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This paper describes the sperm characteristics and response to cooling and freezing of naturally ejaculated semen from a captive, adult golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetus) trained to allow sperm recovery via cooperative copulation. A basic spermiogram was prepared, and sperm motility and morphometric variables recorded using a computer-aided system. For sperm storage, the effects of a polyvinylpyrrolidone-based extender were evaluated at 5°C. The same extender was also used in freezing procedures in which glycerol (11%) and dimethylacetamide (6%) were compared as cryoprotectants. The extender preserved sperm viability over storage periods of up to 6 days. Although sperm motility and percentage live sperm values were poorer for frozen-thawed (5.8-14.6% and 44-42%, respectively) than for fresh samples (46.7 and 74.6%, respectively), no differences were seen between the effects of the two cryoprotectants. These results could be of use when attempting to store the sperm of golden eagles and other raptors. © 2015 American Association of Zoo Veterinarians.

This study compares the effectiveness of two methods of sperm selection - Capripure® density-gradient centrifugation (DGC) and dextran swim-up (DSU) - in semen samples from Iberian ibex (Capra pyrenaica) and European mouflon (Ovis musimon). During the increasing photoperiod, Capripure® DGC improved the percentage of sperm with progressive motility (P<0.05) in ibexes, and selected 60.6% of the initial total number of spermatozoa contained in the ejaculate samples. In mouflon, Capripure® DGC selection was unaffected by photoperiod, had no influence on any sperm variable, and selected 47.8% of the initial total number of mouflon spermatozoa in ejaculate samples. Photoperiod had no influence on the effectiveness of DSU in either ibexes or mouflons. In the ibexes, DSU reduced (P<0.05) the percentage of sperm cells with morphological abnormalities, but only selected 11.3% of the initial total number of spermatozoa in ejaculate samples. In the mouflons, DSU had no significant influence on any sperm variable, and selected 27.8% of the initial total number. Capripure® DGC improved ibex and mouflon sperm motility (P<0.05) following 30min and 2h of post-centrifugation, stress-inducing incubation, respectively. In both ibexes and mouflon, sperm cells showing non-progressive motility were found after only 20h of post-centrifugation incubation following Capripure® DGC selection. In conclusion, Capripure® DGC would seem a useful method for selecting the best spermatozoa from both ibex and mouflon ejaculates. © 2014 Elsevier B.V.