The effects of season and devil facial tumour disease on the reproductive physiology of the male Tasmanian devil (Sarcophilus harrisii)

Keeley, T., McGreevey, P. D. and O'Brien, J. K. (2012) The effects of season and devil facial tumour disease on the reproductive physiology of the male Tasmanian devil (Sarcophilus harrisii). Reproduction, Fertility and Development, 24 7: 999-1007. doi:10.1071/RD11134


Author Keeley, T.
McGreevey, P. D.
O'Brien, J. K.
Title The effects of season and devil facial tumour disease on the reproductive physiology of the male Tasmanian devil (Sarcophilus harrisii)
Formatted title
The effects of season and devil facial tumour disease on the reproductive physiology of the male Tasmanian devil (Sarcophilus harrisii)
Journal name Reproduction, Fertility and Development   Check publisher's open access policy
ISSN 1031-3613
1448-5990
Publication date 2012-01-01
Sub-type Article (original research)
DOI 10.1071/RD11134
Open Access Status Not yet assessed
Volume 24
Issue 7
Start page 999
End page 1007
Total pages 9
Place of publication Clayton, VIC, Australia
Publisher C S I R O Publishing
Language eng
Abstract Devil facial tumour disease (DFTD) is the cause of the rapid decline of wild Tasmanian devils. Female devils are seasonal breeders with births peaking during autumn (i.e. March) but the degree of reproductive seasonality in male devils is unknown. The objective of this study was to examine the potential effects of season and DFTD on reproductive function in male devils (n≤55). Testicular (1.900.23g) and epididymal (0.900.06g) weights were maximal during autumn and spring (P0.05), whereas prostate (3.710.74g) and Cowper's gland (0.680.22; 0.520.21g) weights peaked during autumn (P0.001). The motility of spermatozoa from the cauda epididymides extracted post-mortem was similar (P0.05) across season and disease state (31.513.1% total motility). Testicular and epididymal weights were no different between animals displaying late or early-stage DTFD signs or disease-free animals (P0.1). The accessory sex glands were larger in late-stage DFTD animals than in animals with early-stage disease signs or which were disease-free (P0.01) but effects of season on this result can't be excluded. Serum testosterone concentrations peaked during summer (0.250.18ngmL-1) but values were not different from the preceding and subsequent seasons (P0.05), nor influenced by disease stage (P0.1). Seasonal and DFTD-related changes in serum cortisol concentrations were not evident (P0.1). Male devil reproduction does not appear to be restricted by season nor inhibited by DFTD.
Keyword Seasonality
Reproduction
Tasmanian devil facial tumour disease
Epididymal spermatozoa
Dasyurid
Cortisol
Accessory sex glands
Q-Index Code C1
Q-Index Status Provisional Code
Institutional Status Non-UQ

Document type: Journal Article
Sub-type: Article (original research)
Collection: School of Agriculture and Food Sciences
 
Versions
Version Filter Type
Citation counts: TR Web of Science Citation Count  Cited 3 times in Thomson Reuters Web of Science Article | Citations
Scopus Citation Count Cited 7 times in Scopus Article | Citations
Google Scholar Search Google Scholar
Created: Mon, 15 Dec 2014, 22:03:58 EST by Tamara Keeley on behalf of School of Agriculture and Food Sciences