Urinary Concentrations of Ovarian Steroid Hormone Metabolites and Bioactive Follicle-Stimulating Hormone in Killer Whales (Orcinus orchus) during Ovarian Cycles and Pregnancy1

Walker, L. A.; Cornell, Lanny H.; Dahl, Kristine D.; Czekala, Nancy M.; Dargen, C. M.; Joseph, Brian E.; Hsueh, Aaron J. W.; Lasley, Bill L.

doi:10.1095/biolreprod39.5.1013

Cited by 76 publications

(51 citation statements)

References 8 publications

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“…However, the mean value for the serum in the pregnant bowhead whales (31.6 ng ml −1 ) in the present study was substantially higher than mean values seen in other pregnant baleen whales: minke whales, 6.71 to 13.8 ng ml −1 (Suzuki et al 2001, Kjeld et al 2004, Birukawa et al 2005; and sei whales, 3.24 to 6.60 ng ml −1 (Kjeld et al 2003, Birukawa et al 2005. The pregnant bowhead whale values were more similar to those reported for captive killer whales Orcinus orca of 8.90 to 56.2 ng ml −1 (Walker et al 1988). It is likely that different sample treatments and assay methodologies (e.g.…”

Section: Serum Progesteronesupporting

confidence: 51%

Variation of bowhead whale progesterone concentrations across demographic groups and sample matrices

Kellar

Keliher²,

Trego³

et al. 2013

Endang. Species. Res.

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Bowhead whale Balaena mysticetus progesterone concentrations were measured in different sample matrices (serum, blubber, and urine) to investigate (1) concordance among sample type and (2) variation among life-history class. Samples were collected from subsistencehunted whales (n = 86) taken from 1999 to 2009. In general, irrespective of sample matrix, pregnant females had the highest concentrations by orders of magnitude, followed by mature animals of both sexes, and subadults had the lowest concentrations. Subadult males and females had similar progesterone concentrations in all sample matrices measured. When pregnant animals were included in our analyses, permuted regression models indicated a strong positive relationship between serum and blubber progesterone levels (r 2 = 0.894, p = 0.0002). When pregnant animals were not included, we found no significant relationship between serum and blubber levels (r 2 = 0.025, p = 0.224). These results suggest that progesterone concentrations are mirrored in these sample types over longer periods (i.e. on the order of weeks to months, time frame of reproductive changes) but not shorter periods (i.e. on the order of hours to days, time frame of daily fluctuations). This conclusion is consistent even for progesterone concentrations measured in females that had recently changed pregnancy states (either new mothers or newly pregnant animals), for which blubber progesterone levels seem to lag those in the serum. Finally, urine progesterone had statistically significant positive relationships with serum (r 2 = 0.136, p = 0.0460) and blubber progesterone (r 2 = 0.150, p = 0.0421). Our results suggest that progesterone concentrations first peak in the serum, then in the urine, and finally in the blubber.

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Section: Serum Progesteronesupporting

confidence: 51%

Variation of bowhead whale progesterone concentrations across demographic groups and sample matrices

Kellar

Keliher²,

Trego³

et al. 2013

Endang. Species. Res.

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“…However, methods used in this research were also developed or in some cases evolved simultaneously from research conducted with the killer whale and bottlenose dolphin, the first two cetaceans where the development of AI was successful . As with killer whales and bottlenose dolphins, training of the Pacific white-sided dolphins for daily urine collection was required before endocrinemonitoring techniques could be applied (Walker et al 1988, Robeck et al 1993.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Analysis of urinary reproductive hormones combined with ovarian ultrasound exams has resulted in describing both follicular dynamics and hormonal profiles during estrous cycles and the periovulatory period in killer whale (Walker et al 1988, Robeck et al 1993, bottlenose dolphin , and beluga . The description of the periovulatory period allowed for the development of methods for consistent prediction of ovulation.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Seasonality, estrous cycle characterization, estrus synchronization, semen cryopreservation, and artificial insemination in the Pacific white-sided dolphin (Lagenorhynchus obliquidens)

