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

Abstract

Among the different methods used for semen collection from domestic cats, the pharmacological collection by urethral catheterization becomes disruptive. Medetomidine is the elected α 2 -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 ×10 9 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.

Cryopreservation of jaguar (Panthera onca) sperm cells using different cryoprotectants and different thawing temperatures

“…Currently, pharmacological semen collection by urethral catheterization is the gold-standard method for obtaining semen in wild felines ( Araujo et al, 2018 , 2020b ; Jeong et al, 2018 ; Jorge et al, 2019 ; Kheirkhah et al, 2017 ; Lueders et al, 2012 ), other wild species ( Araujo et al, 2023 ; Curry and Roth, 2016 ; Jeong et al, 2019 ; Silinski et al, 2002 ; Silva et al, 2022 ) and in domestic species ( Cavalero et al, 2019 ; Madrigal-Valverde et al, 2021 ; Silva et al, 2021 ), and it allowed efficient semen recovery from the five male jaguars in this study. The first step in the development of assisted reproduction technology for a species is the effective collection of sperm, which aims to permit, in the future, the growth of genetic variety across in situ and ex situ populations, embracing the concept of One Conservation ( Pizzutto et al, 2021 ).…”

Comparison of two pharmacological semen collection times with α2‐adrenergic agonist in domestic cats

“…Semen collection via urethral catheterization has been referenced in many studies after the administration of an α2‐adrenergic agonist in domestic and wild cats (De Araujo et al, 2018; Jelinkova et al, 2018; Madrigal‐Valverde et al, 2021; Madrigal‐Valverde et al, 2019; Prochowska et al, 2016; Silva et al, 2021; Swanson et al, 2017; Zambelli et al, 2010). In cats, as well as in other species, when an α2‐adrenergic agonist is administered in association with ketamine, the α‐2 agonist antagonizes the muscle stiffness induced by ketamine, thereby smoothing the anaesthetic recovery.…”

A retrospective analysis investigating the effects of Telazol® and medetomidine on ejaculate characteristics in cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus)

“…Smooth muscle contractions along the male reproductive tract are required to mediate ejaculation, but the reproductive physiology remains complex (McDonnell, 1992). Past studies in domestic species have demonstrated that alpha-2 agonists at higher doses result in increased sperm concentration and motility (Da Silva et al, 2021), but do not stimulate the accessory glands adequately, resulting in a lower volume of semen (McCue, 2021). Incidence of retrograde flow of semen involving alpha-2's has also been observed (Dooley et al, 1990;Zambelli et al, 2007) though positive effects on sperm concentration were noted with alpha-2's administered at higher doses.…”