Applied reproductive technologies and genetic resource banking for amphibian conservation
As amphibian populations continue to decline, both government and non-government organisations are establishing captive assurance colonies to secure populations deemed at risk of extinction if left in the wild. For the most part, little is known about the nutritional ecology, reproductive biology or husbandry needs of the animals placed into captive breeding programs. Because of […]
Reproductive status of endemic felid species in Latin American zoos and implications for ex situ conservation
Abstract 10.1002/zoo.10093.abs Reproductive evaluations were conducted on 185 male cats representing eight endemic Latin American species that were maintained in 44 zoos and private facilities in 12 Latin American countries. Reproductive assessments (testicular measures, ejaculate quality, and blood testosterone/cortisol concentration) were used to establish normative values for large- and small-sized cats in Latin American collections. […]
Comparison of storage techniques for giant panda sperm
Abstract 10.1002/zoo.10107.abs Semen storage for artificial insemination is an integral part of giant panda captive breeding programs. The development of short- and long-term storage techniques is needed to ensure a viable reserve of germplasm for artificial reproduction. In this study semen collected by electroejaculation from three male pandas was extended in culture medium prior to […]
Birth of a chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes) after artificial insemination with cryopreserved epididymal spermatozoa collected postmortem
Abstract A male chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes) suddenly died of acute hemorrhagic enteritis at the age of 18 years. Within 24 hours after its death, a large quantity of spermatozoa of excellent quality was recovered from the distal cauda epididymides and was subsequently cryopreserved. After storage for 67 days, the frozen spermatozoa were thawed and inseminated […]
Evaluation of extenders and cryopreservatives for cooling and cryopreservation of spermatozoa from the western spotted skunk (Spilogale gracilis)
Abstract 10.1002/zoo.1430110606.abs Experiments were conducted to develop a suitable protocol for cryopreservation of spotted skunk semen. Semen was collected by electroejaculation of captive male skunks (n = 16) from late January through late November. In the first experiment, fresh semen was diluted in either TEST (n = 10), TRIS (n = 9), or BF5F (n […]
Factors Affecting the Outcome of Artificial Insemination Using Cryopreserved Spermatozoa in the Giant Panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca)
Artificial insemination (AI) is an important component of captive breeding programs for endangered species, such as the giant panda. The panda has been the subject of increasingly successful captive breeding programs involving a compilation of assisted breeding techniques, including AI using cryopreserved spermatozoa. AI implementation is currently hampered by a lack of understanding of the […]