Robeck¹,

Steinman²,

Greenwell³

et al. 2009

Reproduction

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The reproductive physiology of the Pacific white-sided dolphin, Lagenorhynchus obliquidens, was characterized to facilitate the development of artificial insemination (AI) using cryopreserved spermatozoa. Specific objectives were to: 1) describe reproductive seasonality of the Pacific white sided dolphins; 2) describe urinary LH and ovarian steroid metabolites during the estrous cycle; 3) correlate LH and ovarian steroidal metabolite patterns to ultrasound-monitored follicular growth and ovulation; and 4) assess the efficacy of synchronizing estrus, sperm collection/cryopreservation, and intrauterine insemination. Ovulations (64%, nZ37) and conceptions (83%, nZ18) occurred from August to October. Peak mean serum testosterone (24 ng/ml), cross-sectional testicular area (41.6 cm 2 ), and sperm concentration (144.3!10 7 sperm/ml) occurred in July, August, and September respectively. Spermatozoa were only found in ejaculates from July to October. Estrous cycles (nZ22) were 31 d long and were comprised of a 10 d follicular and 21 d luteal phase. Ovulation occurred 31.2 h after the onset of the LH surge and 19.3 h after the LH peak. Follicular diameter and circumference within 12 h of ovulation were 1.52 and 4.66 cm respectively. Estrus synchronization attempts with altrenogest resulted in 17 (22%) ovulatory cycles with ovulation occurring 21 d post-altrenogest. Ten AI attempts using cryopreserved semen resulted in five pregnancies (50%). The mean gestation length was 356 days (range 348-367). These data provide new information on the Pacific whitesided dolphin's reproductive physiology and collectively enabled the first application of AI in this species.

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“…c total estrous cycle length of 47 days, which is longer than the bottlenose dolphin (30 days) [Brook, 2000] and the killer whale (40 days) [Walker et al, 1988]. Future efforts should be directed toward conditioning beluga for daily urine sample collections, which will permit more detailed analysis of the various components of the estrous cycle.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Reproduction, Growth and Development in Captive Beluga (Delphinapterus leucas)

Robeck¹,

Monfort²,

Calle³

et al. 2005

Zoo Biology

108

122

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Recent success propagating captive beluga has resulted from combined efforts by North American zoos and aquariums to manage disparate collections as a single population. This success has provided a tremendous opportunity to increase our understanding of beluga reproductive biology. Blood samples were collected on a weekly to biweekly basis from 23 female and 12 male beluga, ranging in age from 2-15 years, for analysis of serum progesterone (P) and testosterone (T), respectively. Peri-parturient observational data, including food intake, duration and signs of labor, and nursing patterns were collected from 15 days prepartum to 30 days postpartum during 21 births. Total body lengths and weights were collected from 10 captive-born beluga. For female beluga, the mean (7SD) age, body length, and weight at first conceptions were 9.172.8 years, 318.079.1 cm, and 519784 kg. Thirty-five luteal phases and 13 conceptions were detected from January-June, and 70% of luteal phases and 80% conceptions occurred from March-May. The mean luteal phase and total estrous cycle lengths were 30.076.5 days and 48.074.6 days, respectively. For male beluga, the mean age that males sired their first calf was 13.372.6 years. Compared to younger males (o8 years of age, 0.95 ng/ml), levels of T secretion in older males (48 years of age, 5.0 ng/ml) were elevated significantly only during the interval from January-April. Highest T concentrations (6.274.9 ng/ml) were recorded from January-March, whereas nadir concentrations (1.171.0 ng/ml) were detected from August-September. The mean gestation length was 475.0720.4 days (n ¼ 9). For parturition, the mean time from the first appearance of fluke or rostrum to delivery, delivery to placental passage, and delivery to nursing were 4.472.9 hr, 7.671.8 hr, and 43745 hr, respectively. All cows had decreased food intake on the day of delivery, with 44% having zero intake. Peak 24-hr nursing activity occurred 3.972.7 days post-partum. Growth (i.e., body weight and length) as a function of age were well described by the Gompertz model (r 2 ¼ 0.91, 0.93). Based on the model, growth in body weight and length were significantly greater in males compared to females. Predicted birth weight (88.9 kg) was similar for both sexes, however, and male calves were predicted to be shorter (154.3 cm) than female calves (160.7 cm). The results provide the first descriptions of captive beluga reproductive physiology, including endocrinology, peri-parturient behavior, growth, and reproductive maturity. This knowledge is important for helping to maintain genetically diverse, self-sustaining populations of captive beluga whales.

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Urinary Concentrations of Ovarian Steroid Hormone Metabolites and Bioactive Follicle-Stimulating Hormone in Killer Whales (Orcinus orchus) during Ovarian Cycles and Pregnancy1

Cited by 76 publications

References 8 publications

Variation of bowhead whale progesterone concentrations across demographic groups and sample matrices

Variation of bowhead whale progesterone concentrations across demographic groups and sample matrices

Seasonality, estrous cycle characterization, estrus synchronization, semen cryopreservation, and artificial insemination in the Pacific white-sided dolphin (Lagenorhynchus obliquidens)

Reproduction, Growth and Development in Captive Beluga (Delphinapterus leucas)

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