Abstract

FERRARI, M.R et al. Red deer (Cervus elaphus) sperm nucleus preliminary studies. InVet [online]. 2008, vol.10, n.2, pp.73-80. ISSN 1668-3498.

In this work we measured the red deer (Cervus elaphus) haploide DNA content, several nuclear sperm morphometric characteristics and some chromatin distribution parameters. According to our knowledge, it is the first time that the DNA content was measured on this species. Feulgen Reaction, which is specific and stoichiometric for DNA, was carried out on semen smears obtained by electroeyaculación from an adult male. Using microespectrophotometry and Gallus domesticus as standard species, the haploid DNA content was determined (3.88+0.58 pg). Chromatin distribution was evaluated using characteristics such as maximun and average absorbance and their relationships. The first was observed in the nucleus basal zone and the value of the maximun/average absorbance was 3.01+0.08. Using digital microphotograhs of normal sperm stained with Feulgen, the following characteristics were measured on the main plane: area (26.12+0.20 ì m2), perimeter (20.01+0.07 ì m), maximum diagonal (7.82+0.03 ì m), minimum diagonal (4.25+0.03 ì m) and were obtained two indirect diagonal maximum diagonal/ minimum diagonal (1.85+0.01) and shape (0.81+0.01). The absorbance measures and the morphometric determinations showed low coefficients of variation (< 0.15). These results suggest that the nuclear characteristics may have little variability and that the stain and measurement techniques are accurate.

Keywords : Cervus elaphus; Sperm nucleus; DNA content; Nuclear morphology.

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