Development and evaluation of electroejaculation techniques in the Tasmanian devil (Sarcophilus harrisii)

Electroejaculation (EEJ) has been used successfully to collect samples suitable for genome resource banking from a variety of endangered wildlife species. Ejaculates can also be used to evaluate the reproductive potential of individuals and provide information on seminal characteristics to aid in the development of sperm cryopreservation techniques. Electroejaculation techniques used for marsupial and eutherian species were tested on Tasmanian devils (n = 35). Spermic ejaculates were collected in 54% (19/35) of EEJ attempts. Spermic ejaculates were low in volume (3.9 ± 6.5 × 102 µL, range 10–3000 µL) and contained low numbers of spermatozoa (3.3 ± 7.8 × 103 spermatozoa per ejaculate, range 6–33 000). The osmolality and pH of presumptive urine-free ejaculates were 389 ± 130 mOsm kg–1 (range 102–566) and 7.0 ± 0.9 (range 6.0–8.0), respectively. Prostatic bodies were observed in 79% (26/33) of ejaculates. Episodic fluctuations in serum testosterone concentrations were not detected during the EEJ procedure (P > 0.05). Increases observed in serum cortisol concentrations during EEJ were less (P < 0.05) than those observed after an adrenalcorticotropic hormone challenge and diurnal variation suggested that cortisol concentrations are greater during the day than at night (P < 0.05). This information can be used to provide range values for the future examination of basic endocrine responses and the adrenal–pituitary axis of this species. This study also demonstrated that spermatozoa-rich devil electroejaculates are more difficult to obtain and poorer in quality than those of other marsupials.

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The effects of season and devil facial tumour disease on the reproductive physiology of the male Tasmanian devil (Sarcophilus harrisii)

Reproduction Fertility and Development ◽

10.1071/rd11134 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 24 (7) ◽

pp. 999 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

T. Keeley ◽

P. D. McGreevy ◽

J. K. O'Brien

Keyword(s):

Early Stage ◽

Reproductive Function ◽

Serum Testosterone ◽

Serum Cortisol ◽

Disease Stage ◽

Rapid Decline ◽

Tasmanian Devil ◽

Early Stage Disease ◽

Devil Facial Tumour Disease ◽

Disease Free

Devil facial tumour disease (DFTD) is the cause of the rapid decline of wild Tasmanian devils. Female devils are seasonal breeders with births peaking during autumn (i.e. March) but the degree of reproductive seasonality in male devils is unknown. The objective of this study was to examine the potential effects of season and DFTD on reproductive function in male devils (n = 55). Testicular (1.90 ± 0.23 g) and epididymal (0.90 ± 0.06 g) weights were maximal during autumn and spring (P < 0.05), whereas prostate (3.71 ± 0.74 g) and Cowper’s gland (0.68 ± 0.22; 0.52 ± 0.21 g) weights peaked during autumn (P < 0.001). The motility of spermatozoa from the cauda epididymides extracted post-mortem was similar (P > 0.05) across season and disease state (31.5 ± 13.1% total motility). Testicular and epididymal weights were no different between animals displaying late or early-stage DTFD signs or disease-free animals (P > 0.1). The accessory sex glands were larger in late-stage DFTD animals than in animals with early-stage disease signs or which were disease-free (P < 0.01) but effects of season on this result can’t be excluded. Serum testosterone concentrations peaked during summer (0.25 ± 0.18 ng mL–1) but values were not different from the preceding and subsequent seasons (P > 0.05), nor influenced by disease stage (P > 0.1). Seasonal and DFTD-related changes in serum cortisol concentrations were not evident (P > 0.1). Male devil reproduction does not appear to be restricted by season nor inhibited by DFTD.

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Observations on the Tasmanian Devil, Sarcophilus harrisii (Marsupialia : Dasyuridae) II. Reproduction, breeding and growth of pouch young

Australian Journal of Zoology ◽

10.1071/zo9700063 ◽

1970 ◽

Vol 18 (1) ◽

pp. 63 ◽

Cited By ~ 59

Author(s):

ER Guiler

Keyword(s):

Sex Ratio ◽

Reproductive Potential ◽

Tasmanian Devil ◽

Embryonic Diapause ◽

Time Of Breeding ◽

Young Stage ◽

Poor Recruitment ◽

The Mean ◽

The Devil ◽

Sarcophilus Harrisii

The Tasmanian devil, S. harrisii, is polyovular and monoestrus and embryonic diapause was not found. The mean number of pouch young for 69 litters was found to be 2.95. The number of young in a litter varies with the age of the mother. More young are born than can be accommodated in the pouch. The time of breeding varies from year to year, mating taking place in March. The percentage of breeding females varies annually as well as from place to place, being found to be as low as 31 % in one area. The devil has a high reproductive potential because there are no losses at the pouch-young stage. This is offset by poor recruitment of juveniles into the population. Pseudopregnancy was found to occur. The sex ratio of both pouch young and adults favoured the female. The development and growth of the young is described.

