Estrus induction in white rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum)

Hermes, Robert; Hildebrandt, Thomas B.; Walzer, Chris; Göritz, Frank; Gray, Charlie; Niemuller, Cheryl; Schwarzenberger, Franz

doi:10.1016/j.theriogenology.2012.05.015

Cited by 17 publications

(28 citation statements)

References 14 publications

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“…Similar findings were reported by Schwarzenberger et al (1998) who mentioned high fPM concentrations in pregnant captive females during the 4 th and 5 th months of pregnancy, as well as Hermes et al (2012) who detected a clear increase 2 months after ovulation (Schwarzenberger et al, 1998;Hermes et al, 2012).…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 88%

“…It is interesting that one female in the wild exhibited a long period of acyclicity that could not be attributed to lactation, as is commonly reported in captive females (Schwarzenberger et al, 1998;Patton et al, 1999;Brown et al, 2001;Hermes et al, 2006;Hermes et al, 2012).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 75%

“…However, only the shorter cycles seem to lead to pregnancy (Schwarzenberger et al, 1998;Brown et al, 2001). Furthermore, long periods of anovulation and acyclicity have been demonstrated for 60% of captive females (Schwarzenberger et al, 1998;Patton et al, 1999;Brown et al, 2001;Hermes et al, 2006;Hermes et al, 2012). It is feasible that these prolonged, non-fertile periods are contributing to the development of reproductive pathologies seen in aged females (Hermes et al, 2006;Hermes et al, 2012).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Profiling patterns of fecal 20-oxopregnane concentrations during ovarian cycles in free-ranging southern white rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum simum)

Goot

Martin

Millar

et al. 2015

Animal Reproduction Science

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Unlike their wild counterparts, many white rhinoceros females in captivity fail to reproduce successfully such that current captive populations are not self-sustaining. The causes of the problem are poorly understood. Variation in cycle length and long periods of acyclicity are characteristics of the majority of these non-reproducing females in captivity but it is unknown whether these characteristics are a feature of reproductively successful free-ranging females. This study therefore aimed to monitor cyclic activity in a wild population of southern white rhinoceros at Lapalala Wilderness, South Africa, by measuring the concentrations of immunoreactive fecal progestagen metabolites (fPM).Five adult females were tracked twice per week for 20 months and if located a fresh fecal sample was collected. Reproductive events and group structural dynamics were also recorded and subsequently correlated with the fPM data. The baseline concentration of fPM was 0.69 ± 0.20 µg/g DW while concentrations during pregnancy were 30-to 400-fold higher. The females exhibited estrous cycle lengths of 30.6 ± 7.7 days and, based on fPM data, gestation length in one female was 502 ± 3 days. Year-round monitoring showed no clear evidence of seasonality in ovarian activity. During cyclic luteal activity females were often seen in the presence of a dominant bull. One female stopped cycling after removal of the local dominant bull and luteal activity only returned after a new bull was introduced. This suggests that white rhinoceros females in the wild might need external stimuli from a male to ovulate. These findings indicate that the irregular cyclicity reported for white rhinoceros housed in zoos and animal parks may result from conditions in captivity and account for reduced fertility.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 88%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 75%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Profiling patterns of fecal 20-oxopregnane concentrations during ovarian cycles in free-ranging southern white rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum simum)

Goot

Martin

Millar

et al. 2015

Animal Reproduction Science

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“…There is also extensive knowledge of pregnancy in mares. Although information is accumulating with respect to the white rhinoceros [Radcliffe et al, ; Hermes et al, , ; van der Goot et al, ], there are still large gaps in our knowledge. In horses, it is known, for example, that developmental competence of oocytes is proportional to follicular size, and that competent oocytes can be rarely collected from mares when follicular size is smaller than about 10 mm [Goudet et al, ].…”

Section: From Gametes To Live Birthmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The SWR would be the ideal selection for surrogacy. For the surrogate female to be ready to receive the embryos, its estrous cycle should be synchronized, a procedure that has been reported in this species [Hildebrandt et al, ; Hermes et al, ]. Transferring embryos into the rhinoceros uterus, however, is going to be a very challenging procedure.…”

Section: From Gametes To Live Birthmentioning

confidence: 99%

Rewinding the process of mammalian extinction

et al. 2016

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ZOO Dvůr Kr alov e, Dvůr Kr alov e nad Labem, Czech RepublicWith only three living individuals left on this planet, the northern white rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum cottoni) could be considered doomed for extinction. It might still be possible, however, to rescue the (sub)species by combining novel stem cell and assisted reproductive technologies. To discuss the various practical options available to us, we convened a multidisciplinary meeting under the name "Conservation by Cellular Technologies." The outcome of this meeting and the proposed road map that, if successfully implemented, would ultimately lead to a self-sustaining population of an extremely endangered species are outlined here. The ideas discussed here, while centered on the northern white rhinoceros, are equally applicable, after proper adjustments, to other mammals on the brink of extinction. Through implementation of these ideas we hope to establish the Conflicts of interest: None.Oliver A. Ryder and Thomas B. Hildebrandt are of equal seniority.Co-authors, other than first and the two senior authors, are listed by alphabetical order.

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