Studies were conducted to determine: 1) if fecal hormone metabolite concentrations correlated with serum estrogen and progesterone concentrations, follicular activity and reproductive behavior in the black rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis) and 2) if threshold values of respective fecal metabolite concentrations correlated with pregnancy. Blood and fecal samples were collected, in conjunction with transrectal ultrasound and behavior observations, for an 18-month period from one black rhinoceros female. Subsequently, serial fecal samples were collected from 13 females in 10 zoos. Quantitative analysis of serum progesterone (P 4 ) and estradiol (E 2 ) was performed by radioimmunoassay (RIA); analysis of fecal estrogen metabolites (E) and fecal progesterone metabolites (P) were performed by enzyme immunoassay (EIA). Serum P 4 concentrations identified two luteal phase patterns and two nadirs which corresponded with behavioral estrus. Fecal E patterns indicated a sharp peak which corresponded with breeding. Concentrations of fecal P illustrated identifiable nadirs and several peaks which corresponded to serum P 4 nadirs and luteal phases. Serum P 4 concentrations were not different between the luteal phase and pregnancy. Fecal P concentrations started to rise above luteal phase concentrations approximately 150 days postbreeding and remained elevated until immediately before parturition. Serum E 2 and fecal E concentrations rose and subsequently declined after parturition. In the fecal samples from seven pregnant females, fecal P concentrations were similarly elevated compared to six nonpregnant females. Results indicated that fecal steroid metabolites accurately reflected serum steroid hormone concentrations and that the measurement of P and E concentrations permitted the characterization of the estrous cycle, the diagnosis of pregnancy, and the onset of parturition.

Tennessee (G. L. S., R. W); Chicago Zoological Park, Brookfield, Illinois (P. J., J. 0.4.)The Asiatic lion (Puntheru Zeo persicu) exists in the wild as a single relict population of approximately 250 individuals in the protected Gir Forest Sanctuary in western India. In 1981, a species survival plan (SSP) for the Asiatic lion was established by the American Association of Zoological Parks and Aquariums to manage the 200+ descendants of Asiatic lions in captivity in western zoological facilities. This captive population was derived from seven founders. In order to compare the genetic structure of the Gir Forest population with that of the captive SSP population, a genetic survey of 46 electrophoretic allozyme systems resolved from extracts of lion blood was undertaken by using 29 SSP Asiatic lions and 28 wild-caught or captive-bred lions maintained at the Sakkarbaug Zoo in India but originally derived from the Gir Forest. The Gir lion population was found to be genetically monomorphic at each of 46 allozyme loci. This was in contrast to several African lion (Puntheru leo Zeo) populations, which show moderate levels of allozyme variation at the same loci. The SSP lion population was polymorphic at three allozyme loci (IDHI, TF, and PTI) for alleles that were previously found only in African lion populations. Pedigree analysis of the genetic transmission of these three biochemical loci demonstrated that two of the five primary founder animals of the SSP Asiatic lion population (a breeding pair originally imported from the Trivandrum Zoo in southern India) were descendants of the African subspecies. Three other founder animals were pure Asian. A retrospective SSP pedigree analysis of two morphologic characters (prominent abdominal fold and pairing of infraorbital foramen) that are partially diagnostic for persicu vs Zeo was consistent with this conclusion as well. The implications for the management of small captive populations of threatened species and of the Asiatic lion SSP population are discussed.

Illinois (N.S., 7: M.)In-depth investigations are needed on methods of semen collection and analysis in endangered nonhuman primates. Due to lack of resources, zoos need the assistance and support of universities and primate centers to perform these investigations. Several collection methods are described. Penile and rectal probe electrical stimulation methods for semen collection are compared. Rectal probe methods have been historically used in zoos; however, more representative samples may be acquired from primates indoctrinated to penile stimulation methods. Semen volume, concentration, pH, along with sperm morphology and motility are the commonly analyzed parameters for primates. However, with additional application to primate semen of motion analysis, viability tests, acrosomal analysis, hamster cell penetration tests, and sperm penetration tests, more accurate assessment of seminal capability may become routine. The examiner must be aware of the social and health situations of the primate under analysis, since any or all of these parameters can be adversely affected. The lion-tailed macaque (Mucucu sitenus) is used as an example for application of these analyses. The application of these analytical techniques to primate populations should allow better assessment about a primate's reproductive potential and the potential use of these semen samples for artificial techniques.

Illegal poaching and reduced habitats have led to the endangered status of rhinoceroses. Collection of semen for preservation and future artificial insemination would therefore increase the reproductive potential of the rhinoceros. Although various collection methods have been attemped with individual rhinos, comparison between methods on a single animal have not been reported. This report details the application of six semen collection techniques on an unsedated and unrestrained greater one-horned rhino. The methods included different types of penile and/or rectal stimulation. Artificial vaginas and an inflatible probe for electroejaculation were specially constructed for semen collection. Of the various methods employed, penile massage consistently resulted in spem-poor seminal fluid, but when preceded by either rectal massage or electroejaculation, seminal fluid with high sperm concentration was obtained.

This report demonstrates that in vitro fertilization techniques, including pituitary suppression, ultrasound-guided aspiration, micromanipulation, and cryopreservation, can be used to assist reproduction in the lowland gorilla.