title: Collection and characterization of semen from Chilean rose tarantulas (Grammostola rosea).
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To establish a nonterminal semen collection method for use in captive Chilean rose tarantulas (Grammostola rosea) and to evaluate tools for investigating morphology and viability of spermatozoa.
  
  
  METHODS
  7 mature male Chilean rose tarantulas.
  
  
  METHODS
  Each tarantula was anesthetized in a 500-mL induction chamber containing a cotton ball infused with 2 mL of isoflurane. Semen collection was performed by applying direct pressure to the palpal bulbs (sperm storage organs) located on the distal segment of the palpal limbs. Morphology of spermatozoa was examined by light microscopy and transmission and scanning electron microscopy. Propidium iodide and a fluorescent membrane-permeant nucleic acid dye were used to evaluate cell viability.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Semen was collected successfully from all 7 tarantulas. Microscopic examination of semen samples revealed coenospermia (spherical capsules [mean ± SD diameter, 10.3 ± 1.6 μm] containing many nonmotile sperm cells [mean number of sperm cells/capsule, 18.5 ± 3.8]). Individual spermatozoa were characterized by a spiral-shaped cell body (mean length, 16.7 ± 1.4 μm; mean anterior diameter, 1.5 ± 0.14 μm). Each spermatozoon had no apparent flagellar structure. The fluorescent stains identified some viable sperm cells in the semen samples.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The described technique allowed simple and repeatable collection of semen from Chilean rose tarantulas. Semen from this species was characterized by numerous spherical capsules containing many nonmotile spermatozoa in an apparently quiescent state. Fluorescent staining to distinguish live from dead spermatozoa appeared to be a useful tool for semen evaluation in this species.
authors.affiliation: College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27607.
authors.forename: Kate E
authors.initials: KE
authors.lastname: Archibald
authors.forename: Larry J
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Minter
authors.forename: Gregory A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Lewbart
authors.forename: C Scott
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Bailey
mesh_terms: D018685:Anesthetics, Inhalation / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D007530:Isoflurane / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D008297:Male; D012661:Semen / Q000502:physiology*; D013048:Specimen Handling; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000502:physiology*; D013112:Spiders / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D018685:Anesthetics, Inhalation; D007530:Isoflurane