Investigation of scrotal circumference, testicular dimensions and semen characteristics of the vulnerable Arabian oryx (Oryx leucoryx): an approach supports the future use of artificial insemination

Figures & data

Table 1. Reproductive tract measurements of male Arabian oryx (Oryx leucoryx).

Animal group/parameter	Group 1 (3 years) n = 2	Group 2 (4 years) n = 3	Group 3 (5 years) n = 3	Group 4 (10 years) n = 3
Weight, kg	62.5 ± 2.04^d	75.0 ± 2.04^c	77.5 ± 2.04^b	81.6 ± 1.67^a
Scrotal circumference, cm	12.9 ± 0.21^d	14.75 ± 0.21^c	16.25 ± 0.21^b	17.67 ± 0.17^a
Right testis length, cm	2.90 ± 0.23^d	4.30 ± 0.03^c	4.59 ± 0.03^b	4.98 ± 0.19^a
Right testis width, cm	2.15 ± 0.10^d	2.88 ± 0.03^c	2.94 ± 0.03^b	3.33 ± 0.08^a
Right testis height, cm	2.35 ± 0.08^d	2.90 ± 0.08^c	2.97 ± 0.08^b	3.18 ± 0.169^a
Left testis length, cm	3.15 ± 0.03^d	4.4 ± 0.03^c	4.7 ± 0.03^b	5.43 ± 0.09^a
Left testis width, cm	2.25 ± 0.129^d	2.70 ± 0.129^c	2.915 ± 0.129^b	3.146 ± 0.105^a
Left testis height, cm	2.25 ± 0.122^d	2.70 ± 0.122^c	2.925 ± 0.122^b	3.10 ± 0.099^a
Testicular volume, cm^3	6.05 ± 0.397^d	8.8 ± 0.397^c	9.175 ± 0.397^b	10.41 ± 0.3248^a
Testicular weight, g	15.43 ± 4.072^d	36.09 ± 4.072^c	41.49 ± 4.072^b	57.21 ± 3.32^a
GSI	24.63 ± 5.28^d	48.34 ± 5.28^c	53.32 ± 5.28^b	70.12 ± 4.31^a

Each value represents the mean ± standard error of means ± SEM. GSI: gonadosomatic index. Means with dissimilar superscript alphabets in the same row are significantly different at p < .05.

Table 2. Pearson correlation coefficients between animal weight versus scrotal circumference, testicular volume, testicular weight and gonadosomatic index (GSI) in Arabian oryx (Oryx leucoryx).

Parameter	|r|	p Value
Scrotal circumference	.94797	<.0001
Testicular volume	.93554	<.001
Testicular weight	.91752	<.001
GSI	.88613	<.001

GSI: gonadosomatic index.

Table 3. Ejaculate characteristics of male Arabian oryx (Oryx leucoryx).

Parameter	Group 1 (3 years) n = 2	Group 2 (4 years) n = 3	Group 3 (5 years) n = 3	Group 4 (10 years) n = 3
Semen volume, ml	1.90 ± 0.31^b	2.73 ± 0.31^a	1.53 ± 0.31^c	1.2 ± 0.25^c
Semen PH	7.78 ± 0.05^a	7.68 ± 0.05^a	7.73 ± 0.05^a	7.73 ± 0.03^a
Semen osmolarity, mOsm	285.66 ± 1.63^a	281.66 ± 1.63^b	279.50 ± 1.63^b	277.22 ± 1.33^c
Total motility, TM	68.33 ± 5.65^a	57.50 ± 5.65^a	74.166 ± 5.65^a	70.00 ± 4.61^a
CASA TM	63.66 ± 7.31^a	54.50 ± 7.31^a	77.33 ± 7.31^a	65.22 ± 5.97^a
CASA PM	23.83 ± 4.35^a	15.83 ± 4.35^a	25.00 ± 4.35^a	17.77 ± 3.55^a
Concentration	144.17 ± 45.80^a	213.67 ± 45.80^a	181.0 ± 45.80^a	159.72 ± 37.40^a
VAP, μm/s	113.30 ± 22.82^a	103.70 ± 22.82^a	161.50 ± 22.82^a	148.40 ± 18.63^a
VCL, μm/s	256.28 ± 40.08^a	226.07 ± 40.08^a	326.92 ± 40.08^a	290.05 ± 32.73^a
ALH, μm	11.73 ± 1.70^a	8.70 ± 1.70^a	14.72 ± 1.70^a	10.62 ± 1.39^a
BCF, Hz	28.45 ± 2.11^a	25.97 ± 2.11^a	22.90 ± 2.11^a	23.70 ± 1.72^a
LIN, %	35.67 ± 2.36^a	36.17 ± 2.36^a	39.33 ± 2.36^a	37.00 ± 1.93^a

