The analysis of reproductive hormones in faecal samples is a possibility for non-invasive monitoring of reproductive status in free-ranging or intractable species. In the present study, faecal samples from three black rhinoceroses (Diceros bicornis michaeli) were collected at about weekly intervals during oestrous cycles and pregnancy. Daily samples were taken during the week after parturition. Total immunoreactive progestagens in faecal extracts were analysed with three different enzymeimmunoassays (EIA) that had considerable specificity for progestagens containing either a 20\g=a\-hydroxyl or a 20-keto group. With each EIA it was possible to distinguish between the follicular and luteal phases of the oestrous cycle. Mating corresponded with low concentrations of faecal progestagens. Samples from five and six consecutive cycles were available from two rhinoceroses and cycle lengths of 24 and 26.5 days were calculated. All three animals became pregnant and the duration of gestation ranged from 440 to 470 days. After fertilization, the concentration of progestagens increased continuously, as in the luteal phase, reaching values 5\p=n-\10times higher between days 60 and 250. During the two weeks before parturition faecal progestagens declined and within 3\p=n-\4 days post partum had reached follicular phase values. It was concluded that several immunoreactive progestagens are present in the faeces of black rhinoceroses and that their measurement with EIA enables non-invasive monitoring of the oestrous cycle and pregnancy.

The present study was conducted to establish a noninvasive method of reproductive monitoring in the okapi (Okapia johnstmi). Fecal samples were collected three times a week from nonpregnant okapis (n = 3) for periods of 2, 9, and 23 months, respectively, and for 2 months each from pregnant okapis (n = 4) at different stages of gestation. Samples were analyzed with an enzyme-immunoassay (EIA), using an antibody against pregnanediol, and the results are considered as measurements of unconjugated total immunoreactive progestagens (Pd-Pgs). Mean values of Pd-Pgs during the follicular (FP) and the luteal phases (LP) of the estrous cycles were 0.6 * 0.1 Kg/g and 6.1 * 0.3 Kg/g feces, respectively.Matings occurred at the terminations of the LP. By dividing the number of entire LPs into the time over which samples were available, average estrous cycle lengths in two okapis were estimated to be 15.5 (n = 11 LP) and 15.8 (n = 36 LP) days, respectively. In three animals, gestation lengths of 423, 424, and 431 days were calculated by observed matings. During days -280 to -220 before parturition, the fecal Pd-Pgs constantly increased from about 20-60 pg/g feces. Values were 100-350 pg/g during the last third of gestation. Values decreased in the week before parturition, and a continuous decline to FP values was observed within 3-4 days postpartum. During the 2 months postpartum investigated in one animal, the Pd-Pgs were in the FP range except one LP 3 weeks postpartum. It was concluded that fecal Pd-Pgs in female okapis are present in a ratio of -1 : lo:> 100 during FP, LP, and late pregnancy, respectively. Their measurement by EIA enables noninvasive monitoring of the estrous cycle and pregnancy diagnosis.

1. The selection pressures that drove dramatic encephalisation processes through the mammal lineage remain elusive, as does knowledge of brain structure reorganisation through this process. In particular, considerable structural brain changes are present across the primate lineage, culminating in the complex human brain that allows for unique behaviours such as language and sophisticated tool use. To understand this evolution, a diverse sample set of humans' closest relatives with varying socio-ecologies is needed. However, current brain banks predominantly curate brains from primates that died in zoological gardens. We try to address this gap by establishing a field pipeline mitigating the challenges associated with brain extractions of wild primates in their natural habitat.

The repertoire of small noncoding RNAs (sncRNAs), particularly miRNAs, in animals is considered to be evolutionarily conserved. Studies on sncRNAs are often largely based on homology-based information, relying on genomic sequence similarity and excluding actual expression data. To obtain information on sncRNA expression (including miRNAs, snoRNAs, YRNAs and tRNAs), we performed low-input-volume next-generation sequencing of 500 pg of RNA from 21 animals at two German zoological gardens. Notably, none of the species under investigation were previously annotated in any miRNA reference database. Sequencing was performed on blood cells as they are amongst the most accessible, stable and abundant sources of the different sncRNA classes. We evaluated and compared the composition and nature of sncRNAs across the different species by computational approaches. While the distribution of sncRNAs in the different RNA classes varied significantly, general evolutionary patterns were maintained. In particular, miRNA sequences and expression were found to be even more conserved than previously assumed. To make the results available for other researchers, all data, including expression profiles at the species and family levels, and different tools for viewing, filtering and searching the data are freely available in the online resource ASRA (Animal sncRNA Atlas) at https://www.ccb.uni-saarland.de/asra/ .

No abstract