Testicular fine needle aspiration cytology as a diagnostic tool in jaguar (Panthera onca) infertility

Abstract

Several methods of testicular punch biopsy were proposed for obtaining material for histologic or cytologic evaluation, but did not received enough clinical acceptance because it was considered to be too traumatizing. The fine Needle Aspiration (FNA) is considered a useful, simple and fast method to obtain samples from tissues. Regarding the importance of FNA in wild animals, this technique was tried in captive adult jaguar (Panthera onca) aiming the evaluation and possible causes of infertility. Using a needle and disposable syringe, the testis were aspirated. The whole aspirated was smeared onto a microscope slide and stained with Diff-quick method. Semen samples were collected by electroejaculation and analyzed for pH, total volume, motility, status, total spermatozoa count and morphology. Evaluation of sperm volume, pH, motility vigor and morphology were normal. However, was found below concentration. Cytologic quantification revealed germinative cells in all testicles. Among serial types of morphological normal spermatogenesis cells, there were found theratological forms of double final spermatids. These anomalous forms of final spermatids have not been noticed yet in FNA papers. So, we concluded that FNA together with other techniques, provides a useful tool in male infertility diagnostics, mainly when related to endangered species.