La Trobe University academics have developed a non-invasive way to monitor hormones in frogs in an important step towards protecting the vulnerable animals from extinction.
Global frog populations are disappearing at an alarming rate due to issues such as habitat loss, climate change, pollution, invasive species and disease, with 41 per cent of species listed as threatened.
Hormones play a crucial role in animal reproduction and coping with stressors, both of which are vital for survival, however, studying frog hormones has been difficult because traditional methods, like blood sampling, are invasive and stressful for the animal.
The solution? Tiny patches that collect hormone-rich secretions from frog skin, offering a simple, stress-free way to monitor health and reproduction.
Developed by researchers from La Trobe’s Wildlife Conservation and Reproductive Endocrinology Lab (WiCRE), in collaboration with the University of Wollongong, this non-invasive method marks a major step forward in amphibian monitoring.
Their study, published in Frontiers in Conservation Science, shows that skin patches can reliably measure hormone levels, providing valuable insights into frog wellbeing without the need for invasive procedures.
Led by Dr Alicia Dimovski and Dr Kerry Fanson from La Trobe, the team optimised the method and showed that the patches can detect meaningful changes in testosterone levels, in tests on Blue Mountains tree frogs.
“The study shows that dermal patches can effectively measure hormone levels in frogs with minimal disruption to the animal,” Dr Dimovski said.
“This is a big step forward in helping us understand frog biology and improve conservation efforts.”
Frogs play an important role in ecosystems and hold cultural and intrinsic value. With many species at risk of extinction, there is an urgent need for better tools to monitor their health.
“We hope this research helps support conservation breeding programs and contributes to the long-term survival of these incredible animals,” Dr Dimovski said.
The technique will be broadly applicable to other frog species, such as the spotted marsh frog (pictured below).
The research was conducted in collaboration with Dr Aimee Silla from the Evolution and Assisted Reproduction Laboratory (EARL) Lab at the University of Wollongong.
The full report can be found here: Frontiers | Validation of dermal patches as a non-invasive tool for monitoring amphibian steroid hormones
Dr Alicia Dimovski is available for interviews.
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Charisse Ede
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