ABSTRACT
This chapter aims to provide a general overview of reproductive physiologic processes and noninfectious diseases in reproductive organs, eggs, and neonates. Nutrient uptake, lipid metabolism, and body stores of energy are closely linked to reproductive physiology. Diversity in native habitats and geographic ranges has also produced enormous seasonal variation in male and female reproductive strategies, as well as generated variation of sensitivities of developing embryos to environmental conditions. Late embryonic mortality coincides with development of the immune system and ability for the embryo to mount an autogenous inflammatory response. Partial sex reversal can occur in both XY and ZW systems, and within oviparous and viviparous species. Red-Eared Slider Turtles experimentally exposed to polychlorinated biphenyls during periods of sexual differentiation had complete or segmental aplasia of the uterus. Sex cord stromal tumors include granulosa cell tumors in ovaries and Sertoli cell tumors and Leydig cell tumors in testicles.
