Annual Reproduction in Females of a Viviparous Skink (Oligosoma maccanni) in a Subalpine Environment

The reptilian oviduct is a complex organ with a variety of functions (albumen production, eggshell production, placentation, oviposition or parturition, and sperm storage), depending on the parity mode of the species in question. These functions are under complex physiological control, the details of which are far from understood. The aims of this review are to summarise the information available concerning the structure and functions of the reptilian oviduct and to highlight areas in particular need of further research.

Plasma concentrations of corticosterone and sex steroids were examined in vitellogenic frogs (litoria ewingi) at 0, 0.5, 3, and 24 hr after capture from the wild. Plasma corticosterone concentrations were undetectable ( 0.05). Plasma progesterone concentration varied slightly after capture (P = 0.046) but this was of doubtful significance. Concentrations of corticosterone did not significantly correlate with estradiol, testosterone, or progesterone concentrations during 0-24 hr after capture. These results and previous studies indicate considerable variation among the sex steroid responses of female amphibians to capture. We suggest that the stage of vitellogenesis may modulate the amphibian response to captivity stress.