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

Eggs of Chelydra serpentina were incubated at 30 degrees C and 26 degrees C. In addition, incubation was done at 20 degree C during the temperature-sensitive period for sex determination. Incubation at 20 degrees C and 30 degrees C resulted in females; incubation at 26 degrees C resulted in males in 99% of the cases. The average gonadal length was less in the males. The average length of the 20 degree C ovaries did not vary significantly from that of the 30 degrees 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 degree C testes, cellular infiltrations occurred frequently. The ovaries of 20 degrees C hatchlings tended to have a less developed germinal epithelium than that of the 30 degrees C animals. Also, epithelial cysts occurred frequently in the 20 degrees C ovaries. The incidence of follicles at 3 months was not differential.