Seasonal variations in semen characteristics, semen cryopreservation, estrus synchronization, and successful artificial insemination in the spotted deer (Axis axis).
Ten adult male spotted deer were monitored over a 2-year interval to determine seasonal variations in testicular size, semen characteristics and serum testosterone concentrations, and to determine if there was an association between season and type of antler. Mean (+/-S.E.M.) testicular volume (118.8+/-4.6 cm(3)), serum testosterone concentration (1.2+/-0.1 ng/mL), semen volume (4.1+/-0.6 mL), sperm concentration (338.3+/-24.9 x 10(6) mL(-1)), percentage of morphologically normal sperm (79.1+/-2.8%), and percentage of motile sperm (66.5+/-1.5%) were higher (P<0.05) in hard antler deer (peaked from March to May) than in deer with velvet antlers or in deer in which the antler has been shed. Thus, March-May was considered the physiologic breeding season for these deer; at this time, all stags had hard antlers. Furthermore, a Tris-citrate-based semen extender containing 4% glycerol and 20% egg-yolk was adequate for cryopreservation of semen. Estrus was induced with an implant containing norgestomet, timed transcervical AI was done with fresh semen, and 3 of 10 females were pregnant at 60 days, with fawns born 120 (premature), 240 and 243 days after AI. These results were considered a model for the use of assisted reproductive techniques to conserve other critically endangered deer species of India.
Umapathy
Govindhaswamy
G
Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology, Uppal Road, Hyderabad 500007, India.
Sontakke
Sadanand D
SD
Reddy
Anuradha
A
Shivaji
S
S
D000818:Animals; D000999:Antlers; D003247:Conservation of Natural Resources; D015925:Cryopreservation / Q000662:veterinary; D003670:Deer / Q000502:physiology*; D004973:Estrus Synchronization / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D007315:Insemination, Artificial / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*; D008297:Male; D011247:Pregnancy; D011282:Pregnenediones / Q000008:administration & dosage; D012621:Seasons; D012661:Semen / Q000502:physiology*; D012662:Semen Preservation / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary; D013076:Sperm Count; D013081:Sperm Motility; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000002:abnormalities; D013737:Testis / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood; D020858:Tissue and Organ Harvesting / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary
D011282:Pregnenediones; C100284:norgestomet; D013739:Testosterone