Monitoring the reproductive activity in captive bred female ball pythons (P. regius) by ultrasound evaluation and noninvasive analysis of faecal reproductive hormone (progesterone and 17β-estradiol) metabolites trends

Abstract

The royal python (Python regius) is commonly bred in captivity. To have a successful breeding season, accurate monitoring of the reproductive activity is necessary. The use of non-invasive monitoring methods in exotics is important in order to minimize stress. For this purpose ultrasound has been anecdotally used to monitor royal python reproductive activity. However, there is limited information regarding the reproductive cycle of this species. The aim of the present study is to monitor the female reproductive cycle of the royal python using ultrasonography and gonadal steroid metabolite measurements in the faeces. The reproductive activity of one hundred twenty-nine adult female P. regius was examined during two consecutive years. We performed brief scans on non-anaesthetized snakes using a portable ultrasound system and a 10–12 MHz linear array transducer (MyLab™ 30 Gold, Esaote). Ultrasound features, dimension and echogenicity of the reproductive structures were determined. During the second reproductive cycle, the hormonal profiles of 30 animals were also evaluated, with a monthly collection of faecal samples. These samples were classified according to reproductive stage, as identified by ultrasonographic examination, and the mean faecal progesterone and 17β-estradiol levels were calculated using the results from an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Progesterone levels increased during the reproductive cycle. Estradiol levels showed greater variability, although they appeared to increase before coupling when compared to the levels between coupling and egg laying. The present study suggests that it is possible to identify different phases in the female royal python reproductive cycle: anovulatory phase, transition, folliculogenesis and embryogenesis. Ultrasound is also useful for identifying follicular regression or slugs. Gonadal steroid metabolite measurements from the faeces could help integrate reproductive information. The use of ultrasonography in addition to the steroid metabolite measurement in the faeces gives an accurate picture of ovarian activity in captive adult female royal pythons.

Monitoring of the Reproductive Cycle in Captive-Bred Female Boa constrictor: Preliminary Ultrasound Observations

“…Professional reptile breeding is becoming increasingly important, and it is therefore particularly useful to develop reliable techniques to monitor reproduction and gestation, maximizing the potential of the breeding itself [ 2 , 15 , 21 , 22 ]. In the present study, behavioral data were integrated with ultrasonography, a noninvasive diagnostic technique, minimizing animal stress.…”

“…Boa constrictor is one of the most common reptiles bred in captivity. A thorough knowledge of the reproductive activity of females and precise monitoring of embryonic development are important for successful breeding [ 1 , 2 ]. Although studies on ultrasound monitoring of the reproductive activity of different reptile species have been reported, it is important to study the characteristics of each species due to the existence of significant interspecies variability [ 3 ].…”

“…Chorioallantoic capillaries are closely aligned with maternal capillaries, so gas exchange is still thought to be its primary function in viviparous squamates, although the transport of inorganic ions [ 11 , 13 ] and histotrophic transfer [ 14 ] are also functions. Ultrasonography is a very important diagnostic tool in any veterinary field, with many potential uses in reptile medicine [ 2 , 15 ]. This technique is considered safe for the patient; it is also a non-invasive method for the evaluation of anatomical position, size, and organ structure.…”

Cytobrushing of the oral mucosa as a possible tool for early detection of testudinid herpesvirus in Horsfield’s tortoises with nonspecific clinical signs

“…2,14 In view of the existence of reptile-breeding farms with high concentrations of animals, it is important to study new methods for clinical and reproductive monitoring as well as for deepening the knowledge on their microbiologic characteristics, and for rapid diagnosis of reproductive and infectious diseases in order to prevent the loss of animals. 3,16,17 Numerous cases of herpesviral infection have been reported in snakes, 7 saurians, 10 and chelonians. 6 Histologic enteric lesions (such as glossitis, stomatitis, and enteritis), central nervous system lesions (meningoencephalitis), and respiratory lesions (tracheitis and pneumonia) have been identified in infected tortoises.…”

Desarrollo gonadal y conductas reproductoras del lagarto enchaquirado, Heloderma horridum (Wiegmann, 1829) bajo cuidado humano

“…Se propone el uso de técnicas no invasivas para el estudio de los ciclos reproductores, un ejemplo son los estudios de imagenología para determinar el desarrollo gonadal mediante monitoreo folicular y la determinación de la ovulación en algunos reptiles, como lagartijas (Martínez-Torres et al, 2006), serpientes (Bertocchi et al, 2018) y aligátores (Lance et al, 2009).…”