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

2007 ◽  
Vol 19 (5) ◽  
pp. 685 ◽  
Author(s):  
Monica A. Stoops ◽  
Jennifer B. Bond ◽  
Helen L. Bateman ◽  
Mark K. Campbell ◽  
Gregory P. Levens ◽  
...  

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.

2006 ◽  
Vol 18 (3) ◽  
pp. 373 ◽  
Author(s):  
Khongsak Thiangtum ◽  
William F. Swanson ◽  
JoGayle Howard ◽  
Wanchai Tunwattana ◽  
Dakara Tongthainan ◽  
...  

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.


2020 ◽  
Vol 60 (10) ◽  
pp. 1227
Author(s):  
P. Comizzoli

More than 50 deer species live in diverse ecosystems around the world. Unfortunately, most of them are threatened or endangered because of over-hunting, poaching or habitat destruction. Protection of wild populations (in situ) and management of animal collections in zoos and breeding centres (ex situ) are complementary conservation efforts relying on multidisciplinary approaches. Reproductive biology of deer species is one of the critical areas that still needs to be thoroughly studied to ensure the success of in situ or ex situ programs. Interestingly, there is a vast diversity in reproductive traits within the deer family (from anatomy to breeding-season patterns). On the basis of this fundamental knowledge, adapted reproductive biotechnologies have been developed to enhance reproduction and preserve fertility of individuals. Early works on artificial insemination (AI), in vitro fertilisation (IVF), and germplasm freezing in the more common red deer, sika deer and white-tailed deer have been highly inspiring to projects aiming at saving endangered deer species. A few fawn births following AI or IVF using frozen semen have been reported in wild species (e.g. Eld’s deer, Rucervus eldii thamin); however, assisted reproductive techniques and cryo-banking are currently not integrated into the management of rare and endangered populations. Knowing that many deer populations are rapidly declining in situ and ex situ, there is now an urgent need for better strategies and more fertility preservation options. The objectives of the present article are to review (1) existing reproductive biotechnologies to preserve fertility of different deer species and (2) how to integrate these approaches into the management of rare and endangered populations to address conservation issues.


Zygote ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Luciana Diniz Rola ◽  
Eveline dos Santos Zanetti ◽  
Maite del Collado ◽  
Ellen de Fátima Carvalho Peroni ◽  
José Maurício Barbanti Duarte

Summary In vitro production of embryos has gained prominence as a tool for use in wildlife conservation programmes in situ and ex situ. However, the development of this technique depends on steps that include ovarian stimulation, collection and oocyte maturation. The purpose of this study was to assess the feasibility of an ovarian stimulation protocol for follicular aspiration, the efficiency of videolaparoscopy for follicular aspiration and test a medium for in vitro oocyte maturation for the species Mazama gouazoubira. Five females were submitted to repeated ovarian stimulation (hormone protocol using controlled internal drug release), and estradiol benzoate on D0 and eight injections of follicle-stimulating hormone, once every 12 h, from D4 onwards at 30-day intervals. Fourteen surgical procedures were performed in superstimulated females, resulting in the collection of 94 oocytes and an average of 17.1 ± 9.1 follicles observed, 13.5 ± 6.6 follicles aspirated and 7.2 ± 3.7 oocytes collected per surgery. After collection, the oocytes were submitted to in vitro maturation for 24 h and stained with Hoechst 33342 dye to evaluate their nuclear status; 64.5% of the oocytes reached MII and 16.1% were spontaneously activated by parthenogenesis. The nuclear status of oocytes that did not undergo in vitro maturation was evaluated; 80.9% were found to be immature.


Genetika ◽  
2004 ◽  
Vol 36 (3) ◽  
pp. 221-227
Author(s):  
Jelena Aleksic ◽  
Sasa Orlovic

Principles of the conservation of genetic resources of elms (Ulmus spp) do not differ fundamentally from the general principles accepted for the conservation of genetic resources of other common Noble Hardwoods. Efficient conservation can best be achieved through appropriate combination of in situ and ex situ methods, which have distinct advantages. Besides that, ex situ conservation is employed when emergency measures are needed for rare endangered populations and when populations are too small to be managed in situ (e.g. risks of genetic drift and inbreeding). The aim of our research is ex situ conservation of genetic resources of field elm {Ulmus minor Mill) and European white elm (Ulmus laevis Pall) through establishment of field genebanks. Sampling was conducted in one population of field elm and one population of white elm. Plant material (buds) from 8 trees of field elm and 10 trees of white elm was used for in vitro production of clones. Obtained clones will be used for establishment of field genebanks on the experimental estate of the Institute of Lowland Forestry and Environment.


