117 Cryopreservation of snake semen: Are we frozen in time?

Abstract

The increasing number of endangered snake species, isolation of small fragmented populations with associated inbreeding and mating or conception problems in captivity underscore the need to develop assisted reproductive techniques such as semen cryopreservation and artificial insemination to enhance conservation efforts. However, no efficient protocols for semen evaluation, cooling, or freezing are described in the 4 known publications on snake semen cryopreservation. In this initial study, semen was collected noninvasively from 4 live adult red diamond rattlesnakes (Crotalus ruber) by ventral massage....