Faecal progesterone metabolite analysis for non-invasive monitoring of reproductive function in the white rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum)

Schwarzenberger, Franz; Walzer, Chris; Tomášová, Kristina; Váhala, J.; Meister, Jaroslawna; Goodrowe, K.L.; Zima, Jan; Strauss, G; Lynch, Michael

doi:10.1016/s0378-4320(98)00112-2

Cited by 97 publications

(129 citation statements)

References 17 publications

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“…The goal of initial field applications of fecal steroid analysis was the detection of relatively gross changes in hormonal concentrations, such as ovarian cycling patterns or the changes in reproductive hormones from cycling to pregnancy (for reviews, see Lasley and Kirkpatrick, 1991;Schwarzenberger et al, 1997;Whitten et al, 1998). These initial applications continue for an increasing number of mammalian taxa (e.g., carnivores: Wasser et al, 1995;proboscids: Wasser et al, 1996;primates: Campbell et al, 2001;Heistermann et al, 2001;Jurke et al, 1997;Strier and Ziegler, 1994;Ziegler et al, 2000;ungulates: Garnier et al, 1998;M€ o ostl et al, 1999), and as fecal steroid analysis has become a more widely appreciated field technique, applications have expanded to consider steroid concentrations in relation to reproductive seasonality (Brockman et al, 2001;Cavigelli, 1999;Lynch et al, 2002;Strier et al, 1999;Ziegler et al, 2000), stress (Boinski et al, 1999;Creel et al, 1996;Dehnhard et al, 2001;Goymann et al, 1999), ontogeny (Strier and Ziegler, 2000), rank (Kraus General and Comparative Endocrinology 132 (2003) [264][265][266][267][268][269][270][271] www.elsevier.com/locate/ygcen GENERAL AND COMPARATIVE et al, 1999), and mating and aggression in males Lynch et al, 2002;Ostner et al, 2002).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Concentrations of four fecal steroids in wild baboons: short-term storage conditions and consequences for data interpretation

Lynch

Khan

Altmann

et al. 2003

General and Comparative Endocrinology

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One source of both bias and ''noise'' in fecal steroid analysis is temporal change in steroid concentrations resulting from duration or conditions of fecal sample storage. However, no consensus currently exists regarding correct procedures or precautions necessary for fecal sample storage, and conditions vary widely within field endocrinology literature. This study considered the effects of shortterm, weeks-long, storage conditions on quantifiable fecal testosterone (fT), glucocorticoids (fGC), estrogens (fE), and progestagen (fP) metabolite concentrations in wild baboons (Papio cynocephalus). Quadruplicate subsamples of fecal samples (n ¼ 29) collected at Amboseli National Park and its environs were subjected to four different storage conditions prior to lyophilization, in order to determine the effects of storage on subsequent steroid concentrations, as assessed by 125 I radioimmunoassays. As expected, the best alternative to the ''initial condition'' of lyophilization at three days after collection was to freeze fecal samples at )20°C for two weeks prior to lyophilization. This storage method resulted in no significant change from initial steroid concentrations for fE, fT, or fP, although fGC showed a slight but significant decline. Storage for two weeks in a charcoal refrigerator caused a mean increase in all four steroid concentrations. However, the results from this storage condition were robust in terms of practical questions asked of the data: fE and fP values still reflected pregnant versus non-pregnant states in baboon females; a fGC profile constructed by age class resembled that created from the samples from the initial condition, although slightly inflated across age classes; and there were only moderate changes in relative fT concentrations across adult males. Knowledge of the effects of storage upon each steroid analyzed within oneÕs study is a necessary component in determining the optimal compromise for storage protocol in a particular research project.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Concentrations of four fecal steroids in wild baboons: short-term storage conditions and consequences for data interpretation

Lynch

Khan

Altmann

et al. 2003

General and Comparative Endocrinology

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“…This technique thus facilitates the detection of pregnancy in wild individuals in a non-invasive way, which can also be useful for surveillance strategies and the detection of foetal death during pregnancy. The mean FPM profiles in wild southern white rhinoceroses found in this study resemble those found in captive white rhinoceros individuals (Schwarzenberger et al 1998;Patton et al 1999). The number of samples collected for this study was insufficient to detect ovarian cycling patterns.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 60%

“…In contrast, collecting regular blood samples from wild rhinoceroses is impractical, as the animal would need to be sedated, captured and intensively monitored by an anaesthetic team for each single blood sample, thus only opportunistic blood sample collections is justified when accompanying essential immobilization for other purposes. With the development of faecal hormone assays, it is possible to collect samples in a non-invasive way, and these methods have been used to study reproduction in captive rhinoceroses (Radcliffe et al 1997;Schwarzenberger et al 1998;Patton et al 1999;Brown et al 2001). Apart from the practical advantages, this technique also bypasses the potential negative effects of stress in the results when using invasive methods (Christensen et al 2006;Wittemyer et al 2007).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Faecal Progestagen Profiles in Wild Southern White Rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum simum)

