Comorbid TBI-depression costs in veterans: a chronic effect of neurotrauma consortium (CENC) study.

BACKGROUND: The U.S. Veterans Health Administration (VHA) provides depression treatment to veterans with Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). VHA costs of comorbid TBI-depression were estimated by Operation Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraqi Freedom (OEF/OIF) status over 14 years. METHODS: VHA-USING veterans with TBI DIAGNOSED IN 2000-2010 were followed through FY2014. TBI severity was determined using the Department of Defense criteria. Depression was identified by the Elixhauser algorithm. Generalized linear and seemingly unrelated regression models were used to estimate the impact of depression on annual per veteran and total VHA inpatient, outpatient, and pharmaceutical costs, by OEF/OIF status. RESULTS: A total of 66.57% of pre-OEF/OIF and 87.46% of OEF/OIF veterans had depression. Depression was estimated to increase annual total ($1,847), outpatient ($1,558), and pharmaceutical ($287) costs for pre-OEF/OIF, and $1,228, $1,685, and $191 for OEF/OIF veterans. However, depression was estimated to lower annual inpatient costs by $648 per OEF/OIF veteran. The annual VHA cost for all veterans with comorbid TBI-depression was estimated at $1,101,329,953. CONCLUSIONS: The estimated annual cost for Veterans with comorbid TBI-depression was more than $1 billion. TBI and depression screening/treatment may result in reduced inpatient VHA costs in OEF/OIF veterans exposed to TBI. VHA policymakers should consider screening for TBI and depression in pre-OEF/OIF veterans.

Effects of exposure to environmental chemicals during pregnancy on the development of the male and female reproductive axes.

There is a large body of literature describing effects of environmental chemicals (ECs), many of them anthropogenic with endocrine-disrupting properties, on development in rodent laboratory species, some of which lead to impaired reproduction and adverse health. This literature joins extensive human epidemiological data and opportunistic wildlife findings on health effects of ECs. In contrast, the effect of endocrine disruption on foetal development and reproductive performance in domestic species is less extensively documented. This applies both to domestic farm and to companion species even though the former is critical to food production and the latter share our homes and many aspects of the modern developed human lifestyle. In domestic species, the nature of chemicals exposure in utero and their consequences for animal health and production are poorly understood. A complication in our understanding is that the pace of development, ontogeny and efficiency of foetal and maternal hepatic and placental activity differs between domestic species. In many ways, this reflects the difficulties in understanding human exposure and consequences of that exposure for the foetus and subsequent adult from epidemiological and largely rodent-based data. It is important that domestic species are included in research into endocrine disruption because of their (i) wide variety of exposure to such chemicals, (ii) greater similarity of many developmental processes to the human, (iii) economic importance and (iv) close similarities to developed world human lifestyle in companion species.

Genome Sequence of Dermacoccus Strain Tok2021, a Soil Actinobacterium Isolated from a Pinus radiata Forest.

Dermacoccus strain Tok2021 (Actinobacteria) is a soil bacterium, isolated from commercial Pinus radiata forest soil from Tokoiti, New Zealand. The bacterium has a draft genome size of 3,101,786 bp and harbors genes involved in antibiotic production, siderophore production, and N2 fixation.

Utilizing fungus myceliated grain for molt induction and performance in commercial laying hens.

