Post-harvest motility and morphological changes of spermatozoa following caudal epididymal recovery in farmed common eland (Tragelaphus oryx) bulls.

The caudal epididymal recovery of spermatozoa has been utilised in game animal species to preserve genetically superior material after trophy hunting or slaughter, due to the difficulties of handling wild animals. Furthermore, the potential application of assisted reproductive techniques using harvested spermatozoa may contribute towards maintaining genetic diversity in isolated captive populations internationally. However, this technique requires clear and ideally simple protocols for the collection and handling of gametes after the death of the male animals, as the point of harvest is usually remote in game ranching.