The effect of long non-reproductive periods on the genital health in captive female white rhinoceroses (Ceratotherium simum simum, C.s. cottoni)

Hermes, Robert; Hildebrandt, Thomas B.; Walzer, Chris; Göritz, Frank; Patton, Marilyn L.; Silinski, Sandra; Anderson, Matt; Reid, Catherine E.; Wibbelt, Gudrun; Tomášová, Kristina; Schwarzenberger, Franz

doi:10.1016/j.theriogenology.2005.09.002

Cited by 99 publications

(96 citation statements)

References 41 publications

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“…Curiously, while longevity is increased by about 10 years in captivity [Dyke et al, 1995], female chimpanzees in at least some captive populations experience early reproductive termination [Videan et al, 2006, but see: Herndon & Lacreuse, 2009. It is not clear whether this is due to a true menopausal process or to reproductive tract pathologies arising from abnormal breeding practices [Hermes et al, 2004[Hermes et al, , 2006 and/or induced exposure to pathogens during the biomedical experimentation that many captive chimpanzees have experienced.…”

Section: Life History Variation In Chimpanzeesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Reproductive Ecology of Female Chimpanzees

Thompson

2012

American J Primatol

102

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An important adaptive problem for mammals in general, and primates in particular, is how females can manage the high costs of reproduction in the face of fluctuating energetic supplies. For many species, the best solution is to breed seasonally such that high costs are temporally coincident with predictable periods of resource abundance. This is an unreliable strategy for some primates, such as chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes), for which large body size forces an increase in dietary complexity and prolonged reproductive efforts. Here, I review data on reproductive function in chimpanzees, a species that demonstrates a risk-averse reproductive strategy wherein reproductive investment is allocated in accordance with maternal condition. Life history parameters for chimpanzees indicate that most females produce very few surviving offspring. However, comparisons between captive and wild populations and within wild populations illustrate that variation in resource access leads to highly variable reproductive success. Focused hormonal studies have demonstrated these effects at a proximate level, with energetic influences on female dispersal, receptivity, cycle quality, conception success, and lactational amenorrhea. Downstream of these effects, female reproductive function affects sexual attractiveness, and by virtue of males' own optimal reproductive strategies, can lead to coercive aggression and decreased foraging efficiency. Because of their extreme reproductive costs, female chimpanzees utilize a highly conservative reproductive strategy, one that minimizes the costs of ecological variation but makes them vulnerable to sexual conflict and costs of sociality.

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Section: Life History Variation In Chimpanzeesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Reproductive Ecology of Female Chimpanzees

Thompson

2012

American J Primatol

102

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“…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%

“…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%

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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“…Only the shorter cycle is believed to be fertile (Hindle et al 1992;Schwarzenberger et al 1993;Radcliffe et al 1997;Patton et al 1999;Brown et al 2001). Also, periods of acyclicity have been found in captivity with a high incidence in both young and aged females (Brown et al 2001;Hermes et al 2006). These repeated non-fertile periods are potentially contributing to the development of a variety of reproductive pathologies (Hermes et al 2006).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Also, periods of acyclicity have been found in captivity with a high incidence in both young and aged females (Brown et al 2001;Hermes et al 2006). These repeated non-fertile periods are potentially contributing to the development of a variety of reproductive pathologies (Hermes et al 2006). The length of gestation in the white rhinoceros is estimated to be 16-17 months (Patton et al 1999).…”

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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The effect of long non-reproductive periods on the genital health in captive female white rhinoceroses (Ceratotherium simum simum, C.s. cottoni)

Cited by 99 publications

References 41 publications

Reproductive Ecology of Female Chimpanzees

Reproductive Ecology of Female Chimpanzees

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

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

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