Abstract
This study characterizes the reproductive activity of male European lynx kept in Central Russia. Four captive adult males were subjected to an electroejaculation prior to (November), during (March) and after (June) the breeding season. Concentration, motility and morphological integrity of spermatozoa as well as testis diameter and testosterone levels in serum were evaluated. Additionally, fecal samples were collected for 2 years to determine the fecal testosterone secretion. Testis sizes and serum testosterone concentrations were characterized by little changes with highest levels in March (2.98 mm3; 1.96 ng/ml testosterone) and lowest in June (2.34 mm3; 0.75 ng/ml testosterone). In faeces, the highest testosterone concentrations were measured in February followed by a second increase in May. The volume of ejaculates and percentages of motile and intact spermatozoa reached the maxima in March. By performing two-male mating experiments, we could prove multiple paternity within three litters. Paternity analysis of litter also revealed that 26 of 31 cubs (84%) were sired from the same male, independently from being the first or second mating partner of the respective female. This particular male showed the most developed and activated reproductive tract and also had the best semen quality, which seems to be important for sperm competition.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Blottner S, Fasinski M, Pitra C (1989) Charakterisierung der In-vitro-Kapazitation motiler Bullenspermien durch die Hyamin-induzierte Akrosomenreaktion. Arch Exp Vetmed 43:285–295
Breitenmoser U, Breitenmoser-Würsten C (1990) Status, conservation needs and re-introduction of the lynx (Lynx lynx) in Europe. Nature and Environment Series 45, Council of Europe, Strasbourg
Breitenmoser U, Kavzencki P, Dotterer M, Breitenmoser-Würsten C, Capt S, Bernhardt F, Liberek M (1993) Spatial organization and recruitment of lynx (Lynx lynx) in a reintroduced population in the Swiss Jura Mountains. J Zool 231:449–464
Goeritz F, Hildebrandt TB, Jewgenow K, Wagner N, Hermes R, Strauss G, Meyer HHD (1997) Transrectal ultrasonographic examination of the female urogenital tract in nonpregnant and pregnant captive bears (Ursidae). J Reprod Fertil Suppl 51:303–312
Goeritz F, Quest M, Wagener A, Fassbender M, Broich A, Hildebrandt TB, Hofmann RR, Blottner S (2003) Seasonal timing of sperm production in roe deer: interrelationship between changes in ejaculate parameters, morphology and function of testis and accessory glands. Theriogenology 59:1487–1502
Goeritz F, Neubauer K, Naidenko SV, Fickel J, Jewgenow K (2005) Experimental investigations on reproductive physiology in male Eurasian Lynx (Lynx lynx). Theriogenology (in press)
Heptner V, Sludskii A (1972) Mammals of the Soviet Union. Vol. III: carnivores (Feloidea). Vyssha Shkola, Moscow, p 551
Hildebrandt TB, Hermes R, Jewgenow K, Goeritz F (2000) Ultrasonography as an important tool for the development and application of reproductive technologies in non-domestic species. Theriogenology 53:73–84
Kvam T (1991) Reproduction in the European lynx, Lynx lynx. Z Säugetierkd 56:146–158
Menotti-Raymond MA, O'Brien SJ (1995) Evolutionary conservation of ten microsatellite loci in four species of Felidae. J Heredity 86:319–322
Naidenko SV, Erofeeva MN (2004) Reproduction of Eurasian lynx and traits of females reproductive strategies. Zoologischeskii zhurnal 83:261–269
Nowell K, Jackson P (1996) Wild cats: status survey and conservation action plan. IUCN/SSC Cat Specialist Group, Gland, Switzerland
Parker GA (1970) Sperm competition and it's evolutionary consequences in the insects. Biol Rev 45:525–567
Pukazhenthi BS, Wildt DE, Howard JG (2001) The phenomenon and significance of teratospermia in felids. J Reprod Fertil Suppl 57:423–433
Reynolds JD (1996) Animal breeding systems. TREE 11:68–72
Schmidt K, Jedrzejewski W, Okarma H (1997) Spatial organization and social relations in the Eurasian lynx population in Bialowieza Primeval Forest, Poland. Acta Theriol 42:289–312
Wildt DE, Bush M, Howard JG, O'Brien SJ, Meltzer D, Dyk AV, Ebedes H, Brand DJ (1983) Unique seminal quality in the South African cheetah and a comparative evaluation in the domestic cat. Biol Reprod 29:1019–1025
Wildt DE, Bush M, Goodrowe KL, Packer C, Pusey AE, Brown JL, Joslin P, O'Brien SJ (1987) Reproductive and genetic consequences of founding isolated lion populations. Nature 329:328–331
Acknowledgements
This manuscript is dedicated to Christian Pitra on the occasion of his 65th birthday. We still enjoy his enthusiastic and critical scientific discussions. This work was supported by BMBF (RUS 02/035), DAAD (Leonhard-Euler-Stipendienprogramm), RFBR 03-04-48673 and Russian Science Support Foundation. The authors thank Christiane Franz, Marlies Rohleder (all IZW) and Mariya Erofeeva (IEE) for excellent technical assistance.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Jewgenow, K., Goeritz, F., Neubauer, K. et al. Characterization of reproductive activity in captive male Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx). Eur J Wildl Res 52, 34–38 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10344-005-0002-6
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10344-005-0002-6