BACKGROUND The non-lethal collection of sperm from live males is an important component for multiple captive-breeding techniques, including assisted reproductive technology (ART) protocols, sperm cryopreservation and in vitro fertilization. However, in amphibians, the type and amount of hormone necessary to induce spermiation can be highly variable, even among closely related species. We are un...

BACKGROUND Conservation Breeding Programs (CBP's) are playing an important role in the protection of critically endangered anuran amphibians, but for many species recruitment is not successful enough to maintain captive populations, or provide individuals for release. In response, there has been an increasing focus on the use of Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART), including the administra...

We examined the effect of constant water temperature throughout year on gametogenesis, spawning success and egg/sperm/embryo quality in meagre (Argyrosomus regius). Two broodstocks were exposed to simulated natural photoperiod, andeither attenuated seasonal (SeasT, 16.4 19.6ºC) or relatively (CoT, 19.4 ± 0.6ºC).In period (May), 4 couples per group induced spawn with gonadotropin releasing hormo...

Domesticated male striped bass were selected as high cortisol stress responders (HCR) or low cortisol stress responders (LCR) by ranking mean 1-h post-stress plasma cortisol levels following a 2-min standardized net challenge once per month for four consecutive months. During the selection period, HCR and LCR fish maintained a significant divergence in post-stress cortisol levels, but these dif...

Spermiation was stimulated in the mature grass puffer, Takifugu niphobles, with an injection of human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) or carp pituitary extract (CPE). Spermatocrit and sperm density were reduced, but milt production was increased in both the HCG and CPE treatment groups relative to those in the control group (P <0.05). These results should be useful for increasing the fertilization...