Dongliang Zhang, Chenlong Wang, Tingting Zhu, Hong Tao, Lei Liu, Xu Li, Hongli Wang, Guangdong Hu, Yanping Wang, Weibin Zeng
{"title":"Effect of Enhanced Uterine Involution on Reproductive Performance in Multiparous Ewes.","authors":"Dongliang Zhang, Chenlong Wang, Tingting Zhu, Hong Tao, Lei Liu, Xu Li, Hongli Wang, Guangdong Hu, Yanping Wang, Weibin Zeng","doi":"10.1111/rda.70044","DOIUrl":"10.1111/rda.70044","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Rapid uterus involution is essential for minimising interpartum intervals, enhancing reproductive performance, and optimising production in ewes. This study aimed to accelerate the uterine involution of postpartum ewes through a relatively simple hormone treatment approach. In this study, 96 Dorper × Hu F1 ewes were assigned to three groups. The ewes were subsequently injected with normal saline (control group), prostaglandin + oxytocin (PG + OT group) and prostaglandin + oxytocin + horse chorionic gonadotropin (PG + OT + eCG group). Each group had 16 ewes producing a single lamb and 16 ewes producing twin lambs used to determine the effects of different treatments on their uterine involution and reproductive performance. PG + OT + eCG treatment accelerated the rate of uterine horn involution of single lambs (21.40 ± 0.89 days vs. 30.66 ± 1.03 days, p < 0.05) and twin hlambs (22.2 ± 1.09 days vs. 30.33 ± 0.81 days, p < 0.05) compared to the control group. PG + OT + eCG treatment also accelerated the regression of the uterine wall serosa structure and the removal of uterine effusion compared to PG + OT treatment, whose effect was moderate. PG + OT and PG + OT + eCG treatments had no significant effect on the recovery of the maximum uterine diameter of single and double lambing ewes compared to the control group. However, both treatments shortened the first estrus time of postpartum ewes (53.73 ± 3.69 days vs. 48.06 ± 5.87 days vs. 46.46 ± 7.41 days, p > 0.05). There was no significant difference in the conception rate among groups (p > 0.05). Notably, the change trend of reproductive hormones in postpartum ewes was consistent. PG + OT and PG + OT + eCG treatments significantly increased the concentration of estradiol and follicle-stimulating hormone during uterine involution (p < 0.05), but inhibited the secretion of progesterone compared to the control group. The peak of the luteinising hormone in the two treatment groups appeared 14 days earlier compared to that of the control group. In summary, exogenous PG + OT + eCG increases the concentration of estradiol during uterine involution, inhibits the secretion of progesterone, and accelerates the postpartum uterine involution and postpartum estrus time of ewes. These findings provide a basis for exploring the mechanism of uterine involution in sheep and improving sheep production efficiency.</p>","PeriodicalId":21035,"journal":{"name":"Reproduction in Domestic Animals","volume":"60 3","pages":"e70044"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2025-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143568044","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Mehmet Akköse, Mert Kurban, Mustafa Murat Gökçe, Mehmet Rıfat Vural
{"title":"Assessment of the Diagnostic Accuracy of a Pregnancy-Associated Glycoproteins Test for Early Pregnancy Diagnosis in Dairy Heifers.","authors":"Mehmet Akköse, Mert Kurban, Mustafa Murat Gökçe, Mehmet Rıfat Vural","doi":"10.1111/rda.70050","DOIUrl":"10.1111/rda.70050","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This study aimed to assess the diagnostic accuracy of a PAG test (Idexx rapid visual pregnancy test, RVPT) for the diagnosis of early pregnancy in dairy heifers. The study material comprised 58 healthy dairy heifers, aged 13-15 months, with a body condition score ranging between 3.0 and 3.5, and raised under the same corporate management and feeding regimen on a dairy farm. The heifers exhibited spontaneous estrus and were inseminated upon detection of heat by visual observation. On days 24, 26, 28 and 32 following artificial insemination (AI), blood sampling was performed by coccygeal venipuncture. Immediately after the extraction of blood serum within approximately 2 h at room temperature, the RVPT was performed. On day 32 post-AI, pregnancy diagnosis was made by transrectal ultrasonography (TRUS) as the gold standard. The sensitivity and specificity, positive and negative predictive values and diagnostic accuracy of the RVPT on days 24, 26 and 28 post-AI were 96.2%, 78.1%, 78.1%, 96.2% and 86.2%, respectively. On day 32 after AI, the same parameters were 96.2%, 96.9%, 96.2%, 96.9% and 96.6%, respectively. Based on the area under the receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve (AUC), the RVPT provided high accuracy in distinguishing between pregnant and open heifers. In conclusion, open heifers can be safely detected using the RVPT as of day 24 post-AI, whereas heifers diagnosed as being pregnant with the RVPT should be confirmed later.