Effects of wild, semi‐captive, and captive management on male Chiricahua leopard frog sperm quality with implications for conservation breeding programs

Abstract The Chiricahua leopard frog ( Lithobates chiricahuensis ) is a threatened species endemic to the southwestern United States and Northern Mexico. Captive breeding programs were established support reintroduction efforts, yet reproductive output has been lower than needed for recovery of species. This study aimed evaluate effects captivity on amphibian reproduction by (1) determining if captive, semi‐captive, wild male L. produce sperm at similar rates concentration in response hormone treatment; (2) evaluating quality obtained over time from these populations. Males locations administered combination human chorionic gonadotropin gonadotropin‐releasing stimulate production release. A high percentage males captive (60%), semi‐captive (100%), (95.3%) populations produced following treatment. Sperm (forward progressive motility total motility) did not differ between groups. However, quantity (sperm/ml) differed p < .05) populations, with producing higher concentrations males. These results suggest that quantity, but quality, may become negatively impacted long‐term indoor, controlled settings.