Changes in sexual behavior and fecal steroid hormone concentrations during the breeding season in female Hokkaido brown bears (Ursus arctos yesoensis) under captive condition

The longitudinal changes in fecal steroid hormone concentrations and sexual behavior in 2 mated/pregnant and 3 non-mated female Hokkaido brown bears were investigated during the breeding season. Behavioral estrus (standing) lasted for 14 and 32 days in the mated females and for 25 to 36 days in the non-mated females. In non-mated females, sexual behavior, such as female-female mounting and masturbation, was observed for several days before and after the estrous period. In mated females, mean fecal estradiol-17beta concentrations were higher in the estrous period than in the post-estrous period, while fecal progesterone concentrations were higher in the post-estrous period than in the estrous period. The similar trends of steroid hormone changes were observed in the non-mated females.     

不同生长阶段吉林梅花鹿血液生理生化指标分析

本试验通过研究吉林梅花鹿不同生长阶段血液生理生化指标的差异情况,旨在为梅花鹿的健康检测、疾病防治、育种等提供依据和参考。选取吉林省左家、双阳、东丰地区哺乳仔鹿93头（公37头,母56头）、育成鹿135头（公40头,母95头）、成年鹿130头（公42头,母88头）,共358头,进行13项血液生理指标、19项生化指标检测。结果显示：哺乳公鹿与哺乳母鹿各项指标总体上差异不大,仅红细胞系统指标、血糖、肌酸激酶具有显著性差异（P<0.05）;红细胞压积、红细胞平均体积、平均血红蛋白含量、平均血红蛋白浓度、碱性磷酸酶、乳酸脱氢酶在不同性别的育成鹿与成年鹿中差异极显著（P<0.01）。不同生长阶段公鹿天门冬氨酸氨基转移酶、前白蛋白、总胆汁酸、血糖等差异显著（P<0.05）,红细胞系统、肌酸激酶、钙、无机磷、肌酐等差异极显著（P<0.01）,白蛋白、淀粉酶差异不显著（P>0.05）;不同生长阶段的母鹿淋巴细胞总数、红细胞总数、中性粒细胞总数差异显著（P<0.05）,白细胞总数、红细胞系统指标、天门冬氨酸氨基转移酶、丙氨酸氨基转移酶、肌酸激酶、钙、无机磷等差异极显著（P<0.01）,谷氨酰转肽酶、总胆汁酸、白蛋白差异不显著（P>0.05）。以上结果说明,不同生长阶段、不同性别的梅花鹿血液生理生化指标存在较大变异,部分指标的差异可能与梅花鹿生茸、性别等生物学特性有关。对上述生理生化指标的测定,获得了不同性别的梅花鹿在不同生长阶段生理生化指标的参考范围,可为梅花鹿选种育种、疾病诊断、资源开发利用提供一定的参考,也可为野生东北梅花鹿资源保护和健康评估提供依据。     

Sex and age differences in meat composition of Yeso sika deer (Cervus nippon yesoensis) reared for a short period after capture in the wild

Yeso sika deer captured in winter around Lake Akan in Hokkaido were reared for 8–10 months at Tokyo University of Agriculture in Abashiri. Six 1‐year‐old females and males and six 2‐year‐old or older (adult) females and males were slaughtered and their carcasses were processed. The chemical composition, mineral contents and fatty acid composition of the loin were measured. No marked influence of gender or age was noted in the chemical composition of loin. In the mineral contents, significant differences were noted. The potassium and sulfur contents were lower and the sodium content was higher in adult deer meat (P < 0.05, respectively) and the potassium content was higher in male deer meat (P < 0.05). Arsenic, cadmium or lead were not detected. In the unsaturated fatty acid, a significant interaction was detected (P < 0.05), and it was high in 1‐year‐old female deer meat and low in 1‐year‐old male deer meat. Significant gender or age differences were noted only in the mineral contents in the loin of deer reared for a short period after capture.     

