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Heterologous in vitro fertilization and embryo production for assessment of jaguar (Panthera onca Linnaeus, 1758) frozen-thawed semen in different extenders

Abstract

Heterologous in vitro fertilization (IVF) is an important tool for assessing fertility of endangered mammals such as the jaguar, considering difficult access to females for artificial insemination and to obtain homologous oocytes. We aimed to evaluate the fertility of jaguar sperm cryopreserved with different extenders, using domestic cat oocytes to assess the development of hybrid embryos. Semen from four captive jaguars was obtained by electroejaculation. Samples were cryopreserved in powdered coconut water (ACP-117c) or Tris extender containing 20% egg yolk and 6% glycerol. Thawed spermatozoa were resuspended (2.0 × 106 spermatozoa/mL) in IVF medium and co-incubated with cat oocytes matured in vitro for 18 h. Presumptive zygotes were cultured for 7 days. After 48 h, cleavage rate was evaluated, and non-cleaved structures were stained for IVF evaluation. On days 5 and 7, the rate of morula and blastocyst formation was assessed. Data were analyzed using the Fisher exact test (p < 0.05). No difference was observed between ACP-117c and Tris extenders, respectively, for oocytes with 2nd polar body (2/51, 3.9 ± 2.9% vs. 2/56, 3.6 ± 3.1%), pronuclear structures (5/51, 9.8 ± 4.7% vs. 8/56, 14.3 ± 8.0%), and total IVF rates (7/36, 19.4 ± 5.0% vs. 10/37, 27.0 ± 13.8%). All the samples fertilized the oocytes, with 22.9 ± 3.2% (16/70) and 16.7 ± 3.6% (12/72) cleavage of mature oocytes for ACP-117c and Tris extenders, respectively. Morula rates of 4.3 ± 2.3% (3/70) and 5.6 ± 2.2% (4/72) were observed for ACP-117c and Tris, respectively. Only the Tris extender demonstrated blastocyst production (2/12, 16.7 ± 1.5% blastocyst/cleavage). We demonstrated that jaguar ejaculates cryopreserved using ACP-117c and Tris were suitable for IVF techniques, with blastocyst production by ejaculates cryopreserved in Tris. This is a first report of embryos produced in vitro using jaguar sperm and domestic cat oocytes through IVF.

Keywords:
big cat; biobanks; semen cryopreservation; in vitro interspecific embryo production

Introduction

The capacity to fertilize oocytes is one of the main indicators of sperm competence. Thus, in vitro fertilization (IVF) represents an important tool for predicting animal in vitro fertility (Pope et al., 2006Pope CE, Gomez MC, Dresser BL. In vitro embryo production and embryo transfer in domestic and non-domestic cats. Theriogenology. 2006;66(6-7):1518-24. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.theriogenology.2006.01.026. PMid:16497369.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.theriogenolo...
). Nevertheless, for wild species, it is very difficult to obtain female gametes, mainly due to low availability of animals and lack of knowledge about the reproductive physiology of the female (Johnston et al., 1991Johnston LA, Donoghue AM, O’Brien SJ, Wildt DE. Rescue and maturation in vitro of follicular oocytes collected from nondomestic felid species. Biol Reprod. 1991;45(6):898-6. http://dx.doi.org/10.1095/biolreprod45.6.898. PMid:1805993.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1095/biolreprod45.6...
). For this reason, heterologous IVF using oocytes of domestic species can be used for the development of semen-processing protocols in wild mammals (Stoops et al., 2007Stoops MA, Bond JB, Bateman HL, Campbell MK, Levens GP, Bowsher TR, Ferrell ST, Swanson WF. Comparison of different sperm cryopreservation procedures on post-thaw quality and heterologous in vitro fertilization success in the ocelot (Leopardus pardalis). Reprod Fertil Dev. 2007;19(5):685-94. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/RD06078. PMid:17601417.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/RD06078...
; Amstislavsky et al., 2018Amstislavsky S, Brusentsev E, Kizilova E, Mokrousova V, Kozhevnikova V, Abramova T, Rozhkova I, Naidenko S. Sperm cryopreservation in the Far‐Eastern wildcat (Prionailurus bengalensis euptilurus). Reprod Domest Anim. 2018;53(5):1219-26. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/rda.13230. PMid:29968363.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/rda.13230...
), such as the jaguar (Panthera onca Linnaeus, 1758).

