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I
FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH SPERM MOTILITY
AND STORAGE IN A SQUAMATE REPTILE,
Sceloporus jarrovi
By
JOHN MARTIN MATTER
A DISSERTATION PRESENTED TO THE GRADUATE SCHOOL
OF THE UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT
OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF
DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY
UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA
1996
Dedicated to all who have believed in me, especially
Howard A. Bern, the "father of comparative endocrinology,"
and my loving wife.
Kismet, the mother of our children.
\iM .,
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
This dissertation would not have been possible without the help of
numerous individuals. My friends and colleagues are to receive much credit
for encouragement and physical assistance. Brent D. Palmer, Vincent G.
DeMarco, Dennis C. Haney and Louis A. Somma are most notable for making
me feel welcome as a graduate student at the University of Florida and for
"showing me the ropes" around Gainesville during the "early years." Lively
discussions with these individuals, and others, helped to broaden my point-
of-view. Vince guided me through experiences in Arizona that I will never
forget. Brent tolerated my early morning activity and was a sounding board
for many of my research ideas. Dennis Haney and Lou Somma shared many
days in the field while involved in numerous "side-projects"; their help with
collection of Eumeces egregius will not go unrewarded.
One of the "problems" of having an extended graduate career is the
increased number of acquaintances that one acquires. The "second tier" of
colleagues with whom I have shared experiences with are some of the most
memorable. Drew Grain, Daniel B. Pickford and Andy A. Rooney were
solidifying agents during the "data analysis" and "writing" phases of my
dissertation. Hopefully I have been able to impart some tidbits of knowledge,
experience and herpetological wisdom to this "next generation" of Guillette
proteges.
My
graduate tenure has been complicated by numerous and varied
sources of financial support. I extend heartfelt thanks to all of the various
111
institutions and individuals that have aided monetarily to my graduate
education. Particular thanks goes to George H. Burgess at the Florida
Museum of Natural History (Division of Ichthyology). Mr. Burgess allowed
me to become familiar with curatorial practices and gave me the freedom to
learn much about ichthyological systematics and identification. George also
passed along many consulting opportunities that enabled me to feed my
family. Stephen J. Walsh was a friend, first during museum efforts, then as a
supervisor, while working for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Susan S.
Suarez supported me with an assistantship, and I will never forget "the
gloved-hand technique". Lyn Branch (Wildlife) provided support during the
my
final stages of dissertation; I wish her the best of luck with her scrub-
associated lizard efforts. The Department of Zoology provided numerous
teaching assistantships over the years, making it far too "easy" to remain a
graduate student.
My
committee members deserve a round of applause. Those that have
me
"outlived" at the University of Florida truly are exceptional. Thanks go to
Dan C. Sharp, Susan S. Suarez, Harvey B. Lillywhite and Frank G. Nordlie.
To those individuals who served as committee members, but were not
present to witness my completion, I am also grateful. Thanks go to Martha L.
Crump and Horst O. Schwassmann for guidance during phases of my
graduate career.
Much of the credit for seeing me through my graduate tenure goes to
my
mentor, Louis J. Guillette, Jr. Lou's persistence and encouragement were
visionary and often helped to pull me back-on-track when I "floundered."
While I rarely gave him reason to, Lou never lost sight of my abilities; I wish
I could have been more deserving of his faith.
IV
Several professional acquaintances have been both supportive and
inspirational. Howard A. Bern has instilled in me a great deal of self-
confidence. He has shown me that there is no need for "false justification" of
comparative biology. Richard Highfill (Millsaps College) and Qiu Yu-Xiang
(Beijing, China) had collaborative stays that were both meaningful and
memorable. Richard E. Jones (University of Colorado) and Cliff H. Summers
(University of South Dakota) have provided me with an opportunity to
achieve my next goal in research and given me much to think about.
Lastly, I cannot extend enough thanks or love to those who deserve it
most, my wife and family. My spouse. Kismet, has believed in me every step
of the way and she has given much while compromising herself for the
My
possibility of a better future life. children, Colin and Nyssa, will never
know what a joy they have been, and will be, to me. My parents, Richard M.
