Computer Assisted Sperm Analysis (CASA) in the Critically Endangered Captive Arabian Leopard ( Panthera pardus nimr ): A Multivariate Clustering Analysis

Abstract

Rationale: Big felids including the Panthera genus are under tremendous stressful conditions that threaten the very existence of wild populations around the world. Survivability is commonly linked to numerous factors such as poaching, habitat fragmentation, inbreeding depression and lack of prey. A crucial element that is used to mitigate endangerment risk is the enhancement of reproductive performance with the use of assisted reproductive technologies. Amongst them is computer assisted sperm analysis (CASA) that digitally evaluates the kinematics of individual spermatozoa. Regrettably, this powerful tool is overlooked in all big felids due to the lack of a universal setting. Objective: To conduct a comparative CASA with several species modules and to deploy it for the first time in the critically endangered Arabian leopard. Results: The progressive motility was variable amongst all settings, whereby the highest in the bovine standard (82.9%), lowest in the stallion setting (12%), subjective (85%) and average at 50.1%. The combination of all motility parametrics, indicate a progressive joining of two minor and two major clusters with a very high distance of 93% and a linkage space of approximately 42%. This in turn demonstrate notable divergence of two important kinematic settings. Conclusion: The current study illustrates the inconsistent and incompatible readings amongst various CASA species modules. This affirms the urgent need to establish CASA exclusively customized for the Panthera genus to maximize the reproductive potential.