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RESEARCH ARTICLE
Contents Vol 18(3)

Assessment of basic seminal characteristics, sperm cryopreservation and heterologous in vitro fertilisation in the fishing cat (Prionailurus viverrinus)

Khongsak Thiangtum A , William F. Swanson B G , JoGayle Howard C , Wanchai Tunwattana D , Dakara Tongthainan D , Wisid Wichasilpa E , Pornchai Patumrattanathan F and Tanu Pinyopoommintr A
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A Center of Agricultural Biotechnology, Kasetsart University, Kamphaengsaen Campus, Nakhon Pathom 73140, Thailand.

B Center for Conservation and Research of Endangered Wildlife, Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden, 3400 Vine Street, Cincinnati, Ohio 45220, USA.

C Department of Reproductive Sciences, Smithsonian’s National Zoological Park, 3001 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington DC 20008, USA.

D Khao Kheow Open Zoo, Bang Phra, Sriracha, Chonburi 20210, Thailand.

E Dusit Zoo, 71 Rama V Road, Bangkok 10300, Thailand.

F Khao Pratupchang Wildlife Breeding Center, Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, 147 Moo 8, Chornboong, Rachaburi 70150, Thailand.

G Corresponding author. Email: william.swanson@cincinnatizoo.org

Reproduction, Fertility and Development 18(3) 373-382 https://doi.org/10.1071/RD05098
Submitted: 19 August 2005  Accepted: 25 November 2005   Published: 27 January 2006

Abstract

Conservation of the fishing cat, a threatened south-east Asian felid, could benefit from effective ex situ genetic management and breeding programmes, including the use of assisted reproduction. The aims of the present study were to: (1) characterise basal seminal traits of fishing cats in Thailand zoos; and (2) investigate the effect of cryopreservation on sperm motility, acrosomal integrity and in vitro function. Seminal traits were evaluated in electroejaculates collected from eight males. Spermatozoa were diluted in n-tris(hydroxymethyl)-methyl-2-aminoethanesulfonic acid Tris (TEST)-yolk buffer (TYB) without glycerol, then diluted further with TYB with glycerol (4% final concentration) at either 25°C or after slow cooling to 5°C and frozen in straws over liquid nitrogen vapour. After thawing, sperm function was assessed by insemination of viable domestic cat oocytes. Fishing cat ejaculates averaged (± s.e.m.) 43.6 ± 14.2 × 106 motile spermatozoa with 33.5 ± 6.8% normal sperm morphology. Semen processing had a negligible effect (P > 0.05) on sperm motility and acrosomal integrity, but values were reduced (P < 0.05) after thawing. All thawed samples fertilised domestic cat oocytes, with 62.1% (36/58) of mature oocytes cleaving. Glycerol addition at 5°C resulted in higher (P < 0.05) post-thaw motility and intact acrosomes than glycerol addition at 25°C. In conclusion, good-quality ejaculates can be obtained from Thai fishing cats and their spermatozoa exhibit adequate function after cryopreservation for in vitro fertilisation procedures.

Extra keywords: assisted reproduction, conservation, felid, genome resource banking, semen.


Acknowledgments

The authors thank staff members at the Khao Kheow Open Zoo, Dusit Zoo and the Khao Pratubchang Wildlife Breeding Center, Peter Riger (Nashville Zoo), Ken Lang, Rick Passaro and Rose Bauer (Smithsonian’s National Zoo) and Dr Genevieve Magarey (Cincinnati Zoo) for animal care and technical assistance. The authors also thank Dr Suwicha Kasemsuwan of Kasetsart University for assistance with statistical analyses and acknowledge the National Hormone and Pituitary Program of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) for the donation of ovine FSH and LH. During this study, KT received financial support from a Master’s Degree scholarship provided by Kasetsart University and partial research funding was provided by an NIH grant (RR015388) to WS and from the Sisley Endowment Fund to JGH.


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