A METHOD FOR HORMONAL INDUCTION OF SPERM RELEASE IN ANURANS (8 SPECIES) AND IN-VITRO FERTILIZATION IN LEPIDOBATRACHUS SPECIES

Injections of synthetic human gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) in to the dorsal pelvic area were used in an attempt to stimulate sperm r elease in isolated males of eight anuran species including Xenopus lae vis, Rana pipiens and Lepidobatrachus laevis. Sperm were obtained with in 1-5 h post injection either by mechanical stimulation or by cloacal lavage. Sperm suspensions varied from 8 mu L to 7 mL and the cell den sities ranged from 4 x 10(5) to 4 x 10(7) sperm/mL. The sperm obtained from seven species using GnRH-induced release were viable based on li ght microscopic observations of motility. In addition, sperm preparati ons fertilized eggs in vitro and produced normal tadpoles in the case of L. laevis and L. llanensis. This hormonal method of anuran sperm co llection will provide a convenient non-injurious way to obtain anuran sperm for basic studies of reproduction and development.