Estrous cycle detection, pregnancy diagnosis, circulating levels of vitamin A & E and the role of different nutrients in reproductive performance in Asian elephant (Elephas maximus) of Nepal /
Elephants have been maintained in captivity (camps) in Asia
| Main Author: | |
|---|---|
| Format: | Thesis Book |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
[Place of publication not identified] :
[publisher not identified] ;
1995.
|
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | Link to OAKTrust copy http://proxy.library.tamu.edu/login?url=http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb?did=742535381&sid=1&Fmt=2&clientId=2945&RQT=309&VName=PQD |
| Summary: | Elephants have been maintained in captivity (camps) in Asia for at least 200 years. Effective management of the captive population could insure survival of the species, could reinforce wild populations and could provide stock for re establishing elephants in depopulated areas. However, efforts to breed the endangered Asian elephant in captivity have historically been inefficient because of our limited understanding of their cyclicity, pregnancy state, nutrition levels and stress related to captive management. Blood samples were collected weekly (n = 30) or monthly (n = 10) for one year from Asian elephants (Elephas maximum) maintained in 4 different elephant camps in Nepal. Sera were analyzed for cortisol, progesterone and prolactin, vitamin A and E concentrations and blood chemistry to determine if there was a relationship between management condition or stress, nutrition and reproductive hormone status. Cortisol concentrations varied both within and among individuals and averaged 10.9 + 0.6 ng/ml. There was an inverse relationship (r = -0.35 1, p < 0.05) between temperature and cortisol concentration. Differences in overall cortisol concentrations among camp elephants also indicated that handling and management procedures may contribute to altered adrenal function. Captive elephants managed in traditional camp situations had comparatively lower cortisol concentrations than those managed in other captive conditions (zoos and circuses). None of the reproductive parameters including estrous cycle length, number of cycles per year or pregnancy were correlated to cortisol concentration (p < 0.05). In pregnant elephants, serum progesterone was elevated throughout gestation, while serum prolactin was significantly elevated (p < 0.05) from 5 months after breeding to just before parturition. Thus, measurement of prolactin 5 months post breeding may be a useful tool for diagnosing pregnancy in the Asian elephant. Plasma retinol and alpha-tocopherol levels showed a wide range of normal values when elephants are provided with significant natural sources of these vitamins and elephants have individually characteristic plasma values that are generally repeatable over time. Progesterone analyses confirm that the estrous cycle length of these elephants is approximately 15 weeks, but varied among camps. Although , age and body condition of elephants were important factors, estrous cycle length and cyclicity in Asian elephants can only be partially explained by blood vitamin A, E, total protein, cortisol concentrations and body condition score. |
|---|---|
| Item Description: | Vita. "Major Subject: Veterinary Physiology". |
| Physical Description: | xiii, 134 leaves : illustrations ; 28 cm. Issued also on microfiche from University Microfilms Inc. |
| Bibliography: | Includes bibliographical references. |