Journal of Endocrinology and Reproduction

R. N. Jadhav ¹, A. S. Padgaonkar ²

Affiliations
1 Department of Zoology, ESA College of Science, Vasai Road 401202, Maharashtra, IN
2 E/2, Sagar Vaibhav Society, L.M. Road, Dahisar, Mumbai- 400069, IN

Abstract

The pars anterior of the pituitary gland of the estuarine snake Enhydris enhydris was studied in relation to the seasonal pattern of testicular activity, adopting histological techniques. Three types of basophils, type I, type II and type III, were distinguished in pars anterior of this snake adopting PAS-Orange G-Methyl Blue staining. Relying on the published literature the type I basophils (BI) are inferred as thyrotrophs, type II (BII) as FSH gonadotrophs and type III (BIII) as LH gonadotrophs, which are inferred to secrete TSH, FSH and LH, respectively. This inference is based on the observation that BI basophils underwent seasonal variation in abundance and structural features matching thyroid activity in relation to seasonal pattern of spermatogenesis, seasonal variation in BII basophils correlated directly with the seasonal spermatogenic cycle and seasonal pattern n in BIII basophils matched correlates of testicular interstitial cell activity. That the testicular activity is controlled by the pituitary gland in this snake was, further, substantiated by the regressive and degenerative changes in the seminiferous tubules. Thus, this study establishes the existence of pituitary-gonadal axis in this lizard, and there are indications that the testicular activity in this snake is under dual control of FSH and LH, as in the mammals.

Keywords

Pituitary, Gonad, Basophils, Gonadotrophs, Hypophysectomy.

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R. N. Jadhav ¹, A. S. Padgaonkar ²

Affiliations
1 Department of Zoology, ESA College of Science, Vasai Road, Maharashtra 401202, IN
2 E/2-Sagar Vaibhav Society, Dahisar (W), Mumbai 400068, IN

Abstract

The testis of Enhydris enhydris undergoes a definite seasonal reproductive cycle. Breeding takes place during the month of October, following which the testes regress. There is definite arrest of spermatogenesis till the next breeding season. Based on the histological examination of the seminiferous epithelium, the testicular activity is divided into four phases, recrudescent, breeding, degenerate and regressed. Recrudescence begins in the month of June. The testis becomes spermatogenically functional at the beginning of October. The testicular weight and gonado-somatic index show a gradual increase during the recrudescent phase (June -Sep) reaching the peak in the month of October. At the onset of degenerative phase the testicular weight and gonado-somatic index start decreasing. A corresponding seasonal variation is reflected in the ductus epididymidis and ductus deferens as observed from the epithelial cell height and the diameter of the respective ducts. On the other hand the sexual segment of kidney never reaches peak and does not indicate any seasonal cycle.

Keywords

Snake, Male Gonad, Reproductive Cycle, Testis, Seasonal Cycle.

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R. N. Jadhav ¹, A. S. Padgaonkar ²

Affiliations
1 Department of Zoology, ESA College of Science, Vasai Road 401202, Maharashtra, IN
2 E/2,Sagar Vaibhav Society, Dahisar, Mumbai 400068, IN

Abstract

Aadministration of mammalian gonadotropins (FSH & LH during the regressed phase of testes of the snake Enhydris enhydris induced spermatogenesis, and caused hypertrophy of Leydig cells. The results indicate that the testis of Enhydris enhydris is not refractory to gonadotropin stimulation during regressed phase of the reproductive cycle. It is further suggested that all aspects of testicular function in snakes may be accounted for by a single FSH-like gonadotropin.

Keywords

Snake, Regressed Testes, Gonadotropins, Spermatogenesis.

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R. N. Jadhav ¹, A. S. Padgaonkar ²

Affiliations
1 Department of Zoology, E.S.A. College of Science, Vasai Road 401202, Maharashtra, IN
2 E/2 Sagar Vaibhav Society, Dahisar, Mumbai 400068, IN

Abstract

Administration of FSH (1IU/day) to the snake Enhydris enhydris for 14, 28 and 42 days resulted in increase in diameter of the seminiferous tubules of the regressed testes. Proliferation of spermatogonia and increase in abundance of primary spermatocytes were also observed. But the treatment failed to induce the spermatogenic cells to meiotic division. The interstitial cells in the testes between control and FSH-treated snakes did not show any difference. The failure to complete the process of spermatogenesis after FSH treatment indicates that role by a second hormone is necessary for the completion of spermatogenic process. The second hormone may be either LH or androgen.

Keywords

FSH, Snake, Testes.

Full Text

     

R. N. Jadhav ¹, A. S. Padgaonkar ²

Affiliations
1 Department of Zoology, E.S.A. College of Science, Vasai Road, 401 202, Maharashtra, IN
2 Sagar Vaibhav Society, Dahisar (W), Mumbai 400 068, IN

Abstract

Administration of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) (50 IU/Day) to the sexually quiescent snake Cerberus rhynchops for 14 and 28 days had no stimulatory effect on the seminiferous tubules of the regressed testes, but had a stimulatory effect in the epididymis. However, the testes of the animals treated for 28 days showed accumulation of lipid, without any spermatogenic activity in the seminiferous tubules.

Keywords

Snake, Testes, HCG, Gonadotropin.

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