Molting in poultry is used to rejuvenate hens for a second or third laying cycle. Feed withdrawal was once the most effective method used for molt induction; however, it has being phased out due to food safety and animal welfare concerns. This study evaluated the utilization of fungus myceliated grain as a safe and effective alternative for inducing molt, enhancing immunity, reducing Salmonella growth, and returning to egg production. Laying hens were subjected to 1 of 5 treatments: 1) nonfed (NF), 2) full-fed (FF), 3) fungus myceliated meal (FM), 4) 90% fungus myceliated meal+10% standard layer ration (FM-90), and 5) 90% alfalfa meal+10% fungus myceliated meal (AF-90). Each treatment condition was replicated 9 times during a 9-d molt period. The results revealed that egg production for treatments 1 and 3 ceased completely by d 5, whereas hens in treatments 4 and 5 ceased egg production by d 6. The percentage of BW loss decreased significantly (P<0.05) in treatments 1 (57%), 2 (8%), 3 (35%), 4 (37%), and 5 (44%). Ovary weights of hens fed all molting diets decreased significantly from the full-fed control but did not differ significantly (P<0.05) from each other. Salmonella population in the crop, ovary, and ceca from hens differed significantly (P<0.05) among treatments. Return to egg production differed between treatments with higher production beginning in treatment 3 and ending in treatment 5. Antibody titers did differ (P<0.05) among treatments. From these results, fungus myceliated meal appears to be a viable alternative to conventional feed withdrawal and other methods for the successful induction of molt and retention of postmolt performance.

Geomorphic and geologic controls of geohazards induced by Nepal's 2015 Gorkha earthquake.

The Gorkha earthquake (magnitude 7.8) on 25 April 2015 and later aftershocks struck South Asia, killing ~9000 people and damaging a large region. Supported by a large campaign of responsive satellite data acquisitions over the earthquake disaster zone, our team undertook a satellite image survey of the earthquakes' induced geohazards in Nepal and China and an assessment of the geomorphic, tectonic, and lithologic controls on quake-induced landslides. Timely analysis and communication aided response and recovery and informed decision-makers. We mapped 4312 coseismic and postseismic landslides. We also surveyed 491 glacier lakes for earthquake damage but found only nine landslide-impacted lakes and no visible satellite evidence of outbursts. Landslide densities correlate with slope, peak ground acceleration, surface downdrop, and specific metamorphic lithologies and large plutonic intrusions.

Estrogen use, APOE, and cognitive decline: evidence of gene-environment interaction.

OBJECTIVE: APOE-epsilon4 increases the risk of cognitive decline, while elderly women who take estrogen may have less risk of cognitive decline. The authors sought to determine whether estrogen use modifies the association between APOE-epsilon4 and cognitive decline. METHOD: - As part of the Cardiovascular Health Study, 3,393 Medicare-eligible women (> or =65 years) were randomly selected and recruited from Sacramento County, CA; Washington County, MD; Forsyth County, NC; and Pittsburgh, PA. Cognitive testing was administered annually; the authors studied the 2,716 women with cognitive testing on > or =2 visits. They analyzed change in score on the Modified Mini-Mental State Examination (3MS) as a function of estrogen use, APOE genotype, and baseline common and internal carotid artery wall thickening. RESULTS: A total of 297 (11%) women were current estrogen users and 336 (12%) were past estrogen users. Over the 6-year average follow-up, baseline current users declined 1.5 points on the 3MS whereas never users declined 2.7 points (p = 0.023). Compared with epsilon4-negative women, epsilon4-positive women had a greater adjusted hazard ratio of cognitive impairment (3MS < 80), hazard risk [HR] = 1.47; 95% CI, 1.13 to 1.90. There was an interaction between estrogen use and epsilon4 presence (p = 0.037). Among epsilon4-negative women, current estrogen use reduced the risk of adjusted cognitive impairment compared with never users by almost half (HR = 0.59; 95% CI, 0.36 to 0.99), whereas, it did not reduce the risk among epsilon4-positive women (current use, HR = 1.33; 95% CI, 0.74 to 2.42). Compared with never use, current estrogen use was associated with less internal and common carotid wall thickening in epsilon4-negative women but not in epsilon4-positive women (p for interaction < 0.05 for both). Differences remained after adjusting for age, education, race, and stroke. CONCLUSIONS: Estrogen use was associated with less cognitive decline among epsilon4-negative women but not epsilon4-positive women. Potential mechanisms, including carotid atherosclerosis, by which epsilon4 may interact with estrogen and cognition warrant further investigation.

