Characterization and seminal cryopreservation of three species of birds of prey.

BACKGROUND

Assisted reproduction techniques in birds have contributed to many species' conservation and sustainable use. One of these techniques is semen cryopreservation, which is possible following the discovery of suitable cryoprotectants.

AIMS

This study aimed to characterize the fresh and post-thaw ejaculates of different species of birds of prey.

METHODS

The following species were included in the study: red-tailed hawk () n=3, golden eagle () n=3, and Harris's hawk () n=3. Twenty-five ejaculates were obtained for each species. The percentage of spermatozoa motility, viability, and morphology were evaluated.

RESULTS

Evident differences were observed among the ejaculates of the three species, particularly in sperm length and between the fresh and post-thaw parameters of the same species in which the motility reduced to approximately 40% after thawing. It was demonstrated that sperm cryopreservation of the studied species was possible using the same freezing protocol.

CONCLUSION

This study showed that sperm characteristics could influence the parameters obtained during their conservation, both in the fresh and post-thaw states.