Plasma Testosterone Levels in Relation to Musth and Sexual Activity in the Male Asiatic Elephant, Elephas Maximus

Jainudeen, M. R.; Katongole, C. B.; Short, R. V.

doi:10.1530/jrf.0.0290099

Cited by 120 publications

(62 citation statements)

References 9 publications

(10 reference statements)

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“…Musth refers to both the physical and behavioural characteristics displayed by males experiencing a heightened period of sexual activity (Poole, Kasman, Ramsay & Lasley, 1984). In Asian elephants, marked increases in plasma testosterone have been detected in males under transition from non-musth (<4-3 ng/ml) to musth (13-7-65-4 ng/ml) periods (Jainudeen, Katongole & Short, 1972). Musth has been observed in free-ranging African elephants demonstrating pronounced enlargement of and continuous and copious secretions from the temporal glands, increased aggression, urine dripping and greenish discharge of the penis and penile sheath (Poole & Moss, 1981).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Electroejaculation, semen characteristics and serum testosterone concentrations of free-ranging African elephants (Loxodonta africana)

Howard

Bush²,

Vos

et al. 1984

Reproduction

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Summary. A regimented electroejaculation protocol (120 electrical stimulations; 10\ x=r eq-\ 30 V) was used to collect semen and characterize ejaculate quality from 9 adult, free\x=req-\ ranging African elephants under anaesthesia. Eight of the 9 ejaculates contained high concentrations of progressively motile spermatozoa. The overall mean ejaculate volume, sperm concentration/ml ejaculate, sperm motility, sperm status and ejaculate pH were 93\m=.\3 ml, 2408\m=.\6\m=x\106 spermatozoa/ml, 70%, 3\m=.\9and 7\m=.\4, respectively. A high percentage (mean 77\m=.\5%) of spermatozoa within each ejaculate was morphologically normal. Of the aberrant spermatozoa, 72% had a cytoplasmic droplet defect. When sperm viability was tested in vitro at 37\x=deg\C,sperm motility rating declined by at least half of the initial assessment within 3\m=.\5h of semen collection. Generally, spermatozoa maintained motility in vitro for < 6 h. Serum testosterone ranged from 1\m=.\4to 8\m=.\2 ng/ml in 4 males evaluated in the morning (07 :30\p=n-\08:00 h). In 4 of the 5 bulls assessed in the afternoon (15 :00\p=n-\18 :00 h), testosterone levels were <0\m=.\9ng/ml. The remaining bull, evaluated at 16:00 h, had exceptionally high testosterone concentrations (peak 25\m=.\6 ng/ml) and a preputial discharge potentially indicative of 'musth'. The present study demonstrates that high quality semen can be collected consistently from the African elephant and that striking differences exist in serum testosterone amongst free-ranging males which may be due, in part, to a diurnal rhythm.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Electroejaculation, semen characteristics and serum testosterone concentrations of free-ranging African elephants (Loxodonta africana)

Howard

Bush²,

Vos

et al. 1984

Reproduction

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“…Such bulls may even endanger the lives of both animals and humans. The characteristics of musth in Asian (Elephas maximus) 11,21,22 and African (Loxodonta africana) 20,41 elephant bulls are remarkably similar 43 . Apart from increased aggressive behaviour, the main signs of musth are heavy and continuous temporal gland secretion (TGS) and continuous urine dribbling 20,22,41 .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Vaccination against GnRH may suppress aggressive behaviour and musth in African elephant (Loxodonta africana) bulls - a pilot study

