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hormone levels for tortoises? If yes is it one test fits all or does each species have to be established as to what is normal per. Can a male become sterile in captivity for any known reason like overheating,toxic consumtion? Is there any blood test for sterility in males. Thanks in advance if you know of any papers on this or people that may know. Vic M

Hi Vic. I believe that hormone levels may well vary in different tortoise species. This seemed to be the case when one vet I know developed a blood test for sexing tortoises about 15 years ago which he said worked at 100% accuracy in Desert and Spurred Tortoises. He determined this after the blood test sexing by euthanizing and dissecting the animals in order to determine if the blood test was correct!!! The same test failed to be correct just about half the time when we tried it on adult Radiated Tortoises whose sexes were already known.

AS for the other question, I think it is definitely possible for male tortoises to become sterile, both from overheating and from infections.

Bill

Bill. Thanks, There is next to nothing on this but I was hoping things might have changed in the last five years or so. Do you think a Krane heat mat that I could only get a 100F hot spot reading could do it? Is there a known temp/time that could cause it. I dont think I want to do any Post Mordom testing LOL. Think you will make the Daytona Expo this year. I'd love you to stop by my house on the way there or back if so. Vic

Hi Vic. I don't think 100 degrees is high enough to cause damage to the reproductive tract. Must be something else. Any infections possible?

As for the Expo, I am planning on going this year. Not sure of how much time I may have to make other visits at the moment. Will definitely let you know as the time gets closer, though. Thanks for the invite.

Thanks again for the information. No infections. I'm just stumped on reproduction results this year. Just let me know eather way I'll talk to you their. Vic

Check with Wayne Hill and Peter Pritchard... I believe they were involved on coming up with such a test with Galapagos tortoises... which failed. I believe they actually went to the islands to collect blood samples. I don't know if it was ever written up but Wayne did give a talk on it way back when.

>>hormone levels for tortoises? If yes is it one test fits all or does each species have to be established as to what is normal per. Can a male become sterile in captivity for any known reason like overheating,toxic consumtion? Is there any blood test for sterility in males. Thanks in advance if you know of any papers on this or people that may know. Vic M
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Ed @ Tortoise Keepers
Trying to keep the fun in Chelonian care