Theriogenology wild最新文献

{"title":"Follicular fluid supports cumulus expansion in post-mortem recovered cumulus-oocyte complexes of Hippopotamus amphibius","authors":"Judith Diaz-Muñoz ,&nbsp;Sonia Gago ,&nbsp;Paula Serres-Corral ,&nbsp;Bruna Oliveras-Seguí ,&nbsp;Vanessa Almagro ,&nbsp;Teresa Mogas ,&nbsp;Manel López-Béjar","doi":"10.1016/j.therwi.2025.100125","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.therwi.2025.100125","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Assisted reproduction is essential for the conservation of wildlife species. While obtaining oocytes from living individuals can be challenging, the retrieval of post-mortem ovaries provides a valuable alternative for developing reproductive protocols that could enhance preservation efforts. In this study, we aimed, to evaluate the impact of follicular fluid (FF) supplementation during <em>in vitro</em> maturation (IVM) on nuclear maturation and cumulus expansion of common hippo (<em>Hippopotamus amphibius</em>) oocytes<em>.</em> Ovaries were recovered during the post-mortem examination of a 33-year-old female hippo, and 44 oocytes were collected and randomly allocated into three groups for IVM. A control group matured in standard media, a Small-FF group with control standard supplemented with 10 % follicular fluid from small follicles, and a Large-FF group with standard media supplemented with 10 % follicular fluid from large follicles. Images were taken at 0, 16, and 24 h of IVM to evaluate cumulus expansion by measuring the diameter of each cumulus-oocyte complex (COC). Following 24 h of IVM, polar body (PB) extrusion was assessed. Results showed a significant increase in cumulus expansion in the FF-supplemented groups compared to the Control (16 h: Control: 13 ± 4 %, Small-FF: 43 ± 13 %, Large-FF: 44 ± 6 %; 24 h: Control: 27 ± 7 %, Small-FF: 71 ± 15 %, Large-FF: 66 ± 9 %). The Small-FF group (46.1 %) and Control group (40 %) exhibited similar percentages of PB extrusion, while PB could be observed in 6.3 % of the Large-FF group. These findings suggest that while FF supplementation promotes cumulus expansion, the size of the follicle from which the fluid is derived may significantly influence oocyte ability to achieve PB extrusion</div></div>","PeriodicalId":75220,"journal":{"name":"Theriogenology wild","volume":"6 ","pages":"Article 100125"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143628642","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Laparoscopic ovum pick up in common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus)","authors":"Heejong Eom ,&nbsp;So-Min Lee ,&nbsp;Dongwook Kim ,&nbsp;Dong-Won Seol ,&nbsp;Minkyu Kim ,&nbsp;Dohyun Lee","doi":"10.1016/j.therwi.2025.100127","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.therwi.2025.100127","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Ovum pick up (OPU) is a crucial assisted reproductive technique for transgenic research of non-human primates, and has commonly been performed via laparotomy in common marmosets (<em>Callithrix jacchus</em>). Laparoscopy is minimally invasive and requiring smaller incisions compared to laparotomy. Four donor female (each 2 animals for laparoscopy and laparotomy) and one male (sperm collection) adult common marmosets were used in this study. Ovarian cycles were controlled and monitored for determining optimal time for OPU. Oocytes were obtained using a modified small laparoscopic system for small animals and human pediatric patients. Obtained oocytes were <em>in vitro</em> matured, fertilized and developed to blastocyst. The modified laparoscopic system provided the effective visualization of ovarian surface for OPU, and showed comparable rates of retrieval (78.57 % vs. 75.00 %), maturation (72.73 % vs. 85.19 %), fertilization (100.00 % vs. 91.30 %), and blastocyst development (63.50 % vs. 23.81 %) for oocytes between laparoscopy and laparotomy. Duration of operation, recovery time and post-operation treatment period were similar for both methods. There were no significant differences between two methods for any of the variables analyzed. In this study, the laparoscopic OPU in marmosets can achieve comparable results to laparotomy in terms of visualization, oocyte retrieval, and operation procedure. Furthermore, studies with larger sample sizes are needed to evaluate the competency of oocytes for development, along with improvements in grasping methods to enhance accessibility to ovarian surfaces in laparoscopic OPU.