Reproductive cycle of female Pit Viper (Gloydius halys caucasicus) in Iran

Author(s)

Abstract
The data on reproductive cycle of the Caucasian viper (Gloydius halys caucasicus) from cold mountains of the Iran is presented here in. Knowledge about the reproductive cycle is an important tool for assisted reproduction and is prerequisite for animal breeding in the captivity. Reproductive parameters of 24 female Caucasian snakes from Takht-e-Solaiman mountain-Taleqhan (Cold Mountain), Alborz province in central Iran were studied during different months of year, 2013. The reproductive tracts of samples were examined and follicular developmental stages were assesed according their size and the embryo presence and development were evaluated under stereomicroscope. The follicles were grouped in four types including; types I (2.5-3.3 mm) and type II (5.7-8.4 mm) that were observed in the ovaries from July to November. The number and percentage of follicles type I were maximum in November, 80% (n=28) in the right ovary, and 81% (n=27) in the left one, and these values for follicles type II were maximum in October, in right ovary, 27% (n=13) and left one, 31% (n=14). Ductal follicules were types III (20.5- 22.9 mm) and IV (>29 mm) and observed from July to September. The number and percentage follicules III were maximum in july, in right and left ducts were respectively 12%(n=2) and 8%(n=7) and these values for follicules type IV that were maximum in the September, in right and left ducts were respectively 20%(n=10), and 16%(n=7). The gestation time was from mid-July to late September, lasted for 2.5 months. It seems that mating in this snake occurs in June and the Iranian Pit Viper may have biennial reproductive cycle that requires more study.

Keywords
adult viper- Iranian pitviper - reproductive cycle - follicular growth

Cite this paper
Safieh Bahri, Abdolhossein Shiravi, Fatemeh Todehdehghan, Reproductive cycle of female Pit Viper (Gloydius halys caucasicus) in Iran , SCIREA Journal of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Medicine. Volume 1, Issue 2, December 2016 | PP. 43-53.

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