Collection and evaluation of epididymal sperm in captive agoutis (Dasyprocta aguti).
The objective was to establish a protocol for the collection and evaluation of epididymal sperm in agoutis. Eight males (1-2 y old) underwent left orchidectomy and epididymal sperma were collected by retrograde flush. Average values were flush volume 32 μL, pH 6.9, sperm concentration 748 x 10(6) sperm/mL, with motility 86.5% and vigor 4.6. Viable sperm were present in all flush samples; 66% of sperm were alive, and 41.9% of sperm responded positively to the hypoosmotic test (using distilled water). There were 21.1% morphologically abnormal sperm, of which 2.0 and 19.1% were primary and secondary defects, respectively. The acrosome was intact in 99.5% of sperm. The sperm head was 4.89 ± 0.41 μm long and 3.13 ± 0.35 μm wide, with an area of 13.01 ± 2.01 μm(2). Midpieces were 5.33 ± 0.44 μm long and 0.98 ± 0.13 wide, sperm tails were 29.91 ± 2.29 μm, and overall sperm length was 40.12 ± 2.44 μm. In conclusion, epididymal sperm collection from agoutis was satisfactory; the collected sperm has the potential to be stored, facilitating development of other reproductive biotechnologies for this species.
Animal Science Post-Graduate Program, Federal University of Piauí, Socopo, 64049-550, Teresina, Piauí, Brazil. mairasferraz@yahoo.com.br
M S
MS
Ferraz
D J A
DJ
de Menezes
G T
GT
Pessoa
R M
RM
Cabral
M J
MJ
Illera
A R
AR
Silva
M A M
MA
Carvalho
D000818:Animals; D004822:Epididymis / Q000166:cytology*; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D008297:Male; D009919:Orchiectomy / Q000662:veterinary; D012377:Rodentia; D013076:Sperm Count; D013081:Sperm Motility; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000002:abnormalities / Q000166:cytology* / Q000502:physiology*; D020858:Tissue and Organ Harvesting / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*