Changes in gonadal and adrenal steroid levels in the leatherback sea turtle (Dermochelys coriacea) during the nesting cycle

General and Comparative Endocrinology
D C RostalFrank V Paladino

Abstract

The reproductive endocrinology of nesting leatherback turtles (Dermochelys coriacea) was studied during the 1996-1997 and 1997-1998 nesting seasons at Los Baulas National Park, Playa Grande, Costa Rica. Blood samples were collected from nesting females throughout the season. Females were observed to nest up to 10 times during the nesting season. Plasma steroids were measured by radioimmunoassay and total plasma calcium was measured by flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Plasma testosterone and plasma estradiol levels declined throughout the nesting cycle of the female. Testosterone declined from a mean of 10.18 +/- 0.77 ng/ml at the beginning of the nesting cycle to 1.73 +/- 0.34 ng/ml at the end of the nesting cycle. Estradiol declined in a similar manner, ranging from a mean of 190.95 +/- 16.80 pg/ml at the beginning of the nesting cycle to 76.52 +/- 12.66 pg/ml at the end of the nesting cycle. Plasma progesterone and total calcium levels were relatively constant throughout the nesting cycle. Lack of fluctuation of total calcium levels, ranging from a mean high of 97.46 +/- 11.37 microg/ml to a mean low of 64.85 +/- 11.20 microg/ml, further suggests that vitellogenesis is complete prior to the arrival of the female at ...Continue Reading

References

Jan 1, 1976·Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology. A, Comparative Physiology·V Lance
Jul 11, 1992·General and Comparative Endocrinology·T WibbelsM S Amoss

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Citations

Feb 24, 2007·Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine : Official Publication of the American Association of Zoo Veterinarians·Sharon L DeemWilliam B Karesh
Oct 23, 2012·Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine : Official Publication of the American Association of Zoo Veterinarians·Kathleen E HuntRosalind M Rolland
Nov 21, 2002·General and Comparative Endocrinology·Ashley EdwardsNoel W Davies
Jun 14, 2016·Conservation Physiology·Kathleen E HuntConstance Merigo
Jun 14, 2016·General and Comparative Endocrinology·Julianne M WintersHarold W Avery
Jun 28, 2016·Biological Reviews of the Cambridge Philosophical Society·Edwin R Price
Jan 1, 2013·Conservation Physiology·Daphne Wrobel GoldbergVera Lúcia Freire da Cunha Bastos
Mar 9, 2018·Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine : Official Publication of the American Association of Zoo Veterinarians·Jennifer E FlowerMark A Mitchell
May 7, 2021·Journal of Experimental Zoology. Part A, Ecological and Integrative Physiology·Alejandro Usategui-MartínDaniel Montero

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