Seminal coagulation and sperm quality in different social contexts in captive tufted capuchin monkeys (Sapajus apella)

In the present study, we aimed to assess the influence of different social contexts on the seminal coagulation and sperm quality in captive tufted capuchin monkeys. For this, males were housed either individually, in mixed‐sex groups (with females), or in male‐only groups. Monkeys were housed in cages and each cage type (i.e., individual or group cage) was placed in a different room. Forty‐one males were subjected to semen collection by rectal electroejaculation. The degree of seminal coagulation was determined on a scale of I–IV. Seminal volume, sperm concentration, sperm motility, vigor, and plasma membrane integrity were evaluated for all ejaculate samples. All ejaculates collected showed degrees of coagulation between II and IV, where the majority presented coagulation degree IV, when collected from animals housed in groups. No statistical differences among percentages of coagula degree when samples were collected from males housed individually. Animals housed in group cages (male‐only groups and mixed‐sex groups) showed a significantly higher percentage of ejaculates at degree IV than males housed individually. Seminal volume was not affected by the coagula degree but by the housing system, where animals housed individually showed the highest volume (543 μl) when compared with those animals from male (273 μl) and mixed‐sex (318 μl) groups. No differences were observed in semen volume when comparing male‐only groups with mixed‐sex groups. Sperm ...

Source: American Journal of Primatology - February 6, 2017 Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Authors: Julianne S. Lima, Danuza L. Le ão, Karol G. Oliveira, Adriel B. Brito, Wlaisa V. Sampaio, Regiane R. Santos, Helder L. Queiroz, Sheyla F. Domingues Tags: RESEARCH ARTICLE Source Type: research