scholarly journals Assessment of semen quality, sperm cryopreservation and heterologous IVF in the critically endangered Iberian lynx (Lynx pardinus)

2009 ◽  
Vol 21 (7) ◽  
pp. 848 ◽  
Author(s):  
Natalia Gañán ◽  
Raquel González ◽  
J. Julián Garde ◽  
Fernando Martínez ◽  
Astrid Vargas ◽  
...  

Semen traits and factors affecting sperm cryopreservation were assessed in the Iberian lynx (Lynx pardinus), a species regarded as the most endangered felid in the world. For cryopreservation, semen was washed, resuspended in a Tes–Tris-based diluent (TEST) or a Tris-based diluent (Biladyl), both with 20% egg yolk and 4% glycerol, loaded into straws, cooled to 5°C using an automated programmable system and frozen on nitrogen vapour. Heterologous IVF of in vitro-matured domestic cat oocytes was used to test the fertilising ability of cryopreserved spermatozoa. Electroejaculates from five males were obtained. Characterisation of the electroejaculates revealed mean (± s.e.m.) values of 3.3 ± 0.6 × 106 total spermatozoa, 73.6 ± 4.6% motile spermatozoa, 23.7 ± 4.0% morphologically normal spermatozoa and 40.7 ± 2.3% spermatozoa with intact acrosomes. After thawing a higher percentage of motile spermatozoa was seen in TEST than in Biladyl (34.0 ± 6.2% v. 7.5 ± 4.8%, respectively; P < 0.05); however, there were no differences in the percentage of intact acrosomes between the two diluents. Iberian lynx spermatozoa fertilised domestic cat oocytes in vitro, with higher fertilisation rates observed for spermatozoa cryopreserved in TEST than in Biladyl, although the difference did not reach statistical significance (20.5 ± 4.5% v. 11.5 ± 6.8%, respectively). There were positive significant relations between the fertilisation rates and both the percentage of normal spermatozoa and the percentage of spermatozoa with an intact acrosome before cryopreservation (P = 0.04). This first report of the collection and cryopreservation of Iberian lynx semen and analysis of fertilising ability is an important step in the development of assisted reproductive techniques for this critically endangered felid species.

2010 ◽  
Vol 134 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 61-67 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marina L. Meli ◽  
Valentino Cattori ◽  
Fernando Martínez ◽  
Guillermo López ◽  
Astrid Vargas ◽  
...  

2008 ◽  
Vol 55 (3) ◽  
pp. 247-253 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pedro Sarmento ◽  
Joana Cruz ◽  
Pedro Monterroso ◽  
Pedro Tarroso ◽  
Catarina Ferreira ◽  
...  

PLoS ONE ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
pp. e4744 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marina L. Meli ◽  
Valentino Cattori ◽  
Fernando Martínez ◽  
Guillermo López ◽  
Astrid Vargas ◽  
...  

Reproduction ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 139 (1) ◽  
pp. 275-285 ◽  
Author(s):  
Natalia Gañán ◽  
Adrián Sestelo ◽  
J Julián Garde ◽  
Fernando Martínez ◽  
Astrid Vargas ◽  
...  

The Iberian lynx (Lynx pardinus) is the most endangered felid in the world. Adequate genetic management of in situ and ex situ populations, and linkage between both, require knowledge on male reproductive biology and factors influencing it. We examined the influence of age, free-ranging versus captive conditions and seasonality on phenotypic, endocrine and semen traits, and links between reproductive traits and male fertility. Males had relatively small testes, produced low sperm numbers, a low proportion of normal sperm, and a high proportion of motile sperm. Young (2-year-old) males had lower testosterone levels, fewer sperm, and a lower proportion of motile and normal sperm than ≥4-year-old males. No major differences were found in semen traits before and after the mating season or between free-ranging and captive males, although the latter had better sperm motility. Males with larger relative testes weight and more sperm copulated more frequently, whereas males that produced more sperm with higher motility produced more cubs per female. In conclusion, small relative testes size and low sperm quality could indicate either low levels of sperm competition or high levels of inbreeding. Young males are probably subfertile; there is a slight trend for males in the captive breeding programme to have better semen quality than wild males, and males with higher sperm production are sexually more active and more fertile. These findings have major implications for decisions regarding which males should breed, provide samples for the genetic resource bank, or participate in programmes involving the use of assisted reproductive techniques.


2016 ◽  
Vol 86 (9) ◽  
pp. 2107-2118 ◽  
Author(s):  
Olga Amelkina ◽  
Lina Zschockelt ◽  
Johanna Painer ◽  
Rodrigo Serra ◽  
Francisco Villaespesa ◽  
...  

2010 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
José María Gil-Sánchez ◽  
Miguel Angel Simón ◽  
Rafael Cadenas ◽  
José Bueno ◽  
Manuel Moral ◽  
...  

2008 ◽  
Vol 20 (3) ◽  
pp. 381-385 ◽  
Author(s):  
Inés Luaces ◽  
Ana Doménech ◽  
Marino García-Montijano ◽  
Victorio M. Collado ◽  
Celia Sónchez ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  

2007 ◽  
Vol 81 (4) ◽  
pp. 377-380 ◽  
Author(s):  
Javier Millán ◽  
Joan Carles Casanova

AbstractFive critically endangered Iberian lynxes (Lynx pardinus) and 35 other sympatric carnivores (19 feral catsFelis catus, 12 Egyptian mongoosesHerpestes ichneumon, and 4 common genetsGenetta genetta) were analysed for helminths in Sierra Morena and Doñana area (southern Spain).Ancylostoma tubaeforme, which was believed to be harmful for lynx cubs according to a previous study, was present in the only lynx and in 53% of cats analysed in Doñana (80% in adult cats). Other species shared in both areas wereToxocara cati(1 lynx, 31% of cats),Joyeuxiella pasqualei(1 lynx, 21% of cats) andMesocestoidessp. (2 lynxes, 5% of cats). Only one mongoose was parasitized, harbouring larvae of two acantocephalan species not previously reported in the Iberian peninsula (Centrorhynchus(Sphaerirostris)lanceaandCentrorhynchus(Longirostris)undulatus). Feral cats may be a reservoir for hookworms and other helminths affecting the Iberian lynx. In contrast, mongooses and genets may not play a role in the epidemiology of these species.


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