Elemental composition of alligator eggshell and eggshell membrane using micro-PIXE.

Over the past years there has been a notable lack of success with regard to breeding alligator in commercial facilities. Farm-raised alligator eggs exhibit lower hatch rate in comparison with wild alligator eggs. Additionally, the hatch rates of the alligator eggs decrease in captivity until zero production is reached. This decline in production has been documented in over a twenty year study at the Rockefeller Wildlife Refuge. The lack of reproductive performance is attributed to the maternal diet and transfer of nutrients to the egg. Previous investigation on the eggshell and eggshell membrane of these reptiles lack comparisons between diet groups. The elemental compositions of the eggshell and eggshell membrane of wild and farm-raised A. mississippiensis were investigated using micro-PIXE. Eggs analyzed for this study were viable and the analysis showed that the major elements of the eggshell included calcium and aluminum, and that of membrane included sulfur and chlorine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]