Significant medical issues and biological reference values for giant pandas from the Biomedical Survey

Nutrient and mineral composition during shoot growth in seven species ofPhyllostachysandPseudosasabamboo consumed by giant panda

“…In contrast, giant pandas in four U.S. zoos consume diets of 87–96% bamboo (Wiedower et al., ). Fourteen per cent of the captive giant pandas surveyed in China were diagnosed with stunted development syndrome (SDS), a condition characterized by small body size, dental abnormalities, chronic gastrointestinal (GIT) disease, failure to reproduce, increased occurrence of mucous stools and poor body condition (Janssen et al, ). This syndrome is suspected to result from suboptimal nutrition during postnatal development and has accounted for 28% of captive giant panda deaths (Qui and Mainka, ; Dierenfeld et al., ).…”

Protracted Reproductive Seasonality in the Male Giant Panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) Reflected by Patterns in Androgen Profiles, Ejaculate Characteristics, and Selected Behaviors1

“…Isoflurane gas (Ningbo Samreal Import and Export Co.) was delivered via a face mask or intubation, as necessary, to increase depth and/or duration of anesthesia. While each male was under anesthesia, testicular and body morphometry measurements were collected as previously described [14,22]. Specifically, the length and width of each testicle were measured using a digital caliper (Model #500-196-20 Absolute Digimatic Calipers; Mitutoyo Corp.), and volume of each testis then was calculated using the formula volume ¼ 4/3 p ab 2 (a is 1/2 length; b is 1/2 width) [14].…”

“…Total testicular volume per male was determined by combining the right and left testis volumes. Calipers and a flexible tape measure were used to ascertain chest girth, abdominal girth, contour length of body from tip of nose to base and tip of tail, right foreleg circumference at elbow, and axial skin fold thickness, all as described previously [22].…”

“…Recent advances in giant panda propagation and the availability of the state-of-the-art Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding have eliminated this impediment. Improved anesthetic protocols [21] now allow safe, hands-on assessment of body [22] and testes morphometry [14] and semen collection [14]. Emergence of fecal hormone metabolite monitoring for the giant panda also has permitted the noninvasive tracking of gonadal endocrine activity [19,20].…”

Phylogenetic analysis of the haemagglutinin gene of canine distemper virus strains detected from giant panda and raccoon dogs in China

“…Although the use of live attenuated vaccines has greatly helped to prevent CDV infections in susceptible animals, the dental abnormalities and enamel erosion that are found in many young and adult giant pandas [23,24] may be related to early infection with CDV [25,26]. Several episodes also have been reported in raccoon dogs [20].…”