Research

Induced ovulation and egg deposition in the direct developing anuran Eleutherodactylus coqui

Scott F Michael¹ , Christine Buckley² , Esteban Toro³ , Alberto R Estrada⁴ and Shawn Vincent²

¹  Department of Tropical Medicine, Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA

²  Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA

³  Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad de los Andes, Bogotá, Colombia

⁴  Department of Science, Technology and Health, Universidad Metropolitana, San Juan, Puerto Rico

author email corresponding author email

Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology 2004, 2:6doi:10.1186/1477-7827-2-6

Published:	28 January 2004

Abstract

This study investigates ovulation and egg deposition behaviors in the anuran Eleutherodactylus coqui from Puerto Rico in response to stimulation with gonadotropin and gonadotropin releasing hormones. Five hormones were tested by injection over a range of doses, including mammalian LHRH, avian LHRH, fish LHRH, D-Ala6, des-Gly10 ethylamide LHRH and hCG. We report a low level of ovulation and egg deposition in response to all hormones, with the most complete and consistent results from the non-natural D-Ala6, des-Gly10 ethylamide LHRH derivative. To confirm the viability of eggs produced in this manner we performed in vitro fertilization experiments that resulted in the development of normal frogs. Reproductive behaviors in E. coqui are apparently not controlled by a mammalian form of LHRH as reported in other common laboratory anuran species. D-Ala6, des-Gly10 ethylamide LHRH induces ovulation and deposition of mature and fertilizable eggs in E. coqui.