Abomasal and small intestinal nematodes from captive gazelles in Spain

The abomasal and small intestinal helminth fauna of three species of captive gazelles (Gazella dama mhorr, G. cuvieri and G. dorcas neglecta) kept in captivity in Almería (southeast Spain) have been studied, and the following species were identified: Nematodirus spathiger, N. filicollis, N. helvetianus, Camelostrongylus mentulatus, Trichostrongylus vitrinus, T. probolurus, T. colubriformis, Ostertagia ostertagi, O. harrisi, Teladorsagia (Ostertagia) circumcincta, and T. (Ostertagia) davtiani. Camelostrongylus mentulatus and N. spathiger were the most prevalent and abundant parasites. Ostertagia ostertagi, O. harrisi, N. helvetianus, and T. (Ostertagia) davtiani were identified for the first time in the genus Gazella. In addition, O. harrisi and Trichostrongylus probolurus are new records for Spain.

Hormonal characterization of the reproductive cycle and pregnancy in the female Mohor gazelle (Gazella dama mhorr)

The oestrous cycles of seven captive Mohor Gazelles (Gazella dama mhorr) were investigated. Hormone profiles obtained from faecal samples collected each day from cyclic females indicated that the mean duration of the oestrous cycle was 18.62 +/- 0.26 days (range 16-22 days; n = 37 oestrous cycles). No inter-individual differences in the concentration of faecal progestagen metabolites excreted were observed, but mean faecal oestrogen excretion during both the luteal and inter-luteal phases of the oestrous cycle varied among females (P < 0.001 and P = 0.070, respectively). Oestrous cycles were synchronized using controlled internal drug release (CIDR) devices, before natural mating with an intact male. Concentrations of faecal progestagen metabolites remained approximately constant for the first 10 weeks of gestation (mean +/- SEM = 4048 +/- 407 ng g(-1) faeces), before increasing to a mean of 23 556 +/- 1176 ng g(-1) faeces. Two of seven female gazelles conceived immediately after removal of the CIDR device, a similar proportion to that conceived at the postpartum oestrus under natural conditions. Life history data for these individuals indicated that the mean time to conception in female gazelles is positively correlated with peak values in the ratio of excreted oestrogen : progestagen during the inter-luteal period of their oestrous cycles (R(2) = 0.58; P < 0.05). This finding indicates that interactions between steroid production and metabolism may influence the likelihood of conception occurring in this species.