DefinePK

Abstract

Objective: Uromastyx hardwickii, a local lacertilian species, is widely distributed in the Indo-Pakistan subcontinent and inhabits mostly the arid regions of the country. This study has beencarried out to assess the seasonal variations on fat, liver and gonads in a poikilotherm vertebratespecies and to develop an experimental model for the study of lipid metabolism in highervertebrates including mammals.Material and Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out on male Uromastyxhardwickii (n=60). On sacrificing the animals, abdominal fat pads, liver and gonads were quicklyremoved, cleaned and weighed.Results: Maximal increase in fat pad weight was observed in autumn. Liver weight wassignificantly maximal in autumn and less in summer while testicular weights showed markedseasonality in weight and maximum increase in spring and decrease in summer.Conclusion: Lipid metabolism in Uromastyx hardwickii undergoes significant alteration inrelation to season. There is significant (P < 0.05) increase in liver weight, fat pad and testicularweight during different parts of the year