title: CHARACTERIZATION OF NATURAL EJACULATES AND SPERM CRYOPRESERVATION IN A GOLDEN EAGLE (AQUILA CHRYSAETUS).
abstract: This paper describes the sperm characteristics and response to cooling and freezing of naturally ejaculated semen from a captive, adult golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetus) trained to allow sperm recovery via cooperative copulation. A basic spermiogram was prepared, and sperm motility and morphometric variables recorded using a computer-aided system. For sperm storage, the effects of a polyvinylpyrrolidone-based extender were evaluated at 5°C. The same extender was also used in freezing procedures in which glycerol (11%) and dimethylacetamide (6%) were compared as cryoprotectants. The extender preserved sperm viability over storage periods of up to 6 days. Although sperm motility and percentage live sperm values were poorer for frozen-thawed (5.8-14.6% and 44-42%, respectively) than for fresh samples (46.7 and 74.6%, respectively), no differences were seen between the effects of the two cryoprotectants. These results could be of use when attempting to store the sperm of golden eagles and other raptors.
authors.forename: Silvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Villaverde-Morcillo
authors.forename: Rubén
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: García-Sánchez
authors.forename: Cristina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Castaño
authors.forename: Eduar
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Rodríguez
authors.forename: Fernando
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Gonzalez
authors.forename: Milagros
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Esteso
authors.forename: Julián
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Santiago-Moreno
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015925:Cryopreservation / Q000662:veterinary*; D020307:Eagles / Q000502:physiology*; D004542:Ejaculation / Q000502:physiology*; D005615:Freezing; D008297:Male; D012662:Semen Preservation / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*; D013081:Sperm Motility; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology
keywords: Aquila chrysaetus; cryopreservation; ejaculate; golden eagle; semen; spermatozoa