EFFECT OF STERIODS ON THE REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS OF FEMALE ORNASTIX HARWICKI

Abstract

Effects of steroids (oestradiol, testosterone, methyl testosterone and cortisol) have been studied on ovarian and oviductal morphology of the spiny tailed lizard, Uromastix hardwicki, at different time s of the year. In t he preovulatory lizards (in May), oestradiol induced an increase ln the weight of the ovaries and an increase in total number of follicles was also recorded but other steroids failed to produce a significant stimulation of ovaries . Identical treatment with steroids in July when the reproductive organs are in a reg-ressed state, resulted in a differential rise in ovarian weights in all treatment groups although maximal increase was induced with oestradiol. Response of the ovary to steroids during the recrudscent phase (in September) was essentially similar to that observed in July. In this set of experiments, however, methyl testosterone did not bring about any marked change, either in the size or the weight of the ovaries. Effect of various steroids on oviductal histology was assessed in lizar ds obtained 1 2 in the month of July . Oestradiol and testosterone treatment induced a hypertrophy of the various layers of the oviduct and enlargement of the submucosal g l ands . Histology of the oviduct from methyl testosterone and c ortisol treated lizards, was not different from that of the control animals. - In cortisol treated lizards, the oviductal glands were markedly regressed.