Theriogenology wild最新文献

The breeding of captive wild species can play a crucial role in their preservation. Jaguars, the largest felines in the Americas, face challenges in captivity that hinder their breeding success in zoos and conservation institutions. One major barrier to successful captive breeding is the difficulty of replicating the natural environment, including nutritional, social, and habitat needs. Hence, any insights into the breeding behaviour and parental care of jaguars can inform and enhance breeding strategies for these captive felines. In this study, we aimed to examine maternal behaviours during the pre- and post-partum periods in the first successful case of natural reproduction of captive jaguars in Brazil. The study took place at the Mata Ciliar Association in Jundiaí , Brazil, where infrared cameras were used to observe maternal behaviours without human interference. The behaviours were analysed using an ethogram of the mother and Generalized Linear Models (GLM) to examine her behavioural repertoire during three different phases of parental care. Our findings suggest that there were differences in the behaviours exhibited by the female jaguar in the pre- and post-partum periods. Furthermore, the mother's interactions with her jaguar cubs reduced her stereotyped behaviours, implying an improvement in her welfare. Finally, we offer suggestions and recommendations to facilitate future breeding efforts for captive jaguars.

In vivo-collected granulosa cells (GC) from the southern white rhinoceros (SWR) provide a non-invasive assessment of the developmental status of oocytes prior to in vitro culture, which could aid in the development of assisted reproductive technologies (ART). Our study aimed to investigate gene expression in SWR granulosa cells, collected in vivo and gain preliminary insight into the transcriptional activity occurring within the cells during various stages of oocyte development. It was hypothesized there would be similarities between the SWR GC transcriptome and cattle and humans, two species for which well-annotated genomes are available and ART are commonly used. GC were collected from SWR following ovum pickup (OPU) and pooled from all aspirated follicles. Total RNA was isolated, libraries prepared, and sequencing performed using an Illumina NextSeq 500. Reads were aligned and annotated to CerSimCot1.0. Databases for cattle and human were acquired for comparison. This study identified 37,407 transcripts present in GC of SWR. It was determined that cattle and human transcriptomes are valuable resources with a homology of 45 % with the SWR. In conclusion, these data provide preliminary, novel insights into the transcriptional activity of GC in the SWR that can be used to enhance ART in this species.

Semen collection by electroejaculation under general anesthesia is a frequent method used in wild animal species. The study aimed to compare the effectiveness of two anesthetic protocols (ketamine/detomidine (KD) or ketamine/xylazine (KX) for semen collection with electroejaculation in pampas deer (Ozotoceros bezoarticus) males. Also, compared the physiological and hematological changes with the two anesthetic protocols. Seven pampas deer males were anesthetized with both protocol in an overcorssed design, reverting the anesthesia with atipamezole in both protocols. The induction time, recovery time, and the time of the anesthesia procedures did not differ between both anesthetic protocols. The heart rate was greater when animals were anesthetized with KD than when KX was used (55.33 ± 2.7 bpm vs 45.12 ± 2.6 bpm; P = 0.05). Although there was no difference according to the anesthetic protocol, the oximetry values were below those considered normal in other species. When animals were treated with the KD, the red blood cell number, hematocrit, and hemoglobin concentration were greater than with the KX protocol (17.1 ± 1.3 ×10⁶/µL vs 15.9 ± 1.3 ×10⁶/µL; P = 0.006; 47.2 ± 3.4% vs 43.9 ± 3.4%; P = 0.008; and 14.8 ± 0.8 g/dL vs 13.8 ± 0.8 g/dL P = 0.01, respectively). Less number of electrical pulses were required for ejaculation in animals treated with KX than with KD (39.8 ± 2.6 vs 52.4 ± 2.6, P = 0.04). In samples collected from animals treated with KD, the total number of sperm with integral acrosome was lower, but the percentage of sperm with normal morphology was greater than in animals treated with KX (67.8 ± 67.0 × 10⁶ sperm vs 243.1 ± 71.6 × 10⁶, P = 0.03 and 40.0 ± 2.3% vs 30.6 ± 2.7%, P = 0.02; respectively). In conclusion, the use of KX induced less physiological changes, appearing also advantageous in semen quality.

The southern tamandua (Tamandua tetradactyla) and the giant anteater (Myrmecophaga tridactyla) belong to the anteater family Myrmecophagidae and both species share basic morphological characteristics including the general features of reproductive organs. However, in female and male giant anteaters, persisting Wolffian and Müllerian ducts have been observed that have not been described in the southern tamandua, so far. Therefore, the present study evaluated whether those persisting genital ducts of the opposite sex can be observed in the southern tamandua as well. For this purpose, the reproductive organs of adult roadkill male and female specimens were studied in Brazil. In female southern tamanduas, persisting Wolffian ducts extended from the opening of the uterovaginal canal into the sinus urogenitalis in cranial direction through the ventral wall of the uterovaginal canal and the uterus and followed the course of the uterine tubes until the lateral pole of the ovaries. Those ducts showed the same characteristics as described in giant anteaters and revealed similarities to male epididymal and deferent ducts. Furthermore, glandular structures in the wall of the urethra and the sinus urogenitalis were observed that showed microscopic characteristics corresponding to male prostate and bulbourethral glands, similarly to observations in female giant anteaters. In male southern tamanduas, on the contrary, only rudimentary tubules were found in the prostatic urethral wall while well-differentiated Müllerian ducts have been previously described in the male giant anteater. In conclusion, well-developed Wolffian ducts are a shared characteristic in both female southern tamanduas and female giant anteaters whereas well-developed Müllerian ducts are unique to male giant anteaters and only rudimentary Müllerian vestiges were observed in the male southern tamandua. Data on those persisting genital ducts are of interest for studies on reproductive biology and physiology of southern tamanduas and sexual development of mammalian species in general.

