Research overview: teratospermia and sperm abnormalities in felids

Many felids, especially genetically depauperate species like the cheetah, produce ejaculates with a high proportion of structurally abnormal sperm, a condition called teratospermia. This overview surveys the prevalence and forms of sperm abnormalities across felids, the relationship between teratospermia and genetic diversity, and the consequences for fertility and assisted reproduction. It reviews how abnormal sperm impair natural conception and complicate techniques such as artificial insemination and in vitro fertilization, motivating methods like sperm injection. The review connects teratospermia to inbreeding, population history, and reproductive technology. Understanding teratospermia clarifies a central challenge in felid reproduction and conservation, linking the genetic health of a species to the quality of its gametes.