Sperm Retention in Chams?

[Vattica]

I have heard of this happening, but has there ever been a documented case of it? Does anyone know?

[Laurier]

hey,

ya it does happen, i have heard and seen many times of this happening with female veileds. at this time my friend and I think his female who just gave birth (jacksons) retained some sperm and is now gravid again. The male hasen't even been with her for 4 months. Just make sure the females get lots of vit.s and neutrients and they should be able to successfully have that second clutch with no fatality.

Laurier

[Jaylyn]

It is quite common with oviparous species. From what I've read it is possible to retain up to a year (through several clutches)
.
There is a bit more disagreement with the live-bearers. Some sources claim they have the capacity to retain-sprem, but there are no cases of actual babies being born. Others claim babies being born from retained sperm. Several species are capable of delayed fertlization (eg. Ch. Calyptrarus, Ch. t. hoehnelli). Others can have two embyos in different stages of development in the oviduct. And a cham at term can also have mature follicles in her ovaries (talk about no rest for the wicked! LOL). Which may lead one to think they can retain sperm???

Jaylyn

[Jaylyn]

So this makes me wonder about the restricted diet and cooling for females (especially veileds) to prevent egg formation. If it is possible they are forming egg buds before laying the first clutch - then restricting the diet and cooling her may do more damage than a large clutch. My veiled layed 51 large eggs in April. I fed her well for a week - then cut back her food and cooled her right down. She laid 66 very small eggs a week ago (I increased her intake as soon as I knew she was gravid). Now, I don't know which is the worse of the two evils: less food and small eggs (most likey infertile - they were a third the size of the first ones) or a larger clutch and better nutrition??? Any thoughts?

That being said - I do think a restricted diet for female veileds as they hit breeding age (around 5 months) and not allowing any contact (even sight) with a male to prevent egg formation until a year or later is an excellent idea. Babies should not be having babies - and it would inevitably prolong her life.

But, once they start laying it's almost impossible to tell when the egg buds are being formed - and I'd hate to short-change on nutrition. So, I'm not sure what to think about it.

Jaylyn

[SilverTongue]

I have never understood why it is the norm to with hold food when a reptile is gravid. I know when I was pregnate it would have taken the hand of God to stop me from eating, but babys suck up alot of mineral and vitamens from the moms body. It would not surprise me if it is the same with reptiles to. So if you have to withhold food, you should atleast give her vitamens somehow. Mis it in her water or scater it in their cage so they are crawling in it. Maybe someone else has a better idea...

[reverendsterlin]

don't know lizards but my western diamond back (live bearer) gave me 7 neonates one year that I didn't breed her and I know she wasn't with a male for 10 months before that and had given me 12 neos from that breeding.

[Vattica]

I know food restriction is the going idea right now, but I do not believe in it. I dont think it works and I refuse to do it, especially when they are gravid. They are going to have eggs anyhow, and I would rather they had large, healthy eggs like they are supposed to, than small, weakly eggs. Not to sound heartless either, because I am not, but if the female is eggbound, and dies, she was not fit to be in the gene-pool anyhow, and it is probably better for all future posterity. I fully agree about babies having babies, no contact is something I practice, and it seems to work pretty well. I like my girls to be big, robust, healthy eating machines. Makes for healthy babies too :)

Leah

[Jaylyn]

The idea is NOT to restrict food while gravid. I don't think anyone is advocating that intentionally. By restricting food before and during egg bud formation - it is supposed to limit the number of eggs produced (a good thing). Once the number is set - feeding well is recomended. The tricky part is knowing WHEN the egg buds are forming. That's why I only see it beneficial in young (virgin, haven't ever laid) chams.

I think I agree with you, Leah. I wish I had tried the restricted diet on Maggie before her first clutch (I know of many veiled that are well over a year and have yet to lay an egg). I don't think I'll try it again on her now.

Jaylyn

[Jaylyn]

Just wanted to let you know - someone from the CJ's just had a clutch of xants born from retained sperm - so it is possible!! She did say the babes were smaller than those from a breeding.

Jaylyn