Ultrasound imaging improves hormone therapy strategies for induction of ovulation and in vitro fertilization in the endangered dusky gopher frog (Lithobates sevosa).

摘要: Establishing captive breeding populations of amphibians is an important conservation strategy to safeguard against ongoing declines wild and provide broodstock for reintroduction programs. The endangered dusky gopher frog (DGF) has never naturally reproduced in captivity requires intervention sustain the population. Methods inducing ovulation female DGFs using hormone therapies have not been evaluated. To address this need, we tested four exogenous treatments induce (n = 11/treatment), including: treatment (A) gonadotropin-releasing agonist (GnRHa); (B) GnRHa with dopamine antagonist metoclopramide hydrochloride; (C) human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) (D) hCG following two low priming doses. Treatments B, C D resulted a significantly greater (P 0.05). Results demonstrate multiple are available stimulating ultrasonography valuable tool inform therapy. Ultimately, these reproductive technologies critical enhance efforts DGF.