Plasma Calcium, Magnesium and Protein of Viviparous Colubrid Snakes During Estrous Cycle

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Abstract
Levels of Ca, Mg and total protein were measured in plasma of specimens of 10 kinds of water snakes, Natrix, and 14 kinds of garter snakes, Thamnophis, collected at various times of the year. Concentration of Ca and Mg of nonestrous females, males and immature specimens differs little (Natrix, 3.4 and 1.6 m[image]/l; Thamnophis 3.1 and 1.5 m[image]/l). Females of both genera have higher protein concentrations than males during all seasons (Natrix males 4.65, nonestrous females 4.88 g/100 ml; Thamnophis males 3.60, nonestrous females 3.95 g/100 ml). No distinct seasonal differences occur in Ca, Mg or total protein of males. Marked increases in all 3 substances accompany estrus in females of both genera. The average increase in protein is about 1 g/100 ml. Ca rises to an average of 12.29 m[image]/l in Thamnophis and 8.35 m[image]/l in Natrix; Mg rises to an average of 4.43 m[image]/l in Thamnophis and to 2.20 m[image]/l in Natrix. The most extreme values of Ca, 40.1 m[image]/l, and Mg, 15.9 m[image]/l, occurred in specimens of Thamnophis sirtalis which had just ovulated. Within 2-3 days following ovulation protein, Ca and Mg fall to nonestrous levels.

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