Abstract
Freshwater turtles (Chrysemys picta) were collected from two sites on Cape Cod, MA. One site (Moody Pond), adjacent to the Massachusetts Military Reservation (MMR), was considered potentially impacted by toxic agents deriving from contaminant point sources on the MMR. The second (reference) site (Washburn Pond), to the east of the MMR, was considered not impacted by these pollutants and was chosen as a control site. Plasma estradiol 17 beta and vitellogenin were significantly lower in female turtles from Moody Pond. Ovarian follicular analysis indicated a significant decrease in the >16.00-mm follicular cohort in Moody Pond female turtles compared with Washburn Pond animals. Although testicular weight was lower at the Moody Pond site, histology, plasma testosterone, and sperm number were similar to these parameters in Washburn Pond animals. The data suggest that in Moody Pond, the reproductive capacity of turtles may be negatively affected by contaminants from the MMR.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
More From: Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.