Temperatures Lower than Preferred Ones Maintain DNA Integrity and Sperm Quality of Lepidophyma gaigeae (SQUAMATA: XANTUSIIDAE)
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: The global increase of temperature has directly impacted the environment and reproduc-tion of ectothermic organisms, leading to defects in processes that intervene in sperm quality and maturation. The present study evaluates the effect of temperature on sperm quality of the lizard Lepidophyma gaigeae, in the surroundings of Landa de Matamoros, Querétaro. As a species under special protection, only 12 male individuals were captured during December 2020 and exposed at 1) preferred temperature (Tpref) at 24 OC; 2) Low Temperature (LT) at 21 OC; 3) individuals without treatment (Control) to compare the effect on viability, concentration and integrity of DNA, as well as if the presence of the cyto-plasmic droplet (CD). Sperm viability decreased by approximately 50% in organisms exposed at Tpref, ac-companied by a significant reduction in concentration. Likewise, the CD evaluation showed a retention percentage of 30% at the cauda level, while the LT and Control groups showed 5% in this terminal area of the epididymis. The percentage of sperm with intact DNA was also decreased in the Tpref group compared to the LT and Control groups. These findings highlight how thermal environments impact reptilian reproduction, rein-forcing not only what has already been found in these species in recent years, but also the repercussions that it presents in the medium- or long-term exposure in these organisms at an ecological level, as well as the consequences with the potential damage and even infer-tility, in case of prolonged exposition to preferred temperatures.
Source: Animals
DOI: 10.3390/ani15121784
Language: English
Subfield: Physiology
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $2,896
OpenAlex ID: W4411368816