Potential of Cat (Felis Catus) Sperm Collected from Preserved Testes as a Model for Feline
Karisma Mardatillah (a), Rini Widyastuti (a,b), Diah Nugrahani Pristihadi (a), Gunawan (c), Sigit Prastowo (d), Wahyudin (a), Boediono (a*)

(a) Departement of Anatomy, Physiology, and Pharmacology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, IPB University, Jl. Agatis Dramaga Bogor, West Java, Indonesia 16680, Indonesia
*ab[at]apps.ipb.ac.id
(b)Laboratory of Animal Reproduction and Artificial Insemination,Departement of Animal Production, Animal Husbandry Faculty, Universitas Padjadjaran, Jl. Raya Bandung Sumedang Km.21 Jatinangor Sumedang, West Java 45363, Indonesia
(c) Department of Animal Production and Technology, Faculty of Animal Science,IPB University, Bogor, West java, Indonesia
(d) Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Universitas Sebelas Maret, Surakarta, Indonesia

Abstract

This research aimed was to determine the potential of spermatozoa from the domestic cat as a gamete source for in vitro embryo production as an animal model for a feline. The testes were collected from domestic cats during the sterilization procedures in a veterinary clinic and preserved for 72 hours at 4 degree celcius. The results showed that no difference was observed for testicular weight, epididymis weight, sperm count/individual, and sperm count/testis between right and left testis. There was no correlation between testis weight and epididymal sperm counts in this present study. Furthermore, the sperm motility, sperm viability, membrane sperm integrity, and sperm with normal morphology of fresh domestic cat in this study were 77.77%, 81.31%, 87.53%, 68.66%, respectively. Interestingly, during preservation at 4 degree celcius, generally the sperm epididymal motility and viability decreased according to preservation time. The percentage of sperm motility and viability significantly reduced about 50% in 72 hours of preservation compared to 5 hours preservation (75.5% vs 35.83% and 80.12% vs 33.13%). It can be concluded that cat sperm still have adequate motility and viability after preserved for 72 hours at 4 degree celcius so can be used as a sperm source for in vitro embryo production

Keywords: preservation, sperm, motility, viability

Topic: Veterinary Anatomy, Physiology, Pharmacology