1. Function of renal sex secretion and male hierarchy in the adder, Vipera berus, during reproduction
- Author
-
Göran Nilson and Claes Andrén
- Subjects
Male ,medicine.medical_specialty ,Vipera berus ,media_common.quotation_subject ,Entire ureter ,Physiology ,Lumen (anatomy) ,Biology ,Kidney ,Courtship ,Behavioral Neuroscience ,Endocrinology ,Estrus ,Pregnancy ,Internal medicine ,Copulation ,medicine ,Animals ,Secretion ,reproductive and urinary physiology ,media_common ,Estrous cycle ,urogenital system ,Endocrine and Autonomic Systems ,Reproduction ,Snakes ,biology.organism_classification ,Kidney Tubules ,Social Dominance ,Renal physiology ,Fertilization ,Female ,hormones, hormone substitutes, and hormone antagonists ,Sphincter muscle - Abstract
The function of the male renal sex segment secretions in the adder, Vipera berus, was studied. Renal sex segments in male adders were hypertrophied immediately before and during the mating period. Simultaneously, renal secretion was found in the entire ureter and coprodeum. Newly mated females have long, slightly convoluted, and hard posterior uteri, while females prior to mating, and nonreproductive ones, have weakly contracted or flaccid uteri. Uteri in newly mated females had a contracted sphincter muscle with reduced and compressed folded lumen. Uteri in an estrous female supplied with vital stained renal secretion became hard posteriorly. The stained secretion reached the entrance of the uteri, where the hard parts started. Estrous females artificially supplied with male sex secretion showed a significant decrease in acceptance of male courtship. Administration of renal sex secretion also interfered with reproduction.
- Published
- 1982