Wanlaya Tipkantha

Gender, Season and Management Affect Fecal Glucocorticoid Metabolite Concentrations in Captive Goral (Naemorhedus griseus) in Thailand

Chinese goral (Naemorhedus griseus) are a threatened species in Thailand and the focus of captive breeding for possible reintroduction. However, little is known of their biology or what factors in the captive environment affect welfare. Our objective was to determine the impact of gender, season, and management on goral adrenal activity. We hypothesized that differences in fecal glucocorticoid concentrations would be related to animal density. Fecal samples were collected 3 days/week for 1 year from 63 individuals (n = 32 males, 31 females) at two facilities that house the majority of goral in Thailand: Omkoi Wildlife Sanctuary (Omkoi), an off-exhibit breeding center that houses goral in individual pens (16 pens; n = 8 males, 8 females) and in small family groups (8 pens; n = 8 males, 8 females); and the Chiang Mai Night Safari (NS), a zoo that maintains 31 goral (n = 17 males, 14 females) in one large pen. Glucocorticoid metabolite concentrations were higher in male than female goral at Omkoi throughout the year, and there was a seasonal effect on adrenal activity (p<0.05). Goral at Omkoi and NS were used to test the effect of animal density on fecal glucocorticoid excretion of goral housed in similar-sized enclosures. Overall, the highest levels were found at NS (n = 31 adults/pen; 27 m2 per animal) compared to Omkoi (n = 2 adults/pen; 400 m2 per animal) (p<0.05). Overall findings support our hypothesis that animal density and aspects of the captive environment impact adrenal steroid activity in captive goral. In addition, gender and season also had significant effects on glucocorticoid metabolite production. Potential stressors pertaining to the welfare of this species were identified, which will guide future efforts to improve management and create self-sustaining and healthy populations of this threatened species.

The complete mitochondrial genome of the Asian tapirs (Tapirus indicus): the only extant Tapiridae species in the old world

Abstract Asian tapir (Tapirus indicus) is categorized as Endangered on the 2008 IUCN red list. The first full-length mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) sequence of Asian tapir is 16,717 bp in length. Base composition shows 34.6% A, 27.2% T, 25.8% C and 12.3% G. Highest polymorphic site is on the control region as typical for many species.

Seasonality of fecal androgen and glucocorticoid metabolite excretion in male goral (Naemorhedus griseus) in Thailand.

There is no information on the endocrinology of Chinese goral (Naemorhedus griseus), a high priority species for captive breeding and reintroduction in Thailand. This study characterized fecal androgen and glucocorticoid metabolites in male goral at Omkoi Wildlife Sanctuary to investigate seasonal relationships. Fecal samples were collected 3 days/week for 1 year from eight adult males. Mean androgen metabolite concentrations were greater (P<0.05) during the rainy season (289.82±9.18ng/g) and winter (224.09±11.97ng/g) compared to the summer (195.48±8.23ng/g), and were related to breeding activity. A similar pattern was observed for glucocorticoid concentrations (22.10±0.72ng/g compared to 21.98±0.98ng/g compared to 15.30±0.48ng/g), respectively, and this resulted in a positive correlation between the two hormones (P<0.05). There also were positive correlations between fecal androgen metabolite concentrations and temperature (P<0.05) and day length (P<0.05). In summary, this is the first study to assess endocrine function in male goral, and results showed seasonal variation in testicular and adrenal steroidogenic function, with greater activity in the rainy season and winter. Given that resources for captive male goral are consistent throughout the year, reproduction may be regulated primarily by photoperiod in this species.

SUCCESSFUL LAPAROSCOPIC OVIDUCTAL ARTIFICIAL INSEMINATION IN THE CLOUDED LEOPARD (NEOFELIS NEBULOSA) IN THAILAND

Abstract Captive breeding of clouded leopards (Neofelis nebulosa) is challenging because of mating incompatibility, high incidence of teratospermia in males, and inconsistent ovulation patterns in females. Assisted reproductive techniques, therefore, are necessary to overcome these issues and maintain the genetic diversity in the captive population. The objective was to use laparoscopic oviductal artificial insemination (AI) to breed genetically valuable females (n = 4; aged 4.5–5 yr) that were unsuccessfully paired. Fecal hormone metabolites (estrogen and progesterone) were extracted and measured by enzyme immunoassay for monitoring of ovarian activity 45 days before and 65 days after laparoscopic AI. For timed insemination, females were injected with 200 IU equine chorionic gonadotropin and 1,000 IU porcine luteinizing hormone (pLH) at the 82-hr interval. Ovarian assessment was performed by laparoscopy 44 hr after pLH administration. One nulliparous female out of four presented two ovulation sites on each ovary. The single female that had ovulated was inseminated with chilled semen collected from two males (8 × 106 and 2.7 × 106 motile spermatozoa, respectively, in each oviduct). A significant increase in fecal progesterone concentrations was observed after AI with a concentration peak (500 μg/g dry feces) detected on day 24 after pLH injection, which was then sustained for more than 45 days after the pLH injection. The delivery of two cubs occurred on day 92 after pLH. Microsatellite marker analysis determined that both cubs were sired by the same male. This is the first report of a successful oviductal AI in the clouded leopard.

Genetic diversity of the captive Asian tapir population in Thailand, based on mitochondrial control region sequence data and the comparison of its nucleotide structure with Brazilian tapir

Abstract The Asian tapir (Tapirus indicus) has been classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (2008). Genetic diversity data provide important information for the management of captive breeding and conservation of this species. We analyzed mitochondrial control region (CR) sequences from 37 captive Asian tapirs in Thailand. Multiple alignments of the full-length CR sequences sized 1268 bp comprised three domains as described in other mammal species. Analysis of 16 parsimony-informative variable sites revealed 11 haplotypes. Furthermore, the phylogenetic analysis using median-joining network clearly showed three clades correlated with our earlier cytochrome b gene study in this endangered species. The repetitive motif is located between first and second conserved sequence blocks, similar to the Brazilian tapir. The highest polymorphic site was located in the extended termination associated sequences domain. The results could be applied for future genetic management based in captivity and wild that shows stable populations.

Monitoring and controlling ovarian activity in wild felids

In the past decade, studies on reproductive biology, endocrinology, and assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs) in the domestic cat have contributed to a lot of progress in conservation breeding of wild felids. However, the 36 species of the Felidae family have species- and individual-specific reproductive cycles and respond differently to exogenous hormones. Monitoring the ovarian cycle of wild felids can improve their natural breeding and maximize their reproductive success. Moreover, fundamental knowledge on the hormonal patterns of each feline species offers the opportunity to develop ARTs, particularly in threatened and endangered species. Currently, several ovarian activity control regimens have been established with higher precision for artificial insemination, oocyte aspiration and embryo transfer. In this review, we highlight the efforts made in ovarian control and its outcomes showing promising applications to enhance wild felid conservation. Currently, ovarian monitoring has been studied in two-thirds of the feline species with thorough reports on 16 species only. To increase the genetic diversity of shrinking populations of these wild felids there still is a critical need for better knowledge of feline reproductive biology. Sustained successes will be achieved by controlling several factors influencing pregnancy successes by natural and assisted breeding.