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Magnus G, Dutton C, Mastromonaco G, Gartley C, MacDonald S, Franke M. Luteal phase length, endometrial edema, and behavior differentiate post-ovulatory events in a giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca). Zoo Biol 2021; 41:130-142. [PMID: 34672395 DOI: 10.1002/zoo.21655] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2020] [Revised: 08/16/2021] [Accepted: 10/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Despite decades of reproductive research on the giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca), the post-ovulatory phase continues to confound zoologists in conservation and breeding centers around the world, often resulting in significant investments of time and resources without reproductive success. The purpose of this project was to document and compare post-ovulatory characteristics during a non-productive and productive breeding in the same individual in consecutive years. A multidisciplinary approach was used to monitor the visiting female giant panda at the Toronto Zoo through the luteal phase of her first two full reproductive cycles in 2014 and 2015. Monitoring occurred via urine-endocrine analysis, weekly ultrasound examinations, and continuous behavioral observations. The 2014 reproductive cycle consisted of a pseudopregnancy, characterized by an extended luteal phase (241 days), the identification of endometrial edema and folding during ultrasound examinations, and a lack of strong association between behavior patterns and urinary progestagen secretion. The 2015 reproductive cycle included increased feeding time through the primary progestagen rise compared to the previous year, followed by simultaneous decrease in appetite and increases in inactivity, resting, sitting upright, and pre-partum-associated behaviors. These changes began 25 days before the birth of twins on Day 153 post-ovulation. Both fetuses were detected via ultrasound 15 days pre-partum. These results suggest that an absence of pre-partum behaviors, ultrasound evidence of endometrial edema without a fetus, and an extended luteal phase may be indicative of pseudopregnancy in giant pandas. Simultaneous monitoring of morphology, behavior, and urinary-endocrine profiles showed clear differences between successful and unsuccessful reproductive years.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriel Magnus
- Department of Wildlife and Science, Toronto Zoo, St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada
| | | | | | - Cathy Gartley
- Department of Population Medicine, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | | | - Maria Franke
- Department of Wildlife and Science, Toronto Zoo, St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada
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Shimozuru M, Shirane Y, Tsuruga H, Yamanaka M, Nakanishi M, Ishinazaka T, Kasai S, Nose T, Masuda Y, Fujimoto Y, Mano T, Tsubota T. Incidence of Multiple Paternity and Inbreeding in High-Density Brown Bear Populations on the Shiretoko Peninsula, Hokkaido, Japan. J Hered 2020; 110:321-331. [PMID: 30629255 DOI: 10.1093/jhered/esz002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2018] [Accepted: 01/09/2019] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Understanding the breeding ecology of a species is essential for the appropriate conservation and management of wildlife. In brown bears, females occasionally copulate with multiple males in one breeding season, which may lead to multiple paternity in a single litter. In contrast, inbreeding, a potential factor in the reduction of genetic diversity, may occur, particularly in threatened populations. However, few studies have reported the frequency of these phenomena in brown bear populations. Here, we investigated the incidence of multiple paternity and inbreeding in a high-density brown bear population on the Shiretoko Peninsula in Hokkaido, Japan. A total of 837 individuals collected from 1998 to 2017 were genotyped at 21 microsatellite loci, and parentage analysis was performed. Out of 70-82 litters with ≥2 offspring, 14.6-17.1% of litters were sired by multiple males. This was comparable to the rate reported in a Scandinavian population, although population density and litter size, factors that potentially affect the incidence of multiple paternity, differed between the 2 populations. Out of 222 mother-father mating pairs, 6 litters (2.7%) resulted from matings between fathers and daughters. Additionally, 1 (0.5%) and 4 (1.8%) cases of mating between maternal half-siblings and between paternal half-siblings, respectively, were observed; however, no cases of mating between mothers and sons or between full siblings were observed. Our results suggest that male-biased natal dispersal effectively limits mating between closely related individuals (aside from fathers and daughters) in brown bears.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michito Shimozuru
- The Laboratory of Wildlife Biology and Medicine, Department of Environmental Veterinary Science, Graduate School of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Hokkaido, Japan
| | - Yuri Shirane
- The Laboratory of Wildlife Biology and Medicine, Department of Environmental Veterinary Science, Graduate School of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Hokkaido, Japan
| | - Hifumi Tsuruga
- Hokkaido Research Organization, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan
| | | | | | | | | | - Takane Nose
