Skip to main content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Male sex steroids and hormonal control of male courtship behavior in the yellow-bellied slider turtle, Trachemys scripta

January 1, 1991
  1. Survey of androgens and estrogens in serum, liver and testes of male yellow-bellied slider turtles, Trachemys (= Pseudemys) scripta, a species exhibiting dissociated gametogenesis age-dependent melanism, revealed the presence of numerous androgen precursors, androgens, androgen metabolites, and estrogens in quantities varying with season, tissue, and male coloration.
  2. The most commonly found and abundant androgens in all males were dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and androstenedione, which were present at significantly higher levels in testes than in serum or liver.
  3. Epitestosterone was found in the serum and liver of only melanistic males; testosterone was only rarely recovered.
  4. Behavioral testing of castrated male turtles implanted with various androgens, as well as intact and sham-operated controls, revealed that melanistic males courted more frequently than nonmelanistic males, and that exogenous testosterone was most effective in inducing courtship behavior in castrated males.

Citation Information

Publication Year 1991
Title Male sex steroids and hormonal control of male courtship behavior in the yellow-bellied slider turtle, Trachemys scripta
DOI 10.1016/0300-9629(91)90532-H
Authors W.R. Garstka, W.E. Cooper, K.W. Wasmund, J.E. Lovich
Publication Type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Series Title Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology, Part A: Molecular & Integrative Physiology
Index ID 1008028
Record Source USGS Publications Warehouse
USGS Organization Western Ecological Research Center