Semen Collection and Cryopreservation in the
African Elephant
In August 2003, seven African elephants Loxodonta africana africana came from Swaziland to the San Diego Zoo's Wild Animal Park in an attempt to improve conservation efforts in Swaziland and launch a reproductive program at the Wild Animal Park to benefit the demographics and genetic structure of the current captive population of African elephants in North America. The goal of this project is to preserve African elephant sperm reliably for future use.
The project’s specific objectives include:
Improving semen collection techniques currently used in the industry to allow for more natural ejaculates. The Wild Animal Park’s 16-year-old bull, Mabhulane, has been trained with positively reinforced operant conditioning to enter a secure ERD (elephant restraint device). Semen will be collected by transrectal massage of the accessory sex glands in a non-invasive procedure very well tolerated by the bull in a standing posture. However, this passive semen collection technique yields only stored sperm in a very low volume of seminal plasma, hence motility and viability are low. The ERD will be fitted with an apparatus that will allow the bull to attain a normal breeding posture (elevated front feet) and will accommodate natural mating movement. The apparatus will include a semen collection device designed for human and animal safety, as well as protection of sperm from air, sunlight, and temperature fluctuations. Once perfected, this design will be made available to other elephant holding institutions without charge.
Developing optimum liquid and frozen storage protocols for elephant semen. When good quality semen is routinely available from the Wild Animal Park bull, optimal processing methods, extenders, cooling, freezing and thawing rates, and post-thaw treatments will be empirically derived. Sperm viability will be assessed by motility, sperm swimming speed, acrosome and plasma membrane integrity, and morphology.
Using this semen to improve artificial insemination techniques and support the efforts of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ African Elephant Species Survival Plan and Taxon Advisory Group need for viable semen samples for AI attempts in others zoos and in gamete sex selection research.
Technology transfer. ERD modifications and improved semen collection techniques will be demonstrated for visiting scientists, veterinarians, and elephant managers. Videotapes of the collection procedure will be presented at a meeting of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and other relevant meetings or workshops, and tapes will be distributed to interested personnel. Once acceptable viability is routinely preserved in chilled or frozen-thawed elephant sperm, the protocols will be published in an appropriate peer-reviewed journal.
