The present study was designed to investigate the hypothesis that in vivo entosis is a novel pathway for eliminating spermatozoa in the seminiferous tubules (ST) during hibernation of the Chinese soft-shelled turtle. Western blot analysis revealed that the expression of LAMP1 in the testis was significantly higher during hibernation than that during non-hibernation. Immunohistochemistry reactio...

Biological invasions are among the major global causes of biodiversity loss. The pet trade is main pathway by which reptiles introduced into new environments. After EU import ban on pond slider (Trachemys scripta), other species pet-traded freshwater turtles more often reported from wild. Here we report first and genetically verified record Chinese soft-shelled turtle (Pelodiscus sinensis) east...

Copper nanoparticles (CuNPs) have been widely used in various industrial and commercial applications, which become a potential threat to aquatic organisms. Nevertheless, their toxicity the epididymis sperm remains little known. In this study, we evaluated effect of CuNPs copper ions (CuSO4) on spermatozoa viability, epididymal structure, antioxidant enzyme activity, inflammatory cytokines cauda...

On June 14, 2008 (the first experiment) and July 24, 2008 (the second experiment), the shores of the Boseong River and the sandy beaches, Seokgok-myun, Moksadong-myun, Gokseong-gun in Jeollanam Province were investigated and a total of 29 soft-shelled turtle (Tryonyx sinensis) eggs in the natural spawning nest eggs were collected (13 eggs were collected in the first experiment and 16 eggs in th...

A total of 3528 specimens of freshwater turtles belonging to two families viz., Geoemydidae (Brown River Turtle, Kachuga smithi; Indian Saw-backed turtle, K. tecta; Brahminy Rrive Turtle, Hardella thurgi; Spotted Pond Turtle, Geoclemys hamiltonii) and Trionychidae (Indian Soft-shell Turtle, Aspederates gangeticus; Peacock Soft-shell Turtle, A.hurum; Narrow-headed Soft-shell Turtle, Chitra indic...

A recent study demonstrated that the embryos of soft-shelled turtles can reposition themselves within their eggs to exploit locally warm conditions. In this paper, we ask whether turtle embryos actively seek out optimal thermal environments for their development, as do post-hatching individuals. Specifically, (i) do reptile embryos move away from dangerously high temperatures as well as towards...