W.E. Cooper Jr. K.W. Wasmund J.E. Lovich W.R. Garstka 1991 <ol><li>Survey of androgens and estrogens in serum, liver and testes of male yellow-bellied slider turtles, <i>Trachemys</i> (= <i>Pseudemys</i>) <i>scripta</i>, 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.</li><li>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.</li><li>Epitestosterone was found in the serum and liver of only melanistic males; testosterone was only rarely recovered.</li><li>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.</li></ol> application/pdf 10.1016/0300-9629(91)90532-H en Elsevier Male sex steroids and hormonal control of male courtship behavior in the yellow-bellied slider turtle, <i>Trachemys scripta</i> article