Signals of vitellogenesis and estrus in female hawksbill turtles

This study reports a viable means of identifying the vitellogenic cycle and limited estrus period in hawksbill turtles for the purposes of developing captive breeding program, based on the combination of blood metabolite parameters (triglyceride, total protein, and calcium levels), feeding status, a...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inZoological science Vol. 32; no. 1; p. 114
Main Authors Kawazu, Isao, Kino, Masakatsu, Yanagisawa, Makio, Maeda, Konomi, Nakada, Ken, Yamaguchi, Yasuhiro, Sawamukai, Yutaka
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Japan 01.01.2015
Subjects
Animals
Blood Proteins
Calcium - blood
Conservation of Natural Resources
Estrus - physiology
Female
Male
Ovary - physiology
Time Factors
Triglycerides - blood
Turtles - physiology
Vitellogenesis - physiology
follicular development
feeding condition
plasma metabolite concentrations
follicle size
mating
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Summary:This study reports a viable means of identifying the vitellogenic cycle and limited estrus period in hawksbill turtles for the purposes of developing captive breeding program, based on the combination of blood metabolite parameters (triglyceride, total protein, and calcium levels), feeding status, and ovary condition. Follicle size of two focal captive females showed clear seasonal changes, with major development occurring between March and May (19.0-24.4 mm), and exceeding 25 mm between June and September. Triglyceride, total protein, and calcium levels dropped with follicular development and maintenance (March to October), and then began to rise when follicular retraction occurred from October onwards. The two focal turtles reduced food intake during intensive follicular development (April to May). These findings suggest that blood metabolite parameters and feeding conditions are inferred by the vitellogenic cycle. An additional 10 females exhibiting follicular development were mated with a single male for 7-day period between May and June. Follicle size was measured immediately prior to pairing, and a statistically significant difference in follicle size of 10 females was recorded between the seven failed (20.9 mm) and three successful (23.6 mm) mating events. This indicates follicle development is essential to successful mate and monitoring of vitellogenic cycle may help improve the success rates of captive hawksbill breeding programs.
ISSN:0289-0003
DOI:10.2108/zs140212