The jaguar is considered the third largest felid in the world and plays an important ecological role in the ecosystems it inhabits (Gutiérrez-González and López-González, 2017Gutiérrez-González CE, López-González CA. Jaguar interactions with pumas and prey at the northern edge of jaguars’ range. PeerJ. 2017;5:e2886. http://dx.doi.org/10.7717/peerj.2886. PMid:28133569.
http://dx.doi.org/10.7717/peerj.2886...
). This carnivore is classified as a near-threatened species according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List (Quigley et al., 2017Quigley H, Foster R, Petracca L, Payan E, Salom R, Harmsen B. Panthera onca (errata version published in 2018). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2017:e.T15953A123791436. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-3.RLTS.T15953A50658693.en.
https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-...
). Moreover, in the Cerrado biome, the jaguar is classified as endangered, and in the Caatinga and Atlantic Forest biomes, it is critically endangered (Morato et al., 2013Morato RG, Beisiegel BM, Ramalho EE, Campos CB, Boulhosa RLP. Avaliação do risco de extinção da onça-pintada Panthera onca (Linnaeus, 1758) no Brasil. Biodivers. Bras. 2013;1:122-32.). Nevertheless, its population continues to decrease due to constant threat caused by habitat loss, forest fires and hunting for the illegal trade (Romero‐Muñoz et al., 2018Romero‐Muñoz A, Torres R, Noss AJ, Giordano AJ, Quiroga V, Thompson JJ, Baumann M, Altrichter M, McBride R Jr, Velilla M, Arispe R, Kuemmerle T. Habitat loss and overhunting synergistically drive the extirpation of jaguars from the Gran Chaco. Divers Distrib. 2018;25(2):176-90. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/ddi.12843.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/ddi.12843...
; Barlow et al., 2020Barlow J, Berenguer E, Carmenta R, França F. Clarifying Amazonia’s burning crisis. Glob Chang Biol. 2020;26(2):319-21. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/gcb.14872. PMid:31729092.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/gcb.14872...
). Thus, strategies for conservation of this species in the view One Conservation concept are necessary, which consist of the interconnection among ex-situ and in-situ plans, anthropic actions, and research in conservation areas (Pizzutto et al., 2021Pizzutto CS, Colbachini H, Jorge-Neto PN. One Conservation: the integrated view of biodiversity conservation. Anim Reprod. 2021;18(2):e20210024. http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/1984-3143-ar2021-0024. PMid:34122656.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/1984-3143-ar20...
). Among the ex-situ strategies, the cryopreservation of semen is widely used for the applications of in vivo and in vitro reproductive biotechnologies (Araujo et al., 2020Araujo GR, Deco-Souza T, Bergo LCF, Silva LC, Morato RG, Jorge-Neto PN, Silva MCC, Macedo GG, Paula TAR. Field friendly method for wild feline semen cryopreservation. J Threat Taxa. 2020;12(5):15557-64. http://dx.doi.org/10.11609/jott.5744.12.5.15557-15564.
http://dx.doi.org/10.11609/jott.5744.12....
; Silva et al., 2020Silva HVR, Nunes TGP, Brito BF, Campos LB, Silva AM, Silva AR, Comizzoli P, Silva LDMD. Influence of different extenders on morphological and functional parameters of frozen-thawed spermatozoa of jaguar (Panthera onca). Cryobiology. 2020;92:53-61. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.cryobiol.2019.10.195. PMid:31704199.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.cryobiol.201...
).

Recently, improvements have been reported in jaguar semen cryopreservation protocols (Araujo et al., 2020Araujo GR, Deco-Souza T, Bergo LCF, Silva LC, Morato RG, Jorge-Neto PN, Silva MCC, Macedo GG, Paula TAR. Field friendly method for wild feline semen cryopreservation. J Threat Taxa. 2020;12(5):15557-64. http://dx.doi.org/10.11609/jott.5744.12.5.15557-15564.
http://dx.doi.org/10.11609/jott.5744.12....
; Silva et al., 2020Silva HVR, Nunes TGP, Brito BF, Campos LB, Silva AM, Silva AR, Comizzoli P, Silva LDMD. Influence of different extenders on morphological and functional parameters of frozen-thawed spermatozoa of jaguar (Panthera onca). Cryobiology. 2020;92:53-61. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.cryobiol.2019.10.195. PMid:31704199.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.cryobiol.201...
). Silva et al. (2020)Silva HVR, Nunes TGP, Brito BF, Campos LB, Silva AM, Silva AR, Comizzoli P, Silva LDMD. Influence of different extenders on morphological and functional parameters of frozen-thawed spermatozoa of jaguar (Panthera onca). Cryobiology. 2020;92:53-61. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.cryobiol.2019.10.195. PMid:31704199.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.cryobiol.201...
observed that a tris-hydroxymethyl-aminomethane (Tris) extender allows better maintenance of the functionality of post-thawed sperm and improves the ability of sperm to bind to chicken egg perivitelline membrane compared to powdered coconut water (ACP-117c). Nevertheless, although these parameters are correlated with fertility, it is important to evaluate the capacity of jaguar spermatozoa to fertilize oocytes and initiate embryonic development.

