Deformities or Mutation????

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Posted by jeffmedley on May 08, 2003 at 12:38:06:

In Reply to: Explanation: Deformities Using Tremper Incubation Method posted by LeosAnonymous on May 08, 2003 at 10:22:26:

Here's my two cents on the matter. (And it may not even be worth that much.)

First a little background. I've taught human genetics, zoology, anatomy, and microbiology for the last 8 years. I have a Masters defree in microbiology and education. I know about leopard geckos as much as the next guy who spends way to much time researching on the internet, not the most valid research tool.... :)

Ok here we go. A mutation is an exchange, deletion or addition of DNA bases, typically caused by chemicals or radiation a.k.a a mutagen. I have never heard of incubation temps causing mutation as they are defined. What temperature can do is affect the development of tissues and cells at the cellular level, not the molecular level. The beginning of any animals gestation is the most important. Most body systems are well developed within the first third of gestation. The rest of the time is simply growing larger.

Not any knock on Ron Tremper, he did donate a very nice male gecko to my class, god bless the man. But he breeds thousands of geckos and has far more expertise than any of us.

So what is causing deformities in his incubation method. My theory, as lose as it is... Is that during the first few weeks the geckos body systems are being developed, Circulatory, and nervous first, quickly followed by digestive, respiratory,excretory and reproductive. Human sex is determined by the presense of a Y chromosome, geckos are regulated by temp. The systems are settling in at 80 degree developmental rates, and wham ... you jack the temp up smack dab in the middle of development and the systems are thrown for a loop. They are now developing much quicker. Proteins, enzymes and hormones that were once working to build tissue at 80 degrees are now inneffective at the new higher temps. They shut down , mistakes now occur and deformities ensue. Protein (enzymes) are very temperature dependant. Alter this and there will be problems.

Its my theory and I'm stickin with it.

Sorry for the bio lesson.

Peace

Med

Follow Ups:

Great post, everyone should read..np KelliH 05/08/03 (0)
my two cents... the lizard lady 05/08/03 (13)
- No Hovabator here... KelliH 05/08/03 (4)
  - Hmmm.... the lizard lady 05/08/03 (3)
    - It is...more KelliH 05/08/03 (0)
    - Hmmm.... LeosAnonymous 05/08/03 (1)
      - I agree 100% jeffmedley 05/09/03 (0)
- Best Incubators jeffmedley 05/08/03 (7)
  - Reconditioned incubators are often illegal to give away!!! jeffmedley 05/09/03 (0)
  - I'm partial to Cambridge Scientific the lizard lady 05/08/03 (5)
    - A Question For You Two.... LeosAnonymous 05/08/03 (4)
      - Let me know as well.. I was thinking the same thing... WaxWormFan 05/08/03 (3)
        
        Try here... The Lizard Lady 05/08/03 (2)
        
        Thank you kindly ;p WaxWormFan 05/08/03 (0)
        
        Thanks for the info Marcia.... LeosAnonymous 05/08/03 (0)
temperature-sensitive mutation? Carins/de Lucia exp on Pol 1 SFgeckos 05/08/03 (1)
- temperature-sensitive mutation? Carins/de Lucia exp on Pol 1 jeffmedley 05/08/03 (0)
So the answer would be a gradual and/or later temp increase? WaxWormFan 05/08/03 (0)
Great Post! Quite the Refresher For Me n/p LeosAnonymous 05/08/03 (0)