Abstract

BELEN ARRIETA, María; SANDOVA, María Teresa  and  ALVAREZ, Blanca Beatriz. Ovarian structure and follicular dynamics of Liolaemus azarai (Squamata: Liolaemidae). Caldasia [online]. 2017, vol.39, n.2, pp.247-259. ISSN 0366-5232.  https://doi.org/10.15446/caldasia.v39n2.64967.

The knowledge of ovarian morphology and its seasonal variations is essential to interpret the reproductive strategies of reptiles. The ovarian morphology and histology of Liolaemus azarai, was analyzed in order to characterize its changes and to provide information to determine their reproductive cycle. One germinal bed per ovary with oogonia and primary oocytes, it demonstrates that the proliferative activity of the germ line is maintained in adult. During previtellogenic stages, all of the females captured, the oocyte grows near 30 times due to increase of cytoplasmic contents, and follicular layer with three types of cells develops. The vitellogenic stages are characterized by the incorporation of the yolk platelets and important modifications in the follicular epithelium, is organized in a layer of flats cells, this time were observed in September, October, November and December. The corpora lutea was observed in an advanced stage of development, in October and December, according to the degree of intrauterine embryonic development. The atretic follicles were observed in October and December. The early atretic showed oocyte phagocytosis, abundant follicular cells and invation of blood cells; the advanced atretic follicles were characterized by autophagic cells. These results are the first contribution to the knowledge of follicular dynamics of L. azarai, and will be useful for to interpret the unknown reproductive cycle and embryonic developmental of this specie.

Keywords : Atresia; corpora lutea; follicles; lizard; ovary.

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