Ovarian morphology in neonates of three oviparous lizard species from northeastern Argentina

Ovarian development is a key process for understanding the reproductive biology of reptiles and the dynamics of sexual maturation during the juvenile period. This study characterized the histological structure of the ovaries of neonates from three lizard species inhabiting the northeastern region of...

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Autores principales: Sandoval, Maria Teresa, Arrieta, María Belén, Delssin, Andrea Raquel, Alvarez, Blanca Beatriz
Formato: Artículo revista
Lenguaje:Español
Publicado: Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales y Agrimensura 2026
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Acceso en línea:https://revistas.unne.edu.ar/index.php/fce/article/view/8981
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Sumario:Ovarian development is a key process for understanding the reproductive biology of reptiles and the dynamics of sexual maturation during the juvenile period. This study characterized the histological structure of the ovaries of neonates from three lizard species inhabiting the northeastern region of Argentina: Salvator merianae, Tropidurus catalanensis, and Cercosaura schrebersii. The results showed similar topographic features of the ovaries between the three species analyzed. Histologically, a well-developed lacunar medulla and cortex were observed, but interspecific variation in the number and developmental stages of germ cells and follicles was noted. S. merianae presented few oogonia in the cortex, suggesting that germline proliferation and the onset of folliculogenesis occur during the juvenile stage. In T. catalanensis and C. schrebersii, nests of oocytes at early meiotic stages and follicles at early developmental stages were observed, suggesting that folliculogenesis begins before hatching. T. catalanensis also exhibited a growing previtellogenic follicle, a feature not previously described for neonates of other reptiles. These results show interspecific variation in ovarian morphogenesis and provide new approaches for the analysis of gonadal development and maturation in squamates.