Hydration state does not affect selected body temperature during gravidity or gravidity duration in pythons (Antaresia childreni)

Comp Biochem Physiol A Mol Integr Physiol. 2024 Mar 8:111624. doi: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2024.111624. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTThe embryonic development of many ectothermic species are highly sensitive to temperature and typically have a higher thermal optima than do most other physiological processes. Thus, female ectotherms often maintain a higher and more carefully controlled body temperature when she is supporting developing embryos (early development in oviparous species, throughout development in viviparous species). Considering the positive correlation between body temperature and evaporative water loss, this response could potentially exacerbate female water imbalance in water-limited environments, suggesting that female water balance and egg development may be in conflict. Using Children's pythons (Antaresia childreni), we hypothesized that water deprivation reduces thermophily during gravidity. We split reproductive females into two thermal treatments: those provided with a continuously available thermal gradient of 25-45 °C and those kept at a constant 31 °C. We also had seven non-reproductive females that were provided a thermal gradient. Within each thermal treatment group, we alternatingly assigned females to either have or not have water throughout gravidity. We found that reproduction increased female body temperature, but this increase was not affected by water regime. Reproduction also increased plasma osmolality, and lack of water during gravidity exacerbat...
Source: Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology. Part A, Molecular and integrative physiology. - Category: Physiology Authors: Source Type: research