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":75220,"journal":{"name":"Theriogenology wild","volume":"7 ","pages":"Article 100127"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143791593","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"High sulfate concentration disturbs the sperm motility and fertilization of salmonids","authors":"Mikko Mäkinen ,&nbsp;Juha Karjalainen","doi":"10.1016/j.therwi.2025.100131","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.therwi.2025.100131","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Elevated sulfate (<span><math><msubsup><mrow><mtext>SO</mtext></mrow><mrow><mn>4</mn></mrow><mrow><mn>2</mn><mo>−</mo></mrow></msubsup></math></span>) effluents contribute to freshwater salinization, posing potential risks to aquatic organisms. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of increased sulfate concentrations on sperm motility and fertilization success in salmonids. The species examined included European whitefish (<em>Coregonus lavaretus</em>) and vendace (<em>Coregonus albula</em>) from freshwater and brackish environments, as well as freshwater brown trout (<em>Salmo trutta</em>). Experiments were conducted using natural water from each species' native habitat as a control and as a base for sulfate treatments, with concentrations ranging from 5–2400 mg/L in freshwater and 240–4400 mg/L in brackish water. Sperm motility was assessed at 10-, 20-, and 40-seconds post-activation using a CASA system. Increasing sulfate concentrations resulted in changes in sperm motility parameters and fertilization rate. In freshwater fish, significant difference in whitefish sperm motility compared to control treatment was observed at 450 mg/L, while in vendace, the significant differences in sperm motility and fertilization rate were observed at 1200 mg/L and 450 mg/L, respectively. For comparison, the lowest exposure concentrations where the sperm motility and fertilization rate of brackish water vendace differed from the control treatment were 1800 mg/L and 2000 mg/L, respectively. In anadromous whitefish, the significant difference in sperm motility was observed in 1200 mg/L. These findings suggest that increased sulfate levels may impair reproductive success of salmonids, underscoring the ecological risks of sulfate pollution in aquatic environments.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":75220,"journal":{"name":"Theriogenology wild","volume":"7 ","pages":"Article 100131"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144271486","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Evaluation of the occurrence of inclusion cysts in the uterine serosa of capybaras (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris)","authors":"Mariana Passos Nunes ,&nbsp;Alexia Gazzola Steiner ,&nbsp;Fabiana Morse Gosson Jorge ,&nbsp;Ivanio Teixeira Borba-Junior ,&nbsp;Pedro Nacib Jorge-Neto ,&nbsp;Fernanda Battistella Passos-Nunes ,&nbsp;Cristiane Schilbach Pizzutto","doi":"10.1016/j.therwi.2025.100134","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.therwi.2025.100134","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Capybaras (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris), the largest rodents in the world, are prolific and live in structured social groups. These characteristics, combined with their role as hosts for the bacterium Rickettsia rickettsii, make them key targets in reproductive management strategies, particularly in endemic areas of Brazilian Spotted Fever (BSF). This study evaluated 140 female capybaras subjected to surgical sterilization during management campaigns. Findings include the identification of inclusion cysts in the uterine serosa, observed in 100 % of pluriparous individuals and absent in nulliparous ones. The cysts displayed histological characteristics consistent with reports in other species, consisting of a layer of cuboidal cells and an amorphous eosinophilic material. Hypotheses for their formation include lymphatic alterations, impaired venous return, and postpartum uterine contractions. The presence of cysts in the placenta and umbilical cord is unprecedented, suggesting a potential association with hormonal factors. Although benign, these cysts warrant attention to avoid misdiagnoses. It is concluded that multiparity is a determining factor in the formation of cysts in capybaras, while healthy nulliparous individuals did not present such alterations. The absence of studies on cysts in capybaras underscores the imperative need to continue investigations to refine population management and better 29 understand the clinical impacts of these findings.