</p>","PeriodicalId":21035,"journal":{"name":"Reproduction in Domestic Animals","volume":"60 3","pages":"e70050"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2025-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143658407","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Aafreen Khan, Sanju Mandal, Anil Gattani, Amit Kumar, Subhradal Nath, Anand Kumar Jain, Deepika D Jesse, Aditya Mishra, Pragati Patel, Madhuri Dhurvey, Purnima Singh
{"title":"Seasonal Variation in Antioxidant Defence Biomarkers and ROMO1 Gene Expression in Relation to Semen Quality of Goat Bucks.","authors":"Aafreen Khan, Sanju Mandal, Anil Gattani, Amit Kumar, Subhradal Nath, Anand Kumar Jain, Deepika D Jesse, Aditya Mishra, Pragati Patel, Madhuri Dhurvey, Purnima Singh","doi":"10.1111/rda.70046","DOIUrl":"10.1111/rda.70046","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The oxidative status of seminal fluid is a critical factor in producing high-quality sperm doses for artificial insemination. This study aimed to investigate the impact of seasonal variations on oxidative stress biomarkers and ROMO1 (Reactive Oxygen Modulator 1) gene expression in Barbari and Sirohi bucks. Four ejaculates of adult breeding Barbari and Sirohi bucks, six from each breed, were collected fortnightly using an artificial vagina during the summer and winter seasons for the study. The redox status of fresh semen samples during the summer and winter seasons was assessed to ascertain oxidative stress in different seasons by evaluating the levels of SOD, CAT, GSH, MDA, and TAC. Spermatozoa were separated from the semen by centrifugation, and ROMO1 gene expression was analysed in both seasons, with GAPDH serving as the housekeeping gene. The results revealed significantly (p < 0.05) higher levels of SOD and MDA in summer compared to the winter season, whereas the catalase activity, reduced glutathione, and mean total antioxidant capacity (TAC) concentration were significantly (p < 0.05) higher in winter than summer in both breeds. While no significant difference was observed for SOD, CAT, GSH, MDA, and TAC between the two breeds. ROMO1, a key protein regulating reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation in mitochondria, especially in metabolically active cells like sperm, showed significantly (p < 0.05) lower expression in winter compared to the summer season. This suggests that the elevated ROMO1 gene expression during summer might influence the antioxidant defence mechanisms in seminal plasma. This study shows that the elevation of ROMO1 gene expression during the summer season influences the antioxidant defence mechanism in the seminal plasma. In conclusion, the findings highlight the importance of considering seasonal factors in managing reproductive health and optimising sperm quality for artificial insemination in goats.</p>","PeriodicalId":21035,"journal":{"name":"Reproduction in Domestic Animals","volume":"60 3","pages":"e70046"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2025-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143586715","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Javier Juárez, Alfredo Gutiérrez, Luis Anchiraico, Shirley Evangelista-Vargas, Alejandra Ugarelli, Jane M Morrell, Alexei Santiani
{"title":"Cryopreservation-Induced Changes in Protamine Levels and DNA Fragmentation in Alpaca Spermatozoa.","authors":"Javier Juárez, Alfredo Gutiérrez, Luis Anchiraico, Shirley Evangelista-Vargas, Alejandra Ugarelli, Jane M Morrell, Alexei Santiani","doi":"10.1111/rda.70031","DOIUrl":"10.1111/rda.70031","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Cryopreservation is known to destabilise spermatozoa and is associated with deficiencies in protamine levels and increased DNA fragmentation, which can reduce fertility in various species. The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of cryopreservation on protamine levels and DNA fragmentation in alpaca spermatozoa. A total of 108 testicles/epididymides were collected from a slaughterhouse and sperm were recovered from the cauda epididymis. Only samples meeting the criteria of > 10 g in weight, > 3 cm in length, > 30% motility, and > 50 million spermatozoa/mL were processed. Sixty samples (n = 60) were suitable for