Transcervical or Laparoscopic Insemination of Frozen-thawed Semen in Estrus-synchronized Himalayan Tahrs (Hemitragus jemlahicus)

Four estrus-induced Himalayan tahrs (Hemitragus jemlahicus) were inseminated with frozen-thawed semen by laparoscopic or transcervical insemination techniques with no regard to the site of ovulation in non-breeding season. In June and July, 2009, estrus was synchronized by Eazi-Breed $CIDR^{(R)}$ (Controlled internal drug release; Pfizer Animal Health, New Zealand) insertion for 16 days and PG 600 (PMSG 400IU, hCG 200 IU; Intervet, Netherlands) injection (IM) a day before removing $CIDR^{(R)}$. Forty eight hours later, laparoscopic or transcervical insemination was done to each of two tahrs under anesthetic condition inducted by ketamine (1.5 mg/kg) and medetomidine (0.09 mg/kg). For examination of estradiol and progesterone, blood was collected right before $CIDR^{(R)}$ insertion, PG 600 injection, $CIDR^{(R)}$ removal and insemination. Estradiol levels of four tahrs (No. 1, 2, 3, 4) before $CIDR^{(R)}$ insertion and insemination were 13.3, 8.8, 14.3, 12 pg/ml and 23.5, 25.5, 21.1, 11.5 pg/ml, respectively. Progesterone levels of four tahrs (No. 1, 2, 3, 4) before $CIDR^{(R)}$ insertion and insemination were 1.8, 0.05, 0.63, 0.61 ng/ml and 1.03, 0.37, 1.48, 2.12 ng/ml. Except for No. 4 tahr, cervices showed cervical mucus and opened enough to penetrate with embryo transfer gun sheet usually used for cows. Therefore, No.4 was laparoscopically inseminated together with No. 1. In conclusion, none of four Himalayan tahrs was pregnant. However, we proved that estrus could be induced by CIDR and PG 600 injection in non-breeding season, and laparoscopic or transcervical insemination with frozen-thawed semen could be one of assisted reproductive techniques in Himalayan Tahr.