Gonadal development and differentiation in Alligator mississippiensis at male and female producing incubation temperatures

Journal of Zoology - Tập 218 Số 4 - Trang 679-687 - 1989
Jean M.P. Joss1
1Macquarie University, NSW, 2109, Australia

Tóm tắt

The development and differentiation of the gonads of embryonic alligators incubated at 30 °C (100% female producing) and 33 °C (100% male producing) was investigated histologically. The stage of development of the gonad and differentiation into an ovary or a testis occurred at essentially the same time at both temperatures. This contrasts with the overall development of the embryos which was slower at the lower temperature. A few days prior to differentiation, gonads grew more quickly at 33 °C than they did at 30 °C. However, once differentiated into a presumptive testis, gonads reduced in volume so that at hatching presumptive testes were smaller than presumptive ovaries. It is hypothesized that synchrony/asynchrony of development of the gonad and the rest of the embryo may account for temperature‐dependent sex determination.

Từ khóa


Tài liệu tham khảo

10.1016/S0022-5193(87)80077-2

10.1086/411613

10.1038/266828a0

10.1098/rstb.1988.0111

Ferguson M. W. J., 1985, Biology of the Reptilia. Development, 329

10.1038/296850a0

10.1111/j.1469-7998.1983.tb05781.x

Forbes T. R., 1940, Studies on the reproductive system of the alligator. IV. Observations on the development of the gonad, the adrenal cortex and the Miillerian duct, Contr. Embryol., 28, 129

George F., 1980, Testicular development, structure and function

10.1111/j.1749-7345.1977.tb00138.x

10.1016/0016-6480(82)90249-0

Webb G. J. W., 1987, Wildlife management: crocodiles and alligators, 507

Thông tin
Thông tin xuất bản

Journal of Zoology

Tập 218 Số 4

679-687

Thông tin tác giả