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Pituitary response to LRH and TRH stimulation and peripheral steroid hormones in conscious and anaesthetized adult male rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta)

Acta Endocrinologica ◽

10.1530/acta.0.0930287 ◽

1980 ◽

Vol 93 (3) ◽

pp. 287-293 ◽

Cited By ~ 16

Author(s):

E. Jean Wickings ◽

E. Nieschlag

Keyword(s):

Adult Male ◽

Rhesus Monkeys ◽

Serum Testosterone ◽

Fold Increase ◽

Serum Cortisol ◽

Serum Levels ◽

Biologically Active ◽

Similar Response ◽

Response Curves ◽

Male Rhesus

Abstract. Adult male rhesus monkeys are aggressive animals and very difficult to handle. Hence experimental manipulations necessarily involve the use of restraint procedures, either chemical or physical, which may influence endocrine functions. Therefore, the effects of ketamine anaesthesia on basal hormone levels and on the pituitary response to LRH and TRH were investigated in 4 adult male rhesus monkeys. Values were compared to those obtained from the same animals restrained in primate chairs for approximately 48 h, a procedure to which they had been accustomed to over the preceding 6 months. Serum cortisol levels under anaesthesia were at all times lower than in conscious monkeys, but increased after 2 h to values twice as high as measured initially. Serum testosterone concentrations were not significantly different on the two occasions, but levels under anaesthesia were slightly higher initially than in the conscious monkeys, and decreased gradually over the 3 h test period. Initial prolactin levels were lower in the anaesthetized monkeys, and increased 2–3-fold after 90 min; values at 3 h were not significantly different from those in conscious monkeys. Intravenous TRH elicited a similar response in prolactin on both occasions, maximum values occurring after 15–30 min and returning to basal levels after 3 h. The maximum values attained and the area under the response curves were higher under anaesthesia. LRH stimulation resulted in a 15- and 30-fold increase in serum levels of biologically active LH, with and without anaesthesia, respectively. Basal levels were not significantly different on the two occasions. The area under the LH response curve was higher in 3 of the 4 monkeys without anaesthesia. The extent to which results in conscious monkeys are affected by stress is difficult to assess. Since neither handling technique allows for the collection of 'true' basal data, it is paramount to standardize and define the conditions under which experiments, and even routine blood sampling, are performed in male rhesus monkeys.

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Characterization of antibody V segment diversity in the Tasmanian devil (Sarcophilus harrisii)

Veterinary Immunology and Immunopathology ◽

10.1016/j.vetimm.2015.08.001 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 167 (3-4) ◽

pp. 156-165 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Beata Ujvari ◽

Katherine Belov

Keyword(s):

Tasmanian Devil ◽

Sarcophilus Harrisii

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A Clinico-etiological Evaluation of Hirsutism Patients: A Case Series

Journal of Pharmaceutical Research International ◽

10.9734/jpri/2021/v33i43b32568 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 384-389

Author(s):

Sohan A. Patel ◽

Jayant B. Dave ◽

Timir Y Mehta

Keyword(s):

Hair Growth ◽

Negative Impact ◽

Serum Insulin ◽

Case Series ◽

Serum Testosterone ◽

Serum Cortisol ◽

Serum Prolactin ◽

Ultrasound Study ◽

Hormonal Evaluation ◽

Serum Tsh

Background: Hirsutism is a condition of excess hair growth in females in male-like distribution. It is seen in almost 5-10% of women. Women having hirsutism have a negative impact on quality of life. Aim: All patients were subjected to ultrasound imaging (Sonography) and hormonal evaluation to establish possible causative factors. Methods: A prospective and retrospective study of hirsutism patients, who were evaluated at Samarpan medical research organization, Modasa, Gujarat from 2016 to 2019. Results: In this case series age and clinical presentation were studied in five female patients diagnosed with hirsutism. The patients age ranged from 16 to 22 years with a mean of 19.60 years. All these patients showed localized hair growth on the upper lip, chin, and cheek on the face. Ultrasound study revealed that one of the five patients had a right bulky ovary and four patients showed both ovaries with multiple follicles. In hormonal evaluation, in one of the three patients the LH: FSH ratio was found to be more than 3. Three out of the five patients showed elevated levels of 17-OHP and serum testosterone. Two out of the three patients showed an elevated level of serum insulin. The level of DHEAS, serum prolactin, serum cortisol, and serum TSH were found to be in a normal range. Conclusion: Ultrasonographic (USG) study revealed a positive correlation between PCOS and Hirsutism patients. Hirsutism patients were found to have higher levels of 17-OHP, serum testosterone, serum insulin, and a higher ratio of LH: FSH, one or more at a time suggesting a strong correlation between elevated levels of these hormones and hirsutism. The present study could not establish any meaningful correlation between the level of DHEAS, serum prolactin, serum cortisol, and serum TSH.

