GONADAL AND EXTRAGONADAL SPERM PARAMETER PROFILES IN THE AFRICAN FRUIT BAT (EPOMOPS FRANQUETI, TOMES, 1860).

This study investigated the profile of testicular (gonad) and epididymal (extragonadal) sperm characteristics and spermiogram in Epomops franqueti bat caught during the peak (late wet season) of reproductive activities. Fifteen adult male African fruit bats (E. franqueti) trapped using Mist net at University of Ibadan, Nigeria (07° 26ˊN 03° 54ˊ E) were used for this experiment. Bats were anaesthetized using ketamine HCl (25mg̸kg), incised via ventral abdomen to exteriorize testes and epididymides needed for the evaluations of sperm morphology, motility, concentration, livability ratio and morphometry. Morphologically, the spermatozoa head of E. franqueti under the light microscope were oval with the apex of the sperm head being conical. The entire length of the spermatozoa measured approximately 58.11 ± 1.84 µm. Generally, the head measured 8.97± 0.38µm in length and 5.91 ± 0.34 µm in diameter which varied significantly (P˂ 0.05). The relationship between the entire sperm length and the head length (r=0.566), the mid piece (r=0.283) and the tail (r=0.886) showed positive correlation. The epididymal sperm motility, livability and concentration were markedly increased compared to the testicular parameters. Also, both testicular and epididymal sperm abnormalities were strikingly lower than the range reported for most mammals. The set of data evaluated in this study provided the basis for the elaborate breeding potential of this bat species.

Volume
Year
Issue
File
107 to 121.pdf (857.03 KB)
Page Range
107-121