Motile Sperm Output by Male Cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus) Managed Ex Situ Is Influenced by Public Exposure and Number of Care-Givers

PloS One
Diana C KoesterA L Crosier

Abstract

The collective cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus) population in zoological institutions has never been self-sustaining because of challenges in natural reproduction. A retrospective analysis of North American zoo-breeding records has revealed that >90% of litters produced since 2003 occurred in facilities 'off-display' from the public. We examined seminal, endocrine, and behavioral traits of 29 adult male cheetahs that were: 1) managed in public exhibit or off-display facilities; 2) maintained by different numbers of cheetah-specific care-givers; and 3) living adjacent to varying numbers of adult conspecifics. Cheetahs housed off-display produced more total motile sperm/ejaculate (P = 0.04) than on-exhibit males. This finding was mirrored in our laboratory's historical records where two-fold more total motile sperm (P < 0.01) were measured in ejaculates from individuals with no public exposure (n = 43) compared to on-exhibit (n = 116) counterparts. Males at institutions with ≤3 care-givers also produced more total motile sperm/ejaculate (P < 0.03) and spent more time behaviorally active (P < 0.01) than at facilities using >3 care-givers. Exposure to high numbers of conspecifics within the same institution did not impact (P > 0.05) semi...Continue Reading

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Citations

Apr 20, 2016·Zoo Biology·Robert M Kirberger, Adrian S W Tordiffe
Mar 10, 2017·Trends in Endocrinology and Metabolism : TEM·Shannon Whirledge, John A Cidlowski
Dec 3, 2016·General and Comparative Endocrinology·Diana C KoesterAdrienne E Crosier
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Dec 1, 2021·Reproduction, Fertility, and Development·Morgan A MalyAdrienne E Crosier

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