Male sex steroids and hormonal control of male courtship behavior in the yellow-bellied slider turtle, Trachemys scripta
Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology, Part A: Molecular & Integrative Physiology
By: W.R. Garstka, W.E. Cooper Jr., K.W. Wasmund, and J.E. Lovich
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Abstract
- Survey of androgens and estrogens in serum, liver and testes of male yellow-bellied slider turtles, Trachemys (= Pseudemys) scripta, a species exhibiting dissociated gametogenesis age-dependent melanism, revealed the presence of numerous androgen precursors, androgens, androgen metabolites, and estrogens in quantities varying with season, tissue, and male coloration.
- The most commonly found and abundant androgens in all males were dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and androstenedione, which were present at significantly higher levels in testes than in serum or liver.
- Epitestosterone was found in the serum and liver of only melanistic males; testosterone was only rarely recovered.
- Behavioral testing of castrated male turtles implanted with various androgens, as well as intact and sham-operated controls, revealed that melanistic males courted more frequently than nonmelanistic males, and that exogenous testosterone was most effective in inducing courtship behavior in castrated males.
| Publication type | Article |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | Journal Article |
| Title | Male sex steroids and hormonal control of male courtship behavior in the yellow-bellied slider turtle, Trachemys scripta |
| Series title | Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology, Part A: Molecular & Integrative Physiology |
| DOI | 10.1016/0300-9629(91)90532-H |
| Volume | 98 |
| Issue | 2 |
| Year Published | 1991 |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | Elsevier |
| Contributing office(s) | Western Ecological Research Center |
| Description | 10 p. |
| First page | 271 |
| Last page | 280 |