Nys¹,

Bertschinger²,

Turkstra

et al. 2010

J. S. Afr. Vet. Assoc.

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Aggressive behaviour and musth are constant problems in captive and sometimes in free-ranging African elephant bulls. Aggressive bulls are difficult and musth bulls almost impossible to manage without severely restricting their movement either by leg-chaining or using tranquillisers. This study investigated the relationship between faecal androgen metabolites (FAM) and faecal cortisol metabolites (FCM) concentrations and aggressive behaviour and tested a GnRH vaccine as a means of down-regulating aggressive behaviour and musth in 1 free-ranging and 5 captive elephant bulls. The bulls were non-aggressive (n = 3), aggressive (n = 2) or in musth (n = 1) at the onset of the study. The bulls were injected with a GnRH vaccine-adjuvant combination 3 or 4 times at 3- to 7-week intervals. Behaviour, FAM and FCM concentrations were measured during every week prior to vaccination until 4 months after the last vaccination. FAM concentrations were positively correlated with aggressive behaviour before the 1st vaccination. Androgen production, as reflected by FAM concentrations, was down-regulated in 3 of the 6 immunised bulls. At least 2 bulls and possibly a 3rd showed behavioural improvement following GnRH vaccination and in all 3 temporal gland secretion ceased. No further aggressive behaviour was observed until the end of the study in any of the bulls. The results of this 1st GnRH immunisation study suggest that it could be a useful method to control aggressive behaviour and musth in African elephant bulls

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“…Anticipated copulation or the presence of oestrous females is known to result in a rise in plasma testosterone (Katongole et al 1971, Jainudeen et al 1972, Kamel et al 1975, Illius et al 1976, and the presence of unfamiliar, more sexually attractive or more promiscuous female fowl (Gallus gallus) results in an increased number of ejaculated spermatozoa (Pizzari et al 2003). Changes in semen quality in the tammar may therefore reflect the number of available oestrous females, the level of inter-male competition, or both.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Changes in semen quality and morphology of the reproductive tract of the male tammar wallaby parallel seasonal breeding activity in the female

Paris¹,

Taggart²,

Shaw³

et al. 2005

Reproduction

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Changes in semen quality and morphology of the male reproductive tract were studied throughout the year in the highly promiscuous tammar wallaby. Body size, semen quality and gross morphology of the reproductive organs were assessed in adult males each month from January to November. The mean weight of males was similar in most periods sampled, but males were slightly heavier in the minor (P < 0.05) than the non-breeding season. Since body weight was correlated with weights of the testes, epididymides and accessory sex glands, organ weights were adjusted for body weight in subsequent analyses. In the major breeding season (late January/early February), when most females go through a brief, highly synchronized oestrus, the testes, prostate, Cowper's glands, crus penis and urethral bulb were heaviest, volume and coagulation of ejaculates were greatest, and sperm motility had increased. Semen samples collected by electroejaculation at this time contained low numbers of spermatozoa, possibly as a result of dilution and entrapment by the seminal coagulum or depletion of epididymal stores during intense multiple mating activity. In the non-breeding season (late May -July), when mating does not normally occur in the wild, there was a significant decrease in the relative weight of nearly all male reproductive organs and a decline in most semen parameters. In the minor breeding season (September -November), when pubertal females undergo their first oestrus and mating, the weights of testes, epididymides and most accessory sex glands had significantly increased similar to those of males in the major breeding season. The total number and motility of ejaculated spermatozoa were highest during this period, but the volume and coagulation of ejaculates and weight of the prostate had only increased to levels that were intermediate between the major and non-breeding seasons. Ejaculate volume was strongly correlated with prostate weight, and % motile spermatozoa was strongly correlated with epididymis weight. Semen quality thus varied seasonally with changes in androgendependent reproductive organs in the male tammar wallaby and appeared to be influenced by the seasonal timing of oestrus in females. Semen quality may also improve in response to an increase in the number of available oestrous females.

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Plasma Testosterone Levels in Relation to Musth and Sexual Activity in the Male Asiatic Elephant, Elephas Maximus

Cited by 120 publications

References 9 publications

Electroejaculation, semen characteristics and serum testosterone concentrations of free-ranging African elephants (Loxodonta africana)

Electroejaculation, semen characteristics and serum testosterone concentrations of free-ranging African elephants (Loxodonta africana)

Vaccination against GnRH may suppress aggressive behaviour and musth in African elephant (Loxodonta africana) bulls - a pilot study

Changes in semen quality and morphology of the reproductive tract of the male tammar wallaby parallel seasonal breeding activity in the female

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