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RESEARCH ARTICLE
Contents Vol 17(7)

Semen characteristics and sperm morphology in the Arabian leopard (Panthera pardus nimr) and how these vary with age and season

Florine J. de Haas van Dorsser A B C and Jacqueline A. Strick A
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A Breeding Centre for Endangered Arabian Wildlife, PO Box 29922, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates.

B Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, Madingley Road, Cambridge, CB30ES, UK.

C Corresponding author. Email: fjd1000@cam.ac.uk

Reproduction, Fertility and Development 17(7) 675-682 https://doi.org/10.1071/RD05052
Submitted: 4 May 2005  Accepted: 21 June 2005   Published: 7 September 2005

Abstract

The Arabian leopard is a critically endangered species. Since there are only an estimated 200 animals remaining in the wild, careful management of the captive population is necessary to minimise inbreeding. The objective of this study was to characterise sperm morphology and ejaculate quality in captive males. Semen was collected by electroejaculation from 8 adult captive male leopards (aged 2–16 years) during the summer and winter months, and semen parameters, including sperm morphology, were assessed. Two-year-old leopards showed lower total sperm counts per ejaculate than older animals and these counts declined at >8 years. Ejaculates collected during the hot summer showed significantly lower sperm concentrations, total sperm counts, sperm motility and viability and percentage of spermatozoa showing normal morphology than ejaculates collected in the cooler winter. The results showed that the male leopard attains sexual maturity between 2 and 3 years of age and exhibits good semen quality until 8 years. Collection of semen for artificial breeding or banking would best be carried out in the cooler winter months.


Acknowledgments

The support of His Highness Dr Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed al Qassimi and the Environment and Protected Areas Authority in Sharjah is gratefully acknowledged. The authors thank the staff at the Breeding Centre for Endangered Arabian Wildlife for their help in the semen collection procedures, Dr N. M. Loskutoff provided enthusiasm and technical advice and Professor W. R. Allen, Dr J. A. Skidmore and Professor W. V. Holt kindly assisted with the preparation of the manuscript.


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