A surge-like increase in luteinizing hormone preceding musth in a captive bull African elephant (Loxodonta africana) |
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Authors: | Kaewmanee Saroch Watanabe Gen Keio Megumi Yamamoto Yuki Yamamoto Tatsuya Kishimoto Miori Nagaoka Kentaro Narushima Etsuo Katayanagi Masayuki Nakao Risa Sakurai Yuko Morikubo Shu Kaneko Mikako Yoshihara Masato Yabe Tomoko Taya Kazuyoshi |
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Affiliation: | Department of Basic Veterinary Science, The United Graduate School of Veterinary Sciences, Gifu University. |
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Abstract: | This study was conducted to determine the correlation between reproductive hormones and musth in a male African elephant. Changes in circulating luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), testosterone and immunoreactive (ir-) inhibin and the degree of musth were evaluated for 4 years. LH increased 4 weeks before musth began. The highest concentrations of testosterone and ir-inhibin were observed from April to October. There were positive correlations among testosterone, ir-inhibin and musth behavior. These findings suggested that the surge-like LH in the pre-musth period might stimulate secretion of testosterone and ir-inhibin and thus initiate the musth behavior. This study also suggested that the high LH level before musth might be a useful biomarker for the beginning of the musth season. |
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