Theses and Dissertations

Issuing Body

Mississippi State University

Advisor

Willard, Scott

Committee Member

Kouba, Andrew

Committee Member

Ryan, Peter

Date of Degree

5-12-2012

Document Type

Graduate Thesis - Open Access

Major

Animal Physiology

Degree Name

Master of Science

College

College of Agriculture and Life Sciences

Department

Animal Physiology Program

Abstract

The aim of this study was to compare the effects of arginine vasotocin (AVT) administration in the endangered boreal toad (Bufo boreas boreas) and common Fowler’s toad (Bufo fowleri). The objectives of this study were to determine if AVT could elicit: 1) calling, and 2) amplexus behaviors. Toads were paired into single male:female groups and administered AVT at varying concentrations: 0.1, 1.0, 5.0, 10.0 and 25.0 μg/g and in different combinations: 1) only male was treated; 2) only female was treated, and 3) both male and female treated. AVT failed to stimulate any breeding behavior in the boreal toad, but the administration of AVT to both B. Fowleri genders significantly affected the duration of amplexus (p<0.0347). Also, the concentration of AVT significantly affected the length of amplexus (p<0.0429) and call frequency (p<0.0294). These results will be valuable for breeding programs where animals are failing to show natural reproductive behavior.

URI

https://hdl.handle.net/11668/17976

Comments

calling||arginine vasotocin||reproduction||amphbian||amplexus||Bufo fowleri||Bufo boreas boreas||hormone

Download

Share

COinS