de Jong C E, Jonsson N, Field H, Smith C, Crichton E G, Phillips N, Johnston S D
The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, 4072 Qld, Australia.
Theriogenology. 2005 Sep 15;64(5):1072-89. doi: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2005.02.016.
This study reports observations on the collection and characteristics of semen from free-range populations of flying fox in Brisbane, Australia. Semen was successfully recovered by electroejaculation from 107 of 115 wild flying foxes (Pteropus alecto, Pteropus poliocephalus and Pteropus scapulatus). A proportion of ejaculates collected from all three species contained seminal vesicle secretions, the incidence of which appeared related to breeding season. Ejaculate volume was small (5--160 microL), requiring a specialised collection vessel and immediate extension to avoid desiccation. Sperm morphological abnormalities and characteristics are described for the first time. In two species (P. scapulatus and P. alecto), sperm quality varied with breeding season. Dilution in Tris-citrate-fructose buffer and subsequent incubation (37 degrees C) of Pteropus semen for 2-3h appeared to have a negative impact on sperm motility and the percentage of sperm with intact plasma membranes and acrosomes and represents a concern for the potential development and use of assisted breeding technology in these species. Preliminary attempts to develop a short-term chilled preservation protocol for flying fox semen revealed that sperm viability (percentage motility and percentage live sperm with intact acrosomes) was significantly reduced after 102 h chilled storage at 5 degrees C; nevertheless, approximately 40% of the spermatozoa were still motile and contained intact acrosomes. Glycerol was neither protective nor detrimental to sperm survival during chilled storage. Microbial flora of the prepuce, urethra and semen of all species were isolated and their antibiotic susceptibility tested. Tetracycline, penicillin, ciprofloxacin, and ceftazidime were the most effective antibiotics in preventing growth of all identified bacteria; however, their effects on sperm survival were not investigated.
本研究报告了对澳大利亚布里斯班自由放养的狐蝠群体精液的采集及特征的观察结果。通过电刺激采精法，成功从115只野生狐蝠（黑首狐蝠、灰头狐蝠和小耳狐蝠）中的107只采集到了精液。从这三个物种采集的部分射精样本中含有精囊分泌物，其出现频率似乎与繁殖季节有关。射精量较少（5 - 160微升），需要使用专门的采集容器并立即进行稀释以避免干燥。首次描述了精子的形态异常及特征。在两个物种（小耳狐蝠和黑首狐蝠）中，精子质量随繁殖季节而变化。狐蝠精液在柠檬酸 - 果糖 - 三羟甲基氨基甲烷缓冲液中稀释并随后在37摄氏度下孵育2 - 3小时，似乎对精子活力以及具有完整质膜和顶体的精子百分比有负面影响，这对这些物种辅助繁殖技术的潜在开发和应用构成了一个问题。为狐蝠精液制定短期冷藏保存方案的初步尝试表明，在5摄氏度下冷藏保存102小时后，精子活力（活力百分比和具有完整顶体的活精子百分比）显著降低；然而，仍有约40%的精子具有活力且顶体完整。甘油在冷藏保存期间对精子存活既无保护作用也无损害作用。对所有物种的包皮、尿道和精液中的微生物菌群进行了分离，并测试了它们的抗生素敏感性。四环素、青霉素、环丙沙星和头孢他啶是预防所有已鉴定细菌生长最有效的抗生素；然而，未研究它们对精子存活的影响。