- Shiretoko Nature Foundation, Shari, Hokkaido, Japan
| | | | - Yasushi Fujimoto
- The South Shiretoko Brown Bear Information Center, Shibetsu, Hokkaido, Japan
| | - Tsutomu Mano
- Hokkaido Research Organization, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan
| | - Toshio Tsubota
- The Laboratory of Wildlife Biology and Medicine, Department of Environmental Veterinary Science, Graduate School of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Hokkaido, Japan
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Furthner E, Cordonnier N, Le Dudal M, Fontbonne A, Freiche V. Is electroejaculation a safe procedure in cats? An endoscopic and histological prospective blinded study. Theriogenology 2018; 119:69-75. [DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2018.06.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2018] [Revised: 06/11/2018] [Accepted: 06/18/2018] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
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Chen D, Li C, Feng L, Zhang Z, Zhang H, Cheng G, Li D, Zhang G, Wang H, Chen Y, Feng M, Wang C, Wu H, Deng L, Ming H, Yang X. Analysis of the influence of living environment and age on vaginal fungal microbiome in giant pandas (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) by high throughput sequencing. Microb Pathog 2018; 115:280-286. [PMID: 29294370 DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2017.12.067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2017] [Revised: 12/26/2017] [Accepted: 12/27/2017] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
A recent study has described the normal vaginal bacterial community in giant pandas, but there is a lack of knowledge of the fungal community residing in the vagina of giant pandas. In order to comprehensively understand the vaginal fungal microbial diversity and abundance in giant pandas, high throughput sequencing was used to analyse the ITS1 region, based on thirteen samples taken from the pandas' vaginas, which were grouped by sampling points and age. The results showed that the most abundant phyla were Basidiomycota (73.37%), followed by Ascomycota (20.04%), Zygomycota (5.23%), Glomeromycota (0.014%) and Chytridiomycota (0.006%). At the genus level, Guehomyces (37.92%) was the most abundant, followed by Cladosporium (9.072%), Trichosporon (6.2%) and Mucor (4.97%). Furthermore, Candida only accounted for a low percentage of the vaginal fungal community. With the saturation of rarefaction curves and fungal diversity indices, the samples from Dujiangyan and Chungking Safari Park (DC group) showed a higher fungal species richness and diversity than other living environments. Shannon diversity indices showed significant difference between group WL (Wolong nature reserve) and DC (P < .05). Additionally, a higher diversity was found in ten to fifteen years old (Group 2) than other groups. Group 2 and Group 3 displayed significant differences in the diversities of their vaginal fungal communities (P < .05). These data that has been collected from this research will be helpful for further study to improve the reproductive status of giant pandas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danyu Chen
- Key Laboratory of Bio-Resource and Eco-Environment of Ministry of Education, Animal Disease Prevention and Food Safety Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610065, Sichuan, PR China
| | - Caiwu Li
- China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda, Wolong, Sichuan, 623006, PR China
| | - Lan Feng
- Key Laboratory of Bio-Resource and Eco-Environment of Ministry of Education, Animal Disease Prevention and Food Safety Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610065, Sichuan, PR China
| | - Zhizhong Zhang
- China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda, Wolong, Sichuan, 623006, PR China
| | - Heming Zhang
- China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda, Wolong, Sichuan, 623006, PR China
| | - Guangyang Cheng
- Key Laboratory of Bio-Resource and Eco-Environment of Ministry of Education, Animal Disease Prevention and Food Safety Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610065, Sichuan, PR China
| | - Desheng Li
- China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda, Wolong, Sichuan, 623006, PR China
| | - Guiquan Zhang
- China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda, Wolong, Sichuan, 623006, PR China
| | - Hongning Wang
- Key Laboratory of Bio-Resource and Eco-Environment of Ministry of Education, Animal Disease Prevention and Food Safety Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610065, Sichuan, PR China
| | - Yanxi Chen
- China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda, Wolong, Sichuan, 623006, PR China
| | - Mingfu Feng
- China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda, Wolong, Sichuan, 623006, PR China
| | - Chengdong Wang
- China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda, Wolong, Sichuan, 623006, PR China
| | - Honglin Wu
- China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda, Wolong, Sichuan, 623006, PR China
| | - Linhua Deng
- China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda, Wolong, Sichuan, 623006, PR China
| | - He Ming
- China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda, Wolong, Sichuan, 623006, PR China
| | - Xin Yang
- Key Laboratory of Bio-Resource and Eco-Environment of Ministry of Education, Animal Disease Prevention and Food Safety Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610065, Sichuan, PR China.
