Characterization of seminal parameters, sperm morphometry, micromorphology, and ultrastructure in gray brocket deer (Mazama gouazoubira, Fischer, 1814)

• Published in: Microscopy research and technique Vol. 84; no. 2; pp. 313 - 325
• Main Authors: Cunha, Duanny Murinelly de Souza, de Souza, Mírley Barbosa, Brito, Bruna Farias, Silva, Herlon Victor Rodrigues, Ribeiro, Leandro Rodrigues, Xavier Júnior, Francisco Antônio Félix, Evangelista, Janaina Serra Azul Monteiro, Pereira, Leda Maria Costa, Teixeira, Dárcio Ítalo Alves
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Hoboken, USA John Wiley & Sons, Inc 01-02-2021; Wiley Subscription Services, Inc
• Subjects: Abnormalities; Bowing; Centrioles; Cervidae; DAB; electron microscopy; Fibers; gamete; HOST; Integrity; Mazama gouazoubira; Membranes; Mitochondria; Morphology; Morphometry; Parameters; pH effects; Semen; Sheaths; Species extinction; Sperm; Transmission electron microscopy; Ultrastructure; Viability; wild animal; Cervidae; HOST; electron microscopy; DAB; wild animal; gamete
• ISSN: 1059-910X; 1097-0029
• DOI: 10.1002/jemt.23590

Populations of gray brocket deer (Mazama gouazoubira) are declining; yet, knowledge on the reproductive biology of this species remains limited. Therefore, this study aimed to describe morphology, viability, membrane integrity, mitochondrial activity, morphometry, micromorphology, and ultrastructure of the gray brocket deer sperm. Three adult male gray brocket deer were used in the study. Semen collection was performed using electroejaculation. Semen were analyzed by evaluating pH, motilities, vigor, mass movement, volume, concentration, viability, membrane integrity, mitochondrial activity, morphology, and morphometry. Micromorphology and ultrastructure of sperm were analyzed using scanning and transmission electron microscopy (SEM and TEM), respectively. There was no significant difference among males regarding on pH, motilities, vigor, mass movement, volume, concentration, viability. High values for membrane integrity, mitochondrial activity, and normal sperm were observed. The most frequent defects were simple bent tail and bowed midpiece. The head length, and width, midpiece, and tail length were 8.5, 4.4, 11.5, and 41.3 μm, respectively. SEM sperm showed paddle‐shaped heads, with apical ridge and serrated band on the equatorial segment. TEM revealed the nucleus, acrosome, plasma membrane, mitochondria sheath, proximal centrioles, segmented columns, axoneme, outer dense fibers, and fibrous sheath. SEM and TEM showed the presence of some abnormalities. These results are expected to provide baseline values of diverse semen parameters, contributing toward the development of reproductive biotechnologies for gray brocket deer and, other deer species at risk of extinction.
All males presented high kinetic parameters, viability, and membrane integrity.
All males had high mitochondria activity and animal 1 presented lower DAB 3.
Electron microscopy analysis revealed a paddle‐shaped head and 60 mitochondrial spirals.