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.
Thiangtum
Khongsak
K
Center of Agricultural Biotechnology, Kasetsart University, Kamphaengsaen Campus, Nakhon Pathom 73140, Thailand.
Swanson
William F
WF
Howard
JoGayle
J
Tunwattana
Wanchai
W
Tongthainan
Dakara
D
Wichasilpa
Wisid
W
Patumrattanathan
Pornchai
P
Pinyopoommintr
Tanu
T
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