Goot¹,

Dalerum

Ganswindt

et al. 2013

African Zoology

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Knowledge of the reproductive biology of wild animals can provide valuable information for the development of appropriate in situ and ex situ management plans. The present study aimed to establish a non-invasive protocol for monitoring faecal progestagen metabolite (FPM) patterns in wild female southern white rhinoceroses (Ceratotherium simum simum). Six adult females at Lapalala Wilderness, South Africa, were tracked and accurately identified at least once every week. Three animals gave birth during the study period. Fresh faecal samples were collected for 12 months and stored frozen at -20°C until analysis with an enzyme immunoassay utilizing an antiserum raised against 5a-pregnan-3b-ol-20-one which cross-reacts with a number of progestagens. Mean FPM concentrations were 35 to 64-fold higher during pregnancy (55-145 days before parturition) compared to postpartum (120-140 days after parturition) (P < 0.001). Also, the non-pregnant animals had mean FPM concentrations significantly higher than postpartum values (P = 0.006). Our results show that non-invasive FPM measurements provide information on the pregnancy status of wild female white rhinoceroses, and may be used for the detection of pregnancy in free-living individuals, without the necessity of immobilization and/or relocation of the animal. This information has potential value for optimizing breeding management of wild and captive populations.

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“…For example, to develop a radioimmunoassay for a specific species, an antibody often needs to be produced, which in itself can be very costly and time consuming. Frequent blood sampling has historically been a major obstacle for mapping the reproductive hormonal patterns in a wildlife species, but was a necessity until methods were developed to monitor these hormones non-invasively in faeces or urine (Schwarzenberger et al 1998;Brown et al 2001;Paris et al 2002). The availability of non-invasive monitoring methods has revolutionised the field.…”

Section: Disadvantages and Complicationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Foreword: A perspective on the role of emerging technologies for the propagation of companion animals, non-domestic and endangered species

Paris

Mastromonaco

Paris

et al. 2007

Reprod. Fertil. Dev.

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Abstract. Assisted reproductive technologies (ART) have been used successfully in humans, domestic and laboratory species for many years. In contrast, our limited knowledge of basic reproductive physiology has restricted the application of ART in companion animal, non-domestic and endangered species (CANDES). Although there are numerous benefits, and in some cases a necessity, for applying ART for the reproductive and genetic management of CANDES, the challenges encountered with even the most basic procedures have limited the rate of progress. In this foreword we discuss the status of conventional ART, such as artificial insemination and in vitro fertilisation, as well as their benefits and inherent difficulties when applied to CANDES. It is upon these techniques, and ultimately our knowledge of basic reproductive physiology, that the success of emerging technologies, such as those described in this special issue, are dependent for success.Development of assisted reproductive technologies (ART) for domestic species and humans has been ongoing for several decades and is routine practice in many situations. Welldeveloped technologies in domestic species include artificial insemination (AI), in vitro fertilisation (IVF) and embryo transfer (ET). Unfortunately, this wealth of knowledge developed for commercially important livestock species, biomedically relevant model species and human infertility treatment cannot be directly applied to other species, as significant species-specific challenges exist. Our knowledge of the basic reproductive physiology of many companion animal, non-domestic and endangered species (CANDES) is limited in comparison. This is partly due to scarce and costly animal resources, lack of economic demand and inadequate research funding. However, there is a need for reproductive knowledge in CANDES to meet an increased interest in breeding companion animals for pleasure and recreation, propagate valuable genetic models for biomedical research (Songsasen and Wildt 2007), and manage ex situ populations of endangered species (Pukazhenthi and Wildt 2004). Although ART have numerous potential applications, we must remind ourselves that the success of any ART is completely dependent on our knowledge of basic reproductive physiology, in any species. Thus, detailed descriptions of reproductive cycles (seasonal patterns, ovulatory mechanisms, etc.), structural anatomy, and gamete and embryo physiology must be collected in many, if not most, CANDES before advanced ART can be effectively used to significantly impact reproductive and genetic management.

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Faecal progesterone metabolite analysis for non-invasive monitoring of reproductive function in the white rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum)

Cited by 97 publications

References 17 publications

Concentrations of four fecal steroids in wild baboons: short-term storage conditions and consequences for data interpretation

Concentrations of four fecal steroids in wild baboons: short-term storage conditions and consequences for data interpretation

Faecal Progestagen Profiles in Wild Southern White Rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum simum)

Foreword: A perspective on the role of emerging technologies for the propagation of companion animals, non-domestic and endangered species

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