CSIRO Publishing blank image blank image blank image blank imageBooksblank image blank image blank image blank imageJournalsblank image blank image blank image blank imageAbout Usblank image blank image blank image blank imageShopping Cartblank image blank image blank image You are here: Journals > Reproduction, Fertility and Development   
Reproduction, Fertility and Development
  Vertebrate Reproductive Science & Technology
 
blank image Search
 
blank image blank image
blank image
 
  Advanced Search
   

Journal Home
About the Journal
Editorial Board
Contacts
Content
Online Early
Current Issue
Just Accepted
All Issues
Special Issues
Research Fronts
Sample Issue
For Authors
General Information
Instructions to Authors
Submit Article
Open Access
For Referees
Referee Guidelines
Review Article
For Subscribers
Subscription Prices
Customer Service
Print Publication Dates

blue arrow e-Alerts
blank image
Subscribe to our email Early Alert or RSS feeds for the latest journal papers.

red arrow Connect with us
blank image
facebook   youtube

Affiliated Societies

RFD is the official journal of the International Embryo Transfer Society and the Society for Reproductive Biology.



Article << Previous     |     Next >>   Contents Vol 21(1)

164 CHARACTERIZATION OF THE COMMON ELAND (TAUROTRAGUS ORYX) ESTROUS CYCLE

P. M. Pennington A, L. R. Gentry A, C. E. Pope B, R. A. MacLean B, D. L. Paccamonti C, B. L. Dresser B D, K. R. Bondioli A, R. A. Godke A and G. Wirtu B

A Embryo Biotechnology Laboratory, School of Animal Sciences, Louisiana State University Agricultural Center, Baton Rouge, LA;
B Audubon Nature Institute for Research of Endangered Species, New Orleans, LA;
C Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA;
D Department of Biological Sciences, University of New Orleans, New Orleans, LA
   

Abstract
Export Citation
Print
  


Abstract

Three species of Tragelaphine (spiral horned) antelopes are endangered including the Eastern Bongo. Though most antelope species are represented as captive herds, a detailed characterization of their estrous cycles has not been described. In a crossover experimental design utilizing two groups of four females (n = 8), two estrus synchronization treatments were applied to each female. The treatments were: 1) PGF2∝ (Lutalyse®, 25 mg IM) repeated 11 days later and 2) administration of a progestin (altrenogest, 5 mL, 2.2% p.o.) for 7 days followed by PGF2∝ (25 mg IM) on 7th day. Blood samples were collected three days (Monday, Wednesday and Friday) per week until 2 days before expected estrus when ovaries were examined via transrectal ultrasound once daily and blood samples were collected twice daily, until the dominant follicle was absent. Blood samples were then collected three days per week until two days before the predicted subsequent natural estrus, when intensive ultrasound and blood collection was resumed. Plasma progesterone levels were determined via competitive radioimmunoassay utilizing a double antibody system from a commercially available kit (Diagnostic Systems Laboratories, Webster, TX, USA). Progesterone levels declined in an equal number of females (n = 6 or 75%) following prostaglandin injection in treatments 1 and 2, suggesting both methods to synchronize the estrous cycle or induce estrus are equally effective. Five of the eight females ovulated at least once during the study. A total of eight (25%) of the 32 possible ovulations were detected by ultrasound observation and confirmed by progesterone levels. Basal progesterone levels for the ovulating females around the days of ovulation were approximately 0.5 ng mL–1 and peaked at approximately 2 ng mL–1 during the luteal phase. Ultrasound observed ovulations occurred as frequently on the right ovary as the left. Two animals from treatment 2 ovulated during both the induced and natural cycles on alternate ovaries. An interovulatory interval of 21 days was observed and agrees with data previously reported by Durrant (1983 Zoo Biol. 2, 191–197). The average time to ovulation after PGF2∝ injection was 69 h (range 58–82 h). The average follicular size 12 to 24 h prior to ovulation was 9 and 7 mm for the induced and natural ovulations, respectively, suggesting that eland follicles ovulate at 10 mm. The described technology allows hormonal and ultrasonographic characterization of the estrous cycle in the eland antelope.

Reproduction, Fertility and Development 21(4842) 181–181   http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/RDv21n1Ab164
Published online: 09 December 2008




 
Top  Email this page
 
   


Legal & Privacy | Contact Us | Help

CSIRO

© CSIRO 1996-2013