SEMEN EVALUATION OF GIANT PANDAS (AILUROPODA-MELANOLEUCA) AT THE WOLONG RESERVE

Semen from 4 wild-caught giant pandas (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) held at the China Conservation and Research Centre for the Giant Panda was co llected (22 samples during 1991-1993) by electroejaculation, and evalu ated for use in artificial insemination. Semen characteristics (mean /- SD) recorded were as follows: semen volume -1.5 +/- .9 ml (range-0. 3-3.5); sperm density 1.5 +/- 0.1 x 10(9)/ml (range-0.24-4.2); motilit y 79 +/- 10% (range-60-95); abnormal sperm 14 +/- 5% (range-10-27); an d pH 7.1 +/- 0.2 (range-6.7-7.5). There were significant differences f rom year to year (P < 0.05) in semen volume collected and in the perce ntage abnormal sperm in 1993 compared to other years. There were no si gnificant differences among semen produced from the four different pan das. Data collected were similar to reports for other giant pandas, an d semen from all 4 giant pandas was considered suitable for use in art ificial insemination. (C) 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.