Noninvasive monitoring of reproductive function by determination of faecal progestagens and sexual behaviour in a herd of Przewalski mares in a semireserve

• Autorzy: Scheibe K M , Dehnhard M. , Meyer H.H.D. , Scheibe A.
• Języki publikacji: EN

Abstrakty

EN

We examined the reproductive activity and sexual behaviour of a herd of Przewalski mares Equus ferus przewalskii Poljakov, 1881 that were born in zoos and lived in a semireserve since 1992 during five periods in 1995-1997 of 4-6 weeks each Ovarian activity was detected by the analysis of faecal progestagens. In addition, behavioural detection of oestrus and continuous recording of the daily activity with a storage telemetry system were carried out and compared with the analytical data. Faecal 20a-hydroxypregnane analysis revealed ovarian activity to be 100% (April/May 1995), 25% (May/June 1996), 88% (October/November 1996), 63% (January/February 1997) and 100% (April/May 1997) of the mares sampled. Behavioural observations showed a seasonal pattern with maximal sexual interactions in April/May 1995/1997 and only few interactions in winter. Detailed activity records in individual animals revealed an oestrus related increase from 14 h/d to 15.6 h/d. Our results show a tendency of seasonality which support the view that Przewalski mares are seasonal breeders with sexual activity in spring and early summer. In May/June 1996 a dysregulation of reproductive activity associated with a persistent increase in locomotor activity occurred. We hypothesise external disturbances from a shooting yard close to the semireserve. Compared to behavioural observations, faecal progestagen analysis seem to be the most convenient method to investigate reproductive activity in free ranging Przewalski mares.

Słowa kluczowe

EN

reproduction; feces; herd; sexual behaviour; mare; Equus ferus przewalskii; reproductive function; non-invasive monitoring; Przewalski's horse breed; horse

• Wydawca: -
• Czasopismo: Acta Theriologica
• Rocznik: 1999
• Tom: 44
• Numer: 4
• Opis fizyczny: p.451-463,fig.

Twórcy

autor

Scheibe K M

• Institut fur Zoo- und Wildtierforschung, Postfach 601103, 10252 Berlin, Germany

autor

Dehnhard M.

autor

Meyer H.H.D.

autor

Scheibe A.

