Effect of different anesthetic protocols on erection, ejaculation and sperm parameters in red-rumped agoutis (Dasyprocta leporina) subjected to electroejaculation

• Published in: Theriogenology Wild (Online) Vol. 2; p. 100020
• Main Authors: Lima, Amara Gyane Alves de, Oliveira, Maria Gláucia Carlos de, de Oliveira Lima, Isabelle, Arcoverde, Kathryn Nóbrega, Campos, Lívia Batista, da Silva, Andreia Maria, de Souza Castelo, Thibério, de Oliveira, Moacir Franco, Silva, Alexandre Rodrigues, de Paula, Valéria Veras
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Inc 2023; Elsevier
• Subjects: Alpha2-agonizts; Epidural anesthesia; Ketamine; Rodents; Semen; Wildlife; Ketamine; Wildlife; Semen; Rodents; Epidural anesthesia; Alpha2-agonizts
• ISSN: 2773-093X; 2773-093X
• DOI: 10.1016/j.therwi.2023.100020

With the aim of contributing to the development of assisted reproduction for red-rumped agouti germplasm conservation, we compared different anesthetic protocols for electroejaculation in agoutis in terms of anesthetic parameters, functions of erection and ejaculation, and semen metrics. Ten sexually mature males underwent electroejaculation with 15-day intervals according to the following anesthetic protocols: Ketamine/xylazine, Ketamine/dexmedetomidine, Ketamine/xylazine/epidural anesthesia or Azaperone/meperidine/ketamine/xylazine plus epidural anesthesia. The following variables were evaluated: induction latency period, anesthetic recovery, and duration of epidural anesthesia. Regarding the reproductive variables, erection, the stimulation cycle in which ejaculation occurred, and the semen characteristics were observed. All the protocols were efficient for providing adequate induction of latency (ranging from 1.46 to 13.14 min) and recovery (average 2 h) periods. The use of a premedication did not influence the duration of epidural anesthesia (P<0.05). The administration of an azaperone/meperidine-based premedication prior to epidural anesthesia promoted an increase in the agouti erection process when compared to the other protocols (P < 0.05). All the protocols were efficient in stimulating ejaculation (100 %), even though most ejaculates were aspermic (85 %). The presence of sperm was only observed in 30 % of the animals anesthetized with ketamine/xylazine, 20 % with ketamine/dexmedetomidine, and 10 % with Ketamine/xylazine/epidural anesthesia. Ketamine/xylazine provided a lower volume (201.7±173.4 vs. 810.0±127.3 µL) and greater sperm concentration (270.0±200 vs. 25.0±15.0 × 106 sperm/mL) than Ketamine/dexmedetomidine (P < 0.05). In conclusion, we suggest the use of the standard anesthetic protocol based on the Ketamine/xylazine combination to obtain sperm in red-rumped agouti. The datasets used and/or analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.