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":75220,"journal":{"name":"Theriogenology wild","volume":"7 ","pages":"Article 100134"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144655339","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Characterization of semen of Baryancistrus xanthellus Rapp Py-Daniel, Zuanon & Ribeiro de Oliveira, 2011 (Siluriformes, Loricariidae), an endemic catfish species from the Xingu River, Pará, Brazil","authors":"Fábio José Torres de Barros ,&nbsp;George Shigueki Yasui ,&nbsp;Alice Xavier Soares ,&nbsp;Eris de Paula Amorim ,&nbsp;Thaís Pereira Nascimento ,&nbsp;Marina Pereira da Silva ,&nbsp;Michel Martins Bandeira ,&nbsp;Edilberto Leonardo Costa Rodrigues ,&nbsp;Thaís da Silva Lopes ,&nbsp;Leandro Melo de Sousa","doi":"10.1016/j.therwi.2025.100138","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.therwi.2025.100138","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div><em>Baryancistrus xanthellus</em> is an endemic species of the Xingu River, known as “Gold Nugget Pleco”. Its color pattern arouses interest in the aquarium fish trade, making this species highly valued in the global market. Its natural populations suffer ecological impacts due to overfishing and environmental changes especially by the Belo Monte Hydroelectric Power Plant. Despite its economic and ecological relevance, conservation efforts including, artificial breeding, becomes necessary, although no record of artificial breeding. The objective of this study is to analyze the sperm characteristics of wild-caught <em>Baryancistrus xanthellus</em> to support ex-situ conservation strategies and facilitate the development of technologies and studies related to the species' reproduction. For this purpose, 10 adult mature males (weight 315.3 ± 17.48 g; standard length 23.06 ± 0.69 cm) were collected during the spawning season (October 2022 to February 2023). Seminal samples were collected without hormonal treatment for using a 1000-µm pipette in the urogenital papillae, and immediately diluted in immobilizing solution. Sperm activation achieved by a 11-fold dilution using distilled water, and motility analysis was conducted using computer-assisted sperm analysis (CASA) from video sequences obtained from the microscope. Data were analyzed considering the significance value of <em>P</em> &lt; <em>0.05</em>, with ANOVA succeeded by Pearson’s correlation test. Surprisingly, the species presented motility duration of 424.80 ± 278.40 s, with a significant decrease on motility after 180 s. Negative correlations were observed between sperm abnormalities, motility and kinetic patterns. However, abnormalities in the midpiece of spermatozoa seem to impair the percentage motile spermatozoa. Males released 75.00 ± 60.09 µL of semen and sperm concentration was 1.10 ± 0.93 × 10⁷ sptz.mL⁻¹. Our study demonstrated that it is possible to collect semen from wild-caught <em>Baryancistrus xanthellus</em> during spawning season, and no hormonal treatment is necessary. A progressive motility of long duration was observed in the species, suggesting good fertilization capacity. All the results showed above are innovative, and the first step for future conservation efforts including germplasm conservation and subsequent <em>in vitro</em> fertilization.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":75220,"journal":{"name":"Theriogenology wild","volume":"7 ","pages":"Article 100138"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145219348","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Osmotic tolerance and cryopreservation of Jamaican fruit bat (Artibeus jamaicensis) sperm","authors":"Elisha Xiao-Kim ,&nbsp;James K. Graham ,&nbsp;Tony Schountz ,&nbsp;Jennifer P. Barfield","doi":"10.1016/j.therwi.2024.100118","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.therwi.2024.100118","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Assisted reproductive technologies will become increasingly important to preserve bat genetics to prevent the extinction of bat species and provide biomedical models for viral and disease research. However, little is known regarding the ability to preserve bat genetics, including sperm. These experiments were conducted to determine some of the physiological properties of sperm from the Jamaican fruit bat (<em>Artibeus Jamaican’s</em>), and develop a protocol to effectively cryopreserve these sperm. Experiments were conducted to determine the osmotic tolerance of bat sperm, using flow cytometry, to determine how well bat sperm can withstand the osmotic challenges they must endure during the cryopreservation process. Additional experiments tested various cryoprotectants to determine which cryoprotectant preserved sperm most efficiently; and finally, if cryopreserved sperm maintained functionality by binding to the perivitelline membrane. Jamaican fruit bat sperm exhibit a wide osmotic tolerance; greater than 50 % of the sperm survive when exposed to very low (0 mOsm) or very high (1.2 M) osmolalities. In addition, the sperm are not sensitive to cold-shock damage, and can be cooled from room temperature to 5 ºC very quickly while