News Animals

Heat therapy for sick frogs lowers sperm levels

A common treatment for fatal fungal infection might have negative consequences for fertility

A frog with green and brown stripes.

Green and golden bell frogs (Ranoidea aurea) have suffered severe population declines in part due to a deadly chytrid fungus.

jamesbennettwild/iNaturalist (CC BY-NC 4.0)

By Priyanka Runwal

Bad news for frogs getting sauna therapy: The heat treatment for their fatal fungal infection may come at a cost.

Exposing infected green and golden bell frogs (Ranoidea aurea) to thermal therapy — a commonly used treatment technique — can compromise their sperm levels.