Gonadal Activity in Male and Female Captive Fossas (Cryptoprocta ferox) During the Mating Season

The fossa is an endangered, mongoose-like carnivore species endemic to Madagascar with a breeding season (BS) in the southern hemisphere spring. For the present study, faecal samples of captive fossas were collected for over 1 year for five males and four non-pregnant females, and for two pregnant animals during the reproductive period. The goal was to assess gonadal activity using non-invasive hormone measurements of faecal testosterone (T) and gestagen metabolites using assays previously established in our laboratory and further validated in this study. All study animals were housed in northern hemisphere zoos. In males, the seasonal T metabolite profile revealed a peak in spring (March). High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis was used to characterize the faecal hormone metabolite composition. The highest immunoreactivity was detected in the position of dihydrotestosterone, whereas native T was not detected. In the two pregnant females, gestagen metabolite concentrations increased 4–9 days after the initial matings and remained elevated throughout gestation with concentrations dramatically higher than those of the non-pregnant females during the BS. In these females, gestagen metabolite analyses did not reveal a seasonal pattern similar to the males. The HPLC-analysis revealed that the major proportion of immunoreactivity was associated with an unknown metabolite, whereas native progesterone was undetectable. The seasonal hormone pattern of male fossas gives proof of the reproductive seasonality of this species.
The elevated 5α-pregnan-3β-ol-20-one levels in pregnant animals allows for the characterization of pregnancy in the fossa based on analysis of faecal steroid metabolite concentrations.     

Accessory corpora lutea formation in pregnant Hokkaido sika deer (Cervus nippon yesoensis) investigated by examination of ovarian dynamics and steroid hormone concentrations

Generally, sika deer conceive a single fetus, but approximately 80% of pregnant females have two corpora lutea (CLs). The function of the accessory CL (ACL) is unknown; moreover, the process of ACL formation is unclear, and understanding this is necessary to know its role. To elucidate the process of ACL formation, the ovarian dynamics of six adult Hokkaido sika deer females were examined ultrasonographically together with peripheral estradiol-17β and progesterone concentrations. ACLs formed in three females that conceived at the first estrus of the breeding season, but not in those females that conceived at the second estrus. After copulation, postconception ovulation of the dominant follicle of the first wave is induced by an increase in estradiol-17β, which leads to formation of an ACL. A relatively low concentration of progesterone after the first estrus of the breeding season is considered to be responsible for the increase in estradiol-17β after copulation.     

Immunohistochemical localization of steroidogenic enzymes in corpus luteum of wild sika deer during early mating season

We analyzed the localization of steroidogenic enzymes (P450 scc, 3 beta HSD, P450 arom and P450 c17) in the corpora lutea of two Hokkaido sika deer (Cervus nippon yesoensis) during the early mating season. Two corpora lutea were found in each female and the timing of formation of the corpora lutea seemed different. P450 scc, and 3 beta HSD, positive luteal cells were found in both corpora lutea. The existence of two functional corpora lutea from the early mating season through pregnancy suggests that progesterone secreted by two or more corpora lutea is necessary for maintenance of pregnancy in sika deer.     

Estradiol and progesterone metabolite concentration in white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) feces.

Assays of reproductive hormone metabolites require validation in each animal species. For validation of methodology in white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus), fecal samples were collected from females that had been injected by blowgun with estradiol, progesterone, or a control substance. Analysis by radioimmunoassay revealed that estradiol and pregnanediol were more abundant fecal metabolites of estrogens and progestins than were estrone or progesterone. Peak excretion rates of estradiol and pregnanediol occurred within 12 and 24 hr of injection, respectively. Ovulation time was estimated by measuring the frequency of occurrence of eight behavior patterns, including copulation. Profiles were compiled for three deer over the course of estrus and early pregnancy for estradiol, estrone, progesterone, and pregnanediol using radioimmunoassay. Pregnanediol was excreted at concentrations about 1,000 times higher than those of the other three fecal steroid metabolites, and pregnanediol differed in concentration during estrus, the luteal phase, and early pregnancy. Consequently, a simpler enzyme immunoassay was adapted and used to measure pregnanediol levels over the course of estrus and early pregnancy for seven deer. Measurement of fecal pregnanediol is useful for monitoring reproductive events in female white-tailed deer.     

Serum progesterone, oestrone and oestradiol in pregnant and non-pregnant red deer hinds.

Changes in serum progesterone (P), oestrone (E1) and oestradiol (E2) concentrations were monitored in 34 female red deer (Cervus elaphus) shortly after the end of the breeding season and at mid-gestation. Pregnancy could be detected on the basis of serum P, but there were no significant differences between the pregnant and non-pregnant animals farmed animals in E1 and E2 concentrations. Twenty-five pregnant hinds captured in winter showed serum P levels similar to those found in farmed deer during the gestation period.     

