0532977 - ÚBO 2021 RIV CZ eng J - Journal Article
Piaček, V. - Zukal, Jan - Seidlová, V. - Heger, T. - Němcová, M. - Přibyl, M. - Vitula, F. - Pikula, J. … Total 10 authors
Fresh semen characteristics in captive accipitrid and falconid birds of prey.
Acta veterinaria Brno. Roč. 89, č. 3 (2020), s. 291-300. ISSN 0001-7213. E-ISSN 1801-7576
Institutional support: RVO:68081766
Keywords : raptors * ejaculate quality * artificial insemination * fertilization rate * endangered avian species conservation
OECD category: Ornithology
Impact factor: 0.667, year: 2020
Method of publishing: Open access
https://actavet.vfu.cz/media/pdf/actavet_2020089030291.pdf

Artificial insemination (AI) is the most frequently used assisted reproductive technique for captive propagation of rare avian species. As semen quality is critical for reproductive success, baseline data are needed for evaluating and selecting the best male bird donors. To this end, we used computer-assisted semen analysis to assess male eastern imperial eagles (n = 7), northern goshawks (n = 24) and peregrine falcons (n = 20). While imperial eagles and northern goshawks donate ejaculate voluntarily, peregrine falcons required cloacal massage. Eight peregrine falcon females were inseminated with semen from eight males, with fresh ejaculates (15 to 50 μl) applied to the pars uterina of the oviduct immediately after collection and examination. All females were inseminated within 2 h of laying an egg. A fertilization rate of 70% was achieved using this method. Minimum semen characteristics associated with egg fertilization included a semen concentration of 115.12 × 106/ml, 33.52% total motility, 1.92% spermatozoa with progressive motility and 0.17% with rapid motility. Comparative data on spermatozoa concentration and kinematics suggest that eastern imperial eagles concentrate on high quality semen investment at the start of the breeding season, northern goshawks compensate for a decrease in motility-associated parameters with increased semen concentration and peregrine falcons maintain semen production standards throughout the breeding season. Our data show that, in birds of prey, levels of egg fertilization following AI with fresh semen can be almost as successful as after natural mating.
Permanent Link: http://hdl.handle.net/11104/0311478