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Vertebrate reproductive science and technology
RESEARCH ARTICLE

Hormone-induced ovulation and artificial fertilisation in four terrestrial-breeding anurans

Aimee J. Silla A B C and Phillip G. Byrne A
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A School of Earth, Atmospheric and Life Sciences, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia.

B School of Biological Sciences, University of Western Australia, Stirling Highway, Nedlands, WA 6009, Australia.

C Corresponding author. Email: asilla@uow.edu.au

Reproduction, Fertility and Development 33(9) 615-618 https://doi.org/10.1071/RD20243
Submitted: 17 September 2020  Accepted: 6 January 2021   Published: 1 March 2021

Abstract

The development and application of reproductive technologies has great potential to enhance the conservation management of threatened amphibians globally. The present study quantified the efficacy of protocols previously developed for Pseudophryne guentheri for hormonally inducing egg release and artificial fertilisation in three additional terrestrial-breeding species of Australian ground frog; namely Pseudophryne bibronii, Pseudophryne coriacea and Heleioporus eyrei. Females of each species were administered a priming dose of 0.4 µg g−1 of gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogue (GnRHa), followed by an ovulatory dose of 2 µg g−1 GnRHa. Egg release was achieved in all species (response 94.7–100%), but early embryo survival differed significantly, ranging from 23.8% to 89.3%. Overall, the protocols were considered effective in P. guentheri, P. bibronii and P. coriacea, but further protocol refinement is required for H. eyrei.

Graphical Abstract Image

Keywords: amphibian, gamete release, IVF, ovulation, reproduction, reproductive technologies.


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