Ejaculate Characteristics of Captive Malayan Tapirs (Tapirus indicus)

Authors

Wanlaya Tipkantha
Budhan Pukazhenthi
Boripat Siriaroonrat
Ampika Thongphakdee
Umaporn Maikaew
Warisara Thomas
Daraka Tongthainan
Jessada Thaeonoen
Sumate Kamolnorranath
Mitchell Bush
Sitthawee Thongtipsiridech

Abstract

The aims of this study were to optimize semen collection by electroejaculation and characterize ejaculatecharacteristics in Malayan tapir (Tapirus indicus). Eight adult males (4-20 years of age) were anesthetized using acombination of medetomidine HCl (0.012-0.018 mg/kg), butorphanol tartrate (0.012-0.018 mg/kg),and ketamine HCl(5-7 mg/kg) administered intramuscularly via a dart and subjected to electroejaculation. Ejaculates (milky-white toyellowish color) were successfully collected from all males. Averages (Mean±SD) of the seminal traits (volume, pH,osmolality, sperm concentration, total sperm motility, and viability) were 10.3±9.4 ml, 7.4±3.4, 278.6±13.3 mOsm,206.2±185.4x106 spermatozoa/ml , 24±15.4%, and 35.1±6.5%, respectively. Morphological analysis showed lowpercentage of normal spermatozoa 6.7±2.6 % with 39.2±8.5% intact acrosomes. This is the first study to evaluatesemen characteristics and sperm morphology in the Malayan tapirs. Results provide fundamental informationessential for development of assisted reproductive technologies in this species.

DOI

10.56808/2985-1130.2343

First Page

499

Last Page

508

Recommended Citation

Tipkantha, Wanlaya; Pukazhenthi, Budhan; Siriaroonrat, Boripat; Thongphakdee, Ampika; Maikaew, Umaporn; Thomas, Warisara; Tongthainan, Daraka; Thaeonoen, Jessada; Kamolnorranath, Sumate; Bush, Mitchell; and Thongtipsiridech, Sitthawee (2011) "Ejaculate Characteristics of Captive Malayan Tapirs (Tapirus indicus)," The Thai Journal of Veterinary Medicine: Vol. 41: Iss. 4, Article 15.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.56808/2985-1130.2343
Available at: https://digital.car.chula.ac.th/tjvm/vol41/iss4/15