The repetition of semen collection does not affect the physiological and biochemical response to electroejaculation of anesthetized adult and yearling pampas deer (Ozotoceros bezoarticus) males

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine if multiple captures, general anesthesia and electroejaculation (EE) modify the heart rate (HR), pulse rate (PR), respiratory rate (RR), rectal temperature (RT), oxygen saturation, and the cortisol, alkaline phosphatase (AP) and creatine kinase (CK) responses to EE in adult and yearling pampas deer (Ozotoceros bezoarticus) males. Individuals were captured, anesthetized and electroejaculated on four occasions, once per season, from June to the following March (first to fourth collection respectively). Rectal temperature, as well as cortisol, AP and CK serum concentrations were determined before and after electroejaculation (BEE and AEE). The HR (P < 0 0.0001), PR (P < 0.0001), RR (P < 0.001), CK (P < 0.001) and cortisol concentration (P = 0.003) increased AEE, while RT (P = 0.004) decreased AEE. Heart rate increased in the first and third collections (P < 0.01), RR increased in the fourth collection (P < 0.001), and the highest values of RT were observed in the third and fourth collections (P < 0.0001). We concluded that repeated handling to collect semen did not have a sustained negative effect on the response to EE, which supports repeated semen collection from the same individuals.