reproductive technologies

In the context of the sixth mass extinction of animals, programs for the conservation and breeding of amphibians – one of the most vulnerable groups of vertebrates – have become particularly relevant. A key challenge in the application of assisted reproductive technologies in anurans is the asynchronous maturation of gametes between males and females, which could be mitigated by developing effective sperm storage protocols.

This paper describes new methods for obtaining viable ovulated oocytes and testicular sperm from the carcasses of females and males of the common frog Rana temporaria, stored at +4ºС for 1–7 days. In addition, a new approach to delayed collection (1 to 30 days) of ovulated oocytes from live female frogs of the same species is given. Part of the frog testicular spermatozoa is shown to retain motility (21.0±1.5%) and fertilizing ability (13.2±1.9%) even after 6 days of storage at +4°C in the carcasses of males.