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Carneiro JDS, Motheo TF. Pharmacological semen collection in domestic and wild canids and felids: literature review. Anim Reprod 2024; 20:e20230036. [PMID: 38380384 PMCID: PMC10878541 DOI: 10.1590/1984-3143-ar2023-0036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 02/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Semen collection methods vary greatly and rely on the practitioner's expertise, available materials, and the specific behavioral traits of the male animals involved. When it comes to domestic cats, wild felids, and canids, semen collection is particularly challenging. Thus, given the difficulty of semen collection in these species, pharmacological semen collection (PSC) stands out since it is a quick and straightforward method that does not require specific equipment. The PSC consists of administering α2-adrenergic receptor agonist drugs, mainly medetomidine, and dexmedetomidine, aiming semen release into the urethra with posterior urethral catheterization and sperm recovery. This technique was primarily described in domestic cats and wild felids, and despite the decreased seminal volume, the retrieved semen is highly concentrated and presents good quality. However, further studies are required to optimize semen collection in domestic dogs and wild canids. Therefore, the purpose of this review is to provide a comprehensive overview of the research developed on pharmacological semen collection (PSC) in the past few decades. The objective is to equip professionals with the essential knowledge required for the efficient application of this technique in both domestic and wild canids and felids and to make a valuable contribution to conservation efforts and the preservation of biodiversity, aligning with the principles of One Conservation.
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Arlt SP, Reichler IM, Herbel J, Schäfer-Somi S, Riege L, Leber J, Frehner B. Diagnostic tests in canine andrology - What do they really tell us about fertility? Theriogenology 2023; 196:150-156. [PMID: 36423509 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2022.11.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2022] [Accepted: 11/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
Dog breeders often require breeding soundness evaluations which include andrological examinations of the genital organs, hormone measurements, and semen analyses. During the past decades, a considerable number of research results have been published, allowing diagnoses of specific andrological conditions and fertility assessment. For specific examinations, however, no standard procedures have been defined and for some parameters different reference ranges have been published. Therefore, examination results from different facilities are difficult to compare and profound conclusions regarding health and fertility of a male dog are not always possible. Conventional semen examination, however, is still useful in identifying deviations or no deviations from normality, especially if confounding factors are taken into account and if the exam is repeated in case of inconclusive findings. A standardization of examination procedures and reference ranges would help to harmonize the exchange of examination results and interpretation of the findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sebastian P Arlt
- Clinic of Reproductive Medicine, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland; Clinic for Animal Reproduction, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Freie Universität, Berlin, Germany.
| | - Iris M Reichler
- Clinic of Reproductive Medicine, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Johannes Herbel
- Clinic of Reproductive Medicine, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Sabine Schäfer-Somi
- Platform for Artificial Insemination and Embryo Transfer, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Veterinärplatz 1, A-1210, Vienna, Austria
| | - Lisa Riege
- Clinic for Animal Reproduction, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Freie Universität, Berlin, Germany
| | - Johanna Leber
- Clinic for Animal Reproduction, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Freie Universität, Berlin, Germany
| | - Bianca Frehner
- Clinic of Reproductive Medicine, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
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Takaesu N, Kanno C, Sugimoto K, Nagano M, Kaneko A, Indo Y, Imai H, Hirai H, Okamoto M, Sashika M, Shimozuru M, Katagiri S, Tsubota T, Yanagawa Y. Semen collection by urethral catheterization and electro-ejaculation with different voltages, and the effect of holding temperature and cooling rate before cryopreservation on semen quality in the Japanese macaque (Macaca fuscata). J Vet Med Sci 2022; 84:429-438. [PMID: 35067494 PMCID: PMC8983288 DOI: 10.1292/jvms.21-0590] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
In the Japanese macaque, semen has been collected by electro-ejaculation (EE), using the higher voltage stimuli compared to other species including genus Macaca. Semen coagulate immediately after ejaculation, which makes difficult to produce high-quality semen for artificial insemination. Recently, semen collection using urethral catheterization (UC) has been reported in carnivore and this technique may allow semen collection without coagulation in a less invasive manner. Further, the temporal preservation temperature and cooling rate of semen during cryopreservation affect post thawing sperm quality. In this study, to improve semen quality and quantity, as well as the animal welfare, semen collection was performed by EE with high (5-15 V) or low (3-6 V) voltage, UC and a combination of the two (EE-UC). It has been suggested that a high voltage is necessary for semen collection, but 10 V stimulation was effective enough and 15 V is for additional sperm collection. Also, liquid semen was collected by EE-UC and this could increase the total number of sperm. Further, to improve the post thawing sperm motility, semen was kept at four temperatures (4, 15, 25 and 37˚C) for 60 min, and processed with two cooling procedures (slow cooling before second dilution and fast cooling after second dilution). Holding semen at 25˚C and fast cooling after the second dilution maintained progressive motile sperm rate. The present results will contribute to the improvement of semen collection and animal welfare of Japanese macaques.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noboru Takaesu
