RESUMEN
Objective: uromastyx hardwickii, a local lacertilian species, is widely distributed in the lndo-Pakistan subcontinent and inhabits mostly the arid regions of the country. This study has been carried out to assess the seasonal variations on fat, liver and gonads in a poikilotherm vertebrate species and to develop an experimental model for the study of lipid metabolism in higher vertebrates including mammals
Material and Methods: this cross-sectional study was carried out on male Uromastyx hardwickii [n=60]. On sacrificing the animals, abdominal fat pads, liver and gonads were quickly removed, cleaned and weighed
Results: maximal increase in fat pad weight was observed in autumn. Liver weight was significantly maximal in autumn and less in summer while testicular weights showed marked seasonality in weight and maximum increase in spring and decrease in summer
Conclusion: lipid metabolism in Uromastyx hardwickii undergoes significant alteration in relation to season. There is significant [P < 0.05] increase in liver weight, fat pad and testicular weight during different parts of the year