Veterinary Problems of Geographical Concern

Mikota, Susan K.; Fowler, Murray E.; Toit, Jacobus G. du; Cheeran, Jacob V.; Chandrasekharan, K.; Martelli, Paolo; Fahrimal, Yudha; Sudarwati, Retno; Subramanian, Vellayan; Mar, Khyne U.; Shrestha, S K; Gairhe, Kamal P.; Silva, Indira; Dangolla, Ashoka

doi:10.1002/9780470344484.ch35

Cited by 2 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 2 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…The Upper Escarpment herd was found with conventional tracking methods and often located at a particular feeding spot which has been routinely used to provide supplementary feed during the winter months. The treated animals were observed daily from a distance to determine local side-effects of the vaccination, as well as for signs of lameness or illness [ 40 , 41 ]. Observations of the herds were performed using ad libitum sampling [ 42 ] and included recordings of reproductive behaviour such as signs of behavioural oestrus like sniffing of the genital orifice or urine by another female and the presence of a vaginal discharge [ 9 , 14 , 43 ].…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

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

Section: Methodsmentioning

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

show abstract

DIET COMPOSITION, FOOD INTAKE, APPARENT DIGESTIBILITY, AND BODY CONDITION SCORE OF THE CAPTIVE ASIAN ELEPHANT (ELEPHAS MAXIMUS): A PILOT STUDY IN TWO COLLECTIONS IN THAILAND

Romain¹,

Angkawanish²,

Bampenpol³

et al. 2014

Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Limited data are available regarding the nutrition and feeding of captive Asian elephants in range countries. In this study, feeding regimens of two collections in northern Thailand and their actual diets shaped by availability of forage and mahout preferences were assessed for nutritional quality. The composition of dietary intake, fecal output, and the dietary regimen were individually recorded for 5 days in 10 elephants. The proportion of forage in the diet represented 41 to 62% of the dry matter intake (DMI) in one collection whereas in the other collections it varied between 68 and 72%. Between 8.5 and 24% of the diet consisted of commercial pellets, and hulled rice represented up to 25% of the DMI in one collection. Sugar cane, corn cobs, and fruits such as bananas were eaten in smaller amounts. Body condition scores and weights were measured, which revealed that nine animals were in good condition. Representative samples of each food as well as fecal samples were analyzed for dry matter, crude protein, fat, crude fiber, gross energy, ash, calcium, and phosphorus. Diet adequacy was assessed by calculating the digestible nutrients in the rations and by comparing them to the recommendations from literature. The digestible energy (DE) intake varied between 0.6 and 1.4 megajoules (MJ) per kg(0.75) per day; therefore, higher than the estimated recommendations of 0.65 MJ per kg(0.75) per day for nine of the elephants. In all elephants the crude protein intake was less than the maintenance recommendations and ranged between 6.01 and 7.56% of the DMI. Calcium intake was low in one collection and there was an inverse calcium: phosphorus ratio, which was inadequate. The present study adds to the knowledge of captive elephant diets in Asia and is a starting point for further research, which is necessary to design optimum diet plans for captive Asian elephants in Thailand.

show abstract

Veterinary Problems of Geographical Concern

Cited by 2 publications

References 2 publications

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

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

DIET COMPOSITION, FOOD INTAKE, APPARENT DIGESTIBILITY, AND BODY CONDITION SCORE OF THE CAPTIVE ASIAN ELEPHANT (ELEPHAS MAXIMUS): A PILOT STUDY IN TWO COLLECTIONS IN THAILAND

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About