Fecal 20-oxo-pregnane concentrations in free-ranging African elephants (Loxodonta africana) treated with porcine zona pellucida vaccine

dc.contributor.authorAlhers, M.J.
dc.contributor.authorGanswindt, Andre
dc.contributor.authorMunscher, Stefanie
dc.contributor.authorBertschinger, Hendrik Jan
dc.date.accessioned2012-10-24T07:48:11Z
dc.date.available2012-10-24T07:48:11Z
dc.date.issued2012-07
dc.description.abstractBecause of overpopulation of African elephants in South Africa and the consequent threat to biodiversity, the need for a method of population control has become evident. In this regard, the potential use of the porcine zona pellucida (pZP) vaccine as an effective means for population control is explored. While potential effects of pZP treatment on social behavior of African elephants have been investigated, no examination of the influence of pZP vaccination on the endocrine correlates in treated females has been undertaken. In this study, ovarian activity of free-ranging, pZP-treated African elephant females was monitored noninvasively for 1 yr at Thornybush Private Nature Reserve, South Africa, by measuring fecal 5 -pregnan-3 -ol-20-on concentrations via enzyme immunoassay. A total of 719 fecal samples from 19 individuals were collected over the study period, averaging 38 samples collected per individual (minimum, maximum: 16, 52). Simultaneously, behavioral observations were made to record the occurrence of estrous behavior for comparison. Each elephant under study showed 5 -pregnan-3 -ol-20-on concentrations rising above baseline at some period during the study indicating luteal activity. Average 5 -pregnan-3 -ol-20-on concentrations were 1.61 0.46 g/g (mean SD). Within sampled females, 42.9% exhibited estrous cycles within the range reported for captive African elephants, 14.3% had irregular cycles, and 42.9% did not appear to be cycling. Average estrous cycle duration was 14.72 0.85 wk. Estrous behavior coincided with the onset of the luteal phase and a subsequent rise in 5 -pregnan-3 -ol-20-on concentrations. Average 5 -pregnan-3 -ol-20-on levels positively correlated with rainfall. No association between average individual 5 -pregnan-3 -ol-20-on concentrations or cyclicity status with age or parity were detected. Earlier determination of efficacy was established via fecal hormone analysis with no pregnancies determined 22 mo post-treatment and onward. Results indicate the presence of ovarian activity amongst pZP-treated female African elephants in 2 yr after initial immunization. Further study should now be aimed toward investigating the long-term effects of pZP vaccination on the reproductive function of female African elephants.en
dc.description.librarianab2012en
dc.description.sponsorshipThornybush Private Nature Reserve, the US Fish and Wildlife Service-African Elephant Conservation Fund, Humane Society International, and the University of Pretoria.en
dc.description.urihttp://www.theriojournal.comen
dc.identifier.citationM.J. Ahlers, A. Ganswindt, S. Munscher & H.J. Bertschinger, Fecal 20-oxo-pregnane concentrations in free-ranging African elephants (Loxodonta africana) treated with porcine zona pellucida vaccine, Theriogenology, vol. 78, no. 1, pp. 77-85 (2012), doi: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2012.01.023.en
dc.identifier.issn0093-691X (print)
dc.identifier.issn1879-3231 (online)
dc.identifier.other10.1016/j.theriogenology.2012.01.023
dc.identifier.other6507085906
dc.identifier.otherG-9856-2014
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/2263/20274
dc.language.isoenen
dc.publisherElsevieren
dc.relation.requiresAdobe Acrobat Readeren
dc.rights© 2012 Elsevier. All rights reserved. Notice : this is the author’s version of a work that was accepted for publication in Theriogenology. Changes resulting from the publishing process, such as peer review, editing, corrections, structural formatting and other quality control mechanisms may not be reflected in this document. Changes may have been made to this work since it was submitted for publication. A definitive version was subsequently published in Theriogenology, vol 78, issue 1, July 2012, doi: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2012.01.023.en
dc.subjectpZP-immunocontraceptionen
dc.subjectLoxodonta africanaen
dc.subjectEstrous cycleen
dc.subjectProgestagenen
dc.subjectFecesen
dc.subjectEnzyme-immunoassaysen
dc.subject.lcshAfrican elephanten
dc.subject.lcshAfrican elephant populations -- Controlen
dc.subject.lcshAfrican elephant -- Vaccinationen
dc.titleFecal 20-oxo-pregnane concentrations in free-ranging African elephants (Loxodonta africana) treated with porcine zona pellucida vaccineen
dc.typePostprint Articleen

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