2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (20) ◽  
pp. 7459
Author(s):  
María Elena González-Benito ◽  
Miguel Ángel Ibáñez ◽  
Michela Pirredda ◽  
Sara Mira ◽  
Carmen Martín

Epigenetic variation, and particularly DNA methylation, is involved in plasticity and responses to changes in the environment. Conservation biology studies have focused on the measurement of this variation to establish demographic parameters, diversity levels and population structure to design the appropriate conservation strategies. However, in ex situ conservation approaches, the main objective is to guarantee the characteristics of the conserved material (phenotype and epi-genetic). We review the use of the Methylation Sensitive Amplified Polymorphism (MSAP) technique to detect changes in the DNA methylation patterns of plant material conserved by the main ex situ plant conservation methods: seed banks, in vitro slow growth and cryopreservation. Comparison of DNA methylation patterns before and after conservation is a useful tool to check the fidelity of the regenerated plants, and, at the same time, may be related with other genetic variations that might appear during the conservation process (i.e., somaclonal variation). Analyses of MSAP profiles can be useful in the management of ex situ plant conservation but differs in the approach used in the in situ conservation. Likewise, an easy-to-use methodology is necessary for a rapid interpretation of data, in order to be readily implemented by conservation managers.


Author(s):  
Marine Deshors ◽  
Olivier Guais ◽  
Virginie Neugnot-Roux ◽  
Xavier Cameleyre ◽  
Luc Fillaudeau ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ex Situ ◽  

2015 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 128 ◽  
Author(s):  
I. A. Plourde ◽  
H. L. Bateman ◽  
W. F. Swanson

Propagation of genetically diverse felid populations would benefit from more effective assisted reproduction strategies, including enhanced methods for sperm cryopreservation. In felids, sperm cryopreservation has been improved by substituting soy-lecithin for egg yolk in cryomedium (Vick et al. 2012 Theriogenology 78, 2120–2128). In other species, such as elephants (Kiso et al. 2012 Reprod., Fert. Dev. 24, 1134–1142) and cattle (Purdy et al. 2004 Cryobiology 48, 36–45), the addition of cholesterol-loaded cyclodextrins (CLC) to sperm before freezing has been shown to produce superior cryopreservation results. In this study, our objectives were to (1) assess cholesterol content of cat sperm membranes and capacitation status following incubation with CLC; (2) evaluate post-thaw sperm motility, acrosome status, and fertility in vitro following CLC treatment and freezing in a soy-based cryomedium; and (3) conduct a preliminary assessment of cholesterol content in nondomestic cat sperm. Freshly collected domestic cat sperm (n = 2 males, 3–4 ejaculates/male) were incubated with CLC (0, 1.5, or 3.0 mg mL–1), and cholesterol levels were measured using an Amplex Red Cholesterol Assay. Sperm aliquots from each CLC concentration were treated with calcium ionophore (2 μM, 30 min) during in vitro incubation and stained with fluorescein isothiocyanate/PNA to evaluate induced acrosomal loss. To assess post-thaw parameters, cat sperm treated with CLC were frozen in straws using soy-lecithin cryomedium, thawed, and cultured in vitro over time. To evaluate fertility, oocytes were collected laparoscopically from gonadotropin-treated domestic cats (n = 7 females, 147 oocytes total) and inseminated with low numbers of thawed-frozen sperm pretreated with 0 or 1.5 mg mL–1 CLC. Data were analysed using ANOVA and mean differences assessed with Fisher l.s.d. or chi-squared analysis. Sperm cholesterol levels were increased (P < 0.05) after exposure to both 1.5 and 3.0 mg mL–1 CLC. Prefreeze motility was decreased (P < 0.05) and capacitation was delayed at 3.0 mg mL–1 CLC relative to treatment with 0 or 1.5 mg mL–1 CLC. Both post-thaw motility and percentage of acrosome intact sperm were reduced (P < 0.05) with the highest CLC concentration, but results were similar (P > 0.05) for 0 and 1.5 mg mL–1 CLC. Fertilization percentages did not differ (P > 0.05) between treatment groups (0 CLC, 33.3%, 25/75; 1.5 mg mL–1 CLC, 26.4%, 19/72). Preliminary results from a single cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus) and single fishing cat (Prionailurus viverrinus) suggest that sperm membrane cholesterol may be lower compared to the domestic cat. Cholesterol content appeared to increase in both species after exposure to 1.5 mg mL–1 CLC. In summary, our findings suggest CLC treatment increased cholesterol content of felid sperm membranes. The higher CLC concentration was detrimental to sperm motility, capacitation, and post-thaw sperm traits. The lower CLC concentration did not improve post-thaw sperm function in domestic cats.Research supported by the Procter & Gamble Wildlife Conservation Scholarship Program.


