Comparative effects of mammalian growth hormone on three spices of Anuran amphibia before metamorphosis

Abstract

Different results have been obtained by administration of porcine growth hormone to three different species of Spanish anuran amphibia tadpoles (Rana iberica, Rana ridibunda and Discoglossus pictus). Discoglossus pictus does not show response to 5-50 /xg doses of STH porcine injected every-other-day for a period of two weeks.

Rana ridibunda shows significative response to administration STH (5 µg) in three alternate injections. Rana iberica shows positive response to the administration of three and five alternate injections of STH porcine (20 and 50 µg/injection respectively). This shows that STH porcine has activity on some anuran amphibia species before metamorphosis. A discussion on which may be the factors that regulate normal growth in amphibia before metamorphosis is given in this paper.