To date, only few studies have reported the collection and maturation of jaguar oocytes (Johnston et al., 1991Johnston LA, Donoghue AM, O’Brien SJ, Wildt DE. Rescue and maturation in vitro of follicular oocytes collected from nondomestic felid species. Biol Reprod. 1991;45(6):898-6. http://dx.doi.org/10.1095/biolreprod45.6.898. PMid:1805993.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1095/biolreprod45.6...
; Morato et al., 2002Morato RG, Crichton E, Paz RCR, Zuge RM, Moura CA, Nunes ALV, et al. Ovarian stimulation, oocyte recovery and in vitro fertilization in the jaguar (Panthera onca). Rev Bras Reprod Anim. 2002;26:317-24.; Jorge-Neto, 2019Jorge-Neto PN. Reproductive biotechnologies applied to in vitro embryo production of pumas (Puma concolor) and jaguars (Panthera onca) [dissertation]. São Paulo: Universidade de São Paulo; 2019.). Therefore, heterologous IVF with domestic cat oocytes is a more accessible and safer alternative to assess the in vitro fertility of jaguar sperm. This methodology has already been used for several species of wild felids, such as the flat-headed cat (Prionailurus planiceps) (Thuwanut et al., 2011Thuwanut P, Chatdarong K, Bergqvist AS, Söderquist L, Thiangtum K, Tongthainan D, Axnér E. The effects of antioxidants on semen traits and in vitro fertilizing ability of sperm from the flat-headed cat (Prionailurus planiceps). Theriogenology. 2011;76(1):115-25. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.theriogenology.2011.01.024. PMid:21396691.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.theriogenolo...
) and puma (Puma concolor) (Duque et al., 2018Duque M, Sestelo A, Salamone DF. Assessing endangered felid Puma concolor sperm fertility by in vitro fertilization with domestic cat oocytes. Reprod Fertil Dev. 2018;30(1):188-9. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/RDv30n1Ab98.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/RDv30n1Ab98...
), in which hybrid embryos were able to develop to the blastocyst stage. On the other hand, for the bobcat (Lynx rufus) (Gañán et al., 2009Gañán N, González R, Sestelo A, Garde JJ, Sánchez I, Aguilar JM, Gomendio M, Roldan ER. Male reproductive traits, semen cryopreservation, and heterologous in vitro fertilization in the bobcat (Lynx rufus). Theriogenology. 2009;72(3):341-52. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.theriogenology.2009.03.002. PMid:19410285.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.theriogenolo...
) and Far‐Eastern wildcat (Prionailurus bengalensis euptilurus) (Amstislavsky, et al., 2018Amstislavsky S, Brusentsev E, Kizilova E, Mokrousova V, Kozhevnikova V, Abramova T, Rozhkova I, Naidenko S. Sperm cryopreservation in the Far‐Eastern wildcat (Prionailurus bengalensis euptilurus). Reprod Domest Anim. 2018;53(5):1219-26. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/rda.13230. PMid:29968363.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/rda.13230...
), only morulae were obtained after IVF with oocytes from domestic cats.

Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the in vitro fertility of jaguar semen cryopreserved using two different extenders (ACP-117c and Tris). We examined the fertilization competence of frozen-thawed sperm by studying its ability to fertilize oocytes of domestic cats and promote the development of hybrid embryos.

Material and methods

Unless otherwise stated, the reagents used in this study were obtained from Sigma-Aldrich (St. Louis, USA).

Animals

This study was approved by the Ethics Committee of the State University of Ceara (No. 5098414/2016) and by the Brazilian System of Authorization and Information of Biodiversity (No. 54741–1). Four male jaguars from zoos in different cities in north-eastern Brazil were used. One was from an Ecological Park – EcoPoint, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil (3° 43′ S, 38° 30′ W), weight: 66 kg, age: 17 years; one from the Teresina Zoobotanical Park, Teresina, PI, Brazil (5º 05′ S, 42º 48′ W), weight: 70 kg, age: 8 years; one from the Arruda Câmara Zoobotanical Park, João Pessoa, PB, Brazil (7º 06′ S, 34º 51′ W), weight: 69 kg, age: 9 years; and one from the Dois Irmãos Park, Recife, PE, Brazil (8º 03′ S, 34º 52′ W), weight: 68 kg, age: 4 years. Each animal was subjected to the usual management practices of each institution, with regular provision of red meat or slaughtered chicken as well as vitamin supplementation. Water was provided ad libitum.

Anesthesia and semen collection

The animals were chemically restrained using blowpipe darts for intramuscular (IM) delivery of dexmedetomidine (Dexdomitor®, Zoetis, Campinas, Brazil) at a dose of 0.04 mg/kg, combined with ketamine hydrochloride (Ketalar®, Pfizer, São Paulo, Brazil) at a dose of 5 mg/kg. When necessary, one-third of the initial dose was administered to maintain anesthesia. To reverse the anesthesia after semen collection, yohimbine was administered at a dose of 0.4 mg/kg, IM (Lueders et al., 2012Lueders I, Luther I, Scheepers G, Van der Horst G. Improved semen collection method for wild felids: urethral catheterization yields high sperm quality in African lions (Panthera leo). Theriogenology. 2012;78(3):696-1. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.theriogenology.2012.02.026. PMid:22538007.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.theriogenolo...
; Silva et al. 2019Silva HVR, Nunes TGP, Ribeiro LR, Freitas LA, de Oliveira MF, Assis Neto AC, Silva AR, Silva LDMD. Morphology, morphometry, ultrastructure, and mitochondrial activity of jaguar (Panthera onca) sperm. Anim Reprod Sci. 2019;203:84-3. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.anireprosci.2019.02.011. PMid:30853119.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.anireprosci....
). Semen was collected according to the electroejaculation method described by Silva et al. (2019)Silva HVR, Nunes TGP, Ribeiro LR, Freitas LA, de Oliveira MF, Assis Neto AC, Silva AR, Silva LDMD. Morphology, morphometry, ultrastructure, and mitochondrial activity of jaguar (Panthera onca) sperm. Anim Reprod Sci. 2019;203:84-3. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.anireprosci.2019.02.011. PMid:30853119.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.anireprosci....
using an electromechanical device (Autojac V2®, Neovet, Uberaba, Brazil). The semen from one collection of each animal was used for the experiment.

