Short‐term cold storage of seminal samples of the golden lancehead pitviper (Bothrops insularis)

Abstract

Assisted reproductive technologies such as cooling, freezing, and artificial insemination are essential in conserving genetic diversity of critically endangered reptiles like the golden lancehead pitviper (Bothrops insularis). Therefore, we examined viability of semen samples from captive golden lanceheads diluted in coconut‐water based extender over a 48‐h period of cooling (5°C). Semen evaluations were performed immediately after the dilution and at 6, 24, and 48 h, using computer‐assisted sperm analysis and stains to assess plasma membrane and acrosomal status. Our findings showed that the extender and protocol employed here were effective in preserving golden lancehead pitviper spermatozoa for a short periods of time (48 h), allowing semen samples to be transported to distant locations for immediate use without the setbacks of cryopreservation.

Biotecnologias reprodutivas em serpentes: uma análise cieniométrica

“…Thus, we calculated 41 years of scientific production related to the theme, counting from the first publication (Mendgen et al, 1980), and an annual average of productions until December 2021 of 0.53 (Figure 2). This low scientific productivity is worrying, given the great pressure of extinction exerted on the taxon (Alves-Filho et al, 2021) and the relevant ecological role of these biotechnological tools in the production of ex-situ offspring for reinsertion in areas of natural occurrence of these species, especially among animals at risk of extinction, thus avoiding deleterious processes (Ballou, 1992;Clulow & Clulow, 2016;Silva et al, 2021). Snakes have a high medical-pharmacological potential and an important ecological function, which may justify the motivation of researchers interested in the taxon.…”

“…In this sense, some authors have applied local anesthetics in the pericloacal region in order to reduce muscle resistance and, consequently, the contamination of the ejaculates. Silva et al, (2015) and Silva et al, (2021) also performed a previous ventral massage to stimulate the emptying of feces and urine, then performed two intracloacal washes with 0.9% saline solution before the massage for seminal collection.…”

“…However, of the 21 studies reviewed here, only four (19.04%) performed AI procedures on the animals (Chart 2). Perhaps, this low adherence is justified by the difficulty of capturing and keeping in captivity some of these taxa (Silva et al, 2021). However, regardless of the low representativeness in the literature, the methodologies used in studies involving AI are not yet well established, especially in relation to the sample n used, which is too low to consolidate the data statistically (Zacariotti & Guimarães, 2010).…”

“…However, even with the inestimable relevance of reproductive biotechnologies in this context (Ballou, 1992;Clulow & Clulow, 2016), this resource is still little used among wild species, being more focused on domestic animals, given their economic importance (Young et al, 2021b). Nevertheless, the wealth of results obtained among domestic species can act as parameters for experimental models in wild species, providing materials and expertise to guide researchers in this area of study (Silva et al, 2021).…”