Egg jelly influences sperm motility in the externally fertilizing frog, Crinia georgiana

Recent in vitro fertilization studies have revealed female and male x female interaction effects on the probability of fertilization. These findings suggest a mechanism of cryptic female choice via sperm-egg interactions. The egg jelly of anuran amphibians contains proteins that facilitate the chemoattraction and binding of sperm for fertilization. Here we show that egg jelly also influences the onset of motility and swimming velocity of motile sperm in the frog Crinia georgiana. Moreover, we found significant among female variation in the effects of egg jelly on sperm motility. We discuss this finding with respect to male and female effects on nonrandom fertilization observed in this species.