history attributes and body mass: small hibernating mammals generally have longer maximum life spans (50% greater for a 50 g species), reproduce at slower rates, mature at older ages and have longer generation times compared with similar-sized non-hibernators. In accordance with evolutionary theories, however, hibernating species do not have longer life spans than non-hibernators with similar survival rates, nor do they have lower reproductive rates than non-hibernators with similar maximum life spans. Thus, our combined results suggest that (i) hibernation is associated with high rates of overwinter and annual survival, and (ii) an increase in survival in hibernating species is linked with the coevolution of traits indicative of relatively slow life histories.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher Turbill
- Department of Integrative Biology and Evolution, Research Institute of Wildlife Ecology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Savoyenstrasse 1, 1160 Vienna, Austria.
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Luaces JP, Ciuccio M, Rossi LF, Faletti AG, Cetica PD, Casanave EB, Merani MS. Seasonal changes in ovarian steroid hormone concentrations in the large hairy armadillo (Chaetophractus villosus) and the crying armadillo (Chaetophractus vellerosus). Theriogenology 2011; 75:796-802. [DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2010.09.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2010] [Revised: 09/14/2010] [Accepted: 09/29/2010] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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Dadhich RK, Real FM, Zurita F, Barrionuevo FJ, Burgos M, Jiménez R. Role of apoptosis and cell proliferation in the testicular dynamics of seasonal breeding mammals: a study in the Iberian mole, Talpa occidentalis. Biol Reprod 2010; 83:83-91. [PMID: 20357272 DOI: 10.1095/biolreprod.109.080135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Apoptosis and cell proliferation are two important cellular processes known to be involved in the normal functioning of the testis in nonseasonally breeding mammals, but there is some controversy concerning their roles in the gonads of males from seasonally breeding species. We have studied the processes of apoptosis and cell proliferation in the testes of males of the Iberian mole (Talpa occidentalis), a species showing a strict seasonal reproduction pattern. Both males and females are sexually active during the winter and completely inactive in the summer, with two transitional periods, in the autumn and the spring. Adult males from these four reproductive stages were captured, and their testes were immunohistochemically studied for the presence of apoptotic and proliferation molecular markers as well for other testicular and meiotic cell-specific markers. We found that apoptosis varies in a season-dependent manner in the testes of male moles, affecting mainly late zygotene and pachytene cells during the period of sexual inactivity, but it does not differentially affect the number of Sertoli cells. More interestingly, apoptosis is not responsible for the massive germ-cell depletion occurring during mole testis regression. In addition, a wave of spermatogonial cell proliferation appears to restore the number of spermatogonia lost during the period of testis inactivity. According to current knowledge, data from moles indicate that mammals do not form a homogeneous group regarding the mechanisms by which the cell-content dynamics are regulated in the testes of males from seasonally breeding species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rajesh K Dadhich
- Departamento de Genética e Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad de Granada, Centro de Investigación Biomédica, Granada, Spain
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Superina M, Carreño N, Jahn GA. Characterization of seasonal reproduction patterns in female pichis Zaedyus pichiy (Xenarthra: Dasypodidae) estimated by fecal sex steroid metabolites and ovarian histology. Anim Reprod Sci 2009; 116:358-69. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2009.02.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2008] [Revised: 02/12/2009] [Accepted: 02/21/2009] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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