Characteristics of gonads and oviducts in hatchlings and young of Chelydra serpentina resulting from three incubation temperatures

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Abstract
Eggs of Chelydra serpentina were incubated at 30°C and 26°C. In addition, incubation was done at 20°C during the temperature‐sensitive period for sex determination. Incubation at 20°C and 30°C resulted in females; incubation at 26°C resulted in males in 99% of the cases. The average gonadal length was less in the males. The average length of the 20°C ovaries did not vary significantly from that of the 30°C ovaries. The condition of the oviducts was correlated with histology of the gonads in hatchlings and in 3‐month‐old animals. When at least one of the oviducts was obvious and intact, ovaries were present. If the oviducts were absent or interrupted, testes were present. Histological characteristics of the gonads resulting from the three incubation temperatures are described. In the 26°C testes, cellular infiltrations occurred frequently. The ovaries of 20°C hatchlings tended to have a less developed germinal epithelium than that of the 30°C animals. Also, epithelial cysts occurred frequently in the 20°C ovaries. The incidence of follicles at 3 months was not differential.