Costa G M J, Chiarini-Garcia H, Morato R G, Alvarenga R L L S, França L R
Laboratory of Cellular Biology, Department of Morphology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, 31270-901 Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.
Theriogenology. 2008 Oct 15;70(7):1136-46. doi: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2008.06.035. Epub 2008 Jul 31.
The jaguar, like most wild felids, is an endangered species. Since there are few data regarding reproductive biology for this species, our main goal was to investigate basic aspects of the testis and spermatogenesis. Four adult male jaguars were utilized; to determine the duration of spermatogenesis, two animals received an intratesticular injection of H(3)-thymidine. Mean (+/-SEM) testis weight and the gonadosomatic index were 17.7+/-2.2g and 0.05+/-0.01%, respectively, whereas the seminiferous tubules and the Leydig cells volume density were 74.7+/-3.8 and 16.7+/-1.6%. Eight stages of spermatogenesis were characterized, according to the tubular morphology system and acrosome development. Each spermatogenic cycle and the entire spermatogenic process (based on 4.5 cycles) lasted approximately 12.8+/-0.01 and 57.7+/-0.07 d. The number of Sertoli and Leydig cells per gram of testis was 29+/-4 x 10(6) and 107+/-12 x 10(6). Based on the number of round spermatids per pachytene spermatocyte (2.8+/-0.3:1; meiotic index); significant cell loss (30%) occurred during the two meiotic divisions. There were approximately eight spermatids for each Sertoli cell (Sertoli cell efficiency), whereas the daily sperm production per gram of testis was 16.9+/-1.2 x 10(6). We expect that in the near future, the knowledge obtained in the present investigation will facilitate, utilizing germ cell transplantation, preservation of the germinal epithelium and the ability to generate sperm from jaguars in testes of domestic cats.
美洲豹和大多数野生猫科动物一样，是濒危物种。由于关于该物种生殖生物学的数据很少，我们的主要目标是研究睾丸和精子发生的基本方面。我们使用了四只成年雄性美洲豹；为了确定精子发生的持续时间，给两只动物进行了睾丸内注射H(3)-胸腺嘧啶核苷。平均（±标准误）睾丸重量和性腺体指数分别为17.7±2.2克和0.05±0.01%，而曲细精管和间质细胞的体积密度分别为74.7±3.8和16.7±1.6%。根据管状形态系统和顶体发育情况，确定了精子发生的八个阶段。每个精子发生周期和整个精子发生过程（基于4.5个周期）分别持续约12.8±0.01天和57.7±0.07天。每克睾丸中支持细胞和间质细胞的数量分别为29±4×10(6)和107±12×10(6)。根据粗线期精母细胞产生的圆形精子细胞数量（2.8±0.3:1；减数分裂指数）；在两次减数分裂过程中发生了显著的细胞损失（30%）。每个支持细胞大约有八个精子细胞（支持细胞效率），而每克睾丸的每日精子产量为16.9±1.2×10(6)。我们期望在不久的将来，本研究中获得的知识将有助于利用生殖细胞移植、保存生精上皮以及在家猫睾丸中从美洲豹产生精子的能力。
