Avaliação de protocolos para contenção química, eletroejaculação e caracterização seminal de queixada (Tayassu pecari)

Abstract

White-lipped peccary (Tayassu pecari) is a wild mammal that is declining in population due to deforestation and excessive hunting. A strategy to reverse this situation is to establish a captive breeding program for later release in areas where its extinction has occurred. In this sense, the objective of this study was to compare reactions of jaws submitted to different anesthetic and electroejaculation protocols, to describe the physical, morphological, morphometrics and functional characteristics of sperm from jowls kept in captivity. Finally, use environmental education linking research and education to raise awareness and conservation of these animals. In total, 16 adult male peccaries from the UESC scientific breeding site were used. The animals were divided into random groups, being evaluated two anesthetic protocols (ketamine associated with xylazine or acepromazine) and three protocols for electroejaculation, were evaluated: (2 to 4V; 5 to 12V) and fixed (12V). The collected semen was evaluated by means of computerized semen analysis. The use of the acepromazine and ketamine combination promoted a better degree of analgesia, quality and recovery from anesthesia, and better behavioral indicators of well-being during the anesthetic and post-anesthetic period. The protocol for increasing electroejaculation (5 - 12V) demonstrated better efficiency in the semen collection rate. As for the macroscopic evaluation, the ejaculates presented average values for the parameters: volume (0.53 ± 0.63mL), consistency: milky (80%), aqueous (20%), color: yellow (40%), white (26%), ivory (20%), brown (6,67%), translucent (6,67%), odor: Sui generis (100%), pH (7,23±0.26), and sperm concentration (967,19±947,33 x 106 sptz/mL). It was observed that the sperm parameters of white-lipped peccary are within the desirable standards, allowing them to be considered as having potential for the development of assisted reproduction techniques. The tests used enabled a detailed analysis of the species' seminal characteristics, aspects that are still unprecedented in the literature. This study can contribute as a basis for the application of reproductive biotechniques, promoting the conservation of this species classified as vulnerable to extinction.