Bibliografia

• Andel J. 1984. Statistische Analyse von Zeitreihen. Akademie-Verlag, Berlin: 76-82
• Asa C. S. 1986. Sexual behaviour of mares. Veterinary Clinics of North America. Equine Practice 2: 519-534.
• Asa C. S,, Goldfoot D. A., Garcia M, C. and Ginther O. J. 1980. Sexual behavior in ovariectomized and seasonally anovulatory Pony mares (Equus caballus). Hormones and Behavior 14: 46-54.
• Asa C. S., Goldfoot D. A. and Ginther O. J. 1979. Sociosexuat behavior and the ovulatory cycle of ponies (Equus caballus) observed in harem groups. Hormones and Behavior 13: 49-65.
• Aschoff J. 1955. Jahresperiodik der Fortpflanzung bei Warmblütern. Studium generale 8: 742-776.
• Berger A. and Scheibe K. M. 1994. Rhythm of feeding and activity of Przewalski horses in a semi-reserve. Kuratorium für Technik und Bauwesen in der Landwirtschaft e. V., No. 361, KTBL-Schriften Vertrieb, Darmstadt: 130-142
• Bouman I. and Bouman J. 1994. The history of Przewaisks's horse. Lin: Przewalski" s Horse. L. Boyd and K. Houpt, eds]. State University of New York Press, Albany: 5-38.
• Brown J. L., Wasser S. K., Wildt D. E., Graham L. H. and Monfort S. L. 1997. Faecal steroid analysis for monitoring ovarian and testicular function in diverse wild carnivore, primate and ungulate species. Zeitschrift für Säugetierkunde 62, Supplement 2: 27-31.
• Colquhoun K. M., Eckersall P. D., Renton J. P. and Douglas T. A. 1987. Control of breeding in the mare. Equine Veterinary Journal 19; 138-142.
• Diggle P. J 1990. Time series. A biostatistical introduction. Oxford University Press, Oxford.
• Doberenz W. 1985. Ermittlung von Effektivwert, Autokorrelation und Leistungs-spektrum. Radio Fernsehen Elektronik 34: 93-128.
• Fitzgerald B. P and Schmidt M. J. 1995. Absence of an association between melatonin and reproductive activity in mares during the nonbreeding season. Biology Reproduction Monograph 1: 425-434.
• Fraser A. F. 1992. The behaviour of the horse. CAB International, Oxon: 117-120.
• Heistermann M., Möhle U,, Vervaecke H., van Eisacker L. and Hodges J. K. 1996. Application of urinary and fecal steroid measurements for monitoring ovarian function and pregnancy in the bonobo (Pan paniscus) and evaluation of perineal swelling patterns in relation to endocrine events. Biology of Reproduction 55: 844-853.
• Hofer H, and East M. L, 1998. Biological conservation and stress. Advances in the Study of Behavior 27: 405-525.
• Houpt K. A. and Boyd L. 1994. Social behavior. Tin: Przewalski" s Horse, L, Boyd and K. Houpt, eds). State University of New York Press, Albany: 229-254.
• Meyer H. H. D., Sauerwein H. and Mutayoba B. M. 1990. Immunoaffinity chromatography and a biotin- -streptavidin amplified enzymeimmunoassay for sensitive and specific estimation of estradiol-17ß. Journal of Steroid Biochemistry 35: 263-269,
• Monfort S. L., Arthur N. P. and Wildt D. E. 1991. Monitoring ovarian function and pregnancy by evaluating excretion of urinary estrogen conjugates in semi-free-ranging Przewalski "s horses (Equus przewalskii). Journal of Reproduction and Fertility 91: 155-164.
• Monfort S. L., Arthur N. P. and Wildt D. E. 1994. Reproduction in the Przewalski"s Horse. Tin: Przewalski's Horse. L, Boyd and K. Houpt, eds]. State University of New York Press, Albany: 173-193.
• Munro C, D., Renton J. P, and Butcher R. 1979. The control of oestrous behaviour in the mare. Journal of Reproduction and Fertility, Supplement 27: 217-227.
• Ortavant R,, Pelletier J,, Ravault J. P., Thimonier J. and Volland-Nail P. 1985. Photoperiod: main proximal and distal factor of the circannual cycle of reproduction in farm mammals. Oxford Reviews of Reproductive Biology 7: 305-345.
• Palme R., Fischer P., Schildorfer H. and Ismail M, N. 1996, Excretion of infused 14C-steroid hormones via faeces and urine in domestic livestock. Animal Reproduction Science 43: 43-63.
• Palme R. and Möstl E. 1997. Measurement of Cortisol metabolites in faeces of sheep as a parameter of Cortisol concentration in blood, Zeitschrift für Säugetierkunde 62, Supplement 2: 192-197.
• Pennington J. A., Albright J. L. and Callahan C. J. 1986. Relationships of sexual activities in estrous cows to different frequencies of observation and pedometer measurements. Journal of Dairy Science 69: 2925-2934.
• Scheibe K. M., Berger A., Langbein J., Streich W. J. and Eichhorn K. 1999. Comparative analysis of ultradian and circadian behavioural rhythms for diagnosis of biorhythmic state of animals. Biological Rhythm Research 30: 216-233.
• Scheibe K. M., Schleusner T., Berger A., Eichhorn K., Langbein J., Dal Zotto L. and Streich W. J. 1998. ETHOSYS (R) - New System for Recording and Analysis of Behaviour of Free-Ranging Domestic Animals and Wildlife. Applied Animal Behavior Science 55: 195-211.
• Schwartz C. C., Monfort S. L., Dennis P. H. and Hundertmark K. J. 1995. Fecal progestagen concentration as an indicator of the estrous cycle and pregnancy in moose. The Journal of Wildlife Management 59: 580-583.
• Schwarzenberger F., Möstl E., Bamberg E. and von Hegel G. 1992. Monitoring of corpus luteum function by measuring progestagens in faeces of non-pregnant mares iEquus caballus) and Przewalski mares (Eqttus przewalskii). Animal Reproduction Science 29: 263-273.
• Schwarzenberger F., Möstl E., Palme R. and Bamberg E. 1996. Faecal steroid analysis for non-invasive monitoring of reproductive status in farm, wild and zoo animals. Animal Reproduction Science 42: 515-526.
• Sharp D. C. and Ginther O. J. 1975. Stimulation of follicular activity and estrous behaviour in anestrous mares with light and temperature. Journal of Animal Science 41: 1368-1372.
• Sinz R 1978. Zeitstrukturen und organismische Regulation. Akademie-Verlag, Berlin: 81-101
• Sinz R. and Scheibe K. 1976. Systemanalyse der multioszillatorischen Funktions-ordnung im zirkadianen und ultradianen Frequenzbereich und ihr Indikationswert für Belastungswirkungen, dargestellt am Beispiel verschiedener Licht - Dunkel - Verhältnisse bei der Intensivhaltung von Schafen. Acta biologica et medica Germanica 35: 465-477.
• Soliberger A. 1965. Biological rhythm research. Elsevier Pbl. Comp., Amsterdam: 1-461
• Steklenev E. P. 1995. Reproduction of the Przewalski's horse under semi-wild management in the South Ukraine. Vestnik Zoologii 2-3: 58-64.
• Stephan E. and Heuwieser W, 1982, Effects of aeroplane noise on production, reproduction and behaviour of farm livestock. Zentralblatt für Veterinärmedizin A 29: 157-169.
• Van Dierendonck M. C. and Wallis de Vries M. F. 1996. Ungulate reintroductions: Experiences with the Takhi or Przewalski Horse (Equus férus przewalskii) in Mongolia. Conservation Biology 10: 726-740.
• Volf J. 1996. Das Urwildpferd. Neue Brehm-Bücherei 249, Wetarp-Wissenschaften, Magdeburg: 1-146.
• Zoldag L., Heuwieser W., Grunert E. and Stephan E. 1983. Steroid hormone profile in pregnant cows aftsr exposure to noise stress, with particular reference to corticosteroids. Zentralblatt für Veterinärmedizin A 30: 737-748.