cryopreservation: 30 were used to assess protamine levels, and 30 to evaluate DNA fragmentation. Assessments were conducted both before and after cryopreservation using imaging flow cytometry. Protamine levels were assessed with chromomycin A3 (CMA3, 0.25 mg/mL), where fluorescence inversely correlates with protamination levels. The TUNEL assay was used to analyse DNA fragmentation, following fixation with 0.4% formaldehyde and permeabilisation with 0.8% Triton X-100. Results showed a significant decrease in CMA3 mean fluorescence after cryopreservation (288.19 ± 145.53 mFL vs. 68.54 ± 51.25 mFL, p < 0.05) and an increase in DNA fragmentation (2.98 ± 2.39 vs. 9.45 ± 15.43, p < 0.05). In conclusion, cryopreservation decreases CMA3 fluorescence, related to a possible increase in protamination, and increases DNA fragmentation in alpaca spermatozoa.</p>","PeriodicalId":21035,"journal":{"name":"Reproduction in Domestic Animals","volume":"60 3","pages":"e70031"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2025-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143557469","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Carlos E Fernandes, Adriane L Zart, Juan Cuevas de Alvarenga Martins, Richard Oko, Peter Sutovsky, Ériklis Nogueira
{"title":"Prevalence and Morphological Appearance of Sperm Nuclear Defects Using Feulgen Reaction in Beef Bulls.","authors":"Carlos E Fernandes, Adriane L Zart, Juan Cuevas de Alvarenga Martins, Richard Oko, Peter Sutovsky, Ériklis Nogueira","doi":"10.1111/rda.70021","DOIUrl":"10.1111/rda.70021","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The objective of this study was to assess the prevalence and compare the morphological aspects of sperm nuclei abnormalities in beef bulls submitted to breeding soundness evaluation (BSE). Semen samples were collected by electroejaculation from 649 beef bulls (Bos indicus, n = 515 and Bos indicus × Bos taurus crossbreed, n = 134) ranging from 2 to 12 years of age. Following a clinical evaluation and semen assessment, a slide was prepared with fresh semen and stained by using the Feulgen-stain for the purpose of evaluating sperm and nuclear morphology. Abnormal sperm nuclei were classified into three categories: A, multiple vacuoles in a pouch-like formation; B, a single vacuole such as the nuclear crater/diadem defect; and C, abnormal chromatin condensation. In accordance with the BSE criteria, the animals were classified as either satisfactory or unsatisfactory potential breeders. The prevalence of nuclear defects was comparable between satisfactory bulls of both genotypes. Unsatisfactory Bos indicus bulls exhibited a higher frequency of A and B nuclear defect categories. A category presented an odds ratio of 7.14 (0.012) for unsatisfactory bulls. A low percentage of the C category (2.3%) was observed in both BSE classifications. Vacuoles or craters were predominantly observed in the post-acrosomal and mid-subacrosomal regions, with minimal occurrence in the apical ridge region. Our findings provide the baseline for nuclear defects in B. indicus and its crossbreeds. The Feulgen reaction thus enables a simple yet comprehensive analysis of nuclear sperm head defects during BSE. In addition, stain retention facilitates a practical evaluation and an accurate account of the nuclear lesion types.</p>","PeriodicalId":21035,"journal":{"name":"Reproduction in Domestic Animals","volume":"60 3","pages":"e70021"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2025-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143543315","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Ángel Revilla-Ruiz, Patricia Carulla, Alejandro Pérez-Navarro, Raquel Patrón-Collantes, Eduardo De Mercado, María de la Luz Pérez-Solana, Juan Vicente González-Martín, Francisco Sebastián, Sonia Pérez-Garnelo, Susana Astiz
{"title":"Influence of Estrus and Double Ovulations on Reproductive Efficiency in Summer, of Holstein Heifers on a 5-Day Hormonal Synchronisation Protocol With and Without Intravaginal Progesterone Device.","authors":"Ángel Revilla-Ruiz, Patricia Carulla, Alejandro Pérez-Navarro, Raquel Patrón-Collantes, Eduardo De Mercado, María de la Luz Pérez-Solana, Juan Vicente González-Martín, Francisco Sebastián, Sonia Pérez-Garnelo, Susana Astiz","doi":"10.1111/rda.70017","DOIUrl":"10.1111/rda.70017","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The influence of estrus and double ovulations of Holstein heifers on a 5d-Co-synch 72 h protocol during summer was explored. Cycling heifers on the 5d-Co-72 h synchronisation protocol were randomised to carry a progesterone device (116) from day 0 to day 5 