ISSN:
1040-452X
Keywords:
FSH
;
LH
;
Testosterone
;
Sperm morphology
;
Life and Medical Sciences
;
Cell & Developmental Biology
Source:
Wiley InterScience Backfile Collection 1832-2000
Topics:
Biology
Notes:
Electroejaculate traits and circulating follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), and testosterone concentrations were analyzed in adult leopard cats (Felis bengalensis), a rare felid species indigenous to east Asia. The ability of leopard cat sperm to bind and penetrate zona-free hamster ova and zonaintact domestic cat oocytes in vitro was examined as a means of testing sperm function. The influence of culture media [Biggers, Whitten, Whittingham (BWW) vs. modified Krebs Ringer bicarbonate (mKRB)], seminal plasma removal, and swim-up separation on sperm motility, sperm morphology, and oocyte penetration also were assessed. Sperm treatments included dilution of raw semen (DR), ejaculate centrifugation, and either resuspension (NS) or swim-up processing (SU). The percentage of oocytes penetrated (penetration rate) and the number of penetrated sperm/oocyte (penetration index) were determined. Ejaculates from each male consisted of at least a 50% sperm motility rating, and hormone concentrations in individual males were unrelated to any ejaculate trait measured concurrently on the same day. The SU technique improved (P 〈 0.05) percent sperm motility and the proportion of structurally normal sperm compared to DR and NS treatments. Leopard cat spermatozoa were capable of binding to and penetrating hamster ova and domestic cat oocytes; however, penetration was influenced by culture medium and seminal processing. In the hamster assay, a higher (P 〈 0.05) penetration rate and penetration index were achieved when mKRB was used for gamete incubation instead of BWW. NS processing also increased (P 〈 0.05) overall penetration compared to DR and SU. In the cat oocyte assay, zona penetration rate was similar (P 〈 0.05) in the DR, NS, and SU aliquots; however, the zona penetration index was increased (P 〈 0.05) by the NS compared to the DR and SU treatments. This study (1) provides baseline ejaculate and endocrine norms for the leopard cat, (2) demonstrates that leopard cat sperm undergo nuclear decondensation in hamster ova and penetrate zona-intact domestic cat oocytes, (3) indicates that seminal plasma removal enhances leopard cat sperm fertilizing ability and ovam penetration, and (4) suggests that heterologous oocyte penetration is effective for assessing factors influencing fertilization and sperm function in this nondomestic felid.
Additional Material:
2 Ill.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/mrd.1080260211
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