Histological Characteristics and Steroid Concentration of Ovarian Follicles at Different Stages of Development in Pregnant and Non-pregnant Dairy Cows

The aim of the study was to investigate the histological characteristics and steroid concentrations in follicular fluid of different populations of follicles at different stages of development, during pregnancy and the oestrous cycle in cows. Follicles from ovaries collected at a slaughterhouse were allocated into three size categories (small, 2–5.9 mm; medium, 6–13.9 mm; and large, 14–20 mm) in pregnant and non-pregnant cows. Slices were stained with HE and PAS for histological analysis. Follicular fluid was pooled according to size and pregnancy status and estradiol, testosterone and progesterone concentrations in follicular fluid were determined by RIA. Characteristics of healthy follicles did not differ, regardless of follicle size or pregnancy status. Total histological atresia was significantly higher in pregnant cows than in non-pregnant cows (p < 0.05). Estradiol increased and testosterone decreased significantly, while follicles increased in size, in both non-pregnant and pregnant cows (p < 0.05). Nonpregnant cows had the highest estradiol values in follicles of all sizes. Medium and large follicles from pregnant cows showed the lowest testosterone concentration (p < 0.05). Progesterone levels increased with follicle size only in non-pregnant animals. In large follicles, progesterone concentration was significantly higher in non-pregnant cows than in pregnant cows (p < 0.05). Considering steroid concentration and histological findings, most large follicles might be atretic during pregnancy in cattle.     

梅花鹿与欧洲马鹿染色体水平基因组的比较研究

旨在从基因组层面揭示梅花鹿与欧洲马鹿的起源进化,找到与进化过程相关的信号通路并与表型进行关联.本试验以成年雌性梅花鹿与成年雄性欧洲马鹿染色体水平基因组作为研究对象,利用比较基因组学的方法对梅花鹿和欧洲马鹿基因组进行染色体共线性分析,获得两个物种间基因组序列的同源关系和基因组发生的染色体倒位现象,并对被倒位截断和在倒位内...     

梅花鹿瘤胃原虫、pH值年周期变化的研究

为了研究梅花鹿瘤胃内原虫、ｐＨ值年周期变化,选用４头装有永久性瘤胃瘘管的成年梅花公鹿,对它们在生茸期及休闲期瘤胃内原虫数及ｐＨ值的变化作了系统研究与讨论。试验结果表明：生茸期采食前与采食后１小时和３小时之间原虫数变化不显著（Ｐ＞００５）。梅花鹿原虫生茸期与休闲期变化显著,其中夏季极显著地高于秋、冬、春３季（Ｐ＜００１）,冬、春两季显著高于秋季（Ｐ＜００５）。冬、春两季间原虫数变化不显著（Ｐ＞００５）。鹿生茸期不同时间点间ｐＨ值采食前极显著地高于采食后１小时和采食后３小时（Ｐ＜００１）,鹿个体间同一采样时间ｐＨ值均无显著差异（Ｐ＞００５）。鹿瘤胃ｐＨ值季度变化中,春季ｐＨ值显著地高于夏、秋、冬３季（Ｐ＜００５）,夏、秋、冬３季之间变化不显著（Ｐ＞００５）。     

Fluctuations in serum steroid hormone concentrations and body mass during growth and sexual maturation in captive northern fur seals (Callorhinus ursinus)

Northern fur seals (Callorhinus ursinus) have a distinct life history pattern comprising annual terrestrial breeding and oceanic migration, and the physiological changes associated with these patterns are of particular interest for understanding their environmental adaptations. However, owing to their oceanic distribution, limited information is available on the reproductive physiology of wild individuals during the immature stage and the winter migration period. This study aimed to determine the relationships among the seasonal hormone profiles, body growth, age, and pregnancy using monthly serum samples collected over 3–5 years from two male and two female captive individuals during pubescence and sexual maturation. Small increases in the serum testosterone signaled puberty in males aged 3 and 4 years. Thereafter, males showed considerable increases in testosterone during breeding seasons, indicating sexual maturity. Immature female serum progesterone was maintained at low levels, but after pubescence, females showed an increase in serum progesterone in August, the month next to the peak of delivery, followed by a decrease. In non-pregnant females, progesterone did not increase significantly until the next breeding season, but in pregnant females, they increased again from February to March and then gradually decreased. Immature males increased body mass constantly and reached puberty when their body mass exceeded 20 kg, and they showed seasonal weight fluctuations after puberty. These results provide fundamental information for determining sexual maturity and pregnancy in this species based on sex steroid hormones and body mass measurements.     

