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RESEARCH ARTICLE
Contents Vol 19(5)

Comparison of different sperm cryopreservation procedures on post-thaw quality and heterologous in vitro fertilisation success in the ocelot (Leopardus pardalis)

Monica A. Stoops A D , Jennifer B. Bond A , Helen L. Bateman A , Mark K. Campbell A , Gregory P. Levens B , Todd R. Bowsher B , Shannon T. Ferrell C and William F. Swanson A
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

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

B Dallas Zoo, 650 South Thorton Freeway, Dallas, TX 75203, USA.

C Fort Worth Zoo, 1989 Colonial Parkway, Fort Worth, TX 76110, USA.

D Corresponding author. Email: monica.stoops@cincinnatizoo.org

Reproduction, Fertility and Development 19(5) 685-694 https://doi.org/10.1071/RD06078
Submitted: 24 July 2006  Accepted: 30 April 2007   Published: 2 July 2007

Abstract

Cryopreservation of spermatozoa from free-living ocelots (Leopardus pardalis) could benefit their conservation by facilitating gene flow between in situ and ex situ populations without requiring removal of additional cats from the wild. The objective of this study was to investigate three different methods of ocelot sperm cryopreservation to identify the most appropriate technique for use in a field environment. Male ocelots (n = 10), housed in North American zoos, were anaesthetised with tiletamine–zolazepam (7mg kg–1 bodyweight; i.m.) and subjected to a regimented electroejaculation procedure. Recovered semen was evaluated for sperm concentration, motility and morphology and processed for cryopreservation by three methods: (1) pelleting on dry ice, (2) freezing in straws over liquid nitrogen vapour; and (3) freezing in straws in a dry shipper. Frozen samples were thawed and assessed for post-thaw acrosome status, viability, motility over time and ability to fertilise viable domestic cat oocytes. Although several post-thaw sperm parameters varied (P < 0.05) among freezing methods, frozen–thawed ocelot spermatozoa from all treatments showed a similar (P > 0.05) capacity to bind, penetrate and fertilise viable domestic cat oocytes. These findings suggest that spermatozoa collected from male ocelots under field conditions may be frozen in straws either using liquid nitrogen alone or in a charged dry shipper to retain adequate functional competence after thawing for use with assisted reproductive procedures.


Acknowledgements

The authors thank the curatorial, veterinary and keeper staff at each of the collaborating institutions (African Wildlife Safari, Carnivore Preservation Trust, Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden, Dallas Zoo, Fort Worth Zoo, Oglebay’s Good Zoo, Nashville Zoo) for providing access to ocelots and assistance with anaesthesia and research procedures. Special thanks are extended to Nicole Siegel, D.V.M. for assistance with the project. We also acknowledge the National Hormone and Pituitary Program of the National Institutes of Health for the donation of ovine LH and FSH. Funding for this study was provided, in part, by a grant from the National Institutes of Health (RR001588).


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