A trial of semen collection by transrectal electroejaculation method from Amur leopard cat (<i>Prionailurus bengalensis euptilurus</i>)

Abstract

We collected semen from a male Amur leopard cat using the transrectal electroejaculation method and investigated the semen qualities for about four years. In addition, the influence of the season on the spermatogenic function of the Amur leopard cat was investigated with regard to the semen qualities, testicular volume and serum testosterone level. As a result, we could collect semen with good sperm qualities that would be useable for artificial insemination. Some seasonality was noted in the testicular volume and serum testosterone level. We clarified that the semen qualities were favorable before and during the female breeding season compared with those after the breeding season.

Intrauterine insemination with fresh semen in Amur leopard cat (<i>Pionailurus bengalensis eutilura</i>) during non-breeding season

“…Semen collection [ 23 ] and AI were performed under general anesthesia. Using a squeeze cage, anesthesia was induced via intramuscular administration of a mixture of ketamine hydrochloride (Ketalar ® 50, 1.8–2.0 mg/kg; Sankyo Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan) and medetomidine hydrochloride (Domitor ® , 60 µ g/kg; Nippon Zenyaku Kogyo Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan) and maintained by the inhalation of isoflurane (Escain ® ; Pfizer Co., Ltd, Tokyo, Japan) after tracheal intubation.…”

“…Semen was collected approximately 2 hr before AI using the previously reported transrectal electric stimulation method [ 23 ]. After removing accumulated urine using a 3-Fr.…”

“…Semen was ejaculated into sterile plastic 1.5-m l conical tubes, to which 50 µl semen diluent (egg yolk Tris-fructose citric acid solution [ 27 ]) was immediately added to prevent drying. A semen quality test was performed as previously reported [ 23 , 24 ]. Sperm motility was assessed immediately after semen collection, and the total sperm count, sperm viability and sperm abnormality were examined prior to AI.…”

“…The semen collection method, semen quality and timing and method of AI are important factors that determine whether AI will be successful in general. We collected semen from a male Amur leopard cat using the transrectal electric stimulation method [ 23 ] and confirmed that semen quality was favorable before and during the female’s BS compared with those after the BS. The mean number of sperm per one ejaculation collected during study period of about four year was 19 × 10 6 [ 23 ].…”

“…We collected semen from a male Amur leopard cat using the transrectal electric stimulation method [ 23 ] and confirmed that semen quality was favorable before and during the female’s BS compared with those after the BS. The mean number of sperm per one ejaculation collected during study period of about four year was 19 × 10 6 [ 23 ]. To achieve a conception rate of >80% by AI with fresh semen in domestic cats, 80 × 10 6 sperm are required for intravaginal AI, and 8 × 10 6 sperm are required for unilateral intrauterine AI [ 24 , 26 ].…”