CHARACTERISTICS OF FRESH AND CRYOPRESERVED SIBERIAN TIGER (PANTHERA-TIGRIS-ALTAICA) SEMEN AND ITS SEMINAL PLASMA CHEMICAL-CONSTITUENTS

Semen was collected by electroejaculation from four Siberian tigers. The cells were separated from the seminal plasma by centrifugation, extended in TEST‐yolk buffer with 4% glycerol and frozen for a Sephadex filtration assay. The seminal plasma was analyzed for chemical constituents and characteristics. There were significant differences between tigers for volume, cell concentration, pre‐ and post‐thaw motility, total cells, percent live/normal cells, pH, specific gravity, albumin, alkaline phosphate, alanine transaminase, aspartate transaminase, total protein, urea nitrogen, potassium, chloride, carbon dioxide and glucose. There were no differences between tigers for total live cells, osmotic pressure, acid phosphatase, sodium, phosphorus, calcium, or creatinine. There were significant differences between months only for pre‐freeze motility, albumin, chloride, carbon dioxide, and calcium. The differences in seminal plasma chemistry may be useful for semen quality evaluation after successful breeding techniques have been developed. As the data base of information concerning the reproductive physiology of tigers increases, application of advanced technologies may become a reality. Copyright © 1990 Wiley‐Liss, Inc., A Wiley Company