Sperm cryopreservation and reproductive characteristics in the beauty snake (Elaphe taeniura) as a model for endangered Colubridae.

Sperm collection and cryopreservation are key technologies for assisted reproduction, with post-mortem sperm collection being the main tool to prevent the decline of endangered species. The present study describes post-mortem sperm collection and two cryopreservation protocols in beauty snakes (Elaphe taeniura), as a model for Colubridae. The vasa deferentia of 18 snakes were collected post-mortem and incubated for 30 min at room temperature to retrieve sperm by float up.