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Cai K, Yie S, Zhang Z, Wang J, Cai Z, Luo L, Liu Y, Wang H, Huang H, Wang C, Huang X, Lan J, Hou R. Urinary profiles of luteinizing hormone, estrogen and progestagen during the estrous and gestational periods in giant pandas (Ailuropda melanoleuca). Sci Rep 2017; 7:40749. [PMID: 28091600 PMCID: PMC5238505 DOI: 10.1038/srep40749] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2016] [Accepted: 12/12/2016] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Luteinizing hormone (LH) is one of the main pituitary hormones that regulate ovulation, however its role has not been studied in giant panda. In this study, we developed an ELISA method for the detection of panda urinary LH. We analyzed urinary hormones of 24 female pandas during 36 breeding periods, we found females could easily be impregnated if the first mating occurred within 10 hours after LH peak. We also found the patterns of the ratios of urinary LH and progestagen in pandas that bred and successfully gave birth were significantly different from those that bred but failed to give birth. These data was the first to provide the urinary LH profiles during the estrous and gestational periods in pandas, and demonstrated that the appearance of the urinary LH peak indicated the timing of ovulation. The LH detection together with estrogen analysis makes the window for successful mating narrower than previously reported. Moreover, detection of urinary LH and progestagen can be used to discriminate between pregnancies and pseudopregnancies/miscarriages in the species. Thus, our findings suggest that LH not only plays a critical role in regulating ovulation but also plays an important role in maintaining pregnancy in the giant panda.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kailai Cai
- The Sichuan Key Laboratory of Conservation Biology on Endangered Wildlife, Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, Chengdu, Sichuan, People's Republic of China
| | - Shangmian Yie
- The Sichuan Key Laboratory of Conservation Biology on Endangered Wildlife, Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, Chengdu, Sichuan, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhihe Zhang
- The Sichuan Key Laboratory of Conservation Biology on Endangered Wildlife, Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, Chengdu, Sichuan, People's Republic of China
| | - Juan Wang
- The Sichuan Key Laboratory of Conservation Biology on Endangered Wildlife, Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, Chengdu, Sichuan, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhigang Cai
- The Sichuan Key Laboratory of Conservation Biology on Endangered Wildlife, Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, Chengdu, Sichuan, People's Republic of China
| | - Li Luo
- The Sichuan Key Laboratory of Conservation Biology on Endangered Wildlife, Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, Chengdu, Sichuan, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuliang Liu
- The Sichuan Key Laboratory of Conservation Biology on Endangered Wildlife, Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, Chengdu, Sichuan, People's Republic of China
| | - Hairui Wang
- The Sichuan Key Laboratory of Conservation Biology on Endangered Wildlife, Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, Chengdu, Sichuan, People's Republic of China
| | - He Huang
- The Sichuan Key Laboratory of Conservation Biology on Endangered Wildlife, Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, Chengdu, Sichuan, People's Republic of China
| | - Chengdong Wang
- The Sichuan Key Laboratory of Conservation Biology on Endangered Wildlife, Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, Chengdu, Sichuan, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiangming Huang
- The Sichuan Key Laboratory of Conservation Biology on Endangered Wildlife, Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, Chengdu, Sichuan, People's Republic of China
| | - Jingchao Lan
- The Sichuan Key Laboratory of Conservation Biology on Endangered Wildlife, Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, Chengdu, Sichuan, People's Republic of China
| | - Rong Hou
- The Sichuan Key Laboratory of Conservation Biology on Endangered Wildlife, Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, Chengdu, Sichuan, People's Republic of China