Effect of serum source on human fertilization and embryonic growth parameters in vitro.

A total of 100 mature oocytes from 13 consecutive patients were randomly assigned from each patient to one of two treatment groups (n = 53 for group 1, n = 47 for group 2). Group 1 oocytes were incubated throughout the culture periods in medium supplemented with 7.5% homologous patient serum. Group 2 oocytes were treated similarly, except the serum supplement was of fetal cord origin. End points for examination included fertilization frequency, normality of fertilization, stage of embryonic development at two time periods, and quality of embryonic development at two time periods. None of the end points examined revealed significant differences between patient serum and fetal cord serum.

In vitro capacitation of stallion spermatozoa in calcium-free Tyrode's medium and penetration of zona-free hamster eggs.

Capacitation of stallion spermatozoa in Tyrode's calcium-free (TCF) medium was assessed. Twelve gel-free ejaculates were collected. After removal from the seminal plasma, cells were washed three times with 0.85% saline containing 0.1% bovine serum albumin (BSA) and resuspended in TCF. Both washing and incubation media were adjusted to pH 8 and 300 to 310 mOsm. Final sperm concentration during incubation was 2 x 10(6) cells/ml. The diluted ejaculates were incubated for 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 h at 37 degrees C in an atmosphere containing 5% CO(2). Acrosomes were stained with naphthol yellow and erythrocin B initially and after each incubation period and evaluated microscopically. Transmission electron microscopy was used to verify whether normal acrosome reaction was occurring or if cells were degenerating. Penetration of zona-free hamster oocytes was evaluated using 10(3) to 10(4) sperm/ml suspension and coincubating eggs for 3.5 to 4 h with sperm. Penetration tests were done for wash and incubation treatments and recorded positive when swollen sperm heads or male pronuclei were present. Incubation time affected acrosome integrity (P<0.001). Incubation for 8 to 10 h significantly improved acrosome reaction (P<0.001) and the percentage of reacted acrosomes increased sharply after 6 h of incubation (P<0.001). None of the washed sperm penetrated zona-free eggs at zero time, but sperm from all incubation treatments penetrated eggs. A peak penetration rate of 29.9% was observed at 8 h (P<0.001). Results indicate that under the conditions used, the requirement for Ca(++) in the medium for the process of capacitation and acrosome reaction can be substituted for by elevated pH.

Characterization of eugonic fermenters group EF-4 by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and protein immunoblot analysis.

Whole-cell lysates and proteinase K-extracted lipopolysaccharide (LPS) of 19 strains of the group eugonic fermenter-4 (EF-4) were analyzed by electrophoresis and protein immunoblotting. These strains were isolated from dog- and cat-bite abscesses in human beings, ferret and human gastric lesions, and cat-lung infections. These strains represent 2 biovar groupings; EF-4a biovars ferment glucose and possess arginine dihydrolase activity, whereas EF-4b biovars do not. Electrophoresis of whole-cell lysates could distinguish between these biovars groups. Electrophoresis of LPS extracts revealed that all strains of EF-4 possess smooth chemotypes. Two strains of EF-4a reacted weekly in protein immunoblots and revealed distinct LPS profiles. These studies suggests that subgroups of EF-4 biovars may exist.

Natural and gonadotropin-induced ovarian activity in tigers (Panthera tigris) assessed by fecal steroid analyses.

