RESUMO
This study aimed to evaluate semen from Jungle Cat (Felis chaus) by urethral catheterization (CT) after medetomidine administration that offers feasible and different approaches to obtaining good quality sperm, especially in wild felids. Accordingly, this method was tested in five Jungle Cats. After general anesthesia with the α2-agonist medetomidine (which also stimulates semen release into the urethra) and ketamine, an abdomen ultrasound was performed to locate dilation of the first segment of the urethra (prostatic urethra). A commercial Tom cat urinary catheter 3-5 (depending on the size of the animal) was advanced into the urethra to reach the semen full dilated primary region of the urethra, so as to allow semen collection into the lumen of the catheter by capillary forces. After retraction, sperm volumes between 69 ± 27.92 yielded motility of 77.13 ± 14.15 (mean ± SD) with a mean sperm concentration of 75.13 ± 17.05 million/ml. The results of this study showed that semen collection in jungle cat is feasible, using this method. This study describes a simple, useful in field, inexpensive method which does not require the training of the animal and is better than other methods. Samples have normal pH, suitable color and consolidation, high concentration and lower contamination with excellent motility in Jungle Cat and potentially, other wild felid species, as an alternative to electro-ejaculation.