Semen processing and cryopreservation

Immediately after collection, semen samples of each animal were evaluated for volume, color, concentration using Neubauer chamber, subjective motility by microscopy, and normal morphology using Bengal Rose (Silva et al., 2019Silva HVR, Nunes TGP, Ribeiro LR, Freitas LA, de Oliveira MF, Assis Neto AC, Silva AR, Silva LDMD. Morphology, morphometry, ultrastructure, and mitochondrial activity of jaguar (Panthera onca) sperm. Anim Reprod Sci. 2019;203:84-3. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.anireprosci.2019.02.011. PMid:30853119.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.anireprosci....
). The entire process of dilution and freezing was performed as described by Silva et al. (2020)Silva HVR, Nunes TGP, Brito BF, Campos LB, Silva AM, Silva AR, Comizzoli P, Silva LDMD. Influence of different extenders on morphological and functional parameters of frozen-thawed spermatozoa of jaguar (Panthera onca). Cryobiology. 2020;92:53-61. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.cryobiol.2019.10.195. PMid:31704199.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.cryobiol.201...
. Briefly, the ejaculates were divided into two aliquots and diluted (1:1) either in ACP-117c (ACP Biotecnologia, Fortaleza, Brazil) or Tris (Sigma, St. Louis, USA). Samples were centrifuged at 300×g for 10 min to remove excessive seminal plasma and resuspended in the same extender (ACP-117c or Tris), with the addition of 20% egg yolk (1:1). The samples were stored in a thermal box and equilibrated for 40 min at 15 °C (cooling rate: -0.4 °C/min). Next, the samples were added to ACP-egg yolk or Tris-egg yolk plus glycerol (final concentration of 6%) and equilibrated for 30 min at 5 °C (cooling rate: -0.2 °C/min). Subsequently, the samples were packed into 0.25 mL plastic straws and placed horizontally, 5 cm above the surface of liquid nitrogen, in a Styrofoam box and maintained for 5 min. Finally, the straws were stored in liquid nitrogen.

Frozen straws were thawed by exposure to air for 10 s and then a 37 °C water bath for 30 s (Thiangtum et al., 2006Thiangtum K, Swanson WF, Howard J, Tunwattana W, Tongthainan D, Wichasilpa W, Patumrattanathan P, Pinyopoommintr T. Assessment of basic seminal characteristics, sperm cryopreservation and heterologous in vitro fertilisation in the fishing cat (Prionailurus viverrinus). Reprod Fertil Dev. 2006;18(3):373-82. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/RD05098. PMid:16554013.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/RD05098...
). The sperm samples were dispensed in a microtube pre-warmed to 37 ºC and diluted (1:3) by slow addition (drop by drop) of Tyrode's albumin lactate pyruvate medium (TALP medium). The TALP medium contained 125 mM NaCl, 3.2 mM KCl, 2 mM NaHCO3, 0.4 mM NaH2PO4, 10 mM Na lactate, 2 mM CaCl2, 0.5 mM MgCl2, 10 mM HEPES, 0.6% bovine serum albumin (BSA), 0.2 mM sodium pyruvate, and 1% antibiotic–antimycotic solution (Sowińska et al., 2017Sowińska N, Frankowska K, Filipczyk A, Adamaszek A, Nalik K, Fic K, Pietsch-Fulbiszewska A. The effect of cumulus cells on domestic cat (Felis catus) oocytes during in vitro maturation and fertilization. Reprod Domest Anim. 2017;52(Suppl 2):108-13. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/rda.12895. PMid:27905152.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/rda.12895...
). The sperm samples were centrifuged (500×g for 5 min), and the pellets thus obtained were resuspended in TALP medium. Total sperm motility was evaluated using a computer-assisted sperm analyser (CASA) (IVOS 7.4G; Hamilton-Thorne Research, Beverly, USA). The settings of the instrument were according to Silva et al. (2020)Silva HVR, Nunes TGP, Brito BF, Campos LB, Silva AM, Silva AR, Comizzoli P, Silva LDMD. Influence of different extenders on morphological and functional parameters of frozen-thawed spermatozoa of jaguar (Panthera onca). Cryobiology. 2020;92:53-61. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.cryobiol.2019.10.195. PMid:31704199.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.cryobiol.201...
: temperature 37 °C; 60 frames/s; minimum contrast, 30; straightness threshold, 80%; low-velocity average pathway (VAP) cutoff, 30.0 μm/s; and programming minimum VAP, 70.0 μm/s; straight line velocity (VSL) cutoff, 20.0 μm/s; and cell size, 8 pixels.

In vitro maturation of domestic cat oocytes

Ovaries were recovered from healthy adult (1–2 years old) domestic cats after ovariectomy and transported to the laboratory in saline (NaCl 0.9%; 35–37 ºC). The oocytes were recovered by ovarian slicing and selected for the experiment. For each animal a different lot of oocytes (4 lots, 4–6 ovaries/lot) was used. Oocytes with one or more layers of cumulus cells and homogeneous cytoplasm were subjected to in vitro maturation (IVM) in a medium composed of TCM-199 (Gibco-BRL, Carlsbad, USA) supplemented with 3 mg/mL BSA, 0.1 mg/mL cysteamine, 1.4 mg/mL HEPES, 0.25 mg/mL sodium pyruvate, 0.6 mg/mL sodium lactate, 0.15 mg/mL L-glutamine, 20 μg/mL FSH/LH (Pluset®, Hertape Calier, Barcelona, Spain), and 1% antibiotic–antimycotic solution (Jewgenow et al., 2019Jewgenow K, Fernandez Gonzalez L, Jänsch S, Viertel D, Zahmel J. Brilliant cresyl blue staining allows the selection for developmentally competent inmature feline oocytes. Theriogenology. 2019;126:320-5. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.theriogenology.2018.12.021. PMid:30641366.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.theriogenolo...
). Approximately 10–15 oocytes were incubated in drops of 100 µL of the medium at 38.5 °C and 5% CO2 for 24 h.

