Sperm morphology and forward motility are indicators of reproductive success and are not age- or condition-dependent in a captive breeding population of endangered snake

ABSTRACT: The relationship between male ejaculate traits and reproductive success is an important consideration for captive breeding programs. A recovery plan for the endangered Louisiana pinesnake includes captive breeding for the release of young to the wild. Semen was collected from twenty captive breeding male snakes and ejaculate traits of motility, morphology, and membrane viability were measured for each male. Semen traits were analyzed in relation to the fertilization rate of eggs produced from pairings of each male with a single female (% fertility) to determine the ejaculate factors contributing to reproductive success. In addition, we investigated the age- and condition-dependence of each ejaculate trait. We found significant variation in the ejaculate traits of males and normal sperm mor

SUBMITTER: Sandfoss M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10004498 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature