Artificial insemination (AI) can help to avoid inbreeding and genetic degeneration
for sustaining genetically healthy populations of endangered species in captivity.
Collection of a sufficient quantity of viable sperm is an essential first step in the
AI process. In the present study, we examined the effects of frequent
electroejaculation on semen characteristics in a Siberian tiger. We collected semen
in all 17 trials during 6 breeding seasons (6 years). The mean number of sperm and
the percentage of motile sperm were 294.3 ± 250.2×106/ejaculate and 82.4 ±
11.4%, respectively. The number of motile sperm tended to increase during frequent
electroejaculation in the same breeding season. Semen collection by
electroejaculation can be performed effectively up to the fourth sequential
ejaculate, which contained the most sperm in the study. In conclusion, frequent
collection of sperm by electroejaculation from tigers may be effective for collection
of a large number of motile sperm.
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