[Crossing blue fox (Alopex lagopus) to red fox (Vulpes vulpes) using artificial insemination]

An experiment with breeding red fox to blue fox by artificial insemination is described. The conception rate obtained was low. Of five blue fox vixens three whelped, and average litter size was 6.5. None of the six red fox vixens whelped. Examination of semen from the hybrid males showed aspermia. The testosterone levels in the male hybrids were significantly lower than those in male blue fox, the difference was less outstanding between the hybrids and the red fox males. The histological investigation of testes of the hybrids indicated that the spermatogenesis was arrested in the later prophase of the first meiotic division.