Fecal 20-oxo-pregnane concentrations in free-ranging African elephants (Loxodonta africana) treated with porcine zona pellucida vaccine

Ahlers, M.J.; Ganswindt, André; Münscher, Stefanie; Bertschinger, H. U.

doi:10.1016/j.theriogenology.2012.01.023

Cited by 17 publications

(20 citation statements)

References 40 publications

(102 reference statements)

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Hormone profiles were evaluated on indication of ovarian cyclicity and elevations in fPM concentration were considered to indicate a luteal phase if at least two values exceeded baseline level for at least 2 consecutive weeks Ahlers et al, 2012). The end of the luteal phase was defined as the first sample in which fPM concentrations returned to baseline level .…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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.

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Samples were collected from each female elephant once or twice a week [19,44], dependant on sample availability, with an average of 4.23 samples per month per individual for the Lower Escarpment herd and 1.64 for the Upper Escarpment herd. Samples were taken as soon as possible after defecation to ensure positive identification of the individual, with an average collection time of 37.2 min and a maximum of 183 min post-defecation.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Among the available fertility control options, immunocontraception using native porcine zona pellucida (pZP) proteins seems to be the most viable means of population management for smaller and confined populations of elephants [18]. A possible disadvantage of pZP-immunocontraception is that treated females continue to cycle normally, approximately every 15 weeks [19] and continuously attract bulls which could potentially disrupt the herd [20]. …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Non-invasive assessment of the reproductive cycle in free-ranging female African elephants (Loxodonta africana) treated with a gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) vaccine for inducing anoestrus

Valades

Ganswindt

Annandale

et al. 2012

Reprod Biol Endocrinol

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

BackgroundIn southern Africa, various options to manage elephant populations are being considered. Immunocontraception is considered to be the most ethically acceptable and logistically feasible method for control of smaller and confined populations. In this regard, the use of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) vaccine has not been investigated in female elephants, although it has been reported to be safe and effective in several domestic and wildlife species. The aims of this study were to monitor the oestrous cycles of free-ranging African elephant cows using faecal progestagen metabolites and to evaluate the efficacy of a GnRH vaccine to induce anoestrus in treated cows.MethodsBetween May 2009 - June 2010, luteal activity of 12 elephant cows was monitored non-invasively using an enzyme immunoassay detecting faecal 5alpha-reduced pregnanes (faecal progestagen metabolites, FPM) on a private game reserve in South Africa. No bulls of breeding age were present on the reserve prior to and for the duration of the study. After a 3-month control period, 8 randomly-selected females were treated twice with 600 micrograms of GnRH vaccine (Improvac®, Pfizer Animal Health, Sandton, South Africa) 5-7 weeks apart. Four of these females had been treated previously with the porcine zona pellucida (pZP) vaccine for four years (2004-2007).ResultsAll 12 monitored females (8 treated and 4 controls) showed signs of luteal activity as evidenced by FPM concentrations exceeding individual baseline values more than once. A total of 16 oestrous cycles could be identified in 8 cows with four of these within the 13 to 17 weeks range previously reported for captive African elephants. According to the FPM concentrations the GnRH vaccine was unable to induce anoestrus in the treated cows. Overall FPM levels in samples collected during the wet season (mean 4.03 micrograms/gram dry faeces) were significantly higher (P<0.002) than the dry season (mean 2.59 micrograms/gram dry faeces).ConclusionsThe GnRH vaccination protocol failed to induce anoestrus in the treated female elephants. These results indicate that irregular oestrous cycles occur amongst free-ranging elephants and are not restricted to elephants in captivity. The relationship between ecological conditions and endocrine activity were confirmed. Free-ranging female elephants were observed to not cycle continuously throughout the year in the absence of adult bulls.

show abstract

“…Faecal extracts were measured for immuno- reactive progesterone metabolites using an enzyme immunoassay (EIA) for 5~-pregnan-3Ä-ol-20-one, which has been shown to provide reliable information on reproductive steroid hormone pattern by reflecting total progestagens in different mammalian species (Szdzuy et al 2006;Ahlers et al 2012). The EIA used a polyclonal antibody against 5~-pregnan-3Ä-ol-20-one-3-hemisuccinate-BSA and 5~-pregnan-3Ä-ol-20-one-3-hemisuccinate-peroxidase label (Szdzuy et al 2006).…”

Section: Assay Proceduresmentioning

confidence: 99%

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

Goot¹,

Dalerum

Ganswindt

et al. 2013

African Zoology

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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.

show abstract

Fecal 20-oxo-pregnane concentrations in free-ranging African elephants (Loxodonta africana) treated with porcine zona pellucida vaccine

Cited by 17 publications

References 40 publications

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

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

Non-invasive assessment of the reproductive cycle in free-ranging female African elephants (Loxodonta africana) treated with a gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) vaccine for inducing anoestrus

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

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About