Heterologous in vitro fertilization and embryonic development

After IVM, the oocytes were washed twice in an IVF medium composed of TALP supplemented with heparin (10 µg/mL) (Veraguas et al., 2020Veraguas D, Saez S, Aguilera C, Echeverry D, Gallegos PF, Saez-Ruiz D, Castro FO, Rodriguez-Alvarez L. In vitro and in vivo development of domestic cat embryos generated by in vitro fertilization after eCG priming and oocyte in vitro maturation. Theriogenology. 2020;146:94-103. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.theriogenology.2020.02.012. PMid:32065998.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.theriogenolo...
). Oocytes (10–15 per drop) were co-incubated with 2 × 106 sperm/mL in 50 µL drops of IVF medium for 18 h at 38.5 °C and 5% CO2. Next, the presumptive zygotes were washed, denuded slowly by pipetting, and incubated in 50 µL drops of the medium covered with mineral oil. The medium used for in vitro embryo development (IVD) consisted of synthetic oviductal fluid (SOF) supplemented with 0.2 mM sodium pyruvate, 0.2 mM L-glutamine, 0.34 mM sodium citrate, 2.8 mM myo-inositol, 2% essential amino acid solution, 1% non-essential amino acid solution, 1% antibiotic–antimycotic solution, 5 mg/mL BSA, and 2.5% fetal bovine serum (FBS, Gibco-BRL, Carlsbad, USA). The day of fertilization was considered as day 0, and culture was carried out until day 7. On day 5, 50% of the medium was replaced with fresh medium.

Evaluation of fertilization and embryonic development

The stages of embryonic development were evaluated by observing the morphology of the embryos. On day 2 of IVD, the total cleavage rate and number of embryos containing 2 cells and more than 3 cells were quantified. On day 5, the rate of morula formation was evaluated for embryos having more than 16 cells. On day 7, the number of blastocysts was quantified.

Moreover, after 48 h, non-cleaved oocytes were stained to assess their maturation and fertilization status. The oocytes were fixed in 4% paraformaldehyde diluted in phosphate buffer solution (PBS) for 30 min, washed, and stained with 10 µg/mL Hoechst 33342 for 15 min. Meanwhile, the presumptive zygotes were transferred to slides and visualized by fluorescence microscopy. Oocytes with first polar bodies and metaphase plates were matured. Oocytes were considered fertilized when sperm had penetrated the ooplasm and the second polar body as well as two pronuclei were visible.

Scanning electron microscopy (SEM)

Embryos were processed for SEM following the protocol described by Vanroose et al. (2000)Vanroose G, Nauwynck H, Soom AV, Ysebaert M-T, Charlier G, Oostveldt PV, de Kruif A. Structural aspects of the zona pellucida of in vitro-produced bovine embryos: a scanning electron and confocal laser scanning microscopic study. Biol Reprod. 2000;62(2):463-9. http://dx.doi.org/10.1095/biolreprod62.2.463. PMid:10642588.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1095/biolreprod62.2...
with some alterations. Briefly, the embryos were fixed for 2 h in 2.5% glutaraldehyde and 0.1 M cacodylate buffer, pH 7.2, at 4 °C. They were then washed twice for 5 min in 2% cacodylate buffer and post-fixed in 1% osmium tetroxide for 2 h at 25 °C. The embryos were washed again in distilled water for 10 min, dehydrated with increasing concentrations of ethanol, and mounted on glass coverslips. After drying, the embryos were coated with gold. Finally, ultrastructure of the embryonic cells was visualized using a scanning electron microscope (TESCAN VEGA3; Tescan Analytics, Fuveau, Bouches-du-Rhône, France).

Statistical analyses

Each experiment was performed using sperm samples frozen in ACP-117c and Tris from four animals, totaling four replicates per extender. All data are expressed as the mean ± standard error and were analyzed using the StatView 5.0 (SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC, USA). Normality of all results were verified with the Shapiro–Wilk test and homoscedasticity was verified with the Levene’s test. The Fisher exact test was applied to evaluate the effect of each extender on the analyzed variables. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05.

Results

Immediately after semen collection, the average sperm motility evaluated subjectively was 95 ± 0% and concentration was 137.5 ± 31.2 × 106 sperm/mL. An average of 72.5% normal sperm was found. After thawing and centrifugation, the total motility assessed using CASA was 9.0 ± 5.2% for sperm frozen in ACP-117c and 21.5 ± 6.3% for Tris. The progressive motility was of 0.3 ± 0.3% for ACP-117c and 7.5 ± 5.9% for Tris. The results of each animal are shown in Table 1.

Table 1
Individual results of animals regarding collection and motility after thawing.

Frozen-thawed sperm obtained from the jaguars were able to fertilize domestic cat oocytes (Table 2). Considering non-cleaved oocytes after 48 h of IVD, the total fertilization rate was in the range of 13.7 ± 2.8% to 17.9 ± 11.1% as observed by the presence of the second polar body (Figure 1A and B) and two pronuclei (Figure 1C). However, no significant difference was observed in fertilization parameters using sperm frozen in ACP-117c or Tris (Table 2).