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Yang X, Cheng G, Li C, Yang J, Li J, Chen D, Zou W, Jin S, Zhang H, Li D, He Y, Wang C, Wang M, Wang H. The normal vaginal and uterine bacterial microbiome in giant pandas (Ailuropoda melanoleuca). Microbiol Res 2017; 199:1-9. [PMID: 28454704 DOI: 10.1016/j.micres.2017.01.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2016] [Revised: 11/13/2016] [Accepted: 01/07/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
While the health effects of the colonization of the reproductive tracts of mammals by bacterial communities are widely known, there is a dearth of knowledge specifically in relation to giant panda microbiomes. In order to investigate the vaginal and uterine bacterial diversity of healthy giant pandas, we used high-throughput sequence analysis of portions of the 16S rRNA gene, based on samples taken from the vaginas (GPV group) and uteri (GPU group) of these animals. Results showed that the four most abundant phyla, which contained in excess of 98% of the total sequences, were Proteobacteria (59.2% for GPV and 51.4% for GPU), Firmicutes (34.4% for GPV and 23.3% for GPU), Actinobacteria (5.2% for GPV and 14.0% for GPU) and Bacteroidetes (0.3% for GPV and 10.3% for GPU). At the genus level, Escherichia was most abundant (11.0%) in the GPV, followed by Leuconostoc (8.7%), Pseudomonas (8.0%), Acinetobacter (7.3%), Streptococcus (6.3%) and Lactococcus (6.0%). In relation to the uterine samples, Janthinobacterium had the highest prevalence rate (20.2%), followed by Corynebacterium (13.2%), Streptococcus (19.6%), Psychrobacter (9.3%), Escherichia (7.5%) and Bacteroides (6.2%). Moreover, both Chao1 and abundance-based coverage estimator (ACE) species richness indices, which were operating at the same sequencing depth for each sample, demonstrated that GPV had more species richness than GPU, while Simpson and Shannon indices of diversity indicated that GPV had the higher bacterial diversity. These findings contribute to our understanding of the potential influence abnormal reproductive tract microbial communities have on negative pregnancy outcomes in giant pandas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Yang
- School of Life Science, Sichuan University, Animal Disease Prevention and Food Safety Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Key Laboratory of Bio-Resources and Eco-Environment Ministry of Education, Chengdu, Sichuan 610064, China
| | - Guangyang Cheng
- School of Life Science, Sichuan University, Animal Disease Prevention and Food Safety Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Key Laboratory of Bio-Resources and Eco-Environment Ministry of Education, Chengdu, Sichuan 610064, China
| | - Caiwu Li
- China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda, Wolong, Sichuan 623006, China
| | - Jiang Yang
- School of Life Science, Sichuan University, Animal Disease Prevention and Food Safety Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Key Laboratory of Bio-Resources and Eco-Environment Ministry of Education, Chengdu, Sichuan 610064, China
| | - Jianan Li
- School of Life Science, Sichuan University, Animal Disease Prevention and Food Safety Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Key Laboratory of Bio-Resources and Eco-Environment Ministry of Education, Chengdu, Sichuan 610064, China
| | - Danyu Chen
- School of Life Science, Sichuan University, Animal Disease Prevention and Food Safety Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Key Laboratory of Bio-Resources and Eco-Environment Ministry of Education, Chengdu, Sichuan 610064, China
| | - Wencheng Zou
- School of Life Science, Sichuan University, Animal Disease Prevention and Food Safety Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Key Laboratory of Bio-Resources and Eco-Environment Ministry of Education, Chengdu, Sichuan 610064, China
| | - SenYan Jin
- China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda, Wolong, Sichuan 623006, China
| | - Hemin Zhang
- China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda, Wolong, Sichuan 623006, China.
| | - Desheng Li
- China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda, Wolong, Sichuan 623006, China
| | - Yongguo He
- China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda, Wolong, Sichuan 623006, China
| | - Chengdong Wang
- China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda, Wolong, Sichuan 623006, China
| | - Min Wang
- Wolong Nature Reserve Administration of Sicuan Province, Wolong, Sichuan 623006, China
| | - Hongning Wang
- School of Life Science, Sichuan University, Animal Disease Prevention and Food Safety Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Key Laboratory of Bio-Resources and Eco-Environment Ministry of Education, Chengdu, Sichuan 610064, China.
