Contraception within an elasmobranch captive breeding programme: a case report on the eagle ray <i>Aetobatus ocellatus</i> using gonadotrophin‐releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist deslorelin (Suprelorin)

Janse, Max; Luten, Henk A.

doi:10.1111/jfb.13872

Cited by 7 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 14 publications

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“…Maintaining single-sex collections is not always possible nor are resources always available to support the young generated from indiscriminate breeding, especially for species that are relatively fecund or cycle frequently. Furthermore, there can be a need to control reproduction in certain segments of the ex situ population if a few animals are genetically overrepresented (Janse and Luten, 2019), which could lead to future inbreeding. Therefore, aquaria have been some of the first to trial modern methods to limit reproduction in elasmobranch fishes.…”

Section: Contraceptionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The most commonly trialed form of hormonal contraception in male and female elasmobranchs has been Suprelorin ® implants (deslorelin, a GnRH agonist), with mixed success. For example, pregnancy was suppressed for 22 months in a single female Eagle Ray (Aetobatus ocellatus) given a deslorelin implant, despite copulation and conspecifics reproducing successfully in the same system (Janse and Luten, 2019). By contrast, deslorelin implants were unsuccessful in male Zebra Sharks and Short-tailed Stingrays (Bathytoshia brevicaudata), as well as female Largespot River Stingrays (Potamotrygon falkneri; Daly and Jones, 2017).…”

Section: Contraceptionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The role of aquaria in the advancement of elasmobranch reproductive biology

2022

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Public aquaria showcase aquatic life while raising awareness and educating the public on biodiversity and the need for conservation. Recently, aquaria have followed in the footsteps of zoos by taking more directed approaches in species conservation as well as leveraging animals in their collection to fill biological knowledge gaps through research. Similar to zoos, aquaria are able to house animals that are not feasible to care for in traditional academic settings, allowing important life history information to be gained. In particular, our understanding of reproductive aspects of large migratory fishes such as elasmobranchs (sharks, skates and rays) have benefited from information gleaned in aquarium settings that would otherwise be difficult or impossible to study in the natural environment. For example, the ability of elasmobranchs to reproduce parthenogenetically was discovered through observation of sharks maintained in public aquaria. Since its discovery, parthenogenesis has been observed for many ex situ shark and ray species. Aquaria have made other important contributions to characterizing elasmobranch reproductive biology such as understanding reproductive cycling and trialing assisted reproductive techniques, among others. Here, we review the role aquaria have played in the field of elasmobranch reproductive biology and discuss how zoos and aquariums can continue to contribute to this field in the future.

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Section: Contraceptionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Contraceptionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The role of aquaria in the advancement of elasmobranch reproductive biology

2022

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“…1 Due to space constraints of the institution, gender separation long-term was not a viable option. Administration of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) analogs such as Suprelorin to contracept elasmobranchs has had poor to limited success, 2,3,4 presumptively due to the 7 different types of GnRH found in elasmobranch species. 5,6,7 In Potamotrygon sp, 4.7 mg and 9.4 mg Suprelorin implants (GnRH analog-protein conjugate) failed to reduce testosterone levels, sperm quality, or sperm quantity.…”

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confidence: 99%

Production of live offspring following unilateral (left) ovariectomized Potamotrygon rays (Potamotrygon castexi, Potamotrygon leopoldi, and Potamotrygon motoro)

Anderson

Gillis²,

Miller

et al. 2023

javma

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OBJECTIVE To evaluate the surgical technique and subsequent clinical observations (reproductive and ultrasound findings) of left unilateral ovariectomy in 3 species of Potamotrygon rays—Potamotrygon castexi, Potamotrygon leopoldi, and Potamotrygon motoro—for reproductive management. ANIMALS Between 2018 and 2019, multiple Potamotrygon rays (P castexi, n = 1; P leopoldi, 1; P motoro, 6) underwent left ovariectomies to evaluate this technique for reproductive management. PROCEDURES At time of surgery, patient age ranged from juvenile to adult. Rays were anesthetized with MS222 buffered with sodium bicarbonate, and a left craniodorsal surgical approach was made to isolate and excise the left ovary. All rays had uneventful recoveries. Eight unilateral ovariectomized females and 6 males were combined in a mixed-species freshwater touch pool of Potamotrygon rays and teleost species. RESULTS In December 2020, 3 live and 1 premature autolyzed pup were noted in the habitat. The following day, the adult females were examined via ultrasound and separated from the males. Four dams were identified that produced 8 viable offspring and 4 premature abortions. A large right ovary was observed in all females, with no evidence of left ovarian tissue present via ultrasound. CLINICAL RELEVANCE Previous histologic evaluation of freshwater ray ovarian tissue suggests both ovaries may be functionally active yet maintain left dominance like some other elasmobranch species. This manuscript provides proof the right ovary alone can produce live offspring. Furthermore, the enlarged right ovary observed in these females suggests that removal of the left ovary may result in compensatory enlargement of the right ovary.

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