This study was conducted to determine whether buccal cells obtained by swabbing could be a DNA source for genetic analysis, and to compare two preservative media, distilled water and Tris-EDTA (TE), pH 8.0. Buccal cell samples were collected from 30 domestic cats (Felis catus), 4 captive fishing cats (Prionailurus viverrinus) and 8 captive tigers (Panthera tigris). The total concentration of DNA and purity were not statistically different between the preservative media. All samples could be graded as a minimum as high quality DNA (DNA found with A260/A280 ratio >2.0 or < 1.8). In addition, the quality of DNA extracted from both media was successfully amplified for PCR. However, when compared to whole blood samples, total DNA concentration from buccal swab was significantly lower (p < 0.05) .Despite the decrease in DNA yield, buccal swab could be an alternative source for obtaining DNA for genetic analyses. This non-invasive, simple and inexpensive technique eases genetic studies in this family especially in domestic cat from which whole blood samples are difficult to collect.

Abdominal massage (AM) is a common method for semen collection in avian species. There are few data concerning electro-ejaculation (EE) in this species. This experiment was carried out to study the effect of semen collection techniques (AM and EE) on semen quality and sperm motility parameters in three Siamese fighting cocks (Gallus gallus). EE was done under general anesthesia by isoflurane vaporizer. In experiment 1, either low voltage (5- 10 volts) or high voltage (5-30 volts) protocols for EE stimulation was applied. Ejaculations were obtained from all attempts (n= 4) in both protocols. High voltage protocol gave greater percentage of sperm motility (p= 0.01), but caused bleeding in 2/4 attempts. In experiment 2, comparison between AM and low voltage EE techniques (n= 15), the semen quality and sperm motility parameters were not significantly different (p> 0.05). After incubation for 6 hours at 37๐C, all sperm motility parameters, except linearity, were also similar (p> 0.05). All cocks safely recovered from EE. Therefore, in addition to AM, low voltage EE technique could be the alternative method for semen collection, especially for the untamed and aggressive male birds. The ability to collect semen and the evaluation of semen are important factors for the management of breeding program or the application of reproductive technologies in avian species.

The aim of this study was to investigate the freezability of Thai native crossbred (T) and purebred horse (F) sperm using different extenders. Semen samples were collected monthly from five T and four F stallions between 5 and 12 years of age. The extenders used were INRA-Y (E1), INRA-Y supplemented with 50 mM L-glutamine (E2), lactose-EDTA (E3) and lactose-EDTA supplemented with 50 mM L-glutamine (E4). Sperm motility, membrane integrity and acrosome integrity were assessed in fresh and frozen samples by computer- assisted sperm analyses (CASA; IVOS, Hamilton Thorne), HOS tests and combined FITC-PNA and PI techniques respectively. Total motility and progressive motility of post-thaw T semen were significantly higher in E3. However, no significant differences between intact membrane-acrosome and positive membrane integrity of post-thaw T semen were observed between extenders. All characteristics of post-thawed semen in extenders supple- mented with 50 mM L-glutamine tended to be lower than those without L-glutamine, and semen from one F and two T stallions could be used for cryopreservation. In conclusion, semen from T and F stallions in our study displayed poor overall freezability. Cryopreservation of stallion semen in lactose-EDTA with 4% glycerol exhibited better post-thaw semen quality. Supplementing glutamine to extenders did not produce beneficial effects on any post-thaw semen parameters examined due to poor initial freezability.

The effects of four different extenders on semen storage of Thai, native, crossbred (T; n = 5) and full-size, purebred (F; n = 4) horses were investigated. The extenders used were Kenney (E1), Kenney with 50 mM glutamine (E2), INRA-82Y (E3) and INRA-82Y with 50 mM glutamine (E4). The semen was collected through the use of an artificial vagina. It was then washed and the seminal plasma removed and maintained at 5°C in each extender for up to 96 h. The cooled samples were evaluated for viability using eosin-nigrosin staining and the hypo-osmotic swelling test (HOST) and then submitted to CASA for the analysis of total motility (TMOT), progressive motility (PMOT) and velocity parameters. It was found that there was a significant difference at (P<0.05) between T and F stallions for: the mean percentage of TMOT (77.8 %, 73.0 % ); PMOT (55.4 %, 46.8 % ); sperm concentration (309 · 106 ml-1, 374.5 · 106 ml-1); and osmolarity of fresh semen (329.3 mOsm, 314.6 mOsm). All the characteristics of the semen collected from the T and F stallions significantly decreased (P<0.05) after being stored for 24 h to 48 h in all extenders. The E3 tended to maintain sperm motility and membrane integrity for a longer period of time than the other extenders that were tested. Supplementing the extenders with 50 mM glutamine had adverse effects on the sperm motility and membrane integrity in cooled storage.