Successful ovulation induction and laparoscopic intrauterine artificial insemination in the clouded leopard (Neofelis nebulosa)
Publication Type: |
Journal Article |
Year of Publication: |
1996 |
Authors: |
JoGayle Howard, Ann P. Byers, Janine L. Brown, Sean J. Barrett, Margit Z. Evans, Rick J. Schwartz, David E. Wildt |
Publication/Journal: |
Zoo Biology |
Publisher: |
A Wiley Company, Inc., Wiley Subscription Services |
Keywords: |
assisted reproduction, felids, hormones, laparoscopy, pregnancy, sperm |
ISBN: |
1098-2361 |
Abstract:
Abstract 10.1002/(SICI)1098-2361(1996)15:1<55::AID-ZOO6>3.3.CO;2-J Exogenous gonadotropins and a laparoscopic intrauterine artificial insemination (AI) technique were assessed for effectiveness in the clouded leopard (Neofelis nebulosa), a species difficult to breed in captivity due to severe mate incompatibility. Fourteen hormone trials using 10 female clouded leopards were performed to evaluate the ability of 50, 100, or 200 i.u. pregnant mares’ serum gonadotropin (PMSG) and 75 or 100 i.u. human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) to induce folliculogenesis and ovulation, respectively. Laparoscopic evaluation of ovarian activity was conducted at 29–48 hr after hCG administration. Time of ovulation in PMSG/hCG-treated clouded leopards was approximately 38–39 hr after hCG. Excessive follicular development was observed using the high hormone dosages (200 i.u. PMSG/100 i.u. hCG), whereas the lower dosages avoided ovarian hyperstimulation. Previous ovulation sites and mature corpora lutea were detected upon laparoscopic examinations in two of the 10 females housed alone, indicating that this species occasionally spontaneously ovulates. Five females were inseminated by depositing electroejaculated, washed sperm transabdominally into the proximal aspect of each uterine horn. One postovulatory female, previously treated with 100 i.u. PMSG and 75 i.u. hCG and inseminated in utero with 88 × 106 motile sperm at 45 hr post-hCG, produced a pregnancy and two live cubs after an 89 day gestation. These results demonstrate: (1) an exquisite ovarian sensitivity to exogenous gonadotropins in clouded leopards; and (2) that artificial insemination has the potential of resulting in offspring in this species. (This article is a US Government work and, as such, is in the public domain in the United States of America.) © 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.