Author(s):  
Jane Muthoni ◽  
Hussein Shimelis ◽  
Rob Melis

Plant genetic resources (PGRs) play an important role in agriculture, environment protection, cultural property and trade; they need to be conserved. There are two fundamental approaches for the conservation of PGRs: in situ and ex situ. In situ conservation is the conservation of ecosystems and natural habitats and the maintenance and recovery of viable populations of species in their natural surroundings. Ex situ preservation is the storage of seeds or plant materials under artificial conditions to maintain their long term viability and availability for use. Genebanks employ seed storage, field collections of living plants and in vitro storage (tissue culture or cryopreservation) for ex situ preservation of PGR. Storage of orthodox seeds, which are tolerant to low moisture content and low temperatures at appropriate temperature and humidity, is the most convenient ex situ conservation method. Plants that produce recalcitrant seeds or non-viable seeds are conserved in field genebanks as well as in-vitro in slow growth media for short-to-medium term and cryopreservation in liquid nitrogen at -1960C for long-term periods. Cryopreservation is very expensive and needs trained personnel; this could explain why this method is rarely used for conservation of plant genetic resources in most developing countries. Potato tubers are bulky and highly perishable; the crop is generally conserved as clones either in field genebanks (with annual replanting), in-vitro conservation in slow growth media for short-to-medium term and cryopreservation for long term. Field genebanks are expensive to maintain and the crop is exposed to many dangers; hence, cryopreservation is the only feasible method for long term conservation. However, given the high cost of cryopreservation, long-term conservation of potato genetic resources is poorly developed in most resource-poor countries leading to high rates of genetic erosion. This paper looks into the various methods that that can be applied to conserve potato genetic resources and the status of conservation of potatoes in major genebanks and some countries.


2021 ◽  
Vol 273 ◽  
pp. 01007
Author(s):  
Valentina Puzirnova ◽  
Natalia Doroshenko

The paper is devoted to the problem of plant biodiversity conservation. This problem is acute all over the world. Lower Don Region has a centuries old history of viticulture and winemaking. There are many valuable vine varieties which are worthy of preservation for future generations. Classical methods no longer cope with this task. Applying advances of biotechnology in addition to traditional methods of ex situ and in situ biodiversity conservation allows sustainable management of genetic resources. This article summarizes the study of methods for creation slow growing collection for grapevine variety Fioletoviy Ranniy. Keeping plants in a slow-growing collection is one of the best ways to preserve biodiversity. This study analyzed the effect of various media compounds on vigor of vine in order to elongate the time between replantings.


Animals ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 403
Author(s):  
Giusy Rusco ◽  
Michele Di Iorio ◽  
Roberta Iampietro ◽  
Stefano Esposito ◽  
Pier Paolo Gibertoni ◽  
...  

The aim of our study was to test the effectiveness of a simple semen cryopreservation procedure, developed for cultivated salmonid, on the wild salmonid of the Mediterranean area and to evaluate the effect of different thawing rates and sperm-to-egg ratios. The semen of five individual males was diluted into a final extender concentration of 0.15 M glucose and 7.5% methanol and loaded into 0.25 mL plastic straws, and a final sperm concentration of 3.0 × 109 sperm/mL was obtained. After equilibration, the straws were frozen by exposure to liquid nitrogen vapor at 3 cm above the liquid nitrogen level for 5 min. The semen was thawed at 40 °C/5 s or 10 °C/30 s. The sperm cryosurvival was evaluated by examining in vitro the sperm motility parameters using the CASA system, followed by fertilization trials in vivo, using three different sperm-to-egg ratios 6 × 105, 4.5 × 105 and 3 × 105:1. The applied cryopreservation procedure resulted in remarkably high (85.6%) post-thaw sperm total motility, when the semen was thawed at 40 °C/5 s, whilst the highest fertilization rate (53.1%) was recorded for a sperm-to-egg ratio of 4.5 × 105:1. According to these outcomes, the cryopreservation procedure that was tested turned out to be effective for the wild population of Mediterranean brown trout and practical for the creation of the first European semen cryobank foreseen as part of our “LIFE” Nat.Sal.Mo. project.


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