Estudo preliminar para colheita e avaliação seminal de serpentes mantidas em cativeiro

Abstract

Snake populations have been decreasing over the years, and this is related to several factors, such as trafficking, fragmentation of habitats, beliefs, etc., making it necessary to develop means for their conservation. For this reason, it is necessary to carry out more research related to the physiology, anatomy and reproduction of wild animals, in addition to developing methods for collecting genetic material from these animals so that they can be used in the application of reproduction biotechnologies. This work aimed to establish a seminal collection method and the physical and microscopic characteristics of semen from snakes kept in captivity. Eleven snakes belonging to the herds of the Museu Vivo dos Reptiles da Caatinga and the Zoobotanical Park Arruda Câmara were used. The harvest was carried out by means of massages in the final third of the animal, associated with the application of Lidocaine subcutaneously. The analyzes carried out on the semen were color, aspect, odor, concentration, motility, vigor and morphology. The semen of both snakes analyzed during the experiment showed a color that varied from ivory to slightly yellowish, a creamy appearance and a very thick, viscous consistency, in addition to a strong odor that appears to be suis generis, which may be related to pheromones. As for vigor, values from 3 to 5 and a motility between 70% and 80% were found. The spermatozoa have a filiform shape, with well-defined and distinct head, midpiece and tail, the main alterations found were in the tail and midpiece. Its concentration was below that exposed in other works. Thus, at the end of this work, it is concluded that the massage in the ventral region of the final third of the snakes associated with the application of 2% Lidocaine is effective for the relaxation of the cloacal region, thus facilitating the seminal collection, in the However, the technique still needs to be improved to avoid loss of material. This research can help in the development of reproduction biotechnologies that can be applied to snakes, since the seminal collection is a starting point to help in the conservation of the most diverse species, thus guaranteeing the survival of these animals that have such an important role for the environment.