Pham TH, Brannelly LA. Sperm parameters following hormonal induction of spermiation in an endangered frog [the alpine tree frog] (Litoria verreauxii alpina).
Reprod Fertil Dev 2022;
34:867-874. [PMID:
35617991 DOI:
10.1071/rd22009]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2022] [Accepted: 05/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
CONTEXT
With global amphibian biodiversity rapidly declining, improving reproductive technology outcomes has become essential. Captive breeding programs have struggled because amphibian breeding physiology often requires specific environmental cues that reproductive technologies can circumvent.
AIMS
This study tests the efficiency of hormonal induction by evaluating sperm quality in the endangered Litoria verreauxii alpina.
METHODS
We assessed the effects of exogenous hormones - gonadotrophin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRH-a, Lucrin), and human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG, Chorulon) - on sperm quality.
KEY RESULTS
Hormone induction with hCG showed high efficacy while GnRH-a yielded a low response in producing sperm. Sperm quantity was affected by time post injection, with the greatest quantity at 1h post injection. Sperm quality was also affected by time, where the sperm head size decreased by 11% at 7h post injection.
CONCLUSIONS
Based on the results from this study, we recommend that that sperm be collected soon after induction, and not more than 4h post induction in L. v. alpina. More work needs to be completed before recommending an optimal hormone induction method and dose, but 120IU of hCG per male was successful for inducing spermiation.
IMPLICATIONS
This study represents a useful starting point for developing assisted reproductive techniques for non-model organisms.
Collapse