中国穿山甲(Manispentadactyla)是一种极度濒危的物种。然而,对该物种的雄性生殖配子生物学的研究很少。本研究是第一个系统分析中国穿山甲精子特征的研究,包括收集精液,精子形态和超微结构。采用电射精法成功采集了5只雄性中国穿山甲的精液。CASA(计算机辅助精子分析)用于评估精液质量并拍摄图像以进行精子形态测量分析。采用扫描电镜(SEM)和透射电镜(TEM)观察精子超微结构。结果表明,中国穿山甲的精液呈黄色至浅黄色,粘性,有鱼腥味,和在7.7和7.9之间的微碱性pH。头部缺陷是主要的精子缺陷。本研究统计了13种头部缺陷。精子总长度,头部长度,头部宽度和尾部长度为67.62±0.21μm,10.47±0.06μm,1.33±0.006μm和57.16±0.20μm,分别。SEM观察到精子呈杆状头部,顶端脊明显,这与大多数哺乳动物不同,与鸟类和爬行动物相似。有趣的是,TEM发现,中国穿山甲的顶体膜具有双膜结构,而不是先前研究报道的多双层膜结构。总的来说,这项研究有助于中国穿山甲人工繁殖和辅助生殖技术的发展,并为该物种的种质保护研究提供技术支持。
The Chinese pangolin (Manis pentadactyla) is a critically endangered species. However, there is a paucity of research on the male reproductive gamete biology of this species. The present study was the first to systematically analyse the sperm characterization of the Chinese pangolin, including semen collection, sperm morphometry and ultrastructure. The semen of five male Chinese pangolins was successfully collected using the electroejaculation method. CASA (computer-assisted sperm analysis) was used to assess semen quality and take images for sperm morphometric analysis. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were used for sperm ultrastructure observation. The results showed that the semen of the Chinese pangolin was yellow to pale yellow in colour, viscous, with a fishy odour, and a slightly alkaline pH of between 7.7 and 7.9. The head defects were the main sperm defects; there were 13 kinds of head defects counted in this study. The total sperm length, head length, head width and tail length were 67.62 ± 0.21 μm, 10.47 ± 0.06 μm, 1.33 ± 0.006 μm and 57.16 ± 0.20 μm, respectively. SEM observed that the spermatozoa had a rod-shaped head with a distinct apical ridge, which was different from most mammals and similar to that in avians and reptiles. Interestingly, TEM found that the acrosome membrane of the Chinese pangolin had a double membrane structure rather than a multiple bi-lamellar membrane structure as reported by the previous study. Collectively, this study contributes to the development of artificial breeding efforts and assisted reproductive techniques for the Chinese pangolin, as well as providing technical support for research on germplasm conservation of this species.