Fecal samples were collected from female tigers (n = 17) to compare endocrine patterns associated with natural ovarian activity with those after chorionic gonadotropin ovulation induction and artificial insemination (AI). Baseline fecal estradiol concentrations were 65.77 +/- 3.61 ng/g with estrual peaks of 167.39 +/- 9.92 ng/g and an anovulatory cycle length of 17.96 +/- 0.70 days. Peak fecal estradiol was higher when females were housed with a male for breeding (262.30 +/- 41.43 vs. 165.30 +/- 3.67 ng/g; P < 0.05). The majority of animals showed some seasonal differences in fecal estradiol however, patterns were inconsistent. Fecal progestagens increased only after breeding confirming tigers are primarily induced ovulators. The non-pregnant luteal phase was 34.50 +/- 1.85 days in duration. In pregnant tigers, fecal progestagens remained elevated for 108 days until parturition and the diagnosis of pregnancy was possible based on the elevated fecal progestagens after 35 days of gestation. Tigers were administered equine chorionic gonadotropin (eCG) to stimulate follicular growth and human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) to induce ovulation prior to AI [200 IU eCG/100 IU hCG (n = 5); 400 IU eCG/200 IU hCG (n = 2); 500 IU eCG/100 IU hCG (n = 2); 1000 IU eCG/750 IU hCG (n = 11); 1000 IU eCG/1000 IU hCG (n = 4)]. None of the tigers subjected to AI became pregnant (n = 9). Fecal endocrine patterns in gonadotropin-stimulated tigers were considerably different from those observed in naturally bred tigers. In particular, fecal estradiol concentrations were higher than those observed during natural estrus and remained elevated for longer periods of time in tigers administered the higher doses of gonadotropins typically used in conjunction with AI in this species. These abnormal endocrine patterns may help explain the poor success rate of AI in this species.

DNA, RNA, and protein synthesis by porcine oocyte-cumulus complexes during expansion.

The experiments described in this report were designed to determine three biosynthetic functions of oocyte-cumulus complexes during expansion. The events investigated were DNA, RNA, and protein synthesis during a 24-h in vitro culture; these were determined by 3H-thymidine, 3H-uridine, and 3H-leucine incorporation into oocyte-cumulus complexes, respectively. The quality of proteins produced was also determined by slab-gel electrophoresis. Results indicated that, during follicle-stimulating hormone-induced cumulus expansion, total DNA synthesis was significantly (P less than 0.05) reduced whereas RNA synthesis remained unchanged. Overall protein synthesis was markedly increased (P less than 0.05), with one major band (Mr = 22,000) and two minor bands (Mr = 19,500 and 78,000) being produced during expansion.

Oocyte nuclear maturation at the time of oocyte aspiration is independent of in vitro fertilization potential in the domestic cat.

This study determined (1) the temporal kinetics of nuclear maturation at and after follicular oocyte aspiration and (2) the significance of variations in nuclear maturation and sperm-oocyte co-incubation interval on in vitro fertilization (IVF) in the domestic cat. Female cats were treated with pregnant mares' serum gonadotropin followed 84 h later with human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). Twenty-five hours after hCG, ovarian follicular oocytes were aspirated laparoscopically and classified according to morphological criteria. Oocytes classified as mature were cultured for 0, 2, 4, 6, or 8 h in Ham's F10 medium and then stained for nuclear maturation. The proportion of oocytes at metaphase II was similar (P > 0.05) at 0 (38.2%) and 2 (48.5%) h of culture, but was higher (P < 0.05) at 4 (76.5%), 6 (82.8%), and 8 (92.3%) h. Oocytes also were collected and cultured as described above and then co-incubated for 2 or 18 h with 5 x 10(5) motile cat sperm cells/ml. The incidence of IVF (cleavage to 2-cells by 30 h post-insemination) was consistently 2-fold higher (P > 0.05) for the 18 h compared to the 2 h gamete co-incubation groups. However, despite differences in nuclear maturation at the time of oocyte recovery, IVF success was unaffected (P > 0.05) by pre-insemination culture interval (0 h, 72.7%; 2 h, 73.3%; 4 h, 70.7%; 6 h, 57.8%; 8 h, 62.5%; 18 h group). Thus, the majority of oocytes recovered from cats treated with this gonadotropin regimen has not achieved metaphase II by follicular aspiration.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Influence of protein and hormone supplementation on in vitro maturation and fertilization of domestic cat eggs.