Table 2
Retrospective evaluation of non-cleaved oocytes in relation to maturation and fertilization after 48 h of heterologous fertilization between cryopreserved jaguar sperm and cat oocytes.
Figure 1
Representative images of retrospective assessment of maturation and fertilization and embryonic development. (A) Cat oocyte showing extrusion of the first and second polar body (indicated by the asterisk); (B) Fertilized oocyte with extrusion of the second polar body stained with Hoechst 33342 (DSH: decondensed sperm head; SH: sperm head attached to the zona pellucida; Arrow: extrusion of the second polar body; Arrowhead: first polar body); (C) Fertilized oocyte with pronucleus formation; (D) Cleaved embryos with more than three cells; (E) Embryo in early morula stage evaluated in D5 (arrow); (F) Low quality early blastocyst (arrow) assessed at D7. Scale bar: A–E: 100 µm; F: 200 µm.

During embryonic development, hybrid embryos of jaguar and cat were observed at the cleavage, morula, and blastocyst stages (Figure 1DF). The development rates of the embryos were similar between the two extenders and are shown in Table 3. On the second day of IVD, the cleavage rate varied from 16.7 ± 3.6% to 22.9 ± 3.2% between the groups, and embryos with 2 or more cells were found. Additionally, a total of seven morulae were obtained from sperm frozen in ACP-117c and Tris extenders. Moreover, only from samples frozen in Tris during the freezing of jaguar spermatozoa, it was possible to obtain two blastocysts that presented poor morphological quality (Figure 1F).

Table 3
Results of cleavage (D2), morula (D5) and blastocysts (D7) after heterologous fertilization between cryopreserved jaguar sperm and cat oocytes.

Fertility of sperm per animal (Figure 2) was 50% according to the number of blastocysts obtained from the group of frozen sperm in Tris. According to the number of morulae obtained, the fertility of the animals was 50% with ACP-117c (2/4) and 75% (3/4) using Tris. Nevertheless, cleaved embryos were obtained from all the animals (100%, 4/4), independent of the extenders used.

Figure 2
Development of embryos in different stages (cleavage, morula, and blastocyst) of four male jaguars from heterologous IVF with domestic cat oocytes.

Due to processing for ultrastructural evaluation with SEM, the embryonic zona pellucida was lost, allowing visualization of embryonic cells and their surfaces (Figure 3). It was possible to observe embryonic cells with smooth surfaces and regular sizes as well as residual fragments of the pellucid zone. Figure 3A shows a hybrid jaguar and cat embryo with relatively spherical blastomeres in close contact, but without compaction. As shown in Figure 3B, morula with compacted blastomeres flattened against one another and absence of cracks among embryonic cells was observed.

Figure 3
Ultrastructure of hybrid jaguar-cat embryos visualized by scanning electron microscopy. (A) Cleaved embryo with smooth surfaces and blastomeres with regular sizes; (B) Morula with smooth surfaces, compacted blastomeres flattening against one another, and the absence of cracks between embryonic cells. Asterisk indicates remaining fragments of the pellucid zone.

Discussion

To the best of our knowledge, the present work is the first report of in vitro development of hybrid embryos produced from frozen-thawed jaguar sperm and domestic cat oocytes. In general, cryopreservation caused severe damage to sperm motility, with a drastic drop-in motility rate, from 95.0% to 9.0% (ACP-117c) and 21.5% (Tris). This indicates that the cryopreservation protocol should be improved for jaguar sperm.

Only using Tris was it possible to obtain embryos in the blastocyst stage; however, there was no statistical difference between the extenders, probably due to the number of samples used. Even so, the blastocyst rate achieved in the Tris group is encouraging for further studies in semen cryopreservation and embryo production in jaguars. This result may be related to better quality of parameters of jaguar semen preserved in Tris, as previously demonstrated by Silva et al. (2020)Silva HVR, Nunes TGP, Brito BF, Campos LB, Silva AM, Silva AR, Comizzoli P, Silva LDMD. Influence of different extenders on morphological and functional parameters of frozen-thawed spermatozoa of jaguar (Panthera onca). Cryobiology. 2020;92:53-61. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.cryobiol.2019.10.195. PMid:31704199.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.cryobiol.201...
. These authors observed better motility (46.0% vs. 20.9%), membrane functionality (60.5% vs. 47.1%), and mitochondrial activity (21.5% vs. 11.8%) in samples cryopreserved in Tris rather than those cryopreserved in ACP-117c. Similarly, Tris promoted better preservation of the quality of frozen-thawed sperm from domestic cats compared to that by ACP-117c (Barbosa et al., 2020Barbosa BS, Izzo RG, Silva HVR, Nunes TGP, Brito BF, Silva TFP, Silva LDMD. Recovery and cryopreservation of epididymal sperm from domestic cat using powdered coconut water (ACP-117c) and Tris extenders. Cryobiology. 2020;92:103-8. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.cryobiol.2019.11.042. PMid:31770529.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.cryobiol.201...
).

