Mating-induced ovulation in loggerhead sea turtles, Caretta caretta
Abstract 10.1002/zoo.20171.abs Mating-induced ovulation is common in mammals, but has been rarely described in other taxa. Observations of several mature female loggerhead sea turtles, Caretta caretta, held in captivity seemed to indicate that ovulation did not occur in the absence of a male. This study was designed to determine whether this was an effect of […]
Assessment of reproductive status and ovulation in female brown kiwi (Apteryx mantelli) using fecal steroids and ovarian follicle size
Abstract 10.1002/zoo.20074.abs Despite being listed as endangered on the IUCN (World Conservation Union) red list [BirdLife International 2005], and intense conservation efforts on its behalf, little is known about the reproductive physiology of the brown kiwi (Apteryx mantelli). This study therefore was undertaken to describe ovarian function in brown kiwi using noninvasive methods that can […]
Development of an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for Luteinizing Hormone (LH) in the elephant (Loxodonta africana and Elephas maximus)
Abstract 10.1002/zoo.10129.abs A simple, rapid enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for the measurement of LH in plasma and serum of elephants (Loxodonta africana and Elephas maximus) has been developed, validated, and used for comparative studies. Purified elephant LH (eleLH) diluted in elephant plasma was used as standards (0.78–50 ng/ml). A monoclonal antibody against the β-subunit of […]
Applied reproductive technologies and genetic resource banking for amphibian conservation
As amphibian populations continue to decline, both government and non-government organisations are establishing captive assurance colonies to secure populations deemed at risk of extinction if left in the wild. For the most part, little is known about the nutritional ecology, reproductive biology or husbandry needs of the animals placed into captive breeding programs. Because of […]
Ultrasonography of the estrous cycle in female African elephants (Loxodonta africana)
Abstract 10.1002/1098-2361(2000)19:53.3.CO;2-B The endocrinology of the elephant estrous cycle has been well characterized, but little emphasis has been placed on evaluating corresponding changes in the reproductive tract. Ultrasound was used to document changes in reproductive tract morphology throughout the estrous cycle in four cycling female African elephants. During a 7-month period, frequent ultrasound examinations (n […]
Active immunization against gonadotropin-releasing hormone in female white-tailed deer
Abstract 10.1002/(SICI)1098-2361(1999)18:53.3.CO;2-V The ability of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) immunization to disrupt estrous cycles in captive white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) was tested. Four does were each injected subcutaneously with 1 mg of a GnRH analog-ovalbumin conjugate, using a diethylaminoethyl (DEAE)-dextran solution as the adjuvant. Control deer (n = 4) received ovalbumin alone in DEAE-dextran. The immunization […]
Monitoring ovarian function in scimitar-horned oryx (Oryx dammah) by measurement of fecal 20α-progestagen metabolites
Abstract 10.1002/zoo.1430140305.abs The feasibility of monitoring ovarian function in scimitar-horned oryx (Oryx dammah) by measurement of fecal 20α-progestagens was investigated. Fecal samples were collected daily or on alternate days over a 4–11 month period from five oryx during natural (n = 4) or synthetic PGF2α (cloprostenol)-controlled (n = 1) cycles. Of the four oryx undergoing […]
Evidence for pseudopregnancy and induced ovulation in captive wolverines (Gulo gulo)
Abstract 10.1002/zoo.1430120405.abs Progesterone levels and vaginal smears were monitored to detect estrus and formation of corpora lutea during the first year of a 4-year study of reproduction in captive wolverines. No evidence of spontaneous ovulation was detected during the first year, and most females did not attain complete vaginal cornification. Follicle stimulating hormone was used […]
Urinary steroid evaluations to monitor ovarian function in exotic ungulates: VII. Urinary progesterone metabolites in the Equidae assessed by immunoassay
Abstract 10.1002/zoo.1430090502.abs A direct enzyme immunoassay (EIA) for non-specific urinary progesterone (Po) metabolites, utilizing a non-specific monoclonal antibody against pregnanediol-3-glucuronide, was evaluated for the purpose of assessing luteal function in equids. Urinary pregnanediol-3-glucuronide (PdG) and immunoreactive PdG-like conjugate (iPdG) concentrations, indexed by creatinine, were compared to plasma Po concentrations in non-conceptive ovarian cycles through two […]
Male goat vocalizations stimulate the estrous behavior and LH secretion in anestrous goats that have been previously exposed to bucks
We investigated whether live vocalizations emitted by bucks interacting with anestrous females stimulate secretion of LH, estrous behavior and ovulation in anestrous goats. In experiment 1, bucks rendered sexually active by exposure to long days followed by natural photoperiod were exposed in a light-proof-building to five anestrous females. Buck vocalizations were reproduced through a microphone-amplifier-loudspeaker […]