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Reproductive Techniques for Ovarian Monitoring and Control in Amphibians
04:37

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Published on: May 12, 2019

Estrogens can disrupt amphibian mating behavior.

Frauke Hoffmann1, Werner Kloas

  • 1Department of Ecophysiology and Aquaculture, Leibniz-Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries, Berlin, Germany. f.hoffmann@igb-berlin.de

Plos One
|February 23, 2012
PubMed
Summary

17α-ethinylestradiol (EE2), a component in contraceptives, disrupts mating behavior in male Xenopus laevis frogs even at low environmental concentrations. This endocrine disruptor affects male sexual arousal and calls, potentially impacting amphibian populations.

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Area of Science:

  • Environmental Toxicology
  • Endocrinology
  • Amphibian Biology

Background:

  • 17α-ethinylestradiol (EE2) is a potent estrogenic compound found in contraceptives.
  • Estrogenic endocrine disrupting compounds are suspected to harm amphibian sexual development.
  • Direct evidence linking EE2 to altered amphibian mating behavior is limited.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the effects of EE2 on the mating behavior of adult male Xenopus laevis.
  • To determine if EE2 disrupts male sexual arousal and vocalizations.
  • To assess the impact of EE2 on reproductive success and its contribution to amphibian decline.

Main Methods:

  • Exposure of adult male Xenopus laevis to five different concentrations of EE2.
  • Analysis of male sexual arousal through advertisement call proportions and rasping calls.
  • Assessment of temporal and spectral parameters of advertisement calls.
  • Measurement of vitellogenin induction as a biomarker.
  • Post-exposure recovery assessment and female choice experiments.

Main Results:

  • EE2 exposure at all tested concentrations reduced male sexual arousal, indicated by decreased advertisement calls and increased rasping calls.
  • Both temporal and spectral parameters of male advertisement calls were affected by EE2.
  • Vitellogenin induction was observed only at higher EE2 concentrations (≥2.96 µg/L).
  • Post-exposure, altered calls recovered within 6 weeks, but EE2-exposed males showed reduced attractiveness to females.

Conclusions:

  • Environmentally relevant EE2 concentrations directly disrupt male Xenopus laevis mating call behavior.
  • EE2 exposure can indirectly affect female mating behavior and reduce overall reproductive success.
  • These disruptions may contribute to the global decline of amphibian populations.