RESUMO
The black-and-gold howler monkey serves as a suitable model for development of assisted reproductive techniques (ARTs), which may later be applied in threatened species of the same genus. The objectives of this study were to evaluate semen characteristics of black-and-gold howler monkeys (Alouatta caraya), with emphasis on mitochondrial activity and acrosome integrity, using staining methods that are suitable for use under field conditions. Twenty six semen samples were collected by rectal probe electroejaculation from six adult captive males from the National Primate Center (CENP), Ananindeua, PA, Brazil. The following parameters were evaluated in each semen sample: volume, pH, concentration, plasma membrane integrity, acrosome integrity, and mitochondrial activity. Both Spermac stain and the Simple Staining Method were suitable for acrosome evaluation. Diaminobenzidine needs further investigation to improve its application for this species. Overall semen quality improved from the first collection to the fifth collection. This highlights the importance of repeating semen collections when evaluating a male for use in ARTs. This research brought novel information on semen characteristics of Alouatta caraya which will aid further studies on the application of ARTs in this and other primate species.(AU)
Assuntos
Animais , Sêmen/citologia , Mitocôndrias/fisiologia , 3,3'-Diaminobenzidina/farmacologia , HaplorrinosRESUMO
The black-and-gold howler monkey serves as a suitable model for development of assisted reproductive techniques (ARTs), which may later be applied in threatened species of the same genus. The objectives of this study were to evaluate semen characteristics of black-and-gold howler monkeys (Alouatta caraya), with emphasis on mitochondrial activity and acrosome integrity, using staining methods that are suitable for use under field conditions. Twenty six semen samples were collected by rectal probe electroejaculation from six adult captive males from the National Primate Center (CENP), Ananindeua, PA, Brazil. The following parameters were evaluated in each semen sample: volume, pH, concentration, plasma membrane integrity, acrosome integrity, and mitochondrial activity. Both Spermac stain and the Simple Staining Method were suitable for acrosome evaluation. Diaminobenzidine needs further investigation to improve its application for this species. Overall semen quality improved from the first collection to the fifth collection. This highlights the importance of repeating semen collections when evaluating a male for use in ARTs. This research brought novel information on semen characteristics of Alouatta caraya which will aid further studies on the application of ARTs in this and other primate species.
Assuntos
Animais , /farmacologia , Mitocôndrias/fisiologia , Sêmen/citologia , HaplorrinosRESUMO
The aim of this study was to evaluate the incidence of pleiomorphisms and its influence on the distribution of sperm morphometric subpopulations in ejaculates from the vulnerable Goeldi's monkey (Callimico goeldii) by using a combination of computerized analysis system and Principal Component Analysis (PCA) methods. Each sperm head was measured for four primary spermatozoal head dimensional parameters (area [A (µm(2))], perimeter [P (µm)], length [L (µm)] and width [W (µm)]) and three head shape derived parameters (ellipticity [(L/W)], elongation [(L-W)/(L+W)] and rugosity [(4πA/P(2))]). Six separate subpopulations (SPs) were identified: SP1, constituted by very large, narrow and very elliptical spermatozoa (A=16.85±1.56µm(2), W=2.75±0.42µm and ellipticity=2.16±0.24); SP2, characterized by average sized, short, wide and round spermatozoa (A=15.00±1.92µm(2), L=5.06±0.49µm, W=3.51±0.31µm and ellipticity=1.44±0.15); SP3, represented by small, wide and slightly round spermatozoa (A=14.95±1.75µm(2), W=3.47±0.29µm and ellipticity=1.48±0.14); SP4 included very small, short and very round spermatozoa (A=14.15±2.38µm(2), L=4.90±0.57µm and elongation=0.18±0.05); SP5 consisted of average sized and slightly elliptical spermatozoa (A=15.14±1.72µm(2) and ellipticity=1.49±0.14); and SP6 included large and round spermatozoa (A=16.30±1.62µm(2) and elongation=0.19±0.04). There were differences in the sperm subpopulation distribution (P<0.001) among the five donors analyzed. In conclusion, the results of the current study confirmed that the use of computer sperm analysis methods combined with PCA cluster analyses are useful methods to identify, classify, and characterize different sperm head morphometric subpopulations in neotropical primates. Broadening our knowledge of C. goeldii sperm morphometric abnormalities as well as developing reliable techniques for sperm evaluation may be essential for ex situ conservation of this threatened species.