Journal article

Publication year: 2020

Pages: 410-419

Journal: Tierärztliche Praxis, Ausgabe K: Kleintiere, Heimtiere

Volume number: 48

Issue number: 06

ISSN: 1434-1239

eISSN: 2567-5842

DOI Link: https://doi.org/10.1055/a-1274-9146

Publisher: Thieme Publishing

Abstract: 

Objective Measurement of steroid hormones in skin appendages such as mammalian hair or claws and in avian feathers represents a recognized non-invasive method for the determination of these parameters. The aim of this pilot study in the Gila Monster was to investigate whether the measurement of sex steroids in shed skin may be employed for the monitoring of endocrine gonadal function or sex determination in reptiles.

Material and methods Shed skins were available from 11 female and 7 male adult and sexually mature animals. Large pieces of skin were initially cut into smaller pieces with scissors. The resultant dermal fragments were finely ground under liquid nitrogen and finally extracted with organic solvents. The following parameters were determined radioimmunologically in the dried and re-dissolved extracts: progesterone (P4), estradiol-17 beta (E2), testosterone (T), free total estrogens (fGO) and free plus conjugated total estrogens (fkGO).

Results For P4 (p = 0.0052) and E2 (p = 0.0079) significant sex differences were found with higher concentrations in females compared to males. Unexpectedly, the measured values for T were also significantly higher in females (p = 0.0232) than in males, with the concentrations overall only slightly above the detection limit. Compared to fGO, the concentrations of fkGO were only slightly higher, with no significant differences between both sexes.

Conclusion and clinical relevance In this pilot study, the methods employed did not allow for reliable sex determination in individual animals, neither alone nor in combination, due to an overlap between the sexes. In principle, however, the measurement of sex steroids in shed skins could represent a useful method for non-invasive sex determination or endocrine gonadal function assessment in certain reptile species.

Harvard Citation style: Schuler, G., Feller, S. and Schwandt, H. (2020) Determination of sex steroids in shed skin of the beaded lizard Heloderma suspectum ("Gila Monster"), Tierärztliche Praxis, Ausgabe K: Kleintiere, Heimtiere, 48(06), pp. 410-419. https://doi.org/10.1055/a-1274-9146

APA Citation style: Schuler, G., Feller, S., & Schwandt, H. (2020). Determination of sex steroids in shed skin of the beaded lizard Heloderma suspectum ("Gila Monster"). Tierärztliche Praxis, Ausgabe K: Kleintiere, Heimtiere. 48(06), 410-419. https://doi.org/10.1055/a-1274-9146