Can detomidine replace medetomidine for pharmacological semen collection in domestic cats?

Objectives We compared the effects of two alpha (α)2-adrenergic agonists on semen traits. Methods In this study, 13 adult domestic cats were divided into two experimental groups, according to the chemical ejaculation protocol used: the first group received medetomidine hydrochloride (100 µg/kg) and ketamine (5000 µg/kg); the second group received dexmedetomidine hydrochloride (25 µg/kg) and ketamine (5000 µg/kg), both by the intramuscular route. Results The animals responded positively ( P >0.05) to chemical collection. Seminal parameters evaluated included volume, sperm vigor, total motility, progressive motility, sperm concentration, and the structural and functional integrity of the plasma membrane; sperm morphology values did not differ between groups ( P >0.05). Conclusions and relevance The results indicated that dexmedetomidine is a more viable and economical alternative to medetomidine in domestic cats submitted to semen collection by urethral catheterization. Semen collection by urethral catheterization after using α2-adrenergic agonists is a recently developed technique in feline species that is considered to be quick and highly applicable to assisted reproduction programs in felids.

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Usefulness of an injectable anaesthetic protocol for semen collection through urethral catheterisation in domestic cats

Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery ◽

10.1177/1098612x16679589 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 19 (10) ◽

pp. 1087-1090 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Maria Carmela Pisu ◽

Patrizia Ponzio ◽

Chiara Rovella ◽

Michela Baravalle ◽

Maria Cristina Veronesi

Keyword(s):

Side Effects ◽

Bolus Injection ◽

Domestic Cats ◽

Short Term ◽

Semen Collection ◽

Clinical Investigations ◽

Urethral Catheterisation ◽

Semen Storage ◽

High Doses ◽

Adult Cats

Objectives Although less often requested in comparison with dogs, the collection of semen in cats can be necessary for artificial insemination, for semen evaluation in tom cats used for breeding and for semen storage. Urethral catheterisation after pharmacological induction with medetomidine has proved to be useful for the collection of semen in domestic cats. However, most of the previously used protocols require the administration of high doses of medetomidine that can increase the risk of side effects, especially on the cardiovascular system. In routine clinical practice, one safe and useful injectable anaesthetic protocol for short-term clinical investigations or surgery in cats involves premedication with low intramuscular doses of dexmedetomidine with methadone, followed by intravenous propofol bolus injection. We aimed to assess the usefulness of this injectable anaesthetic protocol for semen collection, via urethral catheterisation, in domestic cats. Methods The study was performed on 38 purebred, adult cats, during the breeding season, and semen was collected via urethral catheterisation using an injectable anaesthesia protocol with methadone (0.2 mg/kg) and dexmedetomidine (5 µg/kg) premedication, followed by induction with propofol. Results The anaesthetic protocol used in the present study allowed the collection of large-volume semen samples, characterised by good parameters and without side effects. Conclusions and relevance The results from the present study suggest that the injectable anaesthetic protocol using methadone and dexmedetomidine premedication, followed by induction with propofol, could be suitable and safe for the collection of a good-quality semen sample, via urethral catheterisation, in domestic cats. It can therefore be used as an alternative to previous medetomidine-based sedation protocols.

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Transscrotal stimulation of the testes and epididymides improves urethral sperm collection in domestic cats

Reproduction Fertility and Development ◽

10.1071/rd21010 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 33 (6) ◽

pp. 437

Author(s):

S. Prochowska ◽

W. Niżański

Keyword(s):

Clinical Practice ◽

Sperm Count ◽

Domestic Cats ◽

Sperm Analysis ◽

Semen Collection ◽

Manual Stimulation ◽

Urethral Catheterisation ◽

Computer Aided ◽

Before And After ◽

Stimulation Of

Urethral catheterisation after medetomidine administration is the method of choice for semen collection in cats, but it yields variable results. This study tested whether scrotal manual stimulation can improve urethral sperm collection in domestic cats. The study was performed on 20 male cats, from which two urethral semen samples were collected, one before and one after 2min of transscrotal finger massage of the testes and epididymides. Both sperm samples were assessed for total sperm count and motility using computer-aided sperm analysis, viability and morphology (eosin–nigrosin staining). The transscrotal manual stimulation allowed a significantly higher number of spermatozoa to be obtained (P=0.0015). Viability was similar before and after the stimulation (median 92% and 90.5%), whereas the number of motile (median 60% and 70%) and morphologically normal (median 17% and 30.5%) spermatozoa was higher in the second sample (P=0.03 and P=0.002 respectively), which confirms that transscrotal massage induced the expulsion of a fresh pool of spermatozoa into the urethra. Transscrotal stimulation of the testes and epididymides significantly improves urethral semen collection in domestic cats and can be easily introduced into clinical practice.

