Epididymal Sperm Characteristics of Iranian Short-Haired Cats

The aim of this study was to assess epididymal sperm parameters in Iranian short-haired cats. The study examined the epididymal sperm quality in seven Iranian short-haired cats (aged ۱–۴ years) undergoing routine orchiectomy at the Veterinary Hospital of Veterinary Faculty, Shahrekord University, Shahrekord, Iran, between January and March ۲۰۲۴. Sperm samples were collected from the tail of the epididymis in normal saline, filtered, and evaluated for one hour. Motility was assessed using light microscopy, morphology was evaluated using Giemsa staining, and viability was determined using Eosin-Nigrosin staining. The mean sperm concentration was ۲۰.۶ million/mL, with progressive motility of ۵۷.۰% and viability of ۶۷.۱%. Morphologically, ۶۵.۹ % of sperm were normal, with defects in ۶.۹% of the head, ۱۳.۵% of the body, ۱۰.۶% of the tail, and ۳.۱% showing cytoplasmic droplets. The mean and standard deviation (μm) for sperm head length, width, and perimeter were ۴.۳۹±۰.۰۶, ۲.۲۰±۰.۰۴, and ۱۲.۷۱±۰.۱۸, respectively. The sperm head area was ۹.۷۰±۰.۲۵ μm², and the sperm tail length was ۲۸.۱۱±۰.۸۸ μm. Testicular weights averaged ۱.۰۲ g (left) and ۱.۰۳۸ g (right). A positive correlation between motility and viability was observed (r = ۰.۶۸, p < ۰.۰۱). These findings provide valuable information on epididymal sperm in Iranian short-haired cats, with implications for feline breeding and conservation. Further research is needed to investigate factors such as acrosome integrity and environmental influences on sperm quality.

کلیدواژه ها:

Epididymal Sperm Quality ، Iranian Short-Haired Cats ، motility ، Viability ، Morphology