- Laboratory of Wildlife Biology and Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University
| | - Chihiro Kanno
- Laboratory of Clinical Veterinary Medicine for Large Animal, School of Veterinary Medicine, Kitasato University
| | - Kosuke Sugimoto
- Laboratory of Theriogenology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University
| | - Masashi Nagano
- Laboratory of Animal Reproduction, School of Veterinary Medicine, Kitasato University
| | | | - Yoriko Indo
- Primate Research Institute, Kyoto University
| | - Hiroo Imai
- Primate Research Institute, Kyoto University
| | | | | | - Mariko Sashika
- Laboratory of Wildlife Biology and Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University
| | - Michito Shimozuru
- Laboratory of Wildlife Biology and Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University
| | - Seiji Katagiri
- Laboratory of Theriogenology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University
| | - Toshio Tsubota
- Laboratory of Wildlife Biology and Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University
| | - Yojiro Yanagawa
- Laboratory of Theriogenology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University
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Meuffels J, Lueders I, Bertschinger H, Luther-Binoir I, Pohlin F, Gerber L, Tindall B. Cardiopulmonary Parameters and Arterial Blood Gases During Etorphine-Medetomidine-Midazolam Immobilization in Free-Ranging Black Rhinoceroses ( Diceros bicornis) Undergoing Electro-Ejaculation-A Preliminary Study. Front Vet Sci 2021; 8:740614. [PMID: 34926635 PMCID: PMC8674947 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2021.740614] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2021] [Accepted: 11/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Conservation management interventions for the critically endangered black rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis) require immobilization, which offer opportunities for semen collection and cryopreservation to establish genetic reservoirs. In free-ranging rhinoceroses, a combination of the potent opioid etorphine and the tranquilizer azaperone is routinely used for chemical immobilization but is associated with muscle rigidity and severe cardiopulmonary changes. Additionally, azaperone inhibits semen emission. Seven free-ranging, male, sexually mature black rhinoceroses were immobilized with an alternative protocol consisting of 4.5 mg etorphine, 5 mg medetomidine, 50 mg midazolam and 2,500 IU hyaluronidase delivered remotely by darting from a helicopter. During the immobilization, electro-ejaculation was performed with a portable electro-ejaculator, and a species-specific rectal probe. Animals were observed for muscle tremors. Longitudinal changes in respiratory rate, heart rate and peripheral oxyhemoglobin saturation, measured at 5 min intervals, were assessed using a general mixed model. Non-invasive oscillometric blood pressure and arterial blood gas variables were measured at first handling and before reversal and compared using the Wilcoxon rank sum test. All animals were successfully immobilized, showed no muscle tremors, presented with normal heart rates and lactate concentration (<5 mmol/L), recovered uneventfully, but experienced acidemia, hypoxemia and hypercapnia. Induction time and total time in recumbency were 4.2 ± 0.41 and 38.4 ± 6.9 min, respectively. Electro-stimulation commenced after 11.7 ± 3.98 min and completed after 24.3 ± 6.65 min. Semen-rich fractions were successfully collected from six animals. Our observations indicate that etorphine-medetomidine-midazolam provides a promising immobilization protocol for free-ranging black rhinoceroses, that allows for successful electro-ejaculation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janine Meuffels
- Cryovault, Hemmersbach Rhino Force NCP, Tokai, South Africa.,Department of Production Animal Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Imke Lueders
- Cryovault, Hemmersbach Rhino Force NCP, Tokai, South Africa.,GEOlifes, Animal Fertility and Reproductive Research, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Henk Bertschinger
- Department of Production Animal Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Ilse Luther-Binoir
- GEOSperm, Wildlife Reproduction and Biotechnology Services, Brits, South Africa
| | - Friederike Pohlin
- Research Institute of Wildlife Ecology, Department of Interdisciplinary Life Sciences, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Leandri Gerber
- Scientific Services Unit, Eastern Cape Parks and Tourism Agency, East London, South Africa
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Nagashima JB, Songsasen N. Canid Reproductive Biology: Norm and Unique Aspects in Strategies and Mechanisms. Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:653. [PMID: 33804569 PMCID: PMC8001368 DOI: 10.3390/ani11030653] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2021] [Revised: 02/15/2021] [Accepted: 02/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The reproductive physiology of canids is unique compared to other mammalian species. Specifically, the reproductive cycle of female canids is characterized by extended periods of proestrus and estrus followed by obligatory diestrus and protracted ovarian inactivity (anestrus). Although canid reproduction follows this general pattern, studies have shown variations in reproductive biology among species and geographic regions. Understanding of these differences is critical to the development of assisted reproductive technologies including estrus induction, gamete rescue, and embryo production techniques for canid conservation efforts. This review summarizes current knowledge of canid reproduction, including estrus cyclicity, seasonality, and seminal traits, with the emphasis on species diversity. The application of reproductive technologies in wild canid conservation will also be discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer B. Nagashima
- Center for Species Survival, Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, 1500 Remount Rd., Front Royal, VA 22630, USA;
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