dc.contributor.author |
Ganswindt, Andre
|
|
dc.contributor.author |
Muenscher, Stefanie B.
|
|
dc.contributor.author |
Henley, Michelle
|
|
dc.contributor.author |
Henley, Steve
|
|
dc.contributor.author |
Heistermann, Michael
|
|
dc.contributor.author |
Palme, Rupert
|
|
dc.contributor.author |
Thompson, P.N. (Peter N.)
|
|
dc.contributor.author |
Bertschinger, Hendrik Jan
|
|
dc.date.accessioned |
2011-05-04T07:32:05Z |
|
dc.date.available |
2011-05-04T07:32:05Z |
|
dc.date.issued |
2010-02 |
|
dc.description.abstract |
Sexual activity in mature male African elephants is predominantly associated with the
occurrence of musth, a state or condition which refers to a set of physical, physiological
and behavioral characteristics, including an elevation in androgen levels. Although musth
appears to be energetically costly, the degree to which it is associated with changes in
adrenal endocrine function (e.g., glucocorticoid output) is still unclear. To investigate the
possible effect of musth on adrenocortical function, and the impact of socioecological
changes on androgen and glucocorticoid levels, six adult African elephant bulls were
followed for 13 months in the Kruger National Park, South Africa, and observations and
fecal sample collection for endocrine monitoring was carried out about twice weekly. Our
data showed that the occurrence of musth was associated with reduced glucocorticoid
output, suggesting that musth does not represent a physiological stress mediated by the
hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. This confirms previous findings in captive-housed
animals, providing evidence for a suppressive effect of the musth condition on
adrenocortical activity. Furthermore, a seasonal effect on androgen and glucocorticoid
levels was found, which appears to vary depending on the reproductive status of the
animal. The results also indicate a relationship between the presence or absence of social
partners and changes in testicular and adrenal endocrine activity. Finally, the data confirm
previous findings in captive-housed elephants, that an elevation in androgen
concentrations usually occurs before the onset of physical musth signs, and therefore
support the idea that the change in androgen levels represents the initial stimulus for the
musth condition. |
en |
dc.description.sponsorship |
The study was funded in part by the University of Pretoria, Claude Leon Foundation,Novartis/SAVF Wildlife Research Fund, and the German Primate Centre. |
en |
dc.identifier.citation |
Ganswindt, A, Muenscher, S, Henley, M, Henley, S, Heistermann, M, Palme, R, Thompson, P & Bertschinger, S 2010, 'Endocrine correlates of musth and the impact of ecological and social free-ranging African elephants (Loxodonta africana)', Hormones and Behavior, vol. 57, pp. 506-514. [www.elsevier.com/locate/yhbeh] |
en |
dc.identifier.issn |
0018-506X (print) |
|
dc.identifier.issn |
1095-6867 (online) |
|
dc.identifier.other |
10.1016/j.yhbeh.2010.02.009 |
|
dc.identifier.other |
6507085906 |
|
dc.identifier.other |
7403220452 |
|
dc.identifier.other |
G-9856-2014 |
|
dc.identifier.other |
J-2534-2013 |
|
dc.identifier.uri |
http://hdl.handle.net/2263/16434 |
|
dc.language.iso |
en |
en |
dc.publisher |
Elsevier |
en |
dc.rights |
© 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved |
en |
dc.subject |
Loxodonta africana |
en |
dc.subject |
Male reproduction |
en |
dc.subject |
Testosterone |
en |
dc.subject |
Cortisol |
en |
dc.subject |
Stress |
en |
dc.subject |
Musth |
en |
dc.subject |
Kruger National Park |
en |
dc.subject.lcsh |
African elephant -- Endocrinology |
en |
dc.subject.lcsh |
Theriogenology |
en |
dc.subject.lcsh |
Veterinary endocrinology |
en |
dc.title |
Endocrine correlates of musth and the impact of ecological and socialfree-ranging African elephants (Loxodonta africana) |
en |
dc.type |
Postprint Article |
en |