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Klenina A. A., Kuznetsova E. V. Seasonal dynamics of sex hormone levels in Elaphe dione (Pallas 1773) (Colubridae, Reptilia) in the northern part of the range. Current Studies in Herpetology, 2025, vol. 25, iss. 3, pp. 144-154. DOI: https://doi.org/10.18500/1814-6090-2025-25-3-4-144-154
Seasonal dynamics of sex hormone levels in Elaphe dione (Pallas 1773) (Colubridae, Reptilia) in the northern part of the range
We investigated seasonal changes in the plasma levels of sex hormones in males (testosterone) and females (progesterone and estradiol) of Elaphe dione (Pallas 1773). Snakes (21 males and 17 females) were captured from May to August 2022 on the Samarskaya Luka (Samara Region, Russian Federation). Some individuals (4 males and 11 females) after capture were kept under controlled laboratory conditions for two months, then they were released at the capture sites. Blood was sampled immediately after capture. In the snakes kept in laboratory conditions, blood was drawn no more than 2 times per month. In total, 88 samples were collected (55 from females and 33 from males, respectively). The concentration of the sex steroids in plasma was measured by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The progesterone concentration reached maximum values in pregnant females and then decreased after egg laying, while the estradiol levels gradually increased after the end of the mating season. The seasonal dynamics of male testosterone levels indicated a dissociated reproductive pattern, when the spring breeding period coincided with low androgen concentrations and testicular regression, while spermatogenesis occurred in the summer. We believe that our findings shed light on E. dione reproductive biology and could be helpful for possible conservation efforts in relation to this poorly studied species.
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