Life-history theory predicts that stress responses should be muted to maximize reproductive fitness. Yet, the relationship between stress and reproduction for semelparous salmon is unusual because successfully spawning individuals have elevated plasma cortisol levels. To tease apart the effects of high baseline cortisol levels and stress-induced elevation of cortisol titers, we determined how v...

Organic enrichment from fish farming may impact benthic species and habitats in adjacent areas. Norwegian salmon is continuously growing, but, due to area conflicts severe sea-lice problems the western areas, growth of industry focused northern Knowledge scarce on how an increase will Arctic subarctic habitats. One such Iceland scallop Chlamys islandica , distributed Lofoten Islands Nordland Co...

The mammalian oocyte and embryo display considerable plasticity. Even in sub-optimal conditions, as in vitro environment may be certainly considered, the oocyte is able to mature, face fertilization and develop first into an embryo and finally to a live offspring. Such ability has encouraged, over the decades, the development of numerous in vitro assisted reproductive technologies (ART) in seve...

The relationship between mast cells (MCs) and pregnancy is a controversially discussed topic. The presence and quantitative distribution of MCs in the reproductive tract was confirmed in different species. A phase-dependent oscillation of MCs during the hormonal regulated estrous cycle was suggested and on this basis, MCs were assumed to play a positive role in implantation because of their abi...

In the present paper, we introduce a transgenic mouse line whose sperm express green fluorescent protein (GFP) in their acrosome and red fluorescent protein (RFP) in their mitochondria [B6D2F1- Tg(CAG/su9-DsRed2, Acr3-EGFP)RBGS002Osb]. The dual fluorescent sperm showed normal fertilizing ability in both in vivo and in vitro fertilization and the sperm could be observed through uterine and ovidu...

*Correspondence: Maria De Falco, Section of Evolutionary and Comparative Biology, Department of Biology, Via Mezzocannone, 8 80134 Naples, Italy e-mail: [email protected] Endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are identified for their ability to perturb the homeostasis of endocrine system and hormonal balance. The male reproductive system is under close control of hormones and each change in th...