Seminal characteristics and cooling of semen of free life giant anteaters (Myrmecophaga tridactyla)

• Grant number: 12/24538-7
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: May 01, 2013
• End date: October 31, 2014
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Veterinary Medicine - Animal Reproduction
• Principal Investigator: João Carlos Pinheiro Ferreira
• Grantee: João Carlos Pinheiro Ferreira
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia (FMVZ). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Botucatu. Botucatu , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The giant anteater is considered vulnerable to extinction and scientific data of reproduction of this specie, especially regarding andrology, are scarce. The knowledge of seminal characteristics of a species is important in order to generate the possibility of development of biotechnology applied to reproduction such as artificial insemination and embryo transfer in order to assist in the conservation of endangered species. Thus, will be captured and anesthetized about 30 anteaters in South Pantanal of Mato Grosso by Institute for Research and Conservation of Anteaters in Brazil for routine evaluation. The males will be also submitted of semen collection. This study aims to analyze macro and microscopic seminal characteristics of free life anteaters (Myrmecophaga tridactyla) with regard to volume, odor, motility, vigor, concentration and morphology, and assess how this semen responds exposure to low temperatures (5 ° C) cooling. Samples will be evaluated in fields conditions according to the CBRA recommendations, except by the evaluation by transmission electron microscopy and evaluation in contrast microscopy and differential interference, which will be performed in the CERAN - FMVZ -UNESP - Botucatu. Obtaining such data in this pioneering research will clarify the seminal characteristics of Giant anteater and generate knowledge to make the diagnostics of possible reproductive problems in captivity and to allow the use of reproductive biotechnology in this species. (AU)

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

LUBA, CAMILA DO NASCIMENTO; BOAKARI, YATTA LINHARES; COSTA LOPES, ALEXANDRE MARTINS; GOMES, MARCELO DA SILVA; MIRANDA, FLAVIA REGINA; PAPA, FREDERICO OZANAN; PINHEIRO FERREIRA, JOAO CARLOS. Semen characteristics and refrigeration in free-ranging giant anteaters (Myrmecophaga tridactyla). Theriogenology, v. 84, n. 9, p. 1572-1580, DEC 2015. (12/24538-7)