IUCN / SSC Cat Specialist Group - Digital Cat Library |
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| Ga¤an, N.; Gonzalez, R.; Garde, J.; Vargas, A.; Martinez, F.; Gomendio, M.; Roldan, E.R.S. | |
| Assessment of Semen Quality and Sperm Cryopreservation in the Iberian Lynx (_Lynx pardinus_) | |
| 2007 Conference Proceeding | |
Iberian lynx is critically endangered and the remaining two populations are threatened by inbreeding depression. A captive breeding programme has been initiated along with a genetic resource bank and the development of assisted reproductive techniques. Semen evaluation provides information about male reproductive potential. Sperm cryopreservation allows the exchange of genetic material within and between natural and captive populations through artificial insemination and _in vitro_ fertilisation (IVF). Samples from dead animals create new reproductive opportunities. Since 2004 we have performed 17 electroejaculations under anaesthesia on seven different captive males. Mean total ejaculate volume was 390 æl with a mean concentration of 6.5x106 sperm/ml, a sperm motility index of 67, 15% morphologically normal sperm and 34% sperm with intact normal acrosomes. Considerable variation existed between males. Spermatozoa were cryopreserved successfully in straws using Tes-Tris, Triladyl and PDV-62 diluents with 20% egg yolk and 4% glycerol, one-step glycerol addition and 0.125 §C/min cooling rate. Fertilising ability of cryopreserved spermatozoa is tested by means of heterologous IVF of _in vitro_ matured domestic cat oocytes. These results are important for conservation of genetic resources and management of _ex situ _and_ in situ_ programmes. _Funded by Ministry of the Environment and CSIC._ |
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