Studies on Reproductive Physiology and Artificial Reproduction in the Cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus)

猎豹（Acinonyx jubatus）被列入CITES附录I，并被IUCN列为“易危”物种。我们的长期目标是研究猎豹的生殖生理学，并开发人工生殖技术。本研究与姬路中央公园、姬路市立动物园、群马野生动物世界、南纪白滨冒险世界、滨松动物园合作进行。在本研究中使用了38只猎豹（19只雄性和19只雌性），并获得了以下结果。1.精液特征明显较差，特别是多形精子的发生率。2.萘酚黄S和赤藓红B染色可清楚显示精子顶体。4. TEST蛋黄是更有效的稀释剂精子冷冻保存比乳糖溶液（PDV），传统上使用在美国4。在非妊娠雌性动物中，血浆类固醇激素（尤其是孕酮）的浓度重复了一种节律性模式，范围为9至12周。5.阴道细胞学检查可用于妊娠诊断。6.腹腔镜观察显示PMSG-hCG治疗对卵泡发育和促排卵有效。7.由于子宫颈的解剖特点，非手术人工授精技术是不够的。8.尽管成熟率较低，但未成熟（萌发泡期）的卵巢卵母细胞在体外仍能被刺激成熟至末期I。

The Cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus) is listed on Appendix I of the CITES and as "Vulnerable" by the IUCN.Breeding this species in captivity traditionally has been difficult. Our long-term goal is to investigate reproductive physiology and to develop artificially reproductive techniques in the cheetah. This study is conducted in cooperation with Himeji Central Park, Himeji Municipal Zoo, Gunma Safari World, Nanki Shirahama Adventure World and Hamamatsu Zoological Garden. Thirty eight cheetahs (nineteen males and nineteen females) were used in this study, and the following results were obtained. 1. Semen characteristics were markedly inferior, particularly with respect to the incidence of pleiomorphic spermatozoa. 2. The naphthol yellow S and erythrosin B staining gave good definition of the sperm acrosome. 4. TEST-yolk was more effective diluent for sperm cryopreservation than the lactose solution (PDV), conventionally used in the U.S.A.4. In non-pregnant females, concentrations of the plasma steroid hormones, especially progesterone, repeated a rhythmic pattern, which ranged from 9 to 12 weeks. 5. Vaginal cytology could be available for pregnancy diagnosis. 6. Laparoscopic observation revealed that PMSG-hCG treatment was efficacious against follicular development and ovulation induction. 7. For reasons of anatomical feature of the uterine cervix, nonsurgically artificial insemination technique was not adequate. 8. Although the maturation rate was low, immature (germinal vesicle stage) ovarian oocytes could be stimulate to mature to telophase I in vitro.