IUCN / SSC Cat Specialist Group - Digital Cat Library |
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| Fontbonne, A.; L‚vy, X.; Fontaine, E.; Jacques, H.; Esser, C.; Routier, J.-Y. | |
| Development of a Non-Invasive Intra-Uterine Artificial Insemination Technique for Large Felids | |
| 2007 Conference Proceeding | |
Artificial insemination (AI) is expected to become a promising tool in wild felid conservation programs. In felids, partly due to teratospermia, much better results are obtained after AI when the semen is deposited directly inside the uterus. So far, AI in wild felids has mainly been tried in captive animals, using surgery - laparotomy or laparoscopy. Such a surgical technique is too invasive to be used without any risk of post-surgical complications in wild animals living in the field. In order to develop a non-invasive AI technique, we adapted a trans-cervical intra-uterine inseminating technique. A human ureteral catheter (4 or 5 Fr) is optically guided through the cervix ostium up to the uterine horns inside a very thin human ureteroscope (Karl St”rz Inc., Germany) inserted inside the proximal vagina. The duration of the entire procedure often takes less than 10 minutes. Successful trials have been made in hormonally induced oestrous large felids females: one tiger, one lioness, one leopard, one jaguar and four cheetahs. Because habitat fragmentation is an important threat to the long term survival of large cat populations, this technique would be a very useful tool for virtually restoring connectivity among isolated and distant populations, hence reducing the risk of inbreeding depression. |
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