Transvaginal ovum retrieval in scimitar horned oryx (Oryx dammah) and roan antelope (Hippotragus equinus)

Development and use of assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs) in non-domestic species provides novel tools for species conservation. As a first step towards in vitro embryo production, we developed an ovum pick-up (OPU) technique for two antelope species, scimitar horned oryx ( Oryx dammah; SHO) and roan antelope ( Hippotragus equinus ) utilizing a custom-made needle guide and commercially available OPU equipment utilized by livestock and human practitioners. Females were anesthetized and placed in sternal recumbency for transvaginal OPUs. Prior to OPUs (36 - 45 hours), SHO and roan were either hormonally stimulated with follicle stimulating hormone (FSH, 140 or 250IU) as a single treatment or not. A total of 32 and 26 OPUs were completed in SHO (n=10) and roan (n=7), respectively, representing one to four OPUs per animal at monthly intervals. A total of 139 oocytes were recovered from 216 follicles in SHO and 29 oocytes from 58 follicles in roan. FSH (250IU) increased (P<0.05) the number of follicles aspirated and the number of oocytes recovered in SHO, but not in roan (P>0.05). Good quality oocytes were recovered from all females and procedures were conducted in four consecutive months with no evidence of scar tissue buildup or reduced capacity to recover good quality oocytes. These ARTs can be used to develop in vitro embryo production tools for population management and the preservation of female genetics; bolstering genetic diversity and guarding against extinction.