Is corticosterone involved in the reproductive processes of the male lizard, Podarcis sicula sicula?
Publication Type: |
Journal Article |
Year of Publication: |
1994 |
Authors: |
C. Manzo, M. Zerani, A. Gobbetti, M.M. Di Fiore, F. Angelini |
Publication/Journal: |
Hormones and Behavior |
Keywords: |
aggression, aggressive behavior, corticosterone, lizard, mating, podarcis sicula sicula, testosterone |
ISBN: |
0018-506X |
Abstract:
Corticosterone (B) and testosterone (T) plasma levels and the effects of short (1-48 min) and long (6-192 hr) confinement stress during the various phases of the reproductive period of the male lizard, Podarcis sicula sicula, were studied; in addition, the in vitro effects of B on the T secretion by testis and adrenals were evaluated. Plasma B was highest during the mating phase and plasma T was highest during the aggressive phase. Confinement stress caused an increase of B plasma levels within 12 min of capture and a decrease in plasma T within 48 min of capture; B increase and T decrease continued for 48 hr, but, after 192 hr of confinement, the levels of these two steroids became similar to those found a few minutes after capture. The basal release of T by the tests and of B and T by adrenals mirrored the trends seen in the systemic circulation. In in vitro experiments B treatment decreased T by testis and adrenal tissue release in aggressive and mating phases. These data suggest that B could involved in the reproduction of P. s. sicula by acting on T synthesis to reduce aggressive behavior and allow breeding.