Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I personally havent witnessed ovulation on either of my females but they have still been breeding continuously,they also have fed within the last few weeks, will ovulation be definite since they have been with a male

I have never seen a female breed after ovulation, but I'm very obsessed during breeding season, and check them 2 or 3 times a day.
So, that being said, I have never put a male back in after an observed ovulation. But I can't say they wouldn't.

As for male contact; disregarding the obscure sperm retention scenarios, male contact is necessary, for a female to sustain late stage follicular development. However, this alone is not a guarantee that the female will ovulate.

I had 4 females in the 1400- 1500g range not ovulate this year, despite over 10 observed copulations from proven breeder males.

It happens.

TomChambers

TOM wrote:
"As for male contact; disregarding the obscure sperm retention scenarios, male contact is necessary, for a female to sustain late stage follicular development. However, this alone is not a guarantee that the female will ovulate."

Given the statement you made, I have 10 females I have just had ultrasounded and all are at 20mm and up to 40mm, and NONE have EVER been introduced to a male. What facts do you base your statement on?? I am assuming you mean large stage follicle developement as somewhere near 10 to 15mm, because females ovulate and drop near the 45mm mark and clearly my females would refute your statement. As far as sperm retention, its a fact and just like many things they never do the same thing twice at the same time.

Like the title says, no argument, just curious as to where you draw your inference.

Jeff & Starr
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I don’t have an ultrasound machine, so I can’t give any facts to say at what size the follicles will usually be resorbed.
I have been discussing it with a friend who also breeds, and we will be investing in one soon though.

I never said sperm retention didn’t happen, I said if you disregard these obscure cases.By that I was trying to say it doesn’t happen very often.

I base my statements on literature, which I don’t have readily available, I will try to find the sources when I have time.

Other than that, my “facts” are through conversations with my vet/friend, a long time reptile breeder; as well as speaking with several other people who have been breeding every type of reptile for decades.

for example, I discussed this with a local breeder last time this topic came up, and he said that in his 18 years breeding, he has had this happen once. He couldn’t recall if it was a bull, pine or king snake that laid the slugs though.

What are you saying, do you think that your 10 females will ovulate, and lay slugs???
Have you had this happen in your breeding experiences??

I would be interested in what happens with them. Let me know here or P/M if you like.

TomChambers

Very good. I think that there is alot more than meets the eye and it's a combination of factors that result in ovulation, not just one factor alone.

I will keep you posted. Take care, Jeff
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I have a female that ovulated already. In fact, she's beginning to dull up for her pre-lay shed. She's locked up with my male right now. So, I'd say yes.
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Jay A. Martin