Influence of nutrition on the quality of semen in Jaguars Panthera onca in Brazilian zoos

Abstract

In Brazilian zoos wild felids in captivity are generally fed meat. However, considering the basic nutritional needs of the domestic cat Felis catus, beef may be deficient in calcium, phosphorus, copper, manganese, vitamins A, D and E, thiamin, folic acid and biotin. The aim of this study was to determine the influence of vitamin (A, D, E, B1, B2, folic acid and biotin) and mineral (calcium, phosphorus, iron, copper, iodine and manganese) supplementation on the quality of semen in Jaguars Panthera onca. Between August 1998 and August 1999 eight adult ♂ Jaguars were offered red meat (beef) and bovine heart once a day. The vitamin/mineral supplementation used was based on the National Research Council recommendations for the domestic cat F. catus. Semen was collected by electroejaculation at the beginning of the trial and every 2 months thereafter for 1 year (n= 7 collection dates). Statistical analyses were performed using the Wilcoxon test (for motility, vigour and sperm concentration), the Friedman test (for sperm and testicular volume) and analysis of variance (for sperm morphology). There were no significant differences between collections for semen volume, concentration, motility and vigour (P>0·05) during the trial period. There was also no difference in morphology between samples with respect to secondary defects but the percentage of primary defects decreased (P<0·05) between the means of the third and the seventh collection series. The conclusion is that dietary supplementation with vitamins and minerals appears to decrease sperm abnormalities, improving seminal characteristics in the animals studied.

Vitamin D metabolism, sex hormones, and male reproductive function

“…VD-deficient normocalcemic rats resembled the hypocalcemic VD-deficient rats and litter size remained lower in both groups compared with the VD replete rats (only borderline significant). In accordance, other animal studies conducted on jaguars, boars, and mice showed positive (borderline significant) effects of VD supplements on quality variables such as sperm morphology and sperm motility (Audet et al 2004, Da Paz 2006, Hirai et al 2009). …”

Semen collection and evaluation of captive coatis (Nasua nasua)

“…To determine the live sperm proportion (%), one semen drop was mixed with one Eosin Y drop (Merck), and to determine the acrossome integrity proportion (%), one semen drop was mixed with one Pope drop (Pope et al, 1991 Mean and Standard Deviation (SD) were determined for all data. The spearman correlation was determined between total motility and live sperm; total motility and progressive sperm motility; total motility and acrossome integrity; volume and concentration; volume and live sperm; volume and total motility; progressive sperm motility and volume; progressive sperm motility and concentration; live sperm and progressive motility; and live sperm and acrossome integrity (Statistic Analyses Program.…”

“…Inadequate environments and nutrition deficiencies are two specific factors that interfere with such reproduction (Mellen, 1991). Optimum nutrition and dietary husbandry is fundamental for the quality of the semen (Paz et al, 2006).…”

Coatis (Nasua nasua) semen cryopreservation

“…Optimum nutrition and dietary husbandry are fundamental to semen quality (PAZ et al, 2006). The high quality semen observed in this study could be explained by the vitamin and mineral supplementation (Promater ® , Vetnil, Brazil) offered to the animals before (16 months) and during the experiment and because the collections were focused in the specific season period where the animals are in their best reproductive performance.…”