title: Reproductive seasonality and sperm cryopreservation in the male tufted deer (Elaphodus cephalophus).
abstract: The tufted deer is a small deer, listed as near threatened on the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List, and there is no information on the fundamental reproductive biology of this species. In this study, we report for the first time, characterization of male reproductive traits and cryopreservation of semen in this species. Males were subjected to electroejaculation during each season (autumn, winter, spring, and summer), and ejaculates were assessed for motility and quality traits. Fecal samples were collected 3 to 5 times weekly for 2 years and analyzed for androgen metabolites using enzyme immunoassay. Ejaculates with greater than 70% motility were cryopreserved using Beltsville extender (BF5F) or Triladyl. Straws were thawed and assessed subjectively as well as swim-up processed to isolate motile spermatozoa for computer-assisted sperm analysis and acrosome integrity at hourly interval. Tufted deer male reproductive and semen traits peaked in autumn. Mean fecal androgen concentrations were highest in the summer compared with baseline values during rest of the year. Sperm motility and acrosome integrity were lower immediately after thawing in both cryodiluents compared with raw ejaculates. Motility characteristics after swim-up were higher in BF5F compared with Triladyl. Four hours after thawing, both percent sperm motility and progression decreased further and were similar between BF5F and Triladyl. However, the proportion of spermatozoa with intact acrosomal membranes was higher in BF5F than Triladyl. Results indicate that tufted deer exhibit seasonal variations in reproductive traits and that BF5F better preserves sperm motility and acrosomal integrity after cryopreservation compared with Triladyl.
authors.affiliation: Center for Species Survival, Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, National Zoological Park, Front Royal, Virginia, USA; Department of Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Reproduction, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand.
authors.forename: Saritvich
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Panyaboriban
authors.affiliation: Center for Species Survival, Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, National Zoological Park, Front Royal, Virginia, USA; Salim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History, Anaikatty, Coimbatore, India.
authors.forename: Ram P
authors.initials: RP
authors.lastname: Singh
authors.affiliation: Center for Species Survival, Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, National Zoological Park, Front Royal, Virginia, USA.
authors.forename: Nucharin
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Songsasen
authors.affiliation: Saint Louis Zoo, St. Louis, Missouri, USA.
authors.forename: Luis
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Padilla
authors.affiliation: Center for Species Survival, Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, National Zoological Park, Front Royal, Virginia, USA.
authors.forename: Janine
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Brown
authors.affiliation: Center for Species Survival, Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, National Zoological Park, Front Royal, Virginia, USA.
authors.forename: Dolores
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Reed
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Reproduction, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand.
authors.forename: Mongkol
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Techakumphu
authors.affiliation: Center for Species Survival, Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, National Zoological Park, Front Royal, Virginia, USA. Electronic address: pukazhenthib@si.edu.
authors.forename: Budhan
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Pukazhenthi
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000836:Animals, Zoo; D003670:Deer / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D012621:Seasons; D012662:Semen Preservation / Q000662:veterinary*; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000502:physiology
keywords: CASA; Cervid; Cryodiluents; Semen; Testosterone