Temperature-dependent regulation of sperm motility of Ijima's copper pheasants (Syrmaticus soemmerringii ijimae), one of 'near threatened' species.

In order to conserve the copper pheasants, one of the Japanese 'near threatened' species, the knowledge of the sperm characteristics is the inevitable issue. Therefore, temperature-dependent regulation of copper pheasant sperm motility was investigated in comparison with that of domestic fowl spermatozoa. Motility of intact spermatozoa from both species was markedly affected by temperature.