A Paradigm Shift in Snakebite Envenoming Therapy: From Conventional Antivenoms to Rationally Designed, Broadly Neutralizing Combination Therapies

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  A Paradigm Shift in Snakebite Envenoming Therapy: From Conventional Antivenoms to Rationally Designed, Broadly Neutralizing Combination Therapies Abstract For over a century, polyclonal antivenom has been the cornerstone of snakebite therapy, saving countless lives. However, the current production method, based on immunizing large animals, has inherent limitations in terms of safety, stability, and supply reliability, thereby creating a pressing need for alternative technologies. This review charts the rise of next-generation antivenoms built on recombinant antibody engineering. We systematically survey the strategies for discovering and developing these molecules, from humanized monoclonal antibodies and VHHs to computationally designed proteins. Our central thesis is that achieving broad-spectrum neutralization against complex venoms requires a shift from single-agent approaches to rationally designed, oligoclonal “cocktail” therapies (defined mixtures of a few select therapeut...

End of the Season Blues: Senescence and Reproductive Trade-Offs in Male Scorpions

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End of the Season Blues: Senescence and Reproductive Trade-Offs in Male Scorpions

Abstract


Seasonal reproductive dynamics and senescence have profound impacts on male fertility, yet these processes remain understudied in scorpions. This study investigates how reproductive parameters—such as testicular mass, sperm quantity, and viability—change over the course of the reproductive season in Urophonius achalensis males. We found that early-season males exhibited higher sperm quality and testicular mass compared to their older counterparts, suggesting that senescence, rather than reproductive effort, drives the decline in sperm viability. Interestingly, isolated males accumulated more sperm without a reduction in viability, highlighting potential mechanisms that preserve sperm quality despite senescence. Body condition also played a key role, with males in better condition showing higher sperm counts but facing a sharper decline in sperm viability as the season progressed, suggesting trade-offs between early reproductive success and later-life reproductive costs. Our findings offer novel insights into the reproductive strategies of scorpions, emphasizing the interplay between senescence, environmental stressors, and reproductive investment. This work provides new insights into the reproductive biology of scorpions, with broader implications for understanding the role of senescence and mating systems in shaping reproductive strategies.

Vrech, D. E., A., M., Olivero, P. A., & Peretti, A. V. (2024). End of the Season Blues: Senescence and Reproductive Trade-Offs in Male Scorpions. Insects, 15(12), 916. https://doi.org/10.3390/insects15120916