Post-mortem semen cryopreservation and characterization in two different endangered gazelle species (Gazella gazella and Gazella dorcas) and one subspecies (Gazella gazelle acaiae)

Extracted sperm motility was 71.67 ± 11.67% (mean ± S.E.M.). Post-thaw motility ranged between 15% and 63%, viability was 57.49 ± 3.24%, intact acrosome was detected in 63.74 ± 2.6% (median 64.8%, upper/lower quartiles 71.79%, 61.82%), and normal morphology ranged between 41% and 63%. Motility characterization showed two sub-groups-highly active and progressively motile spermatozoa with SMI of 62.75 ± 0.38 and low activity and poorly progressive with SMI of 46.16 ± 1.53. Our results indicate that PM preservation of gazelle spermatozoa with satisfactory post-thaw viability is possible and cryobanking is achievable.