Sperm parameters following hormonal induction of spermiation in an endangered frog [the alpine tree frog] (Litoria verreauxii alpina)

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 l..