Liquid and frozen storage of Asian elephant spermatozoa

Abstract

Modern reproductive management of captive wildlife populations involves the use of assisted reproductive technologies such as artificial insemination (AI) to produce offspring. AI is conducted to maximise genetic diversity in the captive population without the need to transport males between institutions. A prerequisite for this method of artificial breeding is the ability to collect and successfully store semen (in liquid or frozen form) from males to allow for the time necessary to transport semen across state and even international borders. To date there has been relatively little success in the storage of Asian elephant semen, limiting the use and benefits of AI in this species.

This project aims to develop diluents, processing, storage and collection methods for the improved survival of Asian elephant spermatozoa and subsequent use in artificial insemination programs. The results of these various studies are summarized and discussed including suggestions for the optimisation of existing, or development of novel, procedures to improve Asian elephant semen preservation techniques. Further suggestions are made for approaches to improve our understanding of the Asian elephant semen biology with the aim of helping the development of assisted breeding techniques to help in the preservation of genetic diversity of Asian elephants.