retaining viability. Finally, preserving the cells, using a combination of glycerol and either methyl formamide (MF) or dimethyl formamide (DMF) as the cryoprotectant, resulted in higher percentages of motile sperm (54 %) than sperm frozen in glycerol alone (35 %; <em>p</em> &lt; 0.05). Interestingly, the percentages of sperm with intact membranes following cryopreservation were similar for all cryoprotectant treatments (58–67 %; <em>p</em> &gt; 0.05). Our ability to test sperm functionality after cryopreservation was limited to testing the sperm’s ability to bind the perivitelline membrane, in which higher numbers of sperm cryopreserved with glycerol + MF bound to the membrane (19.6 ± 5.5) than sperm cryopreserved in glycerol alone (12.0 ± 5.2; <em>p</em> &lt; 0.05). In conclusion, Jamaican fruit bat sperm can effectively withstand membrane damage caused by osmotic issues and cold shock. In addition, bat sperm cryopreserved with a combination of glycerol and amides maintain higher percentages of motile cells, than sperm cryopreserved in glycerol alone; and cryopreserved sperm maintained their ability to bind to the perivitelline membrane.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":75220,"journal":{"name":"Theriogenology wild","volume":"6 ","pages":"Article 100118"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143176025","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"When to cryopreserve and when to let it go? A systematic review of priorities in wild animal cryobanking","authors":"James Edward Brereton ,&nbsp;Sarah Louise Spooner ,&nbsp;Susan L. Walker ,&nbsp;Andrew Mooney ,&nbsp;Philippe Wilson ,&nbsp;Gabriela F. Mastromonaco ,&nbsp;Elena Hunter ,&nbsp;Samuel White","doi":"10.1016/j.therwi.2025.100119","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.therwi.2025.100119","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>With increasing numbers of species threatened with extinction, collecting and conserving living samples is important for the long-term conservation of animal populations. Globally, many cryobanks have been developed to preserve animal tissues for future use in wildlife conservation. However, to date, there has been no attempt to review the purpose, priorities and direction of these cryobanks. A systematic review was undertaken using Web of Science, Scopus, and Google Scholar to determine the most common priorities identified in the cryobanking literature. The types of species being recommended for cryobanking, cell types, and recommended numbers of samples and number of individuals were also recorded for cryobanking efforts. Overall, 13,287 papers were identified, of which 794 were selected for full-text review. For wildlife, the most frequently cited priority was to select based on threat level, with convenience sampling and genetic diversity featuring as the second and third most common priorities. In terms of cell type, sperm featured most frequently in cryobanking literature, potentially due to its ease of use in animal breeding programmes. Somatic cells and stem cells featured more commonly in more recently published literature. Looking ahead, cryobanks should consider their priorities and records to ensure they are collecting samples with a meaningful use for future conservation efforts. Greater collaboration between cryobanks can aid in important sample acquisition and storage and in sharing cryopreservation priorities.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":75220,"journal":{"name":"Theriogenology wild","volume":"6 ","pages":"Article 100119"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143176024","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A case report: Documenting intrauterine single twin death in the European roe deer (Capreolus capreolus)","authors":"Sara Elsafadi ,&nbsp;Sandra Milena Bernal-Ulloa ,&nbsp;Reto Giacometti ,&nbsp;Frank Göritz ,&nbsp;Thomas Hildebrandt ,&nbsp;Susanne E. Ulbrich","doi":"10.1016/j.therwi.2025.100130","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.therwi.2025.100130","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This case report presents a rare occurrence of an intrauterine single twin demise in a captive European roe deer (<em>Capreolus capreolus</em>), representing to the best of our knowledge the first documented instance of this phenomenon in a wildlife species. Ultrasound examination of the reproductive organs of a twin-pregnant doe revealed that one twin was smaller and showed an absent heartbeat compared to the other twin. The viable twin displayed normal development and birth, while the dead twin exhibited signs of intrauterine fetal death. This phenomenon of single twin demise in an ungulate species known for its ability to undergo embryonic diapause highlights the importance of understanding reproductive anomalies in wildlife. Such findings enhance our knowledge of reproductive biology and have implications for wildlife conservation and captive breeding practices.