Mason Alexandra K, Lee Jeongha, Perry Sean M, Boykin Kimberly L, Del Piero Fabio, Lierz Michael, Mitchell Mark A
Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, USA.
Louisiana Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory, School of Veterinary Medicine, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, USA.
Animals (Basel). 2021 Aug 24;11(9):2477. doi: 10.3390/ani11092477.
Reptiles are highly susceptible to anthropogenic activities as a result of their narrow geographical ranges and habitat specialization, making them a conservation concern. Geckos represent one of the mega-diverse reptile lineages under pressure; however, limited assisted reproductive technologies currently exist for these animals. Exogenous pregnant mare serum gonadotropin (PMSG) has been found to exhibit follicle stimulating hormone-like action and has been routinely used to alter reproductive hormones of vertebrates in assisted reproductive protocols. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of serial injections of 20 IU and 50 IU PMSG on circulating testosterone concentrations, testicular dynamics, and semen production in a model species of gecko. Twenty-four captive-bred, adult, male leopard geckos () were divided into three treatment groups and administered a once-weekly injection of either PMSG or saline for a total of nine weeks. Ultrasonographic testicular measurements, electrostimulation for semen collection, and venipuncture were performed on days 0, 21, 42, and 63. Right unilateral orchidectomies and epididymectomies were performed in all animals on day 63; tissues were submitted for histopathology. PMSG treated geckos had significantly higher testicular volumes and weights, spermatozoa motility, and spermatozoa concentrations compared with controls. However, there were no significant differences in testosterone concentrations by treatment or time. Under the conditions outlined, PMSG is effective at stimulating spermatogenesis and increasing testicular size, but not effective at increasing testosterone concentrations in the leopard gecko between October-December in the Northern hemisphere.
由于地理分布范围狭窄和栖息地专业化，爬行动物极易受到人为活动的影响，这使它们成为备受关注的保护对象。壁虎是面临压力的高度多样化爬行动物谱系之一；然而，目前针对这些动物的辅助生殖技术有限。已发现外源性孕马血清促性腺激素（PMSG）具有促卵泡激素样作用，并已在辅助生殖方案中常规用于改变脊椎动物的生殖激素。本研究的目的是确定连续注射20国际单位和50国际单位PMSG对壁虎模型物种循环睾酮浓度、睾丸动态和精液产生的影响。将24只圈养繁殖的成年雄性豹纹壁虎（）分为三个治疗组，每周注射一次PMSG或生理盐水，共注射九周。在第0、21、42和63天进行超声睾丸测量、电刺激采精和静脉穿刺。在第63天对所有动物进行右侧单侧睾丸切除术和附睾切除术；将组织送去做组织病理学检查。与对照组相比，接受PMSG治疗的壁虎的睾丸体积和重量、精子活力和精子浓度显著更高。然而，治疗或时间对睾酮浓度没有显著差异。在所述条件下，PMSG可有效刺激精子发生并增加睾丸大小，但在北半球10月至12月期间对增加豹纹壁虎的睾酮浓度无效。
