Comparison Of Semen Extenders And Cryoprotectants In An Asian Elephant (Elephas Maximus)

Date of Graduation

Spring 2001

Degree

Master of Natural and Applied Science in Biology

Department

Biology

Committee Chair

Dennis Schmitt

Abstract

Human encroachment is partially responsible for Asian and African elephants becoming endangered species, and now mankind is working to increase the number of elephants. Artificial insemination with fresh extended semen has proved to be a useful method in producing offspring. However, the use of frozen semen would tremendously increase the convenience of insemination. Therefore, this study was designed to test the effects of two cryoprotectants (DMSO and glycerol at 8%) and three buffers (TEST, HEPES, and TRIS) in 20% egg-yolk extender on the post-thaw viability of Asian elephant (Elephas maximus) semen as measured by acrosome integrity, normal morphology, and progressive motility. DMSO was the better cryoprotectant, however, progressive motility percentages were below acceptable levels utilized in domestic species. There was a variable interaction between cryoprotectant and buffer, but there was not a specific combination that exhibited the best cryoprotection for all responses in this study.

Subject Categories

Biology

Copyright

© Heather Hedrick

Citation-only

Open Access

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