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Comizzoli P. Biobanking efforts and new advances in male fertility preservation for rare and endangered species. Asian J Androl 2016; 17:640-5. [PMID: 25966625 PMCID: PMC4492057 DOI: 10.4103/1008-682x.153849] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Understanding and sustaining biodiversity is a multi-disciplinary science that benefits highly from the creation of organized and accessible collections of biomaterials (Genome Resource Banks). Large cryo-collections are invaluable tools for understanding, cataloging, and protecting the genetic diversity of the world's unique animals and plants. Specifically, the systematic collection and preservation of semen from rare species has been developed significantly in recent decades with some biobanks now being actively used for endangered species management and propagation (including the introduction of species such as the black-footed ferret and the giant panda). Innovations emerging from the growing field of male fertility preservation for humans, livestock species, and laboratory animals are also becoming relevant to the protection and the propagation of valuable domestic and wild species. These new approaches extend beyond the “classical” methods associated with sperm freezing to include testicular tissue preservation combined with xenografting or in vitro culture, all of which have potential for rescuing vast amounts of unused germplasm. There also are other options under development that are predicted to have a high impact within the next decade (stem cell technologies, bio-stabilization of sperm cells at ambient temperatures, and the use of genomics tools). However, biobanking efforts and new fertility preservation strategies have to expand the way beyond mammalian species, which will offer knowledge and tools to better manage species that serve as valuable biomedical models or require assistance to reverse endangerment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pierre Comizzoli
- Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, National Zoological Park, Veterinary Hospital, PO Box 37012, Washington, DC 20013, USA
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Signalling behaviour is influenced by transient social context in a spontaneously ovulating mammal. Anim Behav 2016. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2015.10.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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Charlton BD, Keating JL, Rengui L, Huang Y, Swaisgood RR. The acoustic structure of male giant panda bleats varies according to intersexual context. THE JOURNAL OF THE ACOUSTICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA 2015; 138:1305-1312. [PMID: 26428769 DOI: 10.1121/1.4928606] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Although the acoustic structure of mammal vocal signals often varies according to the social context of emission, relatively few mammal studies have examined acoustic variation during intersexual advertisement. In the current study male giant panda bleats were recorded during the breeding season in three behavioural contexts: vocalising alone, during vocal interactions with females outside of peak oestrus, and during vocal interactions with peak-oestrous females. Male bleats produced during vocal interactions with peak-oestrous females were longer in duration and had higher mean fundamental frequency than those produced when males were either involved in a vocal interaction with a female outside of peak oestrus or vocalising alone. In addition, males produced bleats with higher rates of fundamental frequency modulation when they were vocalising alone than when they were interacting with females. These results show that acoustic features of male giant panda bleats have the potential to signal the caller's motivational state, and suggest that males increase the rate of fundamental frequency modulation in bleats when they are alone to maximally broadcast their quality and promote close-range contact with receptive females during the breeding season.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin D Charlton
- School of Biology and Environmental Science, University College Dublin (UCD), Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - Jennifer L Keating
- Applied Animal Ecology, San Diego Zoo's Institute for Conservation Research, San Diego, California 92027-7000, USA
| | - Li Rengui
- China Research and Conservation Centre for the Giant Panda, Sichuan, People's Republic of China
| | - Yan Huang
- China Research and Conservation Centre for the Giant Panda, Sichuan, People's Republic of China
| | - Ronald R Swaisgood
- Applied Animal Ecology, San Diego Zoo's Institute for Conservation Research, San Diego, California 92027-7000, USA
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Comizzoli P, Wildt DE. Mammalian fertility preservation through cryobiology: value of classical comparative studies and the need for new preservation options. Reprod Fertil Dev 2014; 26:91-8. [PMID: 24305181 DOI: 10.1071/rd13259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Human-related fertility preservation strategies have enormous potential for helping sustain and protect other species, especially to assist managing or 'rescuing' the genomes of genetically valuable individuals, including endangered species. However, wider-scale applications are limited by significant physiological variations among species, as well as a lack of fundamental knowledge of basic reproductive traits and cryosensitivity. Systematic and comparative cryopreservation studies (e.g. on membrane biophysical properties and resilience to freezing temperatures) are required to successfully recover gametes and gonadal tissues after thawing and eventually produce healthy offspring. Such data are currently available for humans and a few laboratory and livestock animals, with virtually all other species, including wildlife, having gone unstudied. Interestingly, there also are commonalities among taxa that allow a protocol developed for one species to provide useful information or guidance for another. However, when a rare animal unexpectedly dies there is no time for a prospective understanding of that species' biophysical traits. Because the odds of success will be much lower in such instances, it is essential that more fundamental studies be directed at more species. But also worthwhile is thinking beyond these systematic characterisations to consider the potential of a 'universal preservation protocol' for animal biomaterials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pierre Comizzoli
- Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, National Zoological Park, PO Box 37012 MRC 5502, Washington, DC 20013, USA
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