A comparative study of meiotic recombination in cattle (Bos taurus) and three wildebeest species (Connochaetes gnou, C. taurinus taurinus and C. t. albojubatus).

The karyotypic evolution in the family Bovidae is based on centric fusions of ancestral acrocentric chromosomes. Here, the frequency and distribution of meiotic recombination was analyzed in pachytene spermatocytes from Bos taurus (2n = 60) and 3 wildebeest species (Connochaetes gnou, C. taurinus taurinus and C. t. albojubatus) (2n = 58) using immunofluorescence and fluorescence in situ hybridization. Significant differences in mean numbers of recombination events per cell were observed between B. taurus and members of the genus Connochaetes (47.2 vs. 43.7, p < 0.001). The number of MLH1 foci was significantly correlated with the length of the autosomal synaptonemal complexes. The average interfocus distance was influenced by interference. The male recombination maps of bovine chromosomes 2 and 25 and of their fused homologues in wildebeests were constructed. A significant reduction of recombination in the fused chromosome BTA25 was observed in wildebeests (p = 0.005). This was probably caused by interference acting across the centromere, which was significantly stronger than the intra-arm interference. This comparative meiotic study showed significant differences among the species from the family Bovidae with the same fundamental number of autosomal arms (FNa = 29) which differ by a single centric fusion.

Fecal progesterone, estrogen, and androgen metabolites for noninvasive monitoring of reproductive function in the female Indian rhinoceros, Rhinoceros unicornis.

This investigation aimed to establish noninvasive methods for endocrine monitoring of estrous cycles and pregnancy in the Indian rhinoceros. Fecal samples were collected 1-3 times per week from nonpregnant and pregnant captive females (n = 7). Enzyme immunoassays for fecal progesterone, androgen, and estrogen metabolites, respectively, were tested for their ability to determine follicular and luteal phases and to characterize endocrine profiles during pregnancy. Antibodies used were raised against pregnanediol (20 alpha-OH-pregnanes), 20-oxo-pregnanes, epiandrosterone (17-oxo-androstanes), and total estrogens. Androgens and estrogens were found to be reliable indicators of the follicular phase, whereas 20 alpha-OH- and 20-oxo-pregnanes were reliable indicators of luteal function. Progesterone metabolites were also reliable indicators of pregnancy, whereas 17-oxo-androstanes and estrogens were basal throughout gestation. Estrous cycles were regular throughout the year, with an average cycle length of 43.4 +/- 1.5 (n = 27) days; the length of the follicular phase, as indicated by elevated estrogen levels, was 15.9 +/- 1.0 days, whereas the luteal phase, as indicated by elevated 20-oxo-pregnane levels, was 19.1 +/- 0.4 days. Fecal pregnane values were already increasing while follicular estrogen values were still decreasing. The length of the diestrus, indicated by basal steroid levels between declining 20-oxo-pregnanes and subsequently increasing estrogens, was 11.4 +/- 1.2 days. Pregnane levels increased from the 3rd month of gestation onward and levels exceeded luteal phase concentrations approximately 10 times by the 7th month of gestation onward. HPLC separation of immunoreactive fecal metabolites indicated the presence of estrone, estradiol-17beta, and several 17-oxo-androstanes, 20 alpha-OH-pregnanes, and 20-oxo-pregnanes. Concentrations of a peak with an elution profile similar to that of pregnanediol increased as pregnancy progressed. Postpartum fecal estrogen and 17-oxo-androstane concentrations in one animal indicated follicular development comparable to the follicular phase of the estrous cycle, but this was not followed by a subsequent luteal phase. In conclusion, estrous cycle and pregnancy in Indian rhinoceroses can be monitored using fecal steroid analysis. Pregnane metabolites were reliable indicators of the corpus luteum and pregnancy, whereas fecal 17-oxo-androstanes and estrogens were indicators of the follicular phase.

Faecal progesterone metabolite analysis for non-invasive monitoring of reproductive function in the white rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum).

