Nutritional Factors Affecting Semen Quality in Felids

Howard, Jeremy; Allen, Mary E.

doi:10.1016/b978-141604047-7.50036-1

Cited by 14 publications

(25 citation statements)

References 16 publications

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“…Essential nutrients such as taurine, arachidonic acid and the supply of poly-unsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and copper have to be provided in the cat food. Some studies have demonstrated the impact of nutrition on semen quality in Felids [ 65 , 66 ] . Due to the growing interest of purebred cat breeders for raw-food diets, attention is drawn to the microbiological content of it, as bacteria exerting potential bad effects on reproduction and general health ( Salmonella spp.…”

Section: Nutritionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Infertility in purebred cats – A review of the potential causes

2020

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Although purebred cat breeding is growing in popularity in European countries, most research and publications concern dog reproduction. Infertility in queens has been poorly studied. It may not come as a surprise as common domestic shorthair cats are well known for their excellent fertility. However, even in the latter, the infertility rate is around 20%. Only recently, published articles have analyzed the reproductive performances in different breeds, for example in UK, Sweden, France and Italy, and found similar figures. In cats, infertility may arise from many factors such as mismating, prolonged anestrus or silent heats, hormonal, nutritional, genetical or chromosomal causes. Also, infectious diseases, probably frequent in breeding facilities, include pathological agents that are well recognized as having a negative effect on pregnancy or other pathogens for which the involvement in fertility problems is unclear. However, analyzing the literature, it appears that the most prevalent causes of infertility in pedigree cats may well be, in females, uterine pathology (sub-clinical endometritis, cystic endometrial hyperplasia, or mucometra), and in males, teratospermia, which may be “permanent” and linked to reduced heterozygosity or “transient” in tomcats that present normal quantitative spermatogenic parameters. The influence of the breed is unknown. There is an urgent need to study the origin of infertility in purebred cats in order to improve the diagnosis and to develop treatments that may restore normal fertility in subfertile or infertile animals.

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Section: Nutritionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Infertility in purebred cats – A review of the potential causes

2020

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“…in press). And, yet a third illustration is the ability to enhance natural breeding in the clouded leopard ( Neofelis nebulosa ) simply by implementing sound husbandry, improving nutrition and eliminating ‘captive stress’ in a range country zoo (Thailand) (Howard and Allen 2007; Howard et al. 2007).…”

Section: Conclusion and Perspectivementioning

confidence: 99%

“…Another is the impact of intercrossing the critically endangered Florida panther (Felis concolor coryi) with the highly heterozygous Texas puma (F. c. stanleyana), to reverse rapidly a high incidence of sperm acrosomal malformations (Wildt et al in press). And, yet a third illustration is the ability to enhance natural breeding in the clouded leopard (Neofelis nebulosa) simply by implementing sound husbandry, improving nutrition and eliminating 'captive stress' in a range country zoo (Thailand) (Howard and Allen 2007;). In short, reproductive success often can be triggered without high-tech laboratory science and rather by simply adhering to common sense animal management.…”

Section: Conclusion and Perspectivementioning

confidence: 99%

Advances in Reproductive Science for Wild Carnivore Conservation

Comizzoli

Crosier

Songsasen

et al. 2009

Reprod Domestic Animals

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Knowledge about reproduction is critical for predicting the viability of wildlife populations in nature and for managing breeding programmes in captivity. Intensive species-based studies are the priority, because reproductive mechanisms are extraordinarily diverse, even within the same taxonomic family. Carnivores deserve more attention as such species are highly vulnerable to environmental change and human persecution. The present review provides contemporary illustrations of how reproductive science is contributing to understand unique reproductive mechanisms that are both of fundamental and applied interest. In the case of the endangered African wild dog (Lycaon pictus) free-living in South Africa, non-invasive faecal corticosteroid assessments have yielded new insights about the impact of animal relocation and reintroduction on adaptive responses, reproductive fitness and survival. For the maned wolf (Chrysocyon brachyurus), advances have been made in characterizing and comparing reproductive traits in free-ranging vs captive individuals. For the cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus), recent studies have focused on the cryosensitivity of sperm and the ability to develop a field-friendly sperm cryo-method. The by-product has been a large-scale frozen repository of sperm from wild-caught cheetahs useful for infusing new genes into ex situ populations. Finally, rigorous, multi-disciplinary and cross-institutional reproductive studies of the black-footed ferret (Mustela nigripes), including the use of artificial insemination, have contributed to the remarkable recovery and restoration of this species, once on the brink of extinction. In summary, advances in reproductive science are not necessarily related to 'assisted breeding'. However, understanding the unique ways of carnivore reproduction greatly contributes to species management and conservation.

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“…The specialized dietary requirements of felids, such as their inability to synthesize some amino acids, vitamins and possibly fatty acids [Bush et al, 1998; Legrand‐Defretin, 1994; Morris, 2002], are a result of their evolution as obligate carnivores subsisting on whole prey [Bush et al, 1998]. However, felids in North American zoos are rarely maintained on whole prey [Howard and Allen, 2007]. A recent survey of zoos that hold ocelots ( Leopardus pardalis ) revealed that only 1 out of 38 responding institutions fed their ocelots exclusively or primarily whole prey (unpublished data).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Nutritional composition and digestibility by ocelots (Leopardus pardalis) of whole animals and a commercial diet

2010

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Felids are adapted to eat whole prey, but in North American zoos are usually fed processed diets based on muscle meat. We analyzed proximate nutrient composition and digestibility by ocelots of a commercial processed diet and whole animals of five species. The processed diet did not differ significantly from the whole animals in proximate composition, although it was at one end of the range of results for all nutrients. Domestic chicks were significantly lower than all other dietary items tested in digestibility of energy and fat, and lower than rabbits and quail in digestibility of dry matter. There were no other significant differences. These results suggest that the commercial diet tested provides an appropriate nutritional environment for ocelots with respect to proximate constituents. Studies of vitamin and mineral composition and digestibility and comparisons to wild prey species should be conducted to permit a full evaluation.

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Nutritional Factors Affecting Semen Quality in Felids

Cited by 14 publications

References 16 publications

Infertility in purebred cats – A review of the potential causes

Infertility in purebred cats – A review of the potential causes

Advances in Reproductive Science for Wild Carnivore Conservation

Nutritional composition and digestibility by ocelots (Leopardus pardalis) of whole animals and a commercial diet

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