Semen collection from a crocodile; technique
Key words: crocodile, Colombia, Escobar, semen, penis, collection
A collage of images:
Semen collection from a crocodile by digital massage of the peneal pillars. Crocodylus intermedius is an endangered species. This exercise was conducted as part of standardizing semen collection for technologies such as semen freezing and AI to promote survival of these animals.
The images show how the penis was withdrawn from the genital recess and the bulbs and shaft of the penis were massaged until an erection was obtained.
To promote an erection, both the peneal bulbs and body of the penis were massaged. This could take 3 to 5 minutes to occur. However, semen flow may only begin 10 to 30 minutes after the onset of stimulation. During erection, the ejaculatory groove closes, allowing semen to be ejaculated at the level of the glans penis. Semen could be collected from the glans as shown here but in this crocodile also possible to catheterize the deferent ducts at the base of the peneal pillars to collect semen. This was achieved through the use of a tomcat catheter.
In one of the four specimens collected in this manner a “plug” was present in the seminal duct. In that case, semen was obtained by catheterization the duct after the plug was removed.
The author and holder of copyright for this image is Dr Claudia Jimenez DVM MSc DVSc DACT
National University of Colombia, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Research Group on Herd Health and Animal Reproduction cjimeneze@unal.edu.co
Semen collection from a crocodile by digital massage of the peneal pillars. Crocodylus intermedius is an endangered species. This exercise was conducted as part of standardizing semen collection for technologies such as semen freezing and AI to promote survival of these animals.
The images in this series show the peneal bulbs, the shaft of the penis and the glans. The head of the crocodile is on the right of this image.
The author and holder of copyright for this image is Dr Claudia Jimenez DVM MSc DVSc DACT
National University of Colombia, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Research Group on Herd Health and Animal Reproduction cjimeneze@unal.edu.co
Semen collection from a crocodile by digital massage. Crocodylus intermedius is an endangered species. This exercise was conducted as part of standardizing semen collection for technologies such as semen freezing and AI to promote survival of these animals.
The images in this series show how the crocodile was physically restrained for semen collection. After catching the crocodile, its snout is closed and secured with rope. The eyes are covered to avoid stress. After the limbs are restrained close to the body, the crocodile is rolled over and semen collection can begin. After the procedure, the crocodile is returned to its enclosure (upper right) showing no signs of stress.
The author and holder of copyright for these images is Dr Claudia Jimenez DVM MSc DVSc DACT
National University of Colombia, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Research Group on Herd Health and Animal Reproduction cjimeneze@unal.edu.co