The two subspecies of white rhinoceros, southern (Ceratotherium simum simum) and northern (Ceratotherium simum cottoni), breed poorly in captivity, and estimates of oestrous cycle length vary considerably (range, 25-90 days). To characterise reproductive patterns, faecal samples were collected 2-3 times/week for up to 56 months from non-pregnant animals (n=21) of both subspecies. Immununoreactive pregnanes containing a 20-oxo-group (20-oxo-P) were analysed in a group-specific enzyme immunoassay using an antibody against 5alpha-pregnane-3beta-ol-20-one 3HS:BSA. Reproductive patterns were highly variable among and within individual animals. However, rhinoceroses could be classified into four major categories on the basis of oestrous cycle length and luteal phase 20-oxo-P concentrations: (1) regular oestrous cycles of 10 weeks duration and > 800 ng/g (n=2 animals); (2) oestrous cycles between 4-10 weeks and 250-750 ng/g (n=6); (3) no apparent cycle regularity, but luteal activity indicated by 20-oxo-P concentrations of 100-200 ng/g (n=6); (4) no apparent luteal activity as indicated by 20-oxo-P of < 100 ng/g (n=7). In two attempts to induce ovarian activity, chlormadinone acetate was fed daily to one animal for 35 and 45 days, respectively. Each treatment was followed by a subsequent hCG injection which resulted in luteal phases of 17 and 18 days, respectively, beginning about 10 days after hCG. Concentration of faecal 20-oxo-P in one pregnant animal during the 4th and 5th month of gestation were markedly higher than those observed during the luteal phase of the cycle. In conclusion, two thirds of white rhinoceroses in this study had erratic or missing luteal activity, whereas variable cycles of 4-10 weeks in length were evident in six females, and regular oestrous cycles of 10 weeks in length were found in two animals.

[Clinical experience and comparison of ketamine-medetomidine with ketamine-xylazine anesthesia in the African wild dog (Lycaon pictus) in captivity]. / Klinické zkusenosti a srovnání ketamín-medetomidin a ketamín-xylazín anestézie psa hyenového (Lycaon pictus) v zajetí.

The effects of two mixtures, ketamine-xylazine and ketamine-medetomidine, were compared in anesthesia of African wild dog (Lycaon pictus) in the Zoo park at Dvur Králové; the effects of these combinations were also investigated on the triad values and on the basic hematological (red blood counts, hematocrit, hemoglobin content, derived parameters MCM, MCHC, MCV, white blood counts, differential blood counting) and biochemical (total proteins, glucose, creatinine, urea, cholesterol, magnesium, calcium, phosphorus, chlorides, sodium, potassium, alkaline phosphatase, gamma-glutamyl transferase, alanine transferase, aspartate transaminase) parameters of blood and blood serum in anesthesia. Tab. I shows the reasons for anesthesia in 68 individuals of African wild dog in the years 1980-1990. As for both mixtures, application of drugs with a blowpipe was used. In the anesthetized animals, the outset of ataxia, laying down and the outset of sleep were followed (Tab. II), as well as the time of wakening up without and with antidote administration (Tabs. IV and V). The outset of ataxia was fast 1.5 +/- 0.6 min) in the ketamine-xylazine mixture administered at doses of 5.07 +/- 1.16 mg/kg ketamine and 2.11 +/- 0.53 mg/kg xylazine, similarly like lying down (3.2 +/- 1.0 min) and loosing sensation (6.3 +/- 1.6 min). At the start of the drug action, vomiting was often observed, and sometimes in the first ten minutes after drug harpooning short clonic convulsions of the limbs or the whole body occurred. In further course, immobilization and anesthesia were complete and satisfactory in all cases. The first reactions to outer stimuli during wakening up without antidote administration were observed in 135 +/- 11.9 minutes while the animals stood up in 210 +/- 44.5 minutes after drug harpooning (Tab. IV). When the nonspecific antidote xylazine-yohimbine was used, the first reactions after i.m. instillation at a dose of 0.31 +/- 0.02 mg/kg appeared in 20.3 +/- 0.57 min, after i.v. instillation at a dose of 0.11 +/- 0.17 it was in 9.3 +/- 4.16 min after antidote administration. The animals stood up and started walking in 53.3 +/- 24.3 min after i.v. instillation (Tab. V). No significant changes (Tab. III) were observed in the values of temperature, breathing rate and pulse rate when the variations of triad values were investigated in five individuals within the first 30 minutes (up to 10 min, 20 and 30 min) after drug harpooning.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)