What preparatory work is needed before breeding giant salamanders?

Breeding facilities

In addition to the basic equipment mentioned above, artificial insemination and artificial egg collection supplies, a balance, a microscope, various types of syringes, disinfection and spawning-induction drugs, etc., should also be provided.

Selection of parent salamanders when maturity reaches stage five

The giant salamander generally matures and lays eggs around mid-August. The sexual maturity age of parent salamanders is generally over 5 years; for artificial breeding, selecting 6-year-olds is best. Both male and female parent salamanders selected should be robust and free of injury or disease.

Selection, dosage and injection method of exogenous hormones

Commonly used exogenous hormones include human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG), luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone analogue (LRH-A), luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone A2 (LHRH-A2), domperidone (DOM), carp and crucian carp pituitary (PC), etc. The dosage depends on the situation. Generally, human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) is 700-1200 micrograms/kg, luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone analogue (LRH-A) is 5—40 micrograms/kg, and domperidone (DOM) 0.5~2 micrograms/kg used in combination with luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone A2 (LHRH-A2) can better promote gonadotropin (GtH) release and ovulation. For giant salamanders with relatively good maturity development or those using exogenous hormones for the first time, the injection dose should be correspondingly smaller; otherwise, the dosage should be appropriately increased. The injection site is between the costal grooves on the dorsolateral side, with the needle inserted to a depth that passes through the muscle layer and enters the abdominal cavity.