Each value represents the mean ± standard error of means ± SEM. TM: total motility; PM: progressive motility; CASA: computer-assisted sperm analyser; VAP: average path velocity; VCL: curvilinear velocity; ALH: amplitude of lateral head displacement; BCF: beat cross frequency; LIN: linearity. Means with dissimilar superscripts in the same row are significantly different at p < .05.

Table 4. Percentages of normal and live spermatozoa in male Arabian oryx (Oryx leucoryx).

Parameter	Group 1 (3 years) n = 2	Group 2 (4 years) n = 3	Group 3 (5 years) n = 3	Group 4 (10 years) n = 3
% of normal spermatozoa using eosin-nigrosin stain	67.66 ± 6.79^a	69.0 ± 6.79^a	72.0 ± 6.79^a	49.11 ± 5.55^b
% of normal spermatozoa using spermac stain	70.16 ± 5.85^a	74.16 ± 5.85^a	74.16 ± 5.85^a	51.33 ± 4.78^b
% of normal spermatozoa using phase method	64.33 ± 4.66^a	61.33 ± 4.66^a	60.66 ± 4.66^a	41.33 ± 3.81^b
% of Live sperm cells using eosin-nigrosin stain	82.16 ± 2.10^a	79.33 ± 2.10^a	86.50 ± 2.10^a	73.00 ± 1.72^b
% of Live sperm cells using Sybr14/PI stain	82.00 ± 1.44^a	80.83 ± 1.44^a	85.00 ± 1.44^a	78.77 ± 1.179^b

Each value represents the mean ± standard error of means ± SEM. Means with dissimilar superscripts in the same row are significantly different at p < .05.

Table 5. Percentages of abnormal and dead spermatozoa in male Arabian oryx (Oryx leucoryx).

Parameter	Group 1 (3 years) n = 2	Group 2 (4 years) n = 3	Group 3 (5 years) n = 3	Group 4 (10 years) n = 3
% of primary sperm abnormalities using eosin-nigrosin stain	20.66 ± 4.31^b	17.33 ± 4.31^b	14.66 ± 4.31^b	28.00 ± 3.52^a
% of secondary sperm abnormalities using eosin-nigrosin stain	11.66 ± 5.05^b	13.66 ± 5.05^b	15.00 ± 5.05^b	24.00 ± 4.12^a
% of primary sperm abnormalities using Spermac stain	18.66 ± 3.16^a	16.00 ± 3.16^a	18.00 ± 3.16^a	21.00 ± 2.58^b
% of secondary sperm abnormalities using spermac stain	11.16 ± 4.34^a	9.83 ± 4.34^a	7.83 ± 4.34^a	28.77 ± 3.55^b
% of primary sperm abnormalities using Phase method	18.66 ± 3.16^a	22.50 ± 3.16^a	18.66 ± 3.16^a	24.11 ± 2.58^a
% of secondary sperm abnormalities using phase method	17.00 ± 5.09^a	16.16 ± 5.09^a	20.66 ± 5.09^a	34.33 ± 4.16^b
% dead sperm cells using eosin-nigrosin stain	17.83 ± 2.16^b	19.00 ± 2.16^b	13.50 ± 2.16^b	27.00 ± 1.76^a
% of dead sperm cells using Sybr14/PI stain	18.00 ± 1.44^b	19.16 ± 1.44^b	15.00 ± 1.44^b	21.22 ± 1.179^a

Each value represents the mean ± standard error of means ± SEM. Means with dissimilar superscripts in the same row are significantly different at p < .05.