This study investigates the etiology, diagnosis, and treatment of follicular stasis in female veiled chameleons (Chamaeleo calyptratus). Reproductive status was assessed by enzyme immunoassay of fecal metabolites of estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, and corticosterone; ultrasonography; and male introduction trials. Ultrasonography and hormone pattern analysis confirmed follicular stasis, while female response to male presence was inconclusive. Hormone patterns of corticosterone metabolites indicated a cyclical pattern consistent with reproductive events, but there was insufficient data to compare peak levels between ovulatory and non-ovulatory cycles. Ovulation induction was unsuccessful using either chicken GnRH-II, or a combination of progesterone and prostaglandin F2α. Feed restriction induced weight loss, but this was not directly related to changes in follicle size. Prevention of follicular development (i.e. contraception) was attempted using Depo-Provera and Lupron Depot, but neither treatment was effective. The outcomes of this study supplement the information on follicular stasis in reptiles, but further research is still needed. / NSERC, Toronto Zoo
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:LACETR/oai:collectionscanada.gc.ca:OGU.10214/6678 |
| Date | 13 May 2013 |
| Creators | Pimm, Robyn |
| Contributors | King, W. Allan, Mastromonaco, Gabriela |
| Source Sets | Library and Archives Canada ETDs Repository / Centre d'archives des thèses électroniques de Bibliothèque et Archives Canada |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
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