Chapter 7 - Stress and Reproduction in Reptiles

Abstract

Studies of reptiles have shown that a variety of stressors induce a stress response with an increase in plasma corticosterone (CORT) levels and that this increase in corticosterone may affect gonadal function, reproductive behavior, pregnancy and egg-laying success, survival, and other aspects of fitness. There is also evidence that the effects of stress in reptiles may be modulated by environment, sex, reproductive state, season, mating strategy, and tradeoffs between survival probability and reproductive success. This chapter describes behavioral, endocrine, and neural stress responses and their effects on reproduction in reptiles. It proposes a functional definition of stress for both acute and chronic conditions. The effects of stress on reproduction within the context of natural life histories are discussed. A summary of the pertinent findings of the reviewed literature is also presented. Stress in reptiles can inhibit male behaviors that are necessary for successful reproduction. In reptiles, CORT appears to inhibit male behavior by mechanisms that are largely independent of changes in circulating androgens. Evidence from studies of the green anole lizard suggests that stressor-induced increases in plasma CORT might affect how males respond in future social interactions.