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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Stoneville, Mississippi » Warmwater Aquaculture Research Unit » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #395647
Research Project: Biophotonics - The Application of Novel Imaging Methodologies to Livestock Production Research

Location: Warmwater Aquaculture Research Unit

Title: Spermiation response to exogenous hormone therapy in hibernated and non-hibernated boreal toads (Anaxyrus boreas boreas)

Author
item KOUBA, ANDREW - Mississippi State University
item LANGHORNE, CECELIA - Mississippi State University
item WILLARD, SCOTT - Mississippi State University
item VANCE, CARRIE - Mississippi State University
item SMITH, THEODORE - Colorado Parks And Wildlife

Submitted to: Reproduction, Fertility and Development
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 9/8/2021
Publication Date: 11/1/2021
Citation: Kouba, A.J., Langhorne, C.J., Willard, S.T., Vance, C.K., Smith, T. 2021. Spermiation response to exogenous hormone therapy in hibernated and non-hibernated boreal toads (Anaxyrus boreas boreas). Reproduction, Fertility and Development. 34(5):453-460. https://doi.org/10.1071/RD21033.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1071/RD21033

Interpretive Summary: The results presented here illustrate the positive influence of a period of hibernation on the seasonal sperm quantity and quality response of male boreal toads. While we did not see a difference in the percentage of animals producing sperm, it is difficult to separate the impact of exogenous hormone stimulation vs hibernation itself. We propose that if the goal of captive breeding facilities is to produce offspring for reintroduction efforts, a period of hibernation would be beneficial to maximize the chances of breeding and fertilization.

Technical Abstract: Conservation programs for threatened high- elevation amphibian species rely on hibernation to trigger appropriate male reproductive behaviors and gametogenesis. Although common practice and anecdotal observations have supported the practice of hibernation, there is limited empirical evidence documenting the effects on reproduction in these species. In this study, the effect of hibernation on sperm quantity and quality was evaluated for the alpine species Anaxyrus boreas boreas. Hibernated (n = 19) and non-hibernated (n = 21) male toads were administered 10 IU g-1 body weight (BW) human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) and spermic urine was collected over 24 h. Hibernation had no effect on the number of males undergoing spermatogenesis, but hibernated males produced sperm in higher concentrations. Sperm quality was measured in terms of total motility, forward progressive motility and quality of forward progression. Although there was no difference in the total sperm motility of samples from hibernated and non-hibernated toads, the percentage of sperm exhibiting forward progressive motility and the quality of forward progression was significantly greater from hibernated toads. These results support our hypothesis that hibernation impacts both sperm quantity and quality in male boreal toads. This study will better inform captive breeding management decisions for threatened alpine species, in imminent danger of extinction.