Sex pheromones in amphibians: a review

Amphibians are interesting animals, very often kept by aquarists and vivarists. Their ability of intraspecific chemical signalization belongs to very interesting biological features. The skin glands of anurans secrete various biologically active compounds. The pheromones are peptides consisting of v...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inVeterinární medicína Vol. 50; no. 9; pp. 385 - 389
Main Author Rajchard, J.
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Prague Czech Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS) 01.09.2005
Czech Academy of Agricultural Sciences
Subjects
Amino acids
Amphibians
Androgens
Antiinfectives and antibacterials
Arginine
Bioactive compounds
Biological activity
Chemoreception
chemosignal
Courtship
Epithelium
frog
Gonadotropin-releasing hormone
Gonadotropins
hormone
Hormones
Mate selection
Neuropeptides
newt
peptide
Peptides
Pheromones
Pituitary (anterior)
Prolactin
Sex
Sexual relationships
skin gland
toad
Vasotocin
Vomeronasal epithelium
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Summary:Amphibians are interesting animals, very often kept by aquarists and vivarists. Their ability of intraspecific chemical signalization belongs to very interesting biological features. The skin glands of anurans secrete various biologically active compounds. The pheromones are peptides consisting of various numbers of amino acid residues and their synthesis is regulated by hormones (e.g. prolactin and androgens). Similarly, the responsiveness of the vomeronasal epithelium to some of these compounds is enhanced by some hormonal substances (prolactin and oestrogen). Hypophyseal hormones, arginine vasotocin and gonadotropin-releasing hormone are involved in the humoral regulation of pheromone discharge. The storage of some compounds with pheromonal activity in a biologically inactive form was also proved. The pheromones have an important role in sexual relationships. These chemosignals increase female receptivity and are probably involved in the mate choice. The courtship pheromone signals may be conserved across related species. Chemosignals play an important role in female attraction and/or territorial announcement. In addition to sex pheromones, various neuropeptides, antimicrobial and other biologically active peptides were found in skin glands of these amphibians. The infochemical system can be disturbed by a chemical influence in the environment.
ISSN:0375-8427
1805-9392
DOI:10.17221/5637-VETMED