Changes in plasma oestradiol, testosterone an progesterone concentrations during an annual reproductive cycle in wild Aldabra giant tortoises (Aldabrachelys gigantea)

Aldabra giant tortoises (Aldabrachelys gigantea), currently listed as Vulnerable, face significant population threats from climate change. A study on Aldabra Atoll revealed distinct seasonal patterns in plasma hormone levels—testosterone in males and oestradiol in females—that align with known reproductive cycles. These findings provide critical insights for monitoring and managing captive breeding programs, both ex-situ and in-situ, to support conservation efforts and establish resilient populations. The research, conducted over a year on wild tortoises, analyzed monthly hormone concentrations alongside meteorological data, offering a foundation for endocrinological strategies in species preservation.

Kummrow, M. (2020). Changes in plasma oestradiol, testosterone an progesterone concentrations during an annual reproductive cycle in wild Aldabra giant tortoises (Aldabrachelys gigantea). Herpetological Journal, (Volume 30, Number 4), 197–201. https://doi.org/10.33256/hj30.4.197201