Immature eggs were recovered from freshly excised ovaries from domestic cats, and initially 931 eggs with a compact cumulus and uniform cytoplasm were cultured in 1 of 15 treatments. Eagle's minimum essential medium containing glutamine and pyruvate was supplemented with 5% (v/v) fetal calf serum (FCS), 4 mg bovine serum albumin (BSA) ml-1 or 2 mg polyvinyl alcohol ml-1 (PVA; non-protein control). Within each of these supplement groups, eggs were cultured with: no hormone; LH+FSH; LH+FSH+oestradiol; or LH+FSH+oestradiol+progesterone. After incubation for 52 h, eggs were inseminated with conspecific fresh spermatozoa, cultured and examined for stage of meiotic maturation and in vitro fertilization (IVF). There were fewer (P < 0.05) eggs maturing to metaphase II in vitro in FCS compared with BSA or PVA, the last two treatments producing similar (P < 0.05) results. Gonadotrophins in concert with oestradiol or oestradiol+progesterone improved the incidence of maturation (P < or = 0.01) compared with no added hormones. The incidence of fertilization and cleavage in vitro ranged from 5.2 to 33.9% and varied (P < 0.05) with hormone subtreatment. Adding FSH+LH+oestradiol consistently increased the incidence of IVF approximately twofold compared with controls with no added hormones. Although it inhibited the ability of eggs to reach metaphase II, FCS in the presence of gonadotrophins and oestradiol allowed > 60% of mature eggs to fertilize in vitro (P < 0.05, compared with PVA and BSA). Inhibitory effects on egg maturation were further evaluated by testing four FCS batches from three commercial sources against BSA.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Effects of chronic central infusion of oxytocin on the response of the magnocellular neuroendocrine system to osmotic stimulation.

The effect of continuous intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) infusion of oxytocin (OT) on the release of OT and vasopressin (VP) following osmotic stimulation was studied in ovariectomized rats treated peripherally with gonadal steroids to simulate late gestation/lactation. Artificial cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) with or without OT (2 ng/microg) was infused (0.5 microl/h) i.c.v. continuously for 7 days along with sequential peripheral administration of progesterone (2 mg/kg i.m.) for 4 days, then 17-beta-estradiol (200 microg/kg i.m.) for 2 days. Following 7 days of OT infusion, isotonic (0.15 mol/l NaCl) or hypertonic (1.5 mol/l NaCl) saline was injected (15 ml/kg s.c.); the animals were decapitated 1 h later. Animals infused centrally with OT had higher basal levels of OT in plasma (p < 0.01 vs. CSF). While osmotic stimulation increased plasma levels of both OT and VP (0.15 mol/l NaCl < 1.5 mol/l NaCl; p < 0.01), only circulating VP was enhanced further (p < 0.01) in animals infused with OT compared with those receiving CSF. These changes in hormone levels could not be explained by differences in neural lobe stores of OT or VP or by alterations in daily water intake during the infusion period. Thus, chronic i.c.v. infusion of OT stimulates basal release of OT and increases the response of the VP system to osmotic stimulation.

Mature domestic cat oocyte does not express a cortical granule-free domain.

A premature release of cortical granules (CG), found in the cortex of unfertilized oocytes, and the resulting formation of a CG-free domain (CGFD) over the metaphase II spindle are associated with nuclear maturation in the hamster and mouse. The objectives of our study were to characterize and compare the distribution of CG in immature, in vitro-matured, and in vivo-matured domestic cat oocytes while determining if a CGFD is formed that may be useful as a marker for stage and normalcy of oocyte maturation. Immature, intrafollicular oocytes were collected from ovaries obtained from local veterinary clinics, and a portion of these oocytes were matured in vitro. In vivo-matured, metaphase II oocytes were flushed from the oviducts of gonadotropin-treated, ovariohysterectomized cats. CG were visualized by