Zastosowanie metody elektroejakulacji do pobrania i oceny nasienia nieplodnego geparda

The cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus) is one of highly endangered species because of low biodiversity, loss of habitat in the wild and reproductive problems in zoos, partially of male origin. The 11-year-old cheetah had no offspring in the past. Semen was collected by electroejaculation. The procedure was performed under general anesthesia using 3.5 mg of xylasine and 5.7 mg of ketamine per kg of body weight. An endorectal electrode was used and electrical stimuli were applied until ejaculation, which occurred as the result of 6 impulses. The 1 ml of semen collected was of olive colour, milky consistency and cat odour. The semen was evaluated microscopically as semi-dense. The progressive movement was observed in 15% of spermatozoa and 50% of spermatozoa were estimated as morphologically normal. The blood testosterone concentration amounted to <0,2 ng/ml. In conclusion, electroejaculation could be an effective method of semen collection in cheetah.