of the synchronisation protocol or not (97), from them 100 and 84 underwent fixed-time artificial insemination (FTAI). Another 70 heifers showed estrus before the first GnRH and were inseminated. Heifers were pregnant 34% (33/97) without device, 44.0% (51/116) with device and 44.3% (31/70) inseminated after estrus. Pregnancy per insemination (P/AI) tended to be higher (p = 0.059) inseminating after estrus than after FTAI without device. Three heifers without device and two with it showed double ovulation, four of which became pregnant. Pregnancy loss was similar among groups (0%-10%). P/AI was higher in heifers with estrus before FTAI (OR 13.96, p = 0.027), and with each additional day of age (OR 1.015; p = 0.015). The device was associated with higher progesterone on day 5, with more synchronised heifers, more ovulation frequency after first GnRH (96.6% vs. 84%, p = 0.007), and more heifers showing estrus before FTAI (96.0% vs. 85.7%, p = 0.018). Days to conception after first AI of the study, and after maximum three AIs were similar between synchronised groups, but significantly shorter in heifers inseminated after observed estrus. Fertility was higher in heifers that showed signs of estrus before accompanying the FTAI, while double ovulation seems not to be a major factor for fertility. An intravaginal device slightly improves efficiency under heat stress by increasing ovulation, progesterone, proportion of synchronised heifers and heifers showing estrus at AI.</p>","PeriodicalId":21035,"journal":{"name":"Reproduction in Domestic Animals","volume":"60 2","pages":"e70017"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2025-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143441997","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Special Issue: Abstracts of the 58th Annual Conference of Physiology and Pathology of Reproduction and 50th Joint Conference of Veterinary and Human Reproductive Medicine, February 26th to 28th 2025, Leipzig.","authors":"","doi":"10.1111/rda.70016","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/rda.70016","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":21035,"journal":{"name":"Reproduction in Domestic Animals","volume":"60 Suppl 1 ","pages":"e70016"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2025-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143484019","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Cendy Lutz Ccasa Ccahuana, Pedro Walter Bravo Matheus, Ying Liu, Guiulfo Duriel Mamani-Mango
{"title":"Effect of Time-Lapse Incubation System on In Vitro Development of Alpaca Embryos.","authors":"Cendy Lutz Ccasa Ccahuana, Pedro Walter Bravo Matheus, Ying Liu, Guiulfo Duriel Mamani-Mango","doi":"10.1111/rda.70008","DOIUrl":"10.1111/rda.70008","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Currently, incubators with a time-lapse system are widely used for in vitro embryo production in several species, however, their effect on alpaca embryo development compared to conventional incubators remains unknown. The aim of this study was to compare early in vitro embryo development in alpacas using a time-lapse incubator system versus a conventional incubator. Ovaries were obtained from a slaughterhouse and 1048 cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) were collected and in vitro matured for 26 h in either a time-lapse system (n = 542) or a conventional incubator (n = 542). All the matured COCs were fertilised for 24 h with fresh spermatozoa recovered from epididymis obtained from the slaughterhouse. The presumptive zygotes in both systems were cultured in a commercial one-step culture medium, and the embryo development was evaluated at 48, 120 and 168 h after fertilisation. Our results showed no differences in maturation rates between the time-lapse system and the conventional incubator (79.9% vs. 55.0%, p = 0.080). Cleavage rates at 48 h were also similar between the time-lapse and conventional systems: 20.5% vs. 20.8% for embryos at the two- to four-cell stage, and 6.0% vs. 7.0% for embryos above the four-cell stage (p > 0.05). At 120 h after fertilisation, the percentage of embryos were more evenly distributed across all stages (below eight-cell, eight-cell and above eight-cell stages) in both systems (p > 0.05). At 168 h, no differences in the blastocyst rates and blastocyst quality were observed between the time-lapse and conventional systems. In conclusion, in vitro embryo production in alpacas can be successfully carried out using the time-lapse incubation system or a conventional incubator with comparable results. Further study would focus on the correlation between the developmental patterns and the quality of alpaca embryos, as well as the comparison of in vivo embryo development between the two incubation systems.</p>","PeriodicalId":21035,"journal":{"name":"Reproduction in Domestic Animals","volume":"60 2","pages":"e70008"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2025-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143059735","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Zhiqiang Wang, Nan Xiao, Qing Han, Yunjia Qi, Deshun Shi, Chan Luo
