Use of the ACP® and BTS extenders for cooling at 15°C white-lipped peccary (Tayassu pecari) semen1

Abstract

Knowledge about reproduction of white-lipped peccary is of great importance to assist with the conservation of this species and enable its rational use in captivity. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of ACP-103®, ACP-116® and BTS semen extenders on sperm viability during cooling of Tayassu pecari semen. Five ejaculates from four adult males were chilled. The animals were submitted to the protocols of sedation and anesthesia for semen collection by the electroejaculation method. After collection, the semen was macro- and microscopically assessed and diluted to reach 35x106 spermatozoa/mL in each of the three different extenders tested. The fresh-extended semen was packed in a BotuFLEX® thermal box to keep samples at 15°C for 24 hours. After cooling, the following semen parameters were analyzed: sperm motility, functional and structural integrity of sperm membranes, mitochondrial activity, chromatin condensation, and the thermoresistance test was performed. The parameters sperm motility, structural and functional integrity of sperm membranes, mitochondrial activity, and chromatin condensation were preserved after use of the extenders tested, and were similar to those of in natura semen (p>0.05). Curvilinear velocity (VCL) (p<0.05) was the only parameter with reduced values after cooling regardless of the extender used. The percentage of sperm with normal morphology was greater in samples cooled using the BTS extender (p<0.05). The ACP-103®, ACP-116® and BTS extenders can be used for the cooling and preservation of white-lipped peccary semen at 15°C for 24 hours.