Semen evaluation in four autochthonous wild raptor species using CASA.

At least ten percent of the approximately 300 species of the order Falconiformes are listed as being globally threatened. The present work describes the seminal characteristics of three diurnal and one nocturnal raptor species. Semen was collected from clinically healthy Accipiter nisus (N=1), Falco subbuteo (N=6) and F.tinnunculus (N=5) adult males that were housed at the ‘Centro Animali Non Convenzionali’ of the Department of Veterinary Sciences of the University of Turin. The semen was collected after a period of recovery and before their release as well as from 7Bubo bubo males bred in captivity as part of a raptor conservation project. All of the potential semen donors were trained in semen collection during the breeding season via a ritualized procedure. Ejaculation was achieved using a massaging technique. Each sample was evaluated for volume, degree of contamination and spermatozoa concentration. The semen motility and kinetic parameters were assessed n diluted semen (modified TALP, pH 7.5, temperature 37.5°C) using a Computer Aided Sperm Analyzer. Semen collection was successful in all of the diurnal species and in five Bubo bubo individuals. The sperm motility and sperm kinetic parameters were very variable both among and within species. In contrast with previous studies that involved raptors bred in captivity and imprinted on humans, we worked with wild birds and attempted to overcome the problem of poor semen quality, which is strongly influenced by stress, by adopting a ritualized procedure that has never been reported for semen collection purposes.