The positive effect of Tris can be attributed to its buffering property, which shows resistance to pH changes that occur during cooling for cryopreservation (Silva et al., 2011Silva MA, Peixoto GCX, Santos EAA, Castelo TS, Oliveira MF, Silva AR. Recovery and cryopreservation of epididymal sperm from agouti (Dasyprocta aguti) using powdered coconut water (ACP-109c) and Tris extenders. Theriogenology. 2011;76(6):1084-9. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.theriogenology.2011.05.014. PMid:21719083.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.theriogenolo...
). Moreover, this extender has osmotic activity, low toxicity, and antioxidant action due to the presence of citric acid in its composition (Niasari-Naslaji et al., 2006Niasari-Naslaji A, Mosaferi S, Bahmani N, Gharahdaghi AA, Abarghani A, Ghanbari A, Gerami A. Effectiveness of a tris-based extender (SHOTOR diluent) for the preservation of Bactrian camel (Camelus bactrianus) semen. Cryobiology. 2006;53(1):12-21. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.cryobiol.2006.03.006. PMid:16647050.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.cryobiol.200...
). Another interesting feature of Tris is that less fructose is consumed by the sperm from this medium; this makes the energetic substrate available for a longer period for sperm survival (Miyasaki et al., 2014Miyasaki MYA, Vale WG, Baía FAC, Minervino AHH, Ribeiro HFL, Miyasaki MTA. Comparison between tris, lactose/tris, ringer-lactate and skim milk as extenders to deep freezing buffalo semen. Braz J Vet Med. [serial on the Internet]. 2014; [cited 2021 September 13]; 36: 1-10. Available from: http://rbmv.org/index.php/BJVM/article/view/436
http://rbmv.org/index.php/BJVM/article/v...
; Silva et al., 2020Silva HVR, Nunes TGP, Brito BF, Campos LB, Silva AM, Silva AR, Comizzoli P, Silva LDMD. Influence of different extenders on morphological and functional parameters of frozen-thawed spermatozoa of jaguar (Panthera onca). Cryobiology. 2020;92:53-61. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.cryobiol.2019.10.195. PMid:31704199.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.cryobiol.201...
).

The low fertilization rate can be attributed to poor sperm quality after thawing. Despite the low percentage of motility post-thaw and centrifugation, jaguar sperm fertilized 19 to 27% of the matured oocytes of cats. This is probably because IVF performed in small drops (50 μL) facilitates an easy encounter of mobile sperm with oocytes. Our results are similar to those previously observed for the clouded leopard (Neofelis nebula), in which the fertilization rate of cat oocytes ranged from 15% to 29.4% using samples having motility in the range of 27.1% to 32.1% (Tipkantha et al., 2016Tipkantha W, Thuwanut P, Morrell J, Comizzoli P, Chatdarong K. Influence of living status (single vs. paired) and centrifugation with colloids on the sperm morphology and functionality in the clouded leopard (Neofelis nebulosa). Theriogenology. 2016;86(9):2202-9. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.theriogenology.2016.07.020. PMid:27568458.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.theriogenolo...
). Moreover, in the bobcat, this rate reached 46% with a sperm motility index (sperm% motility + (progressive motility × 20)/2) of approximately 50% (Gañán et al., 2009Gañán N, González R, Sestelo A, Garde JJ, Sánchez I, Aguilar JM, Gomendio M, Roldan ER. Male reproductive traits, semen cryopreservation, and heterologous in vitro fertilization in the bobcat (Lynx rufus). Theriogenology. 2009;72(3):341-52. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.theriogenology.2009.03.002. PMid:19410285.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.theriogenolo...
).

The differences observed in results among felids may be due to the needs of each species regarding conditions of manipulation of sperm. Thuwanut et al. (2011)Thuwanut P, Chatdarong K, Bergqvist AS, Söderquist L, Thiangtum K, Tongthainan D, Axnér E. The effects of antioxidants on semen traits and in vitro fertilizing ability of sperm from the flat-headed cat (Prionailurus planiceps). Theriogenology. 2011;76(1):115-25. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.theriogenology.2011.01.024. PMid:21396691.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.theriogenolo...
used a similar protocol for heterologous IVF of flat-headed cat sperm with domestic cat oocytes and for homologous IVF for domestic cats. The authors observed a better development of embryos in homologous cat IVF (blastocyst rate: 13.6% vs. 4%), showing that the main problem was related to sperm quality and not the IVF system. In a study carried out in puma (Puma concolor), it was believed that the sperm were of high quality because the rate of cleavage (49.0%), morula (34.4%), and blastocyst (23.4%) formation was similar to that of homologous embryos of domestic cats (67.1%, 47.8%, and 30.1%, respectively) (Duque et al., 2018Duque M, Sestelo A, Salamone DF. Assessing endangered felid Puma concolor sperm fertility by in vitro fertilization with domestic cat oocytes. Reprod Fertil Dev. 2018;30(1):188-9. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/RDv30n1Ab98.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/RDv30n1Ab98...
).