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":75220,"journal":{"name":"Theriogenology wild","volume":"7 ","pages":"Article 100130"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144243470","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Altrenogest-supported term gestation complicated by dystocia in a species exhibiting obligate embryonic diapause, the red panda (Ailurus fulgens)","authors":"Erin Curry,&nbsp;Jessica Y. Heinz,&nbsp;Paul R. Reinhart,&nbsp;Julie L. Barnes","doi":"10.1016/j.therwi.2025.100139","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.therwi.2025.100139","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This case report documents the use of oral altrenogest (Regu-Mate®) to support pregnancy maintenance in a red panda (<em>Ailurus fulgens styani</em>) with a history of gestational loss. Red pandas exhibit embryonic diapause with variable gestation lengths, complicating pregnancy monitoring and intervention. The subject, a 10 y multiparous female, experienced a pregnancy loss associated with low fecal progesterone metabolite concentrations. A comprehensive reproductive examination including endometrial biopsy was performed to rule out pathology, and the female paired again for breeding the subsequent breeding season. Following pregnancy confirmation via ultrasonography, a daily oral regimen of altrenogest (0.088 mg/kg) was initiated and continued until one week before predicted parturition, based on ultrasonographic monitoring. The pregnancy progressed to term and the female exhibited behaviors consistent with impending parturition; however, she experienced a dystocia, and the deceased cub was manually extracted. The male cub was slightly heavier than reported stillbirth weights, but necropsy revealed no congenital abnormalities. This is the first documented use of exogenous progestin supplementation in a species with obligate embryonic diapause and variable gestation length. Although the outcome was not as hoped, this case underscores both the potential utility and the inherent risks of exogenous progestogen therapy in species with delayed implantation.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":75220,"journal":{"name":"Theriogenology wild","volume":"7 ","pages":"Article 100139"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145464863","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Improving reproductive technologies for the conservation of the European mink (Mustela lutreola)","authors":"Sonia Ariznavarreta-Alzu ,&nbsp;Carmen Aranda ,&nbsp;Adolfo Toledano-Díaz ,&nbsp;Rosario Velázquez ,&nbsp;Cristina Castaño ,&nbsp;Esther Alba ,&nbsp;Julián Santiago-Moreno","doi":"10.1016/j.therwi.2025.100137","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.therwi.2025.100137","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The European mink (<em>Mustela lutreola</em>) is the most endangered mammal in Europe. The limited success of its breeding under captive conditions highlights the need to develop appropriate assisted reproduction techniques. In this work, sperm was collected by post-mortem epididymal flushing, by transrectal massage, and by electroejaculation in males administered (or not) oxytocin (0.2 IU i.m.). Morphometric analysis of the sperm heads was performed, comparing spermatozoa retrieved from the cauda epididymides with those collected from ejaculates. Artificial insemination was performed in eight females, and faecal assays of dihydrotestosterone, progestagens and estrogens were carried out. Oxytocin administration improved (P &lt; 0.05) the electroejaculation process in terms of the time and number of electrical stimuli required (P &lt; 0.05); it also improved sperm motility (P &lt; 0.05). The heads of ejaculated sperm were larger than those of epididymal sperms (P &lt; 0.05). Endocrine analyses revealed pseudopregnancy in the inseminated females, possibly due to the use of hCG to induce ovulation. A delay in the timing of insemination relative to ovulation might explain why true pregnancy was not achieved. The present results show that faecal estrogens are a useful marker for determining the most suitable moment to perform artificial insemination. The administration of oxytocin is recommended to improve the electroejaculation procedure.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":75220,"journal":{"name":"Theriogenology wild","volume":"7 ","pages":"Article 100137"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145048197","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}