Testicle histology of the Epicrates cenchria: a morphological and reproductive biology analysis

Abstract

The lack of information about anatomy, physiology and reproductive biology in many snake species makes the understanding of these free-living animals’ reproduction and reproductive biotechnics application in captivity difficult. The present study aims to evaluate the Epicrates cenchria’s testicle morphology and correlate these findings with environmental aspects and reproductive biology. The testicles of five specimens of E. cenchria were histologically evaluated, and it was possible to observe seasonality in sperm production, with the presence of mature spermatozoa in the wettest and warmest periods of the year, as well as the highest testicular volume in these periods. Correlating these findings with that reported in the literature on copulation period presupposes a prenuptial (or associated) pattern in E. cenchria.

Histological aspects of the renal sexual segment of Brazilian snakes of the Boidae family

“…The organs obtained were analysed and dissected under a circular white-light magnifying glass and a stereomicroscope, respectively. Other information such as testicular volume, determination of the spermatogenic cycle (Ballinger & Nietfeldt, 1989) based on histological findings of the tests and climatic data from the capture sites for the study period was also obtained (Bento et al, 2019(Bento et al, , 2022.…”