Metabolic and endocrine changes during the reproductive cycle of dermatophagic caecilians in captivity

摘要: The amphibian order Gymnophiona is poorly known, and studies about their reproduction are mainly comparative descriptive, focusing on the structure of testes, ovaries oviducts. However, to understand reproductive processes, including those oviparous dermatophagic species, it important know dynamics storage mobilization energetic substrates gonads skin during cycle males females, as well endocrine control associated. For present study, total lipids proteins were measured annual in plasma, liver, muscle, Siphonops annulatus captivity. Plasma levels gonadal steroids (estradiol, testosterone progesterone) quantified by radioimmunoassay. Histological analyses testes performed classify maturation stages animals cycle. Gonadal females S. was accompanied metabolic changes reserve tissues, which supported development prepared females' epidermis for feeding offspring. Even confinement conditions, synchronized period. due absence environmental cues captivity inadequate hormones responsible gamete release triggered, leading a lack success.