Does stress make males? An experiment on the role of glucocorticoids in anuran sex reversal.

Environmentally sensitive sex determination may help organisms adapt to environmental change but also makes them vulnerable to anthropogenic stressors, with diverse consequences for population dynamics and evolution. The mechanisms translating environmental stimuli to sex are controversial: although several fish experiments supported the mediator role of glucocorticoid hormones, results on some reptiles challenged it. We tested this hypothesis in amphibians by investigating the effect of corticosterone on sex determination in agile frogs (Rana dalmatina).

Review of Central-Eastern European Propagation and Larvae Nursing Method for Common Carp ( L.).

Common carp ( L.) as a cultivated fish species has huge importance all over the world. According to FAO statistics, carp is the third most widely bred freshwater pond fish species; only two other Cyprinids (silver carp and grass carp) are bred in higher amounts.

Novel genetic sex markers reveal high frequency of sex reversal in wild populations of the agile frog (Rana dalmatina) associated with anthropogenic land use.

Populations of ectothermic vertebrates are vulnerable to environmental pollution and climate change because certain chemicals and extreme temperatures can cause sex reversal during early ontogeny (i.e. genetically female individuals develop male phenotype or vice versa), which may distort population sex ratios.

Development of sperm vitrification protocols for two endangered salmonid species: the Adriatic grayling, Thymallus thymallus, and the marble trout, Salmo marmoratus.

Vitrification was applied to the sperm of two endangered fish species of Soča River basin in Slovenia, the Adriatic grayling (Thymallus thymallus) and marble trout (Salmo marmoratus) following testing different cooling devices and vitrifying media. Sperm was collected, diluted in species-specific non-activating media containing cryoprotectants, and vitrified by plunging directly into liquid nitrogen without pre-cooling. Progressive motility, curvilinear velocity, and straightness of fresh and vitrified-warmed sperm were evaluated with computer-assisted sperm analysis (CASA).

Haemangioma in the oesophagus of a red-eared slider (Trachemys scripta elegans).

A haemangioma developing in the wall of the oesophagus and protruding into its cavity is reported for the first time from a Red-eared Slider (Trachemys scripta elegans). As the tumour mechanically hampered swallowing, the animal was unable to eat and consequently developed a poor condition. Histopathology of the tumour revealed all characteristics of a haemangioma: the blood-filled blood-vessels having an irregular cross-section were lined with endothelial cells.