Evaluation of thawed semen viability from cat, collected by artificial vagina, electroejaculation and from epididymis

• Grant number: 12/01781-3
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: April 01, 2012
• End date: December 31, 2012
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Veterinary Medicine - Animal Reproduction
• Principal Investigator: Fabiana Ferreira de Souza
• Grantee: Laíza Sartori de Camargo
• Host Institution: Reitoria. Universidade de Franca (UNIFRAN). Franca , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The study of biotechnologies applied to feline reproduction aim primarily to use the results for the conservation of wild felids by cryopreservation of sperm cells, which allows for increasing genetic biodiversity. The aim of this study will be to evaluate sperm viability from domestic cats (Felis catus) collected by the artificial vagina, electroejaculation, and from the epididymis tail after elective orchiectomy. Twenty male cats will be used to work execution, divided into two groups: Group I, semen collected by artificial vagina (n=4, 3 collection/cat); Group II, semen collected by electroejaculation (n=4, 3 collection/cat) and Group III, semen collected from epididymis tail after elective orchiectomy (n=12). Group, I will be performed in Brazil and, Group II and III will be in Universidad Nacional de La Plata, Argentine, at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, supervised by Prof. Dr. Maria Alejandra Stornelli, which responsible for the Small Anima Reproduction area. In all groups, immediately after collection, the semen will be analyzed for volume, motility, vigor, concentration, morphology (Pope's stain), membrane integrity (6-carboxyfluorescein diacetate and propidium iodide), and acrosome integrity (FITC-PSA). Then, the semen will be diluted in TRIS-GEMA, containing 4% glycerol, stored in straws of 0.25 mL containing 50 million sperm, and frozen. Samples are thawed at 37°C for 1 minute and samples will be evaluated to the same parameters. The results from groups will be confronted with statistical differences to identify which semen collection method preserves greater viability of the sperm cells.(AU)