Morphological changes in the corpus luteum of tuatara (Sphenodon punctatus) during gravidity

Tuatara (Sphenodon spp.) are rare reptiles, members of the reptilian order Sphenodontida, inhabiting small offshore islands of New Zealand. Females usually require about three years to yolk a clutch of eggs followed by an 8-month period of in utero egg shelling. As in other vertebrates, the post-ovulatory follicle forms a transitory endocrine structure, the corpus luteum. The tuatara Sphenodon punctatus exhibits a corpus luteum having several unusual morphological features as compared to turtles and squamate reptiles. Like the crocodilians, the tuatara has a corpus luteum in which the luteal cell mass never fills the central cavity and in which the thecal fibroblasts do not close the ovulation aperture. As in all oviparous reptiles examined, however, the corpus luteum appears to persist throughout gravidity based on its histological appearance. During gravidity, plasma progesterone concentrations are detectable, even though gravidity lasts an exceptionally long time (8 months) for an oviparous species. Luteolysis is initiated within two months following oviposition. The initial stages of luteolysis appear rapid, but luteal scar tissue is apparent in the ovaries of all adult females we examined and probably persists for many years post-oviposition. J Morphol 232:79-91, 1997. © 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.