Morphology and ultrastructure of the testes and spermatozoa of the South African leopard (Panthera pardus)

Abstract

The survival of South African leopard (Panthera pardus) populations is at risk due to the decrease in natural habitat caused by increasing human populations, development projects and industry. The use of ex situ conservation methods such as assisted reproductive techniques (ARTs) in captive breeding programmes can be used to conserve and protect this species. However, a good understanding of the reproductive system of the species is imperative in the development of successful ARTs. This study serves to provide information on the morphology and ultrastructure of the spermatozoa and testes of P. pardus that can be used to help in the development, testing and optimization of reproductive techniques. The objectives of this study were (i) to assess the morphology and ultrastructure of the spermatozoa by means of fluorescence and electron microscopy respectively, and (ii) to examine the morphology and ultrastructure of the testicular tissue as well as of the stages of spermatogenesis using light and electron microscopy. In this study, it was noted that the morphology and ultrastructure of the spermatozoa are similar to those reported in other feline and mammalian species and that a high amount of morphologically abnormal ejaculated sperm was found to be a common occurrence in all samples obtained.

Spermatogenic Activity and Sperm Traits in Post-Pubertal and Adult Tomcats (Felis catus): Implication of Intra-Male Variation in Sperm Size

“…Our study also shows that sperm motility, membrane and DNA integrity, mitochondrial activity, morphology, and morphometry do not differ between post-pubertal and adult tomcats. In agreement with the study by de Sousa Barbosa et al [ 10 ] in tomcats and previous studies in jaguars ( P. onca ) and leopards ( Panthera pardus ) [ 37 , 38 ], we found that sperm tail defects were more frequent than head defects. Unlike the round-shaped sperm head of big cats (Pantherinae), spermatozoa from small cats (Felinae) show elongated and oval-shaped heads [ 39 ].…”