Sexually mediated shedding of Myxobolus fallax spores during spermiation of Litoria fallax (anura)

Myxosporean parasites in Australian frogs: Importance, implications and future directions

Myxosporean parasites have been identified in amphibians around the world yet very little is known about their diversity, biology and host impact. Several species of Australian frogs have recently been shown to be affected by myxosporidiosis caused by two new Cystodiscus species. In this manuscript, we review what is known about the myxosporean parasites Cystodiscus australis and Cystodiscus axonis that produce myxospores in gallbladders of Australian frogs and Myxobolus fallax and Myxobolus hylae that produce spores in gonads and the potential impact of these parasites on the conservation of Australian frogs. By doing so, we aim to highlight the importance of amphibian myxosporean parasites, suggest directions for future research and argue that the lessons learned about these parasites in Australia are directly transferable to amphibians around the world.

Hormonal induction of spermatozoa from amphibians with Rana temporaria and Bufo bufo as anuran models

The use of hormonally induced spermatozoa expressed in urine (HISu) is a valuable component of reproduction technologies for amphibians. Five protocols for sampling HISu from the European common frog (Rana temporaria) were compared: (1) pituitary extracts, (2) 0.12 µg g–1 luteinising hormone-releasing hormone analogue (LHRHa), (3) 1.20 µg g–1 LHRHa, (4) 11.7 IU g–1 human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) and (5) 23.4 IU g–1 hCG (g–1 = per gram bodyweight). From 1 to 24 h after administration we assessed the number and concentration of spermatozoa in spermic urine and in holding water, and in urine the percentage of motile spermatozoa and their progressive motility. The protocol using 1.20 µg g–1 LHRHa gave the highest total sperm numbers (650 × 106) and the highest percentage (40%) of samples with sperm concentrations above 200 × 106 mL–1. The percentage motility and progressive motility was similar from all protocols. Considerable amounts of spermatozoa were expressed by R. temporaria into their holding water. We tested hormonal priming and spermiation in the common toad (Bufo bufo) using 0.13 µg g–1 LHRHa administered 24 h before a final spermiating dose of 12.8 IU g–1 hCG. No spermatozoa were expressed in holding water. Priming resulted in 35% more spermatozoa than without; however, there were no differences in sperm concentrations. Primed B. bufo produced spermatozoa with significantly higher percentage motility, but not progressive motility, membrane integrity, or abnormal spermatozoa than unprimed males.

Influence of host reproductive state onSphaerothecum destruensprevalence and infection level

Sphaerothecum destruensis an obligate intracellular parasite with the potential to cause high mortalities and spawning inhibition in the endangered cyprinidLeucaspius delineatus. We investigated the influence ofL. delineatus’s reproductive state on the prevalence and infection level ofS. destruens. A novel real time quantitative polymerarse chain reaction (qPCR) was developed to determineS. destruens’ prevalence and infection level. These parameters were quantified and compared in reproductive and non-reproductiveL. delineatus. The detection limit of theS. destruensspecific qPCR was determined to be 1 pg of purifiedS. destruensgenomic DNA. Following cohabitation in the lab, reproductiveL. delineatushad a significantly higherS. destruensprevalence (P<0·05) and infection levels (P<0·01) compared to non-reproductiveL. delineatus. S. destruensprevalence was 19% (n=40) in non-reproductiveL. delineatusand 41% (n=32) in reproductiveL. delineatus. However, there was no difference inS. destruensprevalence in reproductive and non-reproductive fish under field conditions. Mean infection levels were 18 and 99 pgS. destruensDNA per 250 ngL. delineatusDNA for non-reproductive and reproductiveL. delineatusrespectively. The present work indicates thatS. destruensinfection inL. delineatuscan be influenced by the latter's reproductive state and provides further support for the potential adverse impact ofS. destruenson the conservation ofL. delineatuspopulations.

Can myxosporean parasites compromise fish and amphibian reproduction?

Research into fish and amphibian reproduction has increased exponentially in recent years owing to the expansion of the aquaculture industry, the need to recover fishery populations, the impact of endocrine disruptors on the aquatic environment and the global decline of amphibian populations. This review focuses on a group of parasites, the Myxozoa, that affect fish and amphibian reproduction. Lists of the myxosporeans that specifically infect gonads are provided. Most of these are parasitic of freshwater hosts, and most amphibian cases are reported from testes. Sex specificity and sex reversal are discussed in relation to gonadal parasitism. The immune response of the fish to the infection is described, and the contribution of the immunoprivilege of gonads to host invasion is emphasized. The pathological effect of these parasites can be significant, especially in aquacultured broodstocks, on some occasions, leading to parasitic castration. Although myxosporean parasites are currently not very frequent in gonads, their impact could increase in the future owing to the transactions in the global market. Their easy release into the aquatic environment with spawning could make their spreading even more feasible. In the absence of commercial drugs or vaccines to treat and prevent these infections, there is an urgent need to develop specific, rapid and reliable diagnostic tools to control and manage animal movements. In addition, much effort is still to be made on deciphering the life cycle of these organisms, their invasion strategies and their immune evasion mechanisms.