Seasonal Effects on Body Condition and Characteristics of the Estrous Cycle in Captive Asian Elephants (Elephas maximus) in Thailand: A Retrospective Study

Differentiating the estrous cycle phases using vaginal vestibule pH and cytology in Asian elephants (Elephas maximus) in human care

Reproductive dysfunction in elephants is often confirmed through blood hormonal assays, as behavioral observations alone are insufficient. While fecal and saliva hormonal analyses offer welfare-friendly alternatives, significant resources are required, limiting practicality in field applications. To improve reproductive management and ensure animal welfare, this study aimed to investigate pH measurements and cytological analysis of the vaginal vestibule to differentiate estrous cycle phases in female elephants, both those with regular and irregular cycling. A total of 106 vaginal vestibule cytological smears from eight regularly cycling females and 39 smears from three irregularly cycling females (confirmed by progesterone and luteinizing hormone [LH] enzyme immunoassays, n = 308 serum samples) were analyzed using staining techniques and pH strip measurements. Based on pH, smears were categorized into acidic, neutral, and alkaline groups. Intermediate cells (ICs) varied significantly across the three groups. In regularly cycling females, ICs dominated during diestrus (67.5 %), whereas estrus was characterized by the absence of ICs and a predominance of superficial cells. ICs decreased in metestrus (36.3 %; P < 0.05). Mean pH levels ranged from acidic in diestrus (5.8) to alkaline in estrus (8.5). In irregularly cycling elephants, pH (6.3) differed from proestrus and estrus in irregularly cycling elephants. Moreover, pH was significantly correlated with progesterone (r = -0.25) and LH (r = 0.4) among all females. Using cytology exclusively was insufficient to differentiate between regular and irregular cyclic statuses; however, when combined with pH measurements, it effectively identified the estrous phases in regularly cycling elephants. This study offers novel findings that could serve as practical, welfare-focused metrics for reproductive assessments in elephants.

Testosterone variation in a semi-captive population of Asian elephants in Myanmar

Hormones are known to be involved in life-history trade-offs as systemic signals that establish functional links among traits and regulate key behavioural and physiological transitions between states in organisms. Although major functions of many steroid hormones such as testosterone are conserved among vertebrates, circulating concentrations vary widely both within and across species, and the degree to which observed hormone concentrations mediate life-history responses to environmental variation is less understood. In this study, we investigated how faecal testosterone metabolite (FTM) concentrations varied with extrinsic and intrinsic factors. To do so, we took advantage of a 6-year period of longitudinal sampling of FTM, indicators of stress and oxidative status in a semi-captive population of Asian elephants (n = 3163 samples from 173 individuals) in Myanmar. We determined how the variation in FTM is associated with age, sex, origin (captive-born or wild-caught), seasonality of the environment, individual stress level [measured by faecal glucocorticoid metabolite (FGM) and heterophil to lymphocyte ratio (H/L)] and oxidative status (reactive oxygen metabolite concentrations and superoxide dismutase activity). We reported that FTM increased with age from juvenile to adulthood for both sexes, with higher FTM concentrations in males than females. Moreover, elephants showed significantly higher FTM concentrations during the hot season and monsoon than in the cold season. However, for the physiological indicators, we found contrasting results. While FTM concentrations were strongly positively correlated with FGM concentrations, FTM concentrations were not related to H/L ratios. Finally, we found no relationship between FTM and the oxidative status of individuals. Our study provides new insights on the factors associated with variation in testosterone concentrations-a key hormone for reproduction and fitness of individuals-in Asian elephants living in their natural environment, which has relevance for effective conservation measures of this endangered species.

The effects and mechanisms of heat stress on mammalian oocyte and embryo development

The sum of nonspecific physiological responses exhibited by mammals in response to the disruption of thermal balance caused by high-temperature environments is referred to as heat stress (HS). HS affects the normal development of mammalian oocyte and embryos and leads to significant economic losses. Therefore, it is of great importance to gain a deep understanding of the mechanisms underlying the effects of HS on oocyte and embryonic development and to explore strategies for mitigating or preventing its detrimental impacts in the livestock industry. This article provides an overview of the negative effects of HS on mammalian oocyte growth, granulosa cell maturation and function, and embryonic development. It summarizes the mechanisms by which HS affects embryonic development, including generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), endocrine disruption, the heat shock system, mitochondrial autophagy, and molecular-level alterations. Furthermore, it discusses various measures to ameliorate the effects of HS, such as antioxidant use, enhancement of mitochondrial function, gene editing, cultivating varieties possessing heat-resistant genes, and optimizing the animals'rearing environment. This article serves as a valuable reference for better understanding the relationship between HS and mammalian embryonic development as well as for improving the development of mammalian embryos and economic benefits under HS conditions in livestock production.

Physiological changes in captive elephants in Northern Thailand as a result of the COVID-19 tourism ban - muscle, liver, metabolic function, and body condition

The international travel ban initiated in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic greatly affected how captive elephants were managed in Thailand. A lack of tourists and associated income meant elephants were chained longer with reduced food provisions, had fewer mahouts, and limited exercise like riding, which likely affected health and welfare. Fifty-eight elephants from six tourist camps were assigned a body condition score (BCS) and blood samples were collected monthly for 2 years during the travel ban to measure: (1) muscle enzymes [creatine kinase (CK), aspartate aminotransferase (AST)]; (2) liver enzymes [aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT)]; (3) lipids [total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), low (LDL) and high (HDL) density lipoproteins]; and metabolic function [glucose, insulin, fructosamine]. Serum CK concentrations were lower at the end of the study, possibly due to no tourist activities like riding. Changes in liver function included increased AST and ALP, also possibly due to physical inactivity. Feeding less bananas and sugar cane was associated with fewer elephants in the obese category and lower TG concentrations. However, increases in glucose, insulin and fructosamine were observed as local people returned to feed elephants after lifting travel restrictions. In sum, changes in several health biomarkers were observed in association with restricted activities and food resources. Camps need better plans to meet the health and welfare needs of elephants during any future disruptions to the tourism industry, although reduced feeding of sweet treats appeared to have positive effects on body condition and metabolic function.