{"title":"A Review and New Insights Into Spermatogenesis From Single-Cell RNA Sequencing.","authors":"Zhiqiang Wang, Nan Xiao, Qing Han, Yunjia Qi, Deshun Shi, Chan Luo","doi":"10.1111/rda.70019","DOIUrl":"10.1111/rda.70019","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>As the most primitive germ cells in the testis, spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) not only constantly renew themselves to ensure their quantity, but also differentiate into mature sperm cells to complete spermatogenesis and transmit genetic information to the next generation. Successful spermatogenesis is inseparable from niche regulation, which provides factors that enhance the self-renewal of SSCs to maintain their numbers and directs the appropriate differentiation of spermatogonia. Some progress has been achieved in the definition and isolation of SSCs. However, a high degree of cellular heterogeneity is found in the testis, revealing a combination of various cell types at different developmental stages and a lack of specific molecular markers (especially in domestic animals) for fully screening and purifying SSCs. These factors have considerably hindered further research into the mechanisms of maintenance, self-renewal, and differentiation of SSCs, as well as limited their isolation, purification, and applications. Accumulated studies have recently successfully employed single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) as a novel approach to detailing the classification of cell subsets, mining specifically expressed genes in different cell types, and accurate identification of specific cell types. This review summarises the progress of SSCs identification and offers new insights into the SSCs developmental trajectory from single-cell RNA sequencing.</p>","PeriodicalId":21035,"journal":{"name":"Reproduction in Domestic Animals","volume":"60 2","pages":"e70019"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2025-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143477108","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Simona Attard, Alice Andolfatto, Marco Di Giuseppe, Maria Carmela Pisu
{"title":"Semen Collection by Urethral Catheterization After Pharmacological Induction With Dexmedetomidine and Methadone in Ferrets.","authors":"Simona Attard, Alice Andolfatto, Marco Di Giuseppe, Maria Carmela Pisu","doi":"10.1111/rda.70009","DOIUrl":"10.1111/rda.70009","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The evaluation of fertility in stud animals is crucial across all species. Various semen collection techniques have been described in the literature, depending on the practitioner's expertise, available equipment and the species being examined. These techniques include the use of an artificial vagina, electroejaculation, urethral catheterization and the administration of alpha-2 adrenergic agonists to induce penile erection and ejaculation. Since 1965, several studies have explored semen collection methods in ferrets. Chang et al. initially performed post-mortem collection from the epididymis and vas deferens, while in 1970, Shump et al. successfully utilised electroejaculation. More recently, reproductive specialists have reported improved semen collection results through urethral catheterization following the administration of alpha-2 adrenergic agonists. The first successful application of this technique in felids was documented in 2008 by Zambelli et al. using medetomidine. In 2017, Pisu et al. employed a similar protocol, combining dexmedetomidine and methadone. In ferrets, urethral catheterization was first described in 2020, using a combination of ketamine, midazolam, and dexmedetomidine. The goal of this study was to present an alternative protocol for semen collection in ferrets, utilising dexmedetomidine and methadone to induce ejaculation.</p>","PeriodicalId":21035,"journal":{"name":"Reproduction in Domestic Animals","volume":"60 2","pages":"e70009"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2025-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143075335","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}