Estrus Cycle Monitoring in Wild Mammals: Challenges and Perspectives

The knowledge of reproductive physiology is of paramount importance to guide reproductive management and to make possible future application of assisted reproduction techniques (ARTs) aiming ex situ conservation of wild mammals. Nevertheless, information on the basic reproductive aspects of wild mammals remain scarce, and appropriate management practices have not yet been developed for all the species. This chapter discusses the methods most currently used for reproductive monitoring in wild females. Additionally, the difficulties regarding their use in different species and the possibilities of these procedures in captivity or in free-living mammals are addressed

Objective assessment of the cryoprotective effects of dimethylformamide for freezing goat semen

AbstractThe aim of this work was to assess the cryoprotective effects of dimethylformamide (DMF) for freezing goat semen, using an objective analysis by computer-assisted sperm analysis (CASA). Twenty-one ejaculates (seven per animal) were collected from three stud bucks with the aid of an artificial vagina and immediately evaluated for gross and microscopic characteristics. The semen was diluted in two steps with a Tris–egg yolk extender containing 6% glycerol or 6% DMF, frozen in 0.50-mL straws, and stored in liquid nitrogen. Samples were accessed for sperm morphology, sperm membrane structural and functional integrity, and by CASA, immediately after thawing. There were differences (P<0.05) between glycerol and DMF with regard to subjective progressive motility (23.9±2.2% vs. 16.6±2.0%), objective progressive motility (3.5±0.4% vs. 1.8±0.3%), linearity (53.9±1.6% vs. 48.1±1.4%) and amplitude of lateral head (2.3±0.1 vs. 2.9±0.1mm), which confirmed the efficiency of glycerol. In conclusion, dimethylformamide could be used as an alternative cryoprotectant for goat semen freezing. However it was showed that no benefits were derived by using dimethylformamide to replace glycerol at an equal 6% concentration

Monitoramento do ciclo estral de cutias (Dasyprocta leporina Lichtenstein, 1823) através de citologia esfoliativa vaginal e ultrassonografia

O objetivo deste estudo foi monitorar o ciclo estral em cutias (Dasyprocta leporina) criadas em cativeiro no semi&#225;rido brasileiro. Durante 70 dias, cinco cutias foram diariamente submetidas a citologia esfoliativa vaginal, e o monitoramento ultrassonogr&#225;fico ovariano foi realizado a cada tr&#234;s dias. Um total de 8 ciclos estrais foi completamente monitorado, com dura&#231;&#227;o de 28,2&#177;0,7 dias, variando de 24 a 31 dias. Pela citologia esfoliativa vaginal, houve uma predomin&#226;ncia de c&#233;lulas superficiais nas fases de proestro e estro (P<0,05), seguida da predomin&#226;ncia de c&#233;lulas intermedi&#225;rias no metaestro (P<0,05) e de c&#233;lulas parabasais no diestro (P<0,05). Por ultrassonografia, n&#227;o houve diferen&#231;as na morfologia ovariana durante as diferentes fases do ciclo estral (P>0,05). Os fol&#237;culos foram identificados durante as fases estrog&#234;nicas (proestro e estro), com di&#226;metro m&#233;dio de 1&#177;0,5mm. Em apenas 12,5% das fases luteais, corpos l&#250;teos medindo 1,4&#177;0,9mm foram identificados. Conclui-se que a associa&#231;&#227;o da citologia vaginal e da ultrassonografia ovariana constitui uma alternativa vi&#225;vel para o monitoramento de ciclos estrais e identifica&#231;&#227;o das fases estrog&#234;nicas em cutias da esp&#233;cie Dasyprocta leporin

Estrus cycle monitoring of captive collared peccaries (Pecari tajacu) in semiarid conditions

Collared peccaries (Peccary tajacu) are among the most hunted species in Latin America due the appreciation of their pelt and meat. In order to optimize breeding management of captive born collared peccaries in semiarid conditions, the objective was to describe and correlate the changes in the ovarian ultrasonographic pattern, hormonal profile, vulvar appearance, and vaginal cytology during the estrus cycle in this species. During 45 days, females (n=4) were subjected each three days to blood collection destined to hormonal dosage by enzyme immunoassay (EIA). In the same occasions, evaluation of external genitalia, ovarian ultrasonography and vaginal cytology were conducted. Results are presented as means and standard deviations. According to hormonal dosage, six estrous cycles were identified as lasting 21.0 ± 5.7 days, being on average 6 days for the estrogenic phase and 15 days for the progesterone phase. Estrogen presented mean peak values of 55.6 ± 20.5 pg/mL. During the luteal phase, the high values for progesterone were 35.3 ± 4.4 ng/mL. The presence of vaginal mucus, a reddish vaginal mucosa and the separation of the vulvar lips were verified in all animals during the estrogenic peak. Through ultrasonography, ovarian follicles measuring 0.2±0.1 cm were visualized during the estrogen peak. Corpora lutea presented hyperechoic regions measuring 0.4±0.2 cm identified during luteal phase. No significant differences (P>0.05) between proportions of vaginal epithelial cells were identified when comparing estrogenic and progesterone phases. In conclusion, female collared peccaries, captive born in semiarid conditions, have an estral cycle that lasts 21.0±5.7 days, with estrous signs characterized by vulvar lips edema and hyperemic vaginal mucosa, coinciding with developed follicles and high estrogen levels