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Objective:To relate the histological characteristics and histochemicalΔ5-4-isomerase-3 beta hydroxy steroid dehydrogenase(Δ5-43β-HSD) activity of the corpora lutea(CL) and the atresic vitellogenic follicles(AVF) with progesterone(P4) plasma concentrations in three different times of gestation (early, medium and late) in the viviparous lizardSceloporus mucronatus (S. mucronatus).Methods:The histological characteristics as well as histochemical activity ofΔ5-43β-HSD of theCL andAVF and their relationship with plasmaP4 levels were studied during three different times of pregnancy of the viviparous lizardS. mucronatus.Results:Corpora lutea develops during the first third of gestation.In second third, the luteal tissue reaches maturity and starts the first regressive changes.The last third of gestation was characterized by a considerably advance in the luteolysis.Activity ofΔ5-43β-HSD was observed in he luteal cell mas.The activity of this enzyme were high during the first third and scantle activity was detected in the last third.Even though atresic vitellogenic follicles are found throughout the whole period of gestation,Δ5-43β-HSD activity is very low in relation with showed byCL and does not change significantly in the studied period of time.Another hand, we observed a direct relationship among the histological aspect of the corpus luteum,Δ5-43β-HSD activity and progesterone levels. Conclusions:These observations suggests that the corpus luteum is the most important source of ovarian progesterone(P4) during pregnancy and that the participation of theAVF in the production of this hormone is little or non-existent.