Baseline information about the reproductive physiology of an endangered species is vital to captive breeding programs. This study analyzed reproductive parameters from eleven captive Chacoan peccaries (Catagonus wagneri) (mean age: 10.5 ± 1.2 years old) in Paraguay. After immobilization, testis length, width and firmness (hard to flaccid, 1-3) were assessed, followed by electroejaculation and analysis of semen. Samples were examined for percentage and progressive motility, total cell count, percentage live spermatozoa and morphology. Mean (±SEM) testis volume and firmness were 24.7 ± 1.8 cm3 and 2.1 ± 0.1, respectively. Mean ejaculate volume was 2.9 ± 0.7 ml with a pH of 7.7 ± 0.3. Few male peccaries had motile spermatozoa (n = 5/9) with a mean percentage and progressive motility of 18.3 ± 8.5% and 0.6 ± 0.3, respectively. The mean percentage of live spermatozoa was 25.1 ± 5.6%. Male peccaries had a low percentage of normal spermatozoa (12.4 ± 2.5%). The mean total count of spermatozoa per ejaculate was also quite low at 1.58 ± 1.01 million total spermatozoa per ejaculate. Spermatozoa defects were predominantly primary (77.7%) with the most common spermatozoa defects being tapered head (19.0 ± 7.4%), diadem/crater (17.7 ± 2.8%), and excess residual cytoplasm (9.6 ± 2.5%). Male age was not correlated with semen parameters (percent live: r=-0.19; motility percentage: r = 0.01; percent normal spermatozoa: r = 0.38; total count: r = 0.29; p>0.05). Evaluation of additional males from this population as well as other captive populations at various time points during the year is warranted.
Keywords: Chacoan peccary; electroejaculation; semen; spermatozoa; testis.
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