title: Agkistrodon piscivorusspermatogenesis addendum: The effect of Hurricane Katrina on spermatogenesis of the western cottonmouth snake.
abstract: Recent studies detailed the spermatogenic cycle of the Western Cottonmouth Snake,Agkistrodon piscivorusand noted that spermatogenesis is bimodal, with active periods during March-June and August-October in southeastern Louisiana. However, only spermatogonia were present in September in the only specimen that was captured and the authors state that the individual "should have a high testis volume and also show spermiogenic activity." The specimen in their study was caught immediately following Hurricane Katrina outside of its normal habitat. Therefore, in order to verify their assumption, individuals were captured during September of 2008 and the testes were spermatogenically active with spermatogonia, spermatocytes, and mature spermatozoa being present in the seminiferous epithelium of the testes. These data indicate that Hurricane Katrina could have had an impact on the spermatogenic cycle in Cottonmouths, resulting in stress-induced testicular regression.
authors: College of Sciences; The University of Findlay ; Findlay, OH USA.
authors: Justin L
authors: JL
authors: Rheubert
authors: Department of Biology; Tulane University ; New Orleans, LA USA.
authors: Layla
authors: L
authors: Freeborn
authors: Department of Biological Sciences; Southeastern Louisiana University ; Hammond, LA USA.
authors: David M
authors: DM
authors: Sever
authors: Department of Biology; Southeast Missouri State University ; Cape Girardeau, MO USA.
authors: Dustin S
authors: DS
authors: Siegel
authors: Department of Biology; University of Indianapolis ; Indianapolis, IN USA.
authors: Kevin M
authors: KM
authors: Gribbins
keywords: cottonmouth; germ cell development; hurricane; spermatogenesis