The Southern white rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum simum) has been kept in European zoos since the 1960s. However, captive breeding success has been low, with social group composition, group size, and available space all playing a role. Female rhinoceroses that have never bred or not bred for a long time have a particularly increased risk of developing reproductive tract pathologies, often resulting in infertility at a young age. One management measure to stimulate breeding is to transfer non-reproducing animals to other zoos. This study evaluated the success of transfers of 4 – 28 years old white rhinoceroses between European zoos. We analyzed n = 90 (45 males and 45 females) transfers of white rhinoceroses between 1990 and 2018. Fecal progesterone metabolite levels were analyzed for a subset of female rhinoceroses. The success of a transfer was defined as a calf born within five years. The success rate after female transfers was 26.7%; however, when the age limit of transferred females is set at 18 years, the success rate was 44.4%. The success rate after a male transfer was 23.2%. In transferred females, 83% of births occurred within three years after a transfer. Births following the arrival of a new male were distributed over five years. After a male transfer, endocrine data were determined in 26 of 82 females affected by the transfer. Positive development of estrous cycle activity after the arrival of the new bull occurred in 13 females. In summary, the success of the transfers in terms of offspring birth and endocrine stimulation of cycle activity was lower than anticipated, and sometimes a considerable amount of time elapsed before a calf was born. Nonetheless, transfers are essential to promote breeding. The relatively low success of the transfers analyzed in this study relates to the partially advanced age of the white rhinoceroses studied. Transfers of juvenile or adolescent females currently conducted between European zoos reveal a better birth rate than the present study.

Two female adult cheetahs, residents of the same sanctuary, presented several weeks subsequent to being mated with the same male. Their presenting histories included lethargy and inappetence in both; one female had vaginal discharge, and the other had apparent abdominal pain. Clinical signs supported by laboratory data established a diagnosis of pyometra in both and concurrent septic peritonitis in one case. Diagnosis was facilitated by transabdominal ultrasonography showing a fluid-distended and thickened uterus in both and intraperitoneal fluid accumulation, characterised by abdominocentesis as an exudate, in one case. Peripheral blood smears and haematology showed septicaemia that supported rapid surgical intervention by ovariohysterectomy in both cases. The reported retrospective endocrinological, cytological and bacteriological testing and macro- and histo-pathological investigations and findings confirmed the diagnosis. Pyometra has been widely described in many other wild and domestic carnivores, but there are no previous reports of either the clinical manifestation or management of uterine infections in cheetahs. The subsequent successful induction and anaesthetic protocol and the chosen surgical method for ovariohysterectomy are detailed. Post-operative recovery was rapid in both cases and both were discharged and reportedly healthy at a two-year follow-up. The report discusses the pertinent findings in these cases in relation to the literature describing pyometra, its diagnosis and management in both domestic and other wild carnivores. The report is intended to inform those in the field of management of captive cheetahs to improve their health and welfare and instruct veterinarians in the appropriate diagnosis and therapeutic management of uterine disease in this vulnerable species.

Circulating prolactin aberrations (chronically high or low concentrations) have been shown to have strong associations with ovarian dysfunction in African female elephants. However, despite the well-established pleiotropic role that prolactin plays in human health, comprehensive metabolic effects from chronically elevated or suppressed prolactin have yet to be investigated in this species. In humans, in addition to amenorrhea, hyperprolactinemic women have shown increased risks for accelerated atherosclerosis, hyperandrogenemia, lowered metabolism, and insulin resistance. The aim of the study was to determine if elephants with long-term abnormal prolactin secretion were also experiencing alterations in metabolic biomarkers. One year of serum samples, collected biweekly, were obtained from female African elephants (n = 74) housed in North American zoos and categorized based on ovarian cyclicity and prolactin status: normal cycling, normal prolactin (NORMAL, n = 25), acyclic, high prolactin (HIGH, n = 25), or acyclic, low prolactin (LOW, n = 24). Each sample was further analyzed for measures of metabolic function, glucose metabolism, and cardiovascular health. Overall, thyroid hormones were significantly lower in both HIGH (TSH, T3, T4) and LOW (TSH) prolactin elephants compared to NORMAL counterparts. Additionally, HIGH prolactin elephants exhibited lower glucose, G:I ratios, and low-density lipoprotein values, but higher cholesterol concentrations compared to normal cycling females. Overall, LOW prolactin elephants exhibited higher body condition scores and G:I ratios, and higher concentrations of insulin, high-density lipoproteins, cortisol and testosterone, but decreased triglyceride values compared to NORMAL elephants in the study. Data suggest that HIGH prolactin elephants may be experiencing hypothyroidism as a comorbidity, whereas LOW prolactin elephants may be exhibiting aspects of insulin resistance, albeit different from human clinical data. Specific studies are suggested that would help elucidate the underlying mechanisms at play and increase our understanding of prolactin’s role in elephant physiology.