Matter and Jill Cerny-Matter, have also been extremely supportive, both
emotionally and financially. Their unconditional love and the times we
share will always be cherished.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
iii
LIST OF TABLES
viii
LIST OF FIGURES
ix
ABSTRACT
xi
CHAPTERS
1. SPERM PHYSIOLOGY IN A SQUAMATE REPTILE, SCELOPORUS
JARROVI: AN INTRODUCTION AND COMPARISON WITH
OTHER VERTEBRATES
1
Introduction
1
Reproductive Anatomy in Male Reptiles 2
Reptilian Spermatogenesis 4
Renal Sex Segment 7
The Research Animal H
Scope of this Study 13
2. MALE REPRODUCTIVE ANATOMY OF MOUNTAIN SPINY
LIZARDS, SCELOPORUS JARROVI
18
Introduction
18
Materials and Methods
19
Results
20
Discussion 43
3. TESTOSTERONE STIMULATION OF CELLULAR ACTIVITY IN
MALE ACCESSORY SEX STRUCTURES OF MOUNTAIN SPINY
LIZARDS, SCEL0P0RL7S /ARROW
47
Introduction
47
Materials and Methods
51
Results
54
Discussion
55
VI
4. POST-COPULATORY FATE OF SEMINAL COMPONENTS IN THE
FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE TRACT OF MOUNTAIN SPINY
LIZARDS, SCELOPORUS JARROVI
74
Introduction 74
Materials and Methods 78
Results 80
Discussion 98
CHARACTERIZATION OF MOTILITY PATTERNS EXHIBITED BY
5.
SPERMATOZOA FROM THE MALE REPRODUCTIVE TRACT OF
MOUNTAIN SPINY LIZARDS, SCELOPORUS JARROVI 103
Introduction 103
Materials and Methods 106
Results 109
Discussion 122
SUMMARY AND SIGNIFICANCE OF STUDY
6. 128
APPENDIX
132
LIST OF REFERENCES 137
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH
157
Vll
LIST OF TABLES
Table page
1. Spermatogenic patterns and associated reproductive events exhibited by
temperate-zone saurian species 14
2. Seasonal changes in morphometries of male reproductive structures
exhibited by Sceloporus jarrovi 24
3. Morphometric features of male reproductive structures as the result of
testosterone implantation in Sceloporus jarrovi 57
4. Morphometric values for female reproductive structures associated
with copulation in Sceloporus jarrovi 83
5. Motility characteristics exhibited by spermatozoa from various regions
of the Wolffian ducts in Sceloporus jarrovi Ill
Vlll
LIST OF FIGURES
Figure page
1.1 The research animal and its habitat 17
2.1 Male reproductive anatomy of Sceloporus jarrovi 26
2.2 Light micrographic representation of reproductive structures from adult
male Sceloporus jarrovi 28
2.3 Light micrographic survey of kidney and epididymis histology from adult
male Sceloporus jarrovi 30
2.4 Scanning electron micographs of RSS from reproductively active
Sceloporus jarrovi 32
2.5 Light micrographs of testes from adult male Sceloporus jarrovi depicting
seasonal changes in spermatogenic condition 34
2.6 Diagrammatic representation of changes in seminiferous tubule diameter
during the active season in Sceloporus jarrovi 36
2.7 Light micrographs of RSS and epididymis from adult male Sceloporus
jarrovi exhibiting seasonal changes in organ conditions 38
2.8 Diagrammatic representation of changes in RSS epithelial height during
the active season in Sceloporus jarrovi 40
2.9 Diagrammatic representation of changes in epididymis epithelial height
during the active season in Sceloporus jarrovi 42
3.1 Representative light micrographs of kidneys from T-implanted and
control male mountain spiny lizards, Sceloporus jarrovi 59
3.2 Representative light micrographs of epididymal tubules from T-
implanted and control male mountain spiny lizards, Sceloporus jarrovi.61
3.3 Graphic representation of histological changes due to T stimulation of
male accessory sex structures in Sceloporus jarrovi 63
IX
3.4 Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of secretory proteins from RSS and
epididymides of Sceloporus jarrovi 65
4.1 Female reproductive anatomy of Sceloporus jarrovi 85
4.2 Light micrographs of posterior oviduct of Sceloporus jarrovi 87
4.3 Micrographs of various features of the cloaca and posterior vagina of
Sceloporus jarrovi 89
4.4 Light micrographs of vaginal sperm storage crypts in Sceloporus jarrovi.91
4.5 Histological localization of glycosaminoglycans in oviducts of Sceloporus
jarrovi 93
4.6 Scanning electron micrographs of vaginal surface of Sceloporus jarrovi. 95
4.7 Light micrographic representation of reproductive tract structures of non-
copulated Sceloporus jarrovi 97
5.1 Scanning electron micrographs of spermatozoa from male excurrent ducts
of Sceloporus jarrovi 113
5.2 Diagrammatic representation motility patterns exhibited by spermatozoa
from excurrent ducts of Sceloporus jarrovi 115
5.3 Diagrammatic representation of flex-snap maneuver exhibited by
spermatozoa from Sceloporus jarrovi 117
5.4 Features of motility patterns exhibited by spermatozoa from diferent
regions of male excurrent ducts of Sceloporus jarrovi 119
5.5 Sperm motility characters exhibited by spermatozoa from different
regions of male excurrent ducts of Sceloporus jarrovi 121
