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Cryopreservation of spermatozoa from black-and-gold howler monkeys (Alouatta caraya) using egg yolk-based or soy lecithin-based extenders

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Abstract

There are more than 200 species and subspecies of Neotropical Primates of which more than 40% are listed as threatened by the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Both in situ and ex situ conservation programs can benefit from the use of assisted reproductive technologies. The objective of this study was to evaluate, for the first time, cryopreservation techniques for Alouatta caraya semen. Semen samples were collected from five adult males, analyzed, and frozen in either Test-egg yolk or Test-soy lecithin-based extenders containing either 3 or 4% glycerol. Frozen-thawed samples were analyzed at 10, 40, and 80 min post-thaw. Egg yolk-based extenders were overall better than soy lecithin-based extenders. There was no significant difference between 3 and 4% glycerol in any of the parameters analyzed, however, 4% glycerol in egg yolk-based extender produced more favorable results for total motility, intact plasma membrane, lipid peroxidation, and DNA fragmentation index. This study brought novel information on semen characteristics and cryopreservation aspects for A. caraya, which can help shape future experiments to improve the outcome of frozen-thawed sperm for this and other species of Neotropical primates.

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Data availability

The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.

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Acknowledgements

We would like to thank São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP) for the financial support and Lagoa da Serra for transportation of samples from Pará to São Paulo. All animal procedures were pre-approved by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (“Comissão de Ética e Bem-estar Animal”) of São Paulo State University (Protocol # 019174/09) and adhered to local laws (IBAMA license number 30086-1) and ethical guidelines.

Funding

This research was funded by São Paulo Research Foundation—FAPESP (grant number 2009/12906–9).

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Author notes

  1. Fernanda Carvalho Burch

    Present address: Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Beaverton, OR, USA

Authors and Affiliations

  1. College of Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences, São Paulo State University, Jaboticabal, São Paulo, Brazil

    Fernanda Carvalho Burch & José Maurício Barbanti Duarte

  2. College of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil

    Marcílio Nichi, Camilla Mota Mendes & Mayra Elena Ortiz D’Avila Assumpção

  3. Paulista University, São Paulo, Brazil

    Rodrigo del Rio do Valle

  4. Instituto Ecoema, Peruíbe, São Paulo, Brazil

    Rodrigo del Rio do Valle

Authors
  1. Fernanda Carvalho Burch
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  2. Marcílio Nichi
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  3. Camilla Mota Mendes
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  4. Mayra Elena Ortiz D’Avila Assumpção
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  5. José Maurício Barbanti Duarte
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Contributions

Fernanda C. Burch: Conceptualization, Methodology, Investigation, Writing—original draft. Marcílio Nichi: Conceptualization, Methodology, Investigation, Statistics, Writing —review and editing. Camilla M. Mendes: Methodology, Investigation, Writing—review & editing. Mayra E. O. D. Assumpcao: Supervision. José M. B. Duarte: Funding acquisition, Conceptualization, Writing—review & editing, Supervision. Rodrigo R. Valle: Conceptualization, Methodology, Writing—review & editing, Supervision.

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Correspondence to Fernanda Carvalho Burch.

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Burch, F.C., Nichi, M., Mendes, C.M. et al. Cryopreservation of spermatozoa from black-and-gold howler monkeys (Alouatta caraya) using egg yolk-based or soy lecithin-based extenders. Primates (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10329-024-01136-6

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