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Semen Collection, Cat 1161.e1

Semen Collection, Cat
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degeneration of sperm after it is outside
Difficulty level: ♦♦
the body. ○ Electroejaculation is performed using
a rectal probe 1 cm in diameter and
Synonym 12-13 cm long. Lubricate the rectal probe
Sperm collection Possible Complications and with nonspermicidal lubricant.
Common Errors to Avoid ○ Insert the probe gently into the rectum
Overview and Goals • Chemical ejaculation/urethral catheterization approximately 5-7 cm, pointing the
To safely collect an uncontaminated sample of ○ Do not advance the catheter further than electrodes ventrally.
semen from a male cat 9 cm into the urethra because you will ○ Extend the penis manually to clean with
enter the bladder and the sample will be gauze moistened with saline.
Indications contaminated. ○ Dry the penis.
• Artificial insemination ○ Do not try to pull the sample backward ○ Place a sterile Eppendorf tube at the tip Procedures and Techniques
○ Natural mating is impossible due to with a syringe from the catheter; it may of the penis; do not allow the tip of the
anatomic, physiologic, or behavioral reduce the collected sample size. penis to touch the tube.
problems • Artificial vagina ○ Before turning on the electroejaculator
○ Geographic restrictions ○ This collection method is not practical in make sure the amplitude is at zero.
• Diagnostic purposes the clinical situation because the tomcat ○ Turn on the electroejaculator.
• Research needs to be trained, and in most cases, the ○ Administer a series of electrical stimuli
• Cryopreservation to retain genetic variation presence of a queen in heat is necessary. by turning the dial to the desired voltage
in many breeds of cats ○ Not all male cats allow this procedure. for 2-3 seconds and then abruptly back
• To prevent extinction of exotic and endan- • Electroejaculation to zero for 2-3 seconds.
gered feline species ○ Location of the probe is monitored ○ The following recommendations have been
throughout the entire collection to prevent previously published by Johnson (2010)
Contraindications undue stress. for applied stimulus for semen collection
• Any male cat with ○ Can be considered ethically questionable in the cat:
○ The inability to handle general anesthesia/ and is therefore prohibited in several ■ Set one: 10 times with 2 volts, 10 times
sedation due to age or disease countries with 3 volts, 10 times with 4 volts, rest
○ Sexually transmitted diseases ○ The required equipment is expensive. for 3-5 minutes.
○ Hereditable disorders such as ■ Set two: 10 times with 3 volts, 10 times
Deafness Procedure with 4 volts, 10 times with 5 volts, rest
■
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy • Chemical ejaculation/urethral catheterization for 3-5 minutes.
■
Manx syndrome ○ Tomcats are intramuscularly injected with Set three: 10 times with 4 volts, 10
■ ■
Polycystic kidney disease medetomidine (130-140 mcg/kg of body times with 5 volts, 10 times with 5
■
Amyloidosis weight). volts (or 6 if needed, depending on
■
○ After the pharmacologic effect is obtained, previous response).
Equipment, Anesthesia a modified, open-ended, 3.5-Fr tomcat ○ The sample obtained between each elec-
• Sedation or general anesthesia may be catheter is passed 9 cm into the urethra troejaculation set should be evaluated for
required, depending on the method used. and then simply removed. the presence of sperm.
• Electroejaculator with feline size–specific ○ After the catheter is removed, attach a
rectal probe or artificial vagina or tomcat syringe that already has air drawn up into Postprocedure
catheter, depending on the method used it to allow the sample to be forced out • Administer anesthetic reversal agent, as
• Sterile Eppendorf tube to collect semen into a microcentrifuge tube for further appropriate, immediately after the procedure.
into processing. • After the collection and evaluation of semen,
• Nonspermicidal lubricant • Artificial vagina depending on proposed use:
○ Tomcat must be trained to use an artificial ○ Fresh semen should be inseminated as
Anticipated Time vagina. soon as possible.
• Chemical ejaculation/urethral catheterization ○ Training is best performed with gentle ○ Chilled semen can be extended and stored
○ Will depend on tomcat’s response to drug handling in the presence of an estrous for several days at 4°C -5°C.
induction; may take seconds but can take female in familiar surroundings. ○ Frozen semen can be extended and
up to 10 minutes ○ Once trained, the male is allowed to cryopreserved at −196°C indefinitely.
• Artificial vagina mount a queen, and the artificial vagina
○ Most males can be adequately trained to is held in place over the penis to facilitate Alternatives and Their Relative
the artificial vagina in 2-3 weeks. and collect the ejaculate. Merits
• Electroejaculation ○ Construction of the artificial vagina • Epididymal collection
○ Will depend on tomcat’s response to drug consists of a 2-mL rubber bulb-pipette • Testicular biopsy
induction; may take seconds but can take and a small Eppendorf test tube placed • Vaginal lavage postcoital queen
up to 10 minutes in a water bottle at 37°C.
• Electroejaculation Pearls
Preparation: Important ○ THE TOMCAT MUST BE ANESTHE- • The artificial vagina is easily made from a
Checkpoints TIZED. 2-mL rubber bulb for a Pasteur pipette and
It is important to make sure that all the ■ Suggested anesthesia protocol includes an Eppendorf tube.
media, semen, and collection equipment dexmedetomidine (30-40 mcg/kg) ○ To keep the sample at the accurate
are prepared to receive the sample before and ketamine (3-5 mg/kg) injected temperature, place the Eppendorf tube
starting the collection due to the rapid intramuscularly. in a water bottle at 37°C.

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