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Immunolocalization of Adrenoceptors in the Reproductive Tract of Male Domestic Cats in Comparison to Rats

Animals ◽

10.3390/ani11041049 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (4) ◽

pp. 1049

Author(s):

Sylwia Prochowska ◽

Stanisław Dzimira ◽

Alicja Tomaszek ◽

Wojciech Niżański

Keyword(s):

Nervous System ◽

Smooth Muscle ◽

Adrenergic Receptors ◽

Reproductive Tract ◽

Vas Deferens ◽

Smooth Muscles ◽

Domestic Cats ◽

Leading Role ◽

Semen Collection ◽

Sympathetic Nervous

Adrenoceptors mediate the action of the sympathetic nervous system, including the contraction of the epididymis and vas deferens. The aim of this study was to immunolocalize the adrenergic receptors in the reproductive tract of the male cat, as this information is not yet available. The epididymis and vas deferens of domestic cats and rats (the biological controls) were analyzed by immunohistochemistry to determine the localization of the α1A-, α1B-, α1D-, α2A-, α2B-, α2C-, β1-, β2-, and β3-adrenoceptors. All the receptors were expressed in the peritubular smooth muscles of the cat, but the α1D-, α2C-, and β1-adrenoceptors were not detected in this tissue in the rat. For the α2A-adrenoceptor, the intensity of immunostaining differed significantly between the caput epididymis (weakest staining) and the vas deferens (strongest staining). The presence of all the types of the receptors was also detected in the cytoplasm of the epithelial cells in all the regions of the reproductive tract. The strong expression of the α2A-adrenoreceptor suggests it has a leading role in the contraction of the reproductive tract in the cat. The presence of other adrenergic receptors in the smooth muscle of the epididymis and vas deferens indicates a potential clinical application for α1-mimetics in the optimization of pharmacological semen collection in felids.

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228 COLLECTION AND EVALUATION OF SEMEN OF SLOTH (BRADYPUS TRIDACTYLUS)

Reproduction Fertility and Development ◽

10.1071/rdv18n2ab228 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 18 (2) ◽

pp. 222

Author(s):

M. A. Peres ◽

A. B. Nascimento ◽

V. P. Oliveira ◽

C. Yamada ◽

A. C. Nicacio ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Unique Feature ◽

Sperm Count ◽

Domestic Cats ◽

Exact Test ◽

Morphological Evaluation ◽

Semen Collection ◽

Oscillatory Movement ◽

Group 2 ◽

Fresh Semen ◽

Group 1

Sloths are animals that suffer with the destruction and fragmentation of forests. They experience a low population growth rate and need to be studied further for the preservation of the species. The objective of this study was to contribute data relevant to the reproductive physiology of this species, selecting a semen collection method and evaluating seminal characteristics that have never before been described in the literature. Fifteen Bradypus tridactylus males were captured in Manaus, Brazil. Nine of them were captured during the first half of 2004 (Group 1) and the others during the second half (Group 2). The animals were anesthetized with an i.m. injection of a combination of ketamine (10 mg/kg) and xylasine (1 mg/kg). Semen was collected by electroejaculaton using a rectal probe designed for domestic cats. Electrostimulations were given with a 0-100 mA/0-12 V variable electrostimulator in sequences of three progressive intensities, with ten repetitions at each intensity and variation of 10 mA between them. They started with 20 mA and peaked at 60 mA. Each stimulus lasted about 3 s. It was not possible to define the best intensity of stimulus to use and ejaculation could take place at any time of the stimulation (Fisher's exact test). Sperm motility and vigor were immediately analyzed. Sperm count was determined in a Neubauer chamber at a 1:50 (v:v) dilution in formol-saline. Morphology was examined at the same dilution. Fresh semen smears were made and stained using Spermac Stain� (Minit�b, Tiefenbach, Germany) protocol for a better evaluation of the spermatozoa acrosome and midpiece. In both methods 200 cells were counted for morphological evaluation. All animals ejaculated approximately 30 �L to 90 �L of semen. In some ejaculates the semen was too thin and flowed down the penis, so that the volume effectively collected was not sufficient for a complete spermiogram. Spermatozoa presented a wide variety of defects, and some physical characteristics differed (not significantly) between samples collected during the first and second halves of the year. Motility and vigor were very low, the sperm did not show forward progression, only oscillatory movement. However, a high percentage (80%) of spermatozoa were moving. The concentration in Group 1 ranged from 5000 spermatozoa/mm3 to 685 500 spermatozoa/mm3 (mean � 218 571.4 � 242 499.4). Sperm concentation was not assessed in Group 2. The morphology of the head could be elongated or squared, or the head could have a base narrower than the apex. The tail showed a unique feature: the midpiece narrowed abruptly, forming a nip in its transition to the tail. This was similar in appearance to the segmental aplasia of the mitochondrial sheath, but it was considered normal because it was observed in all spermatozoa. Although further studies are necessary to standardize the semen evaluation of sloths and to define the best protocol for electroejaculation, this pioneering study has shown the characteristics of sloth spermatozoa and the possibility of collecting semen throughout the electroejaculation process in this species. This work was supported by Fapesp 03/07457-4.

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