Non-invasive monitoring of ovarian function in Asian elephants (Elephas maximus) by measurement of urinary 5 -pregnanetriol

Niemuller, Cheryl; Shaw, H. J.; Hodges, J. Keith

doi:10.1530/jrf.0.0990617

Cited by 24 publications

(25 citation statements)

References 17 publications

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“…Rather, the major circulating luteal progestins in Asian and African elephants are 5a-pregnane-3,20-dione (5aDHP) and 5a-pregnane-3-ol-20 one (5a-P-3-OH), with 5aDHP predominating Hodges et al, 1997;Schwarzenberger et al, 1997]. In the Asian elephant, 17a-hydroxyprogesterone (17a-OHP) is also present in the circulation, although it is not as abundant as 5aDHP [Niemuller et al, 1993;Hodges, 1998]. Despite the higher immunoactivity exhibited by CL425 in the EIA, the two serum profiles were qualitatively similar throughout the luteal phase and pregnancy.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The urinary pattern produced by the EIA similarly mimicked circulating profiles, although the data were somewhat more variable. In Europe, urinary monitoring of reproductive status in the elephant typically is conducted by analyzing progestagen metabolites (5a-P-3OH in African Fiess et al, 1999] and pregnanetriol in Asian [Niemuller et al, 1993] …”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Successful artificial insemination of an Asian elephant at the National Zoological Park

et al. 2004

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For decades, attempts to breed elephants using artificial insemination (AI) have failed despite considerable efforts and the use of various approaches. However, recent advances in equipment technology and endocrine-monitoring techniques have resulted in 12 elephants conceiving by AI within a 4-year period (1998)(1999)(2000)(2001)(2002). The successful AI technique employs a unique endoscope-guided catheter and transrectal ultrasound to deliver semen into the anterior vagina or cervix, and uses the ''double LH surge'' (i.e., identifying the anovulatory LH (anLH) surge that predictably occurs 3 weeks before the ovulatory LH (ovLH) surge to time insemination. This study describes the 6-year collaboration between the National Zoological Park (NZP) and the Institute for Zoo Biology and Wildlife Research (IZW), Berlin, Germany, that led to the refinement of this AI technique and subsequent production of an Asian elephant calf. The NZP female was the first elephant to be inseminated using the new AI approach, and was the fifth to conceive. A total of six AI trials were conducted beginning in 1995, and conception occurred in 2000. Semen was collected by manual rectal stimulation from several bulls in North America. Sperm quality among the bulls was variable and was thus a limiting factor for AI. For the successful AI, semen quality was good to excellent (75-90% motile sperm), and sperm was deposited into the anterior vagina on the day before and the day of the ovLH surge. Based on transrectal ultrasound, ovulation occurred the day after the ovLH surge. Pregnancy was monitored by serum and urinary progestagen, and serum prolactin analyses in samples collected weekly. Fetal development was assessed at 12, 20, and 28 weeks of gestation using transrectal ultrasound. Elevated testosterone measured in the maternal circulation after 36 weeks of gestation reliably predicted the calf was a male. Parturition was induced by administration of 40 IU oxytocin 3 days after serum progestagens dropped to undetectable baseline levels. We conclude that AI has potential as a supplement to natural breeding, and will be invaluable for improving the genetic management of elephants, provided that problems associated with inadequate numbers of trained personnel and semen donors are resolved.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Successful artificial insemination of an Asian elephant at the National Zoological Park

et al. 2004

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“…The previously established EIA methodologies for progesterone and its metabolites (P m ) in elephants were applied to determine hormone concentrations from serum [28] or urine [9]. The protocols for serum P m analysis were slightly adapted as previously published [27].…”

Section: (A) Elephantsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Since then, the anatomy of the reproductive tract with an 1.5 m long vestibulum (canalis urogenitalis) preceding the vagina [3,4], and ovaries showing multiple corpora lutea (CLs) [5][6][7][8], as well as the secretion of reproduction-associated hormones have been the focus of much research. Elephants show a double luteinizing hormone (LH)-peak during the follicular phase and a 12-16 weeks long oestrous cycle [9][10][11]. The pregnancy lasts from 620 to 680 days, which led to research interest on placentation and embryonic development [4,[12][13][14].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Gestating for 22 months: luteal development and pregnancy maintenance in elephants

Niemuller¹,

Rich²,

Gray³

et al. 2012

Proc. R. Soc. B.

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The corpus luteum, a temporally established endocrine gland, formed on the ovary from remaining cells of the ovulated follicle, plays a key role in maintaining the early mammalian pregnancy by secreting progesterone. Despite being a monovular species, 2-12 corpora lutea (CLs) were found on the elephant ovaries during their long pregnancy lasting on average 640 days. However, the function and the formation of the additional CLs and their meaning remain unexplained. Here, we show from the example of the elephant, the close relationship between the maternally determined luteal phase length, the formation of multiple luteal structures and their progestagen secretion, the timespan of early embryonic development until implantation and maternal recognition. Through three-dimensional and Colour Flow ultrasonography of the ovaries and the uterus, we conclude that pregnant elephants maintain active CL throughout gestation that appear as main source of progestagens. Two LH peaks during the follicular phase ensure the development of a set of 5.4 + 2.7 CLs. Accessory CLs (acCLs) form prior to ovulation after the first luteinizing hormone (LH) peak, while the ovulatory CL (ovCL) forms after the second LH peak. After five to six weeks (the normal luteal phase lifespan), all existing CLs begin to regress. However, they resume growing as soon as an embryo becomes ultrasonographically apparent on day 49 + 2. After this time, all pregnancy CLs grow significantly larger than in a non-conceptive luteal phase and are maintained until after parturition. The long luteal phase is congruent with a slow early embryonic development and luteal rescue only starts 'last minute', with presumed implantation of the embryo. Our findings demonstrate a highly successful reproductive solution, different from currently described mammalian models.

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“…The picture that has emerged indicates a wide range of endocrine patterns in wildlife species. For example, non-invasive monitoring has indicated that okapi have an estrous cycle length of only 2 weeks (Loskutoff et al, 1982;Schwarzenberger et al, 1999), killer whales have an estrous cycle length of 6 weeks (Walker, et al, 1988;Robeck et al, 1993) and elephants have an estrous cycle length of 13 to 16 weeks (Niemuller et al, 1993;Heistermann et al, 1997;Fiess et al, 1999). Fecal steroid analysis has indicated that felids are primarily induced ovulators although incidences of spontaneous ovulations have been observed (see reviews by Brown, 1997, andBrown et al, 2001).…”

Section: Applicationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

<b>Non-Invasive Monitoring of Reproduction in Zoo and Wildlife Species</b>

Graham¹

2006

Annu Rev Biomed Sci

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Non-invasive monitoring of ovarian function in Asian elephants (Elephas maximus) by measurement of urinary 5 -pregnanetriol

Abstract: The development of an enzymeimmunoassay for 5\g=b\-pregnanetriol and its use for non\x=req-\ invasive monitoring of reproductive cycles in Asian elephants is described. Gas chromatography\p=n-\massspectrometry (GCMS)

Cited by 24 publications

References 17 publications

Successful artificial insemination of an Asian elephant at the National Zoological Park

Successful artificial insemination of an Asian elephant at the National Zoological Park

Gestating for 22 months: luteal development and pregnancy maintenance in elephants

<b>Non-Invasive Monitoring of Reproduction in Zoo and Wildlife Species</b>

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