Shimizu Ryosuke, Ota Kaori, Toda Kosuke, Yoshimoto Yuto, Sato Saori, Shimada Kazumi, Tanaka Ryo, Hamabe Lina, Nagaoka Kentaro, Yamamoto Yuki
Laboratory of Veterinary Physiology, Cooperative Department of Veterinary Medicine, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Tokyo, Japan.
Tama Zoological Park, Tokyo, Japan.
J Vet Med Sci. 2025 Aug 1;87(8):966-971. doi: 10.1292/jvms.25-0059. Epub 2025 Jun 18.
Understanding of relationship between physiological condition and testicular function in captive cheetahs would be beneficial for their successful breeding and conservation. This study investigated the states of germ cells and Sertoli cells in three captive cheetahs with different ages and health conditions using histological methods. The disarrangement of Sertoli cells and germ cells in seminiferous tubules was shown in all individuals. Many Sertoli cells detached from the basal membrane suggesting the decreased blood testis barrier. Spermatogenesis was observed in two cheetahs, whereas the number of elongated spermatids was lower than in domestic cats. One old cheetah with long-term health problem had no spermatids. These findings would be useful basic information for improving the reproduction of cheetahs in zoos.
了解圈养猎豹的生理状况与睾丸功能之间的关系，将有助于它们的成功繁殖和保护。本研究采用组织学方法，调查了三只年龄和健康状况不同的圈养猎豹的生殖细胞和支持细胞状态。所有个体的生精小管中均出现了支持细胞和生殖细胞的排列紊乱。许多支持细胞从基底膜脱离，提示血睾屏障功能下降。在两只猎豹中观察到了精子发生，但其长形精子细胞的数量低于家猫。一只患有长期健康问题的老年猎豹没有精子细胞。这些发现将为改善动物园中猎豹的繁殖提供有用的基础信息。
