Assessment of basic seminal characteristics, sperm cryopreservation and heterologous in vitro fertilisation in the fishing cat (Prionailurus viverrinus).
Conservation of the fishing cat, a threatened south-east Asian felid, could benefit from effective ex situ genetic management and breeding programmes, including the use of assisted reproduction. The aims of the present study were to: (1) characterise basal seminal traits of fishing cats in Thailand zoos; and (2) investigate the effect of cryopreservation on sperm motility, acrosomal integrity and in vitro function. Seminal traits were evaluated in electroejaculates collected from eight males. Spermatozoa were diluted in n-tris(hydroxymethyl)-methyl-2-aminoethanesulfonic acid Tris (TEST)-yolk buffer (TYB) without glycerol, then diluted further with TYB with glycerol (4% final concentration) at either 25 degrees C or after slow cooling to 5 degrees C and frozen in straws over liquid nitrogen vapour. After thawing, sperm function was assessed by insemination of viable domestic cat oocytes. Fishing cat ejaculates averaged (+/- s.e.m.) 43.6 +/- 14.2 x 10(6) motile spermatozoa with 33.5 +/- 6.8% normal sperm morphology. Semen processing had a negligible effect (P > 0.05) on sperm motility and acrosomal integrity, but values were reduced (P < 0.05) after thawing. All thawed samples fertilised domestic cat oocytes, with 62.1% (36/58) of mature oocytes cleaving. Glycerol addition at 5 degrees C resulted in higher (P < 0.05) post-thaw motility and intact acrosomes than glycerol addition at 25 degrees C. In conclusion, good-quality ejaculates can be obtained from Thai fishing cats and their spermatozoa exhibit adequate function after cryopreservation for in vitro fertilisation procedures.
Center of Agricultural Biotechnology, Kasetsart University, Kamphaengsaen Campus, Nakhon Pathom 73140, Thailand.
Khongsak
K
Thiangtum
William F
WF
Swanson
JoGayle
J
Howard
Wanchai
W
Tunwattana
Dakara
D
Tongthainan
Wisid
W
Wichasilpa
Pornchai
P
Patumrattanathan
Tanu
T
Pinyopoommintr
D000177:Acrosome / Q000648:ultrastructure; D000818:Animals; D002415:Cats; D015925:Cryopreservation / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary; D045989:Felidae; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*; D006824:Hybridization, Genetic; D008297:Male; D012661:Semen; D012662:Semen Preservation / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*; D013045:Species Specificity; D013081:Sperm Motility