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Vertebrate reproductive science and technology
RESEARCH ARTICLE

Vampire bat reproductive control by a naturally occurring phytooestrogen

Hector Serrano A F , Juan-José Pérez-Rivero B , Alvaro Aguilar-Setién C , Octavio de-Paz D and Alejandro Villa-Godoy E
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A Department of Health Sciences, Metropolitan Autonomous University – Iztapalapa, Ave San Rafael Atlixco 186, Mexico City, 09340, DF, Mexico.

B Graduate Program in Animal Production and Health Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, National Autonomous University of Mexico, University City, Coyoacan, Mexico City, 04510, DF, Mexico.

C Medical Research Unit in Immunology, Child Health and Diseases Hospital, Mexican Institute of Health and Social Security, CMNSXXI, Ave Cuauhtemoc 330, Mexico City, 06725, DF, Mexico.

D National Center for Research in Animal Microbiology, National Research Institute in Agriculture, Forestry and Animal Sciences, Km 35 Federal Road to Toluca, Palo Alto, Edo. Mexico, Mexico.

E Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, College of Veterinary Medicine, National Autonomous University of Mexico, University City, 04510, DF, Mexico.

F Corresponding author: Email: hser@xanum.uam.mx

Reproduction, Fertility and Development 19(3) 470-472 https://doi.org/10.1071/RD06100
Submitted: 31 August 2006  Accepted: 1 February 2007   Published: 19 March 2007

Abstract

Rabies transmission by wild animals has not being controlled satisfactorily. One major rabies vector to humans and cattle is the hematophagus vampire bat Desmodus rotundus whose distribution is still increasing in the Americas. Of all of the strategies currently in place to control this vector, none of them are really specific and some have ecological impacts. In the present study we used a naturally occurring phytooestrogen on a small vampire bat colony. After collection, bats were fed bovine blood containing 200 μg coumestrol for a 30-day period. After treatment, gonads were excised and processed for histological evaluation. Data indicate that coumestrol adversely affects gonad histology and has a possible impact on the fertility of both male and female vampire bats.

Additional keywords: oestrogen receptor, ovaries, testis.


References

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