We evaluated the effects of detergents based on sodium dodecyl sulfoxide (SDS) on the functional parameters of collared peccary frozen–thawed sperm. Semen aliquots from ten individuals were diluted in a Tris–egg yolk–glycerol extender alone or with 0.5% Equex STM^® paste or SDS (at 0.1%, 0.3% or 0.5% (v/v) concentration). Samples were fast frozen in liquid nitrogen with a post-thaw evaluation of motility, membrane functionality and integrity, mitochondrial activity, sperm binding ability and thermal resistance. The treatments without SDS (41.8 ± 3.5%) and those containing Equex (41.8 ± 4.4%) or 0.1% SDS (41.2 ± 5.5%) provided greater sperm motility (p < 0.05) than those containing SDS 0.3% (30.5 ± 4.7%) and 0.5% (31.2 ± 6.3%). Immediately after thawing, only treatments containing 0.1% SDS effectively preserved sperm straightness (STR) when compared to the negative control. All treatments preserved the amplitude of lateral head (ALH) and straightness (STR) during a thermal resistance test (p > 0.05), but SDS 0.5% impaired the membrane functionality and mitochondrial activity after thawing (p < 0.05). All treatments provided a similar recovery of sperm binding ability after thawing (p < 0.05). Our results showed that the addition of 0.1% SDS to the Tris–yolk–glycerol extender optimized the freeze–thaw recovery of peccary semen.

We verified the possibility of cooling peccary semen for 4, 24, and 48 h before cryopreservation, using different dilution media (TRIS + egg yolk (20%) and PRIMXcell Ultra). Ten ejaculates were divided equally into six aliquots and then diluted. Two aliquots were stored in a biological incubator (4 h), and the remaining aliquots were stored in a commercial container, the Botutainer^® (24 and 48 h), both at 5 °C. The samples were cryopreserved and then evaluated for kinetic parameters, functionality, integrity, mitochondrial activity, morphology, and sperm binding capacity. After thawing, samples diluted in TRIS showed total motility of 43.4 ± 6.8%, 48.4 ± 6.2%, and 38.6 ± 5.0% after cooling for 4, 24, and 48 h before cryopreservation, respectively. Such results are significantly greater than those achieved with the use of PRIMXcell diluent for 4 (8.3 ± 2.8%), 24 (4.7 ± 1.4%), and 48 h (4.8 ± 2.9%) storage (p < 0.05). Furthermore, TRIS provided better preservation of sperm membrane integrity when samples were cooled for 24 h (44.5 ± 4.7%) before cryopreservation compared to those samples diluted in PRIMXcell Ultra stored for 24 (25.7 ± 4.0%) and 48 h (25.2 ± 4.0%) before freezing (p < 0.05). In summary, we suggest TRIS diluent + egg yolk (20%) as an effective option to allow semen to cool for 24 or 48 h in a transport container before cryopreservation.

The objectives of the study were to (1) describe the kinematic parameters of spermatozoa (2) compare methods of evaluating sperm viability (3) validate assays of functionality and integrity of the sperm membrane and (4) evaluate possible changes between spermatozoa from the epididymis and the vas deferens of the greater rhea. Semen samples were recovered from 7 adult individuals. Sperm motility was characterized by adjusting the set-up for Computer-assisted semen analysis (CASA) to that new species. For sperm viability evaluation, smears of bromophenol blue and eosin-nigrosine dyes were used. Five solutions of different osmolarities were then tested for the hypoosmotic swelling test (HOST). The combination of fluorescent probes (propidium iodide - IP and Hoechst 33342) was also used to assess plasma membrane integrity. Data were presented as mean ± SEM. Rhea spermatozoa from the vas deferens had an overall motility of 14.6 ± 2.5%. The bromophenol blue staining technique revealed that 64.6 ± 5.2% sperm were viable, while that proportion was 72.1 ± 2.5% using eosin-nigrosine. An average of 77.6 ± 4.8% of spermatozoa reacted to the HOST with distilled water at 0 mOsm/l. Fluorescent probes indicated that 65.3 ± 2.6% of spermatozoa had intact membranes. Interestingly, no statistical differences were observed between the parameters analyzed in the epididymal spermatozoa and the vas deferens. These new assays set reference values that can now be used to further exploration of sperm handling conditions and freezing protocols in rheas.

This study aimed to characterize the ocular biometry of the Trichechus manatus manatus applying B‐mode ultrasonography across different age groups. Twenty‐two animals were assessed employing a portable ultrasound device equipped with a linear transducer. Five ocular parameters were assessed: corneal thickness (CT), anterior chamber depth (ACD), axial lens length (ALL), vitreous chamber depth (VCD), and axial globe length (AGL). Data were statistically analyzed at a 5% significance level based on normality and variance. The mean values (cm) for the right eye of calves, juveniles, and adults were, respectively, CT (0.082 ± 0.012; 0.088 ± 0.011; 0.091 ± 0.010), ACD (0.040 ± 0.005; 0.051 ± 0.008; 0.052 ± 0.007), ALL (0.345 ± 0.028; 0.367 ± 0.016; 0.414 ± 0.020), VCD (1.137 ± 0.076; 1.155 ± 0.062; 1.161 ± 0.089), and AGL (1.606 ± 0.098; 1.663 ± 0.071; 1.720 ± 0.094). Values for the left eye were CT (0.082 ± 0.012; 0.088 ± 0.012; 0.087 ± 0.011), ACD (0.041 ± 0.008; 0.048 ± 0.006; 0.052 ± 0.007), ALL (0.345 ± 0.028; 0.381 ± 0.027; 0.411 ± 0.025), VCD (1.147 ± 0.076; 1.174 ± 0.045; 1.166 ± 0.086), and AGL (1.617 ± 0.086; 1.693 ± 0.062; 1.717 ± 0.095). CT, VCD, and AGL were similar across age groups, while ACD and ALL increased with age. Positive correlations between body length and ocular parameters were significant only in calves. Ocular ultrasonography is, thus, an effective, safe, and reproducible tool for ophthalmic evaluations in T. m. manatus .