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An approach to stress assessment during hunting: Cortisol levels of wild boar (Sus scrofa) during drive hunts

10.1101/2020.03.11.987628 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Justine Güldenpfennig ◽

Marion Schmicke ◽

Martina Hoedemaker ◽

Ursula Siebert ◽

Oliver Keuling

Keyword(s):

Wild Boar ◽

Cortisol Level ◽

Age Groups ◽

Serum Cortisol ◽

Well Being ◽

Lower Saxony ◽

Pregnant Females ◽

Wildlife Species ◽

Cortisol Levels ◽

The Impact

AbstractOnly little is known about the effect of stress (both short-term and long-term) on wildlife species. To get an idea of stress in wildlife, we investigated the cortisol level of wild boar during drive hunts in Lower Saxony, Germany. Cortisol as one of the main stress hormone in mammals is considered to have negative impacts on the animal’s well-being if expressed excessively (repeatedly over a longer period). We analysed serum cortisol levels of 115 samples using a radioimmunoassay and compared sampling month, hunting grounds, age classes and sexes, as well as possible correlations between cortisol level and weight and pregnancy status of female wild boar. We found that cortisol levels during these drive hunts exhibit wide variation. The mean cortisol level was 411.16 nmol/L with levels ranging from 30.60 nmol/L (minimum) to 1,457.92 nmol/L (maximum). Comparing age groups and sexes, we found significant differences between the sexes, with females having a higher cortisol levels than males. After grouping age groups and sexes together, we also found significant differences based on the age-sex group. We found no correlation between cortisol levels and weight, but significantly higher cortisol levels in pregnant females compared to non-pregnant females. No differences were found between sampling months and locations, respectively. These results show the impact of drive hunts on stress in wild boar; nevertheless, this impact of drive hunts as performed in most parts of Central Europe seems to be not as high as imagined. Still, we need more information about cortisol levels and stress in (hunted) wildlife species.

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Biometric testicular and serum testosterone concentration of Brazilian Ponies stallions

Revista Brasileira de Saúde e Produção Animal ◽

10.1590/s1519-99402017000100019 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 18 (1) ◽

pp. 204-210

Author(s):

Miguel Alejandro Silva RUA ◽

Celia Raquel QUIRINO ◽

Wilder Hernando Ortiz VEJA ◽

Aylton BARTHOLAZZI JUNIOR ◽

Rosemary BASTOS ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Analysis Of Variance ◽

Rio De Janeiro ◽

Reproductive Potential ◽

Serum Testosterone ◽

Testicular Volume ◽

Testis Size ◽

Testosterone Concentration ◽

Important Trait ◽

Sperm Output ◽

Janeiro State

SUMMARY Evaluation of the testis size is very important in stallions’ selection, since it is an indirect determinant of their reproductive potential. The aim of this study was to evaluate the biometric testicular traits, calculate the volume testicular and analyze the serum testosterone concentration of the stallion. During six months were measured the tests of adults Brazilian Ponies stallions from northern of Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil. The length, the width and the height of the testicles (TL, TW and TH) were measured. From these measurements, the total testicular volume (TTV) was calculated. The serum testosterone concentration was also evaluated. The data were studied by analysis of variance and were calculated the correlations among the traits. The average of the testis biometry were TL 5.8 ± 0.6 cm; TW 3.8 ± 0.5 cm; TH 4.7 ± 0.4 cm and 111.2 ± 27.7 for TTV. Mean of serum testosterone concentration was 0.89 ± 0.52 ng/dl. High correlations between biometry testicular traits with testicular volume were observed and low to moderate correlations were observed for testicular traits, testosterone and sperm output. The testis size could be an important trait that assists to the prediction of stallion's reproductive potential of the Brazilian ponies stallions. It is suggested that there would be no fluctuation in serum testosterone concentration in Brazilian ponies stallions that coult afect on its fertility.

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