Jaguar sperm were able fertilize cat oocytes, and the few resulting embryos developed to the blastocyst stage. The rate of production of hybrid jaguar-cat embryos was low, however, it was in line with the results obtained from other felids, such as bobcat (Lynx rufus), which had a cleavage rate of 17.2% to 26.5% using frozen sperm with TES-Tris (Gañán et al., 2009Gañán N, González R, Sestelo A, Garde JJ, Sánchez I, Aguilar JM, Gomendio M, Roldan ER. Male reproductive traits, semen cryopreservation, and heterologous in vitro fertilization in the bobcat (Lynx rufus). Theriogenology. 2009;72(3):341-52. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.theriogenology.2009.03.002. PMid:19410285.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.theriogenolo...
) and flat-headed cats that had a blastocyst rate ranging from 1 to 4% using frozen sperm with Tris (Thuwanut et al., 2011Thuwanut P, Chatdarong K, Bergqvist AS, Söderquist L, Thiangtum K, Tongthainan D, Axnér E. The effects of antioxidants on semen traits and in vitro fertilizing ability of sperm from the flat-headed cat (Prionailurus planiceps). Theriogenology. 2011;76(1):115-25. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.theriogenology.2011.01.024. PMid:21396691.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.theriogenolo...
). In the present study, we did not perform parthenogenetic activation in cat oocytes, but it was observed that the rate of spontaneous embryo formation after IVF with clouded leopard sperm ranges from 0.8% to 1.6% (Tipkantha et al., 2016Tipkantha W, Thuwanut P, Morrell J, Comizzoli P, Chatdarong K. Influence of living status (single vs. paired) and centrifugation with colloids on the sperm morphology and functionality in the clouded leopard (Neofelis nebulosa). Theriogenology. 2016;86(9):2202-9. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.theriogenology.2016.07.020. PMid:27568458.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.theriogenolo...
). Moreover, cat oocytes that undergo parthenogenetic activation after intracytoplasmic injection do not normally develop beyond the cleavage stage (Buarpung et al., 2013Buarpung S, Tharasanit T, Comizzoli P, Techakumphu M. Feline spermatozoa from fresh and cryopreserved testicular tissues have comparable ability to fertilize matured oocytes and sustain the embryo development after intracytoplasmic sperm injection. Theriogenology. 2013;79(1):149-58. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.theriogenology.2012.09.022. PMid:23138024.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.theriogenolo...
; Moro et al., 2014Moro LN, Sestelo AJ, Salamone DF. Evaluation of cheetah and leopard spermatozoa developmental capability after interspecific ICSI with domestic cat oocytes. Reprod Domest Anim. 2014;49(4):693-700. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/rda.12355. PMid:24966115.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/rda.12355...
).

It is difficult to have females available for artificial insemination and oocyte harvesting; hence, our results are relevant because they show that oocytes from cats can be used efficiently to evaluate the in vitro fertility of sperm from wild felids. This is probably because some fertilization mechanisms are conserved among phylogenetically close species, allowing the development of hybrid embryos (Bedford-Guaus et al., 2011Bedford-Guaus SJ, McPartlin LA, Xie J, Westmiller SL, Buffone MG, Roberson MS. Molecular cloning and characterization of phospholipase C zeta in equine sperm and testis reveals species-specific differences in expression of catalytically active protein. Biol Reprod. 2011;85(1):78-88. http://dx.doi.org/10.1095/biolreprod.110.089466. PMid:21389344.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1095/biolreprod.110...
). Nevertheless, it is necessary to improve the protocols for processing and cryopreserving the semen of these animals.

The morphological quality of the hybrid jaguar-cat blastocysts was poor. Moreover, using SEM, it was observed that the surface of the embryo blastomeres was smooth, which was different than that observed in other species, whose blastomeres surfaces were covered by microvilli in bovine, rabbit (Koyama et al., 1994Koyama H, Suzuki H, Yang X, Jiang S, Foote RH. Analysis of polarity of bovine and rabbit embryos by scanning electron microscopy. Biol Reprod. 1994;50(1):163-70. http://dx.doi.org/10.1095/biolreprod50.1.163. PMid:8312441.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1095/biolreprod50.1...
), and mouse (Li et al., 2011Li C-B, Wang Z-D, Zheng Z, Hu L-L, Zhong S-Q, Lei L. Number of blastomeres and distribution of microvilli in cloned mouse embryos during compaction. Zygote. 2011;19(3):271-6. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S0967199410000377. PMid:20735894.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S0967199410000...
). These microvilli are related to the process of compacting and polarizing the blastomeres, which is responsible for differentiating the internal cell mass and the trophectoderm (Li et al., 2011Li C-B, Wang Z-D, Zheng Z, Hu L-L, Zhong S-Q, Lei L. Number of blastomeres and distribution of microvilli in cloned mouse embryos during compaction. Zygote. 2011;19(3):271-6. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S0967199410000377. PMid:20735894.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S0967199410000...
). The absence of these microvilli may explain the low quality of the jaguar-cat blastocysts, in which the internal cell mass was heterogeneous.

Conclusion

In conclusion, frozen-thawed jaguar sperm cryopreserved in ACP-117c or Tris extenders can fertilize and activate domestic cat oocytes for embryonic development. Using Tris, but not ACP-117c, it was possible for hybrid embryos to develop to the blastocyst stage, which, despite the low quality, are strong indications of sperm in vitro fertility. These results are fundamental for the development of a jaguar semen bank, which can contribute to conservation of the species by the application of assisted reproduction techniques in vivo and in vitro.

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank the Ecological Park – EcoPoint, Teresina Zoobotanical Park, Arruda Câmara Zoobotanical Park, and Dois Irmãos Park for access and management of jaguars. This study was financed in part by the Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior – Brasil (CAPES, Financial Code 001) and National Counsel of Technological and Scientific Development (CNPq).

  • Financial support: MVOS, LGPB and LRMO receive grants from the Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES, Financial Code 001). AFP, AFP, ARS, LDMS, and MFO receive grants from the National Council for the Scientific Development.
  • How to cite: Santos MVO, Silva HVR, Bezerra LGP, Oliveira LRM, Oliveira MF, Alves ND, Silva LDM, Silva AR, Pereira AF. Heterologous in vitro fertilization and embryo production for assessment of jaguar (Panthera onca Linnaeus, 1758) frozen-thawed semen in different extenders. Anim Reprod. 2022;19(1):e20210093. https://doi.org/10.1590/1984-3143-AR2021-0093

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Publication Dates

  • Publication in this collection
    21 Mar 2022
  • Date of issue
    2022

History

  • Received
    13 Sept 2021
  • Accepted
    22 Feb 2022
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