Multiple paternity and sperm storage in captive Hermann's tortoises, Testudo hermanni boettgeri determined from
C M Farke1, K Olek2, W M Gerding3
1Allgemeine Zoologie und Neurobiologie, Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Universitätsstr. 150, ND 7/27, 44780 Bochum, Germany.
Molecular and Cellular Probes
|May 25, 2015
Abstract:
We identified multiple paternity in 52.9% of the clutches of Hermann's tortoise Testudo hermanni boettgeri using polymorphic microsatellite markers. In addition we demonstrated sperm storage across seasons. DNA was extracted from the amniotic fluid adhering to the eggshell's inner surface, a procedure suitable for easy, non-invasive DNA sampling in conservation and breeding programs. To improve the informative value of monomorphic single tandem repeat (STR) markers we additionally analyzed single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) variability.
Related Concept Videos
01:41Spermatogenesis
124.9K
Spermatogenesis is the process by which haploid sperm cells are produced in the male testes. It starts with stem cells located close to the outer rim of seminiferous tubules. These spermatogonial stem cells divide asymmetrically to give rise to additional stem cells (meaning that these structures “self-renew”), as well as sperm progenitors, called spermatocytes. Importantly, this method of asymmetric mitotic division maintains a population of spermatogonial stem cells in the male...
124.9K
01:38Fertilization
94.1K
During fertilization, an egg and sperm cell fuse to create a new diploid structure. In humans, the process occurs once the egg has been released from the ovary, and travels into the fallopian tubes. The process requires several key steps: 1) sperm present in the genital tract must locate the egg; 2) once there, sperm need to release enzymes to help them burrow through the protective zona pellucida of the egg; and 3) the membranes of a single sperm cell and egg must fuse, with the sperm...
94.1K