A. Tsiora et P. Kyriakopoulou-sklavounou, Male reproductive cycle of the water frog Rana epeirotica in northwestern Greece, AMPHIB-REPT, 22(3), 2001, pp. 291-302
The reproductive cycle of male Rana epeirotica was studied with emphasis on
spermatogenetic activity and changes in the weights of testis, fat body an
d liver. The spermatogenesis of Rana epeirotica is of the potentially conti
nuous type. Significant seasonal variations were observed in testis, fat bo
dy and liver weight. The seasonal variation of testis weight showed a good
agreement with the spermatogenetic cycle. The reduction of fat body weight
during the pre-hibernating period was attributed to mobilizing of lipids to
other body parts or to transformation into other metabolites. The signific
ant decrease of liver weight in the dormant period indicates that this frog
consumes mainly glycogen during wintering. The greatest decrease of fat bo
dy and liver weight in May results from the intensive activities related to
reproduction and maintenance.