Sperm Cryopreservation in Three Species of Endangered Gazelles (Gazella cuvieri, G. dama mhorr, and G. dorcas neglecta)1

Abstract

Long-term storage of semen by cryopreservation, with high recovery rates on thawing, is essential for the establishment of genetic resource banks of endangered species. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate various diluents for the cryopreservation of spermatozoa from three species of gazelles (genus Gazella) in a captive breeding program. The diluents compared were Tes (N-tris(hydroxymethyl)methyl-2 aminoethane sulfonic acid)-Tris with 5% egg yolk and 6% glycerol (TEST) and Triladyl, yolk-citrate, Tris-trehalose, and Tris-lactose-all of them with 20% egg yolk and 6% (Triladyl) or 8% glycerol. Semen was obtained by electroejaculation from 12 G. cuvieri, 12 G. dama, and 13 G. dorcas males. Samples with less than 50% motile sperm, positive endosmosis, or acrosome integrity were not used. Diluted samples were loaded into 0.25-ml straws, cooled slowly to 5 degrees C over 1.5 h (-0.16 degrees C/min), equilibrated at that temperature for 2 h, frozen in nitrogen vapors for 10 min, and plunged into liquid nitrogen. Subsamples were assessed fresh, after refrigeration-equilibration, after freezing and thawing, and 2 h after thawing. Differences were seen between diluents, with best overall recovery rates after freezing and thawing found with Triladyl, TEST, and Tris-trehalose in G. cuvieri, TEST in G. dama, and Triladyl and TEST in G. dorcas. Differences were observed between species in the ability to withstand freezing and thawing, with best results seen in G. dorcas, intermediate results in G. dama, and worst results in G. cuvieri. These differences were inversely related to the average values of inbreeding of these populations. The underlying mechanism responsible for these differences may be a differential resistance to osmotic shock.

Paternal levels of DNA damage in spermatozoa and maternal parity influence offspring mortality in an endangered ungulate

“…(c) Sperm DNA fragmentation Semen samples were obtained during the breeding season from reproductively mature males as described (Garde et al 2003). Semen was collected by electroejaculation under surgical anaesthesia.…”

Capacitation status of frozen–thawed spermatozoa from wild ruminant species

“…Triladyl is a commercial extender widely used to freeze semen from several animal species (Johnston et al 2002;Garde et al 2003;Soler et al 2003;Herold et al 2004); its use is very convenient due to its availability and easy preparation.…”

Postthaw Evaluation of In Vitro Function of Epididymal Spermatozoa from Four Species of Free-Ranging African Bovids1

“…However, utilization of ART to its full potential is dependent on a thorough understanding of basic reproductive endocrinology and gamete/embryo biology [3,5]. Recent research involving noninvasive (fecal and urinary) hormone monitoring [6,7], sperm cryopreservation [8][9][10], and estrus synchronization [11] has expanded our understanding of reproduction in several bovid species, including the scimitarhorned oryx (Oryx dammah), sable antelope (Hippotragus niger), and Mohor gazelle (Gazella dama mhorr). In vitro fertilization has also been used to produce embryos from bongo (Tragelaphus euryceros) [12], addax (Addax nasomaculatus) [13], and gaur (Bos gaurus) [14], providing insight into the culture requirements for fertilization and the development of the preimplantation embryo.…”