Comparison of motility patterns of sperm aspirated from amplectant pairs of Xenopus Laevis, by electro-ejaculation and from the testes

Brian A. Wilson, Gerhard Van Der Horst, Alan Channing

P.O. Box 2043, Parkersdam, Worcester, South Africa 6861; Departments of Physiology and Biochemistry, University of the Western Cape, Bellville, South Africa

Abstract: Studies on anuran spermatozoa have been restricted to the use of testicular sperm. Although these studies have been effective in creating baseline data, the motility parameters of ejaculate spermatozoa could present a clearer picture of the reproductive physiology. Methods were devised to aspirate sperm from amplectant males and collect the ejaculate from males. Sperm motion was then studied quantitatively and the various sperm motion parameters compared. Further research is necessary to determine whether Wolffian duct and cloaca! secretions play a role in altering sperm motion characteristics of anuran testicular spermatozoa.

Herpetological Journal
Accepted: 12. 9. 97 / Published 1998