Thyroid function in the desert tortoise, Gopherus agassizii /

(T4) exhibited distinct cycles in both sexes, being lowest

Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Kohel, Kathryn Anne, 1968-
Format: Thesis eBook
Language:English
Published: [Place of publication not identified] : [publisher not identified] ; 1994.
Subjects:
Online Access:Link to OAKTrust copy
Description
Summary:(T4) exhibited distinct cycles in both sexes, being lowest
Additionally, testosterone increased dramatically in this
aggressive behavior associated with increased testosterone.
and increased mating and combat in the late summer. Thus, an
assimilation. The second peak of T4 in males may be due to
contributes to increased T4, tortoises were fasted for two
detectable (less than 0.01 ng/ml). Circulating amounts of T3
during hibernation and rising toward the time of emergence.
feeding, mating, and locomotor activity in the early spring
Females exhibited only one peak in T4, during the early
function, adult, subadult, and juvenile male tortoises were
group. Thus, elevated T4 in desert tortoises is associated
have distinct activity patterns that include increased
in late summer. The desert tortoise has been reported to
increase in T4 may be a result of increased food intake or
increased feeding elevates T4, possibly to support nutrient
increasing testosterone not seen in the females or male
maintained at the Desert Tortoise Conservation Center in Las
may reflect a low rate of T4 to T3 conversion. Thyroxine
metabolic rate after emergence. To determine if food intake
peaked in July only in reproductively active adults.
period of two years in desert tortoises, Gopherus agassizii,
sampled during the months of the second peak in male T4. T4
spring. In males, T4 levels peaked in early spring and again
supporting the proposal that this hormone serves to support
terrestrial reptile, thyroid hormones were measured over a
these energy-demanding activities.
To characterize seasonal changes in thyroid function in a
To evaluate the effects of reproductive condition on thyroid
Vegas, NV. In all samples, triiodothyronine (T3) was non
weeks. Upon refeeding, T4 levels increased, indicating that
with periods of increased feeding and reproductive activity,
Item Description:"Major subject: Zoology".
Vita.
Physical Description:viii, 50 leaves : illustrations ; 28 cm.
Also available online.
Bibliography:Includes bibliographical references.