Sex determination based on fecal DNA analysis of the amelogenin gene in sika deer (Cervus nippon)

A sex determination method using DNA extracted from feces has been developed for sika deer (Cervus nippon). We determined a partial sequence of the amelogenin gene of sika deer, which exists on both X and Y chromosomes with a deletion region on the Y chromosome. Based on the sexually dimorphic sequences, we designed a pair of primers which could amplify DNA fragments the lengths of which are different between males and females. PCR products were detected in 34 out of 37 fecal samples collected from captured deer and the sexes estimated by the present method were perfectly matched with the actual sexes.     

Ovarian activity and pregnancy in the Siberian tiger, Panthera tigris altaica, assessed by fecal gonadal steroid hormones analyses

Feces were collected from two female and one male Siberian tigers, Panthera tigris altaica. Steroid hormones were extracted from lyophilized feces and quantified by enzyme immunoassay. The fecal contents of estradiol-17beta (E(2)) and testosterone in the females and male, respectively, changed markedly throughout the year. The fecal E(2) contents of females Nos. 179 and 238 increased at 26.4 +/- 8.0 and 28.0 +/- 14.2 day intervals, respectively. However, the fecal contents of progesterone (P(4)) in the female kept alone did not change. In contrast, the other female, which was kept with a male, had increased fecal P(4) contents after copulation. The fecal progesterone levels of the pregnant female remained high during her 106-day pregnancy.     

阿拉善马鹿冬季肠道菌群组成的性别差异

肠道菌群对于动物消化及健康有着至关重要的作用,但在性别差异上的研究仍然有限。本研究通过高通量测序技术对贺兰山阿拉善马鹿(Cervus elaphus alashanicus)的20个粪便样本进行多样性分析,雌雄各半,并讨论性别因素对肠道菌群的影响。结果表明,阿拉善马鹿雌雄肠道菌群的多样性及结构均存在差异,且雌性肠道菌群的多样性更高。菌群构成的门水平上,雄性肠道菌群的优势菌门为厚壁菌门(Firmicutes 49.47%)和疣微菌门(Verrucomicrobia 14.21%),雌性肠道优势菌门为厚壁菌门(54.47%)和变形菌门(Proteobacteria 54.41%)。在属水平上,雌雄肠道菌群的优势菌属都为孢杆菌属(Sporobacter),含量为(雌性:6.79%,雄性:7.97%),拟杆菌属(Bacteroides),含量为(雌性:3.87%,雄性:4.42%),NMDS分析及LEfSe分析表明,性别因素对阿拉善马鹿雌雄肠道菌群的影响存在显著差异(P<0.05)。本研究表明性别因素对阿拉善马鹿冬季肠道菌群的多样性及构成存在影响,可为深入研究性别因素对阿拉善马鹿肠道菌群的影响提供依据。     

不同形式铜对雄性梅花鹿血清生化指标及营养物质消化率的影响

本文旨在研究不同形式铜对雄性梅花鹿血清生化指标及营养物质消化率的影响,进而筛选出在梅花鹿日粮中铜的最适宜添加形式.选取20头2年生梅花鹿随机分成4组(A组、B组、C组和D组),按照能量相近、营养物质一致、铜添加量均为10 mg/kg(铜离子)的基础下,研究硫酸铜(B组)、柠檬酸铜(C组)和蛋氨酸铜(D组)3种铜源对雄性梅花鹿血清生化指标及营养物质消化率的影响.试验结果表明:1)蛋氨酸螫合铜组对干物质、粗蛋白质及钙的消化率高于另外3组(P>0.05);蛋氨酸螯合铜组对磷的消化率极显著高于其对照组和硫酸铜组(P<0.01);2)蛋氨酸铜组血清铜含量极显著高于另外3组(P<0.01),毛中铜含量高于基础日粮组和硫酸铜组(P<0.05),粪中铜含量低于硫酸铜组和柠檬酸铜组(P<0.01);3)不同铜源影响总蛋白质、白蛋白、碱性磷酸酶、谷丙转氨酶、谷草转氨酶活性,但各组间差异不显著(P>0.05),各组间血糖含量差异不显著(P>0.05);4)蛋氨酸铜组铜蓝蛋白活性、超氧化物歧化酶活性显著高于基础日粮组(P<0.05).结果表明,梅花鹿饲粮中最适宜的添加铜源为蛋氨酸铜.     

成年梅花鹿维持能量需要的研究

选用4头成年梅花公鹿,采用回归分析法,设置不同的能量进食水平,应用北京农业大学KB-Ⅰ型呼吸测热室测定其各自的产热量,将所测得的梅花鹿的代谢能日采食量(MEI)与日产热量(HP)代入Lofgreen的曲线回归方程(1gHp=a+bMEI),求得梅花鹿的维持代谢能需要量(MEm)为516KJ/W~(0.75)kg;维持代谢能利用效率(Km)为0.707;每日产热量与食入代谢能水平呈强直线相关(P<0.01):HP/W~(0.75)=304.84+0.413MEI/W~(0.75)。     

分离Y精子在茸鹿性别控制中的应用研究

为研究一种新的茸鹿繁殖方法,2007～2008年对469头马鹿,79头梅花鹿进行性别控制技术研究。结果表明：性别控制冻精情期受胎率马鹿为87．21％,梅花鹿为60．76％,两者之间差异极显著（P〈0．01）,性比率（指产公仔率）马鹿为90．95％,梅花鹿为93．75％,两者之间无显著差异（P〉0．05）;性别控制冻精与普通冻精输精比较,马鹿情期受胎率之间、性比率之间和梅花鹿性比率之间都存在极显著差异（P〈0．01）,梅花鹿情期受胎率之间则无显著差异（P〉0．05）。普通冻精受胎率马鹿为94．89％、梅花鹿为61．63％,性比率马鹿为50．22％、梅花鹿为49．06％,性别控制冻精受胎率整体接近普通冻精,性比率则提高40％以上,比较分析认为对茸鹿X、Y精子分离进行性别控制试验是成功的。     

梅花鹿、马鹿血清IGF-1及GH浓度年周期变化规律研究

选用8只雄性成年梅花鹿,6只雄性成年东北马鹿,在我国传统饲养模式下,每月采集鹿血液样品,进行鹿血清胰岛素样生长因子(IGF-1)及生长激素(GH)浓度年周期变化规律研究。试验结果表明,①梅花鹿血清IGF-1质量浓度4月份上升较高,5月份略有下降,到6月份达到一年周期变化的最高值,7月份开始逐渐下降,7～10月份均保持在一个稳定的水平,从11月至翌年3月,梅花鹿血清IGF-1质量浓度为全年最低水平,从翌年4月开始,IGF-1水平又开始回升。梅花鹿血清GH质量浓度在夏季的4～7月份相对处于较高状态,2月份梅花鹿血清GH质量浓度为一年中的最低水平。梅花鹿血清GH质量浓度相对比IGF-1质量浓度水平高,且变化趋势具有同步性。②马鹿血清IGF-1质量浓度4月份较高,5月份略有下降,到6月份达到一年周期变化的最高值,7月份开始逐渐下降,7～10月份均保持在一个稳定的水平,11月份略有上升,从12月至翌年3月,马鹿血清IGF-1质量浓度为全年最低水平,从翌年4月开始,IGF-1水平又开始回升,5月份同上一年的变化规律,又有一个下降的水平。马鹿血清GH质量浓度全年均较为平稳,但在夏季的4～8月份相对处于较高状态。③梅花鹿与马鹿血清IGF-1及GH质量浓度变化同步,在一年的大部分时间点,梅花鹿血清IGF-1及GH水平均高于马鹿血清IGF-1和GH水平,梅花鹿IG     

梅花母鹿泌乳期精料补充料中适宜营养水平研究

为探讨梅花鹿泌乳期精料补充料适宜蛋白质水平与能量浓度,本研究采用２(ＣＰ:２４%、２７%)×２(ＧＥ:１６．７４ ＭＪ/ｋｇ、１７．５７ ＭＪ/ｋｇ)二因子试验设计,选用健康经产母鹿４７头,分为４个试验组,进行了饲养试验和消化试验。试验结果表明,泌乳期精料补充料中的能量浓度对仔鹿体增重、蛋白质消化率、能量消化率均有极显著影响。高能处理组仔鹿体增重、蛋白质消化率、能量消化率均极显著高于低能处理组(Ｐ＜０．０１);泌乳期精料补充料中较适宜的蛋白质水平为２３．６%、能量浓度为１７．６ＭＪ/ｋｇ(ＧＥ);每头鹿每天需要可消化粗蛋白质２００~２１０ｇ、可消化能２４~２５ＭＪ。