Establishment of an anesthetic protocol for semen collection by electroejaculation in six-banded armadillos (Euphractus sexcinctus Linnaeus, 1758)

Morphology of urinary system in six-banded armadillo (Euphractus sexcinctus, Linnaeus, 1758)

Euphractus sexcinctus is a wild mammal native to the Americas; they have great diversity and are not in danger of extinction like other armadillo species. Despite the diversity, the morphology of several biological systems of this species has not been fully described. This study details the gross and microscopic anatomy of the urinary system in Euphractus sexcinctus, a six-banded armadillo, compared with other mammalian study models. Six animals were dissected in the study. In the anatomical analysis, the kidneys, ureters, urinary bladder and urethra were dissected and photographed; then, fragments were submitted to histological routine for staining with haematoxylin-eosin, toluidine blue and Masson's trichrome for visualization under light microscopy. The six-banded armadillo ureter is histologically composed of four concentric layers. The urinary bladder is presented with three tissue layers. The pattern of constitution and distribution of urinary system structures was compatible with that of most domestic like Canis familiaris and wild animals like Bradypus torquatus, with adaptations for the arid and semi-arid habitat. The description of the morphology of Euphractus sexcinctus presents great relevance both for its conservation and for its use as a model for clinical research.

Impact of Seminal Plasma Composition on Sperm Freezability in Wild Mammals: A Review

This review was designed to summarize the most important information around seminal plasma composition and discuss its impact on the freezability of wild mammal semen samples. Seminal plasma is made up of various biochemical constituents, including ions, lipids, proteins, enzymes, and sugars, which vary between species in response to the presence and size of any relevant accessory glands. The biochemical constituents of seminal plasma may change as a result of age, individual variability, and seasonality. These constituents are responsible for supporting different functions in sperm cells, contributing to motility, acrosomal reaction, and fertilization events. A detailed understanding of seminal plasma biochemistry may help to optimize semen freezing protocols, enabling the dynamic alteration in diluents to allow for increased sperm viability rates after thawing.

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

Among the different methods used for semen collection from domestic cats, the pharmacological collection by urethral catheterization becomes disruptive. Medetomidine is the elected α²-adrenoceptor agonist for that, but in several countries, it is not commercially available. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of detomidine compared to medetomidine in collecting semen by urethral catheterization in domestic cats. Urethral catheterization was performed on 13 mongrel cats using a disposable semi-rigid tomcat urinary catheter. Of the 19 semen collections performed with medetomidine induction, 94.7% were successful, while with detomidine induction, only 56.3% of 16 were successful. The values semen samples variables were as follows for volume - 10.56 ± 0.4 vs 8.88 ± 0.5 mL, motility - 171.67 ± 0.79 vs 49.77 ± 3.45%, vigor - 4.1 ± 0.03 vs 3.10 ± 0.1 and concentration - 3.24 ± 0.19 vs 2.15 ± 0.13 ×10⁹ sperm/mL respectively for medetomidine and detomidine group. The failure in semen collections with detomidine was mainly due to azoospermic samples, poor urethral relaxation, insufficient volume, or contamination of urine. The sperm concentration was also lower in the detomidine group (P <0.05) when compared to medetomidine. However, when the volume of semen collected was compared, we found no statistical differences. Despite its low performance in collecting semen from cats, detomidine may be an alternative when medetomidine is not accessible.

The Comparison of Semen Collection in Electroejaculation, Rectal Massage and Combination of Both Methods in the Critically Endangered Malayan Pangolin, Manis javanica

This article describes the semen characteristics from different collection methods between captive and confiscated Malayan pangolins, Manis javanica. Semen was collected from 15 pangolins; two captive and 13 confiscated individuals at the mean weight of 9.36 ± 1.94 kg. The three semen collection methods employed were electroejaculation, rectal massage and a combination of both techniques. The semen characteristics (mean ± standard deviation) of the Malayan pangolin are volume (73.75 ± 144.57 µL), pH (7.63 ± 0.53), spermatozoa concentration (997.19 ± 728.98 × 10⁶ /mL), total motility (59.60% ± 30.00%), progressive motility (48.95% ± 30.93%), mass motility (3.50 ± 1.50) and live spermatozoa (80.25% ± 13.45%). There was no significant difference in semen characteristics between the three collection methods. The percentages of live spermatozoa were significantly different, suggesting better samples from captive compared to confiscated animals. However, there was no significant difference in spermatozoa kinetics between the captive and confiscated samples, suggesting the potential of utilizing confiscated individuals for gamete recovery to conserve the genetic pool of pangolins. All three methods of semen collection were successfully performed in pangolins and should be considered; however, electroejaculation remains the most consistent method of obtaining semen from the species.

Sperm evaluation and morphological description of male genitalia of meerkats (Suricata suricatta)

In ex situ conditions, little is known about the reproductive biology of meerkats. The aim of present study was to describe the morphological aspects of male genital organs and accessory glands using macroscopic evaluation, ultrasonography, and radiography, as well as describing semen characteristics post-electroejaculation. The results indicated anatomical characteristics of meerkats are very similar to those of cats, having a prostate, accessory bulbourethral glands, and an elongated and radiopaque structure in the penis, which is indicative of there being a baculum. The testicular volume was 0.81 cm³ (± 0.10) and the relative testis weight was 1.37 cm³/kg (± 0.15). Both testicles are present in the scrotum, which has an ellipsoidal shape, homogeneous texture, hypoechoic parenchyma and are encased in a hyperechoic tunica albuginea. Electroejaculation was effectively induced in all animals for semen collection with utilization of medetomidine and ketamine. The values semen samples variables were as follows for volume - 0.125 ± 0.193 mL, motility - 19.8 ± 18.6 %, vigor - 1.9 ± 1.0, concentration - 40.5 ± 25.2 × 10⁶ sperm/mL and morphologically normal sperm - 10.8 ± 6.6 %. This is the first study in which there is a description of morphological and imaging aspects of the male reproductive tracts of meerkats, as well as the seminal characteristics after using electroejaculation for semen collection. Knowledge of anatomical and seminal characteristics is essential for implementation of assisted reproduction programs, as well as reproductive management in the species.