Effect of different anesthetic protocols on erection, ejaculation and sperm parameters in red-rumped agoutis (Dasyprocta leporina) subjected to electroejaculation

abstract: With the aim of contributing to the development of assisted reproduction for red-rumped agouti germplasm conservation, we compared different anesthetic protocols for electroejaculation in agoutis in terms of anesthetic parameters, functions of erection and ejaculation, and semen metrics. Ten sexually mature males underwent electroejaculation with 15-day intervals according to the following anesthetic protocols: Ketamine/xylazine, Ketamine/dexmedetomidine, Ketamine/xylazine/epidural anesthesia or Azaperone/meperidine/ketamine/xylazine plus epidural anesthesia. The following variables were evaluated: induction latency period, anesthetic recovery, and duration of epidural anesthesia. Regarding the reproductive variables, erection, the stimulation cycle in which ejaculation occurred, and the semen characteristics were observed. All the protocols were efficient for providing adequate induction of latency (ranging from 1.46 to 13.14 min) and recovery (average 2 h) periods. The use of a premedication did not influence the duration of epidural anesthesia (P