Viability of in vitro preserved sperm of Harris's hawk (Parabuteo unicinctus).

Harris hawks (Parabuteo unicinctus) are the raptors with more anthropogenic use, which makes it necessary to improve their reproduction either natural or assisted for sustainable use even though they are not endangered. The aim of this study was to determine fresh and thawed P. unicinctus sperm capacitation and acrosome reaction parameters as indicators of sperm viability in ejaculates of birds with injuries. A total of 30 ejaculates were analyzed as fresh and thawed samples. Basic sperm evaluations as well as in vitro acrosomal reaction capability through the presence and distribution of Ca2+ and N-acetylglucosamine and sialic acid using chlortetracycline and agglutinin-fluorescein isothiocyanate Triticum vulgaris were performed, respectively. Tagged samples were observed using epifluorescence microscopy. The results indicated 30.00% decrease in sperm viability following freeze-thaw, while rate of capacitated sperms (10.00%) and the percentage of sperm with acrosomal reaction (40.00%) were increased. The results of the experiment demonstrated that the post-thaw viability of the obtained sperm may be an alternative for use in artificial insemination.

Harris's hawks (Parabuteo unicinctus) hematological parameters in different tropical locations.

This work described and compared the hematological findings of 25 clinically healthy Harris's hawks (Parabuteo unicinctus) in captivity at two different tropical locations: 16 samples from Aguascalientes, which altitude is 1878 mean sea level, and nine samples from Amecameca which altitude is 2650 mean sea level. Blood samples were collected from the brachial vein of each raptor under physical restraint. Significant differences between the two locations were found in some parameters including total, erythrocytes, heterophils, basophils, lymphocytes, and heterophil/lymphocyte ratio. When the results were compared to the reference values, the population of Amecameca showed decreased values of hematocrit (32.21 ± 13.72%), hemoglobin (107.40 ± 45.60 g L-1) and erythrocytes (1.98 ± 0.63 ×1012 per µL). This work contributed to the knowledge of variations in blood parameters of clinically healthy captive Harris`s hawks at different tropical locations and sex. The information will enable clinicians to provide appropriate veterinary diagnostics and care to ensure the health and welfare of raptors kept in captivity.