Effect of ambient temperature on serotonin, norepinephrine, and epinephrine contents in the pineal-paraphyseal complex of the soft-shelled turtle (Lissemys punctata punctata).

The aim of the present investigation was to ascertain the influence of ambient temperature on serotonin, norepinephrine, and epinephrine contents in the pineal-paraphyseal complex of soft-shelled turtles. Turtles were exposed to low (10 degrees) and high (32 degrees) temperatures for 7 days in an incubator with the same photoperiod (12L:12D). Control animals were also kept in the same incubator at 25 degrees for similar duration with the same photoperiod. The findings revealed that ambient temperatures significantly altered serotonin, norepinephrine, and epinephrine content in the pineal-paraphyseal complex of turtles. The results thus indicate that ambient temperature has some influence on pineal serotonin, norepinephrine, and epinephrine contents in soft-shelled turtles.