Artificial insemination and assisted reproduction techniques in cats are uncommon in Poland, mostly because of problems with semen collection. Electro ejaculation seems to be the only method in untrained tomcats. However it requires special equipment and is unpopular due to the level of distress in the animals caused by the procedure. Objective methods estimating pain or discomfort are rarely available. In this study the electro ejaculation procedure was performed in tomcats under general anesthesia (xylasine + ketamine) immediately before orchiectomy. An endorectal electrode was used and electrical stimuli of 2-6 V applied in a maximum of 3 series, 10 stimuli per series. Semen was collected in 57.1% of cases. Motility was observed on average in 47% of spermatozoa and 74.5% of spermatozoa were estimated as morphologically normal. Detached heads and wrapped tails were the most frequent abnormalities. Plasma cortisol concentration varied largely among individuals. Mean cortisol values did not significantly differ amongst the cats before and after stimulation. Electrocardiography examination showed only a slight change in the heart rate and mean electrical axis; however these changes were not clinically significant. Electro ejaculation did not cause short term negative side effects on the cardiac muscle; however more testing would be needed to determine long-term effects. In conclusion, electro ejaculation could be a practical method of semen collection in tomcats. The procedure is not efficient in all cases. Determining the presence of distress in the cats during electro ejaculation requires further investigations.
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