Oestrous synchronization, semen preservation and artificial insemination in the Mohor gazelle (Gazella dama mhorr) for the establishment of a genome resource bank programme

Abstract

Gazella dama mhorr is an endangered species with an extant population of about 190 animals distributed between several zoos. Semen was collected by electro-ejaculation from 12 adult males, and cryopreserved in TEST-yolk diluent containing 6% glycerol. The effects of the concentration of egg yolk (5%, 10% and 20%) and the presence or absence of sodium triethanolamine lauryl sulfate (equex) on sperm motion and acrosomal integrity after thawing were examined. Increasing concentrations of egg yolk resulted in more acrosomal damage and poorer motility after thawing. The presence or absence of equex had no effect on either parameter. The frozen spermatozoa were used in an insemination trial, in which 13 females were treated with intravaginal progesterone-releasing devices to synchronize oestrus. Seven females were inseminated with frozen-thawed semen 48 h after removal of the devices, and six were inseminated after 60 h. Three females in the first group and one in the second group became pregnant. However, only one pregnancy (from the 48-h group) was carried to term. The study demonstrated the feasibility of applying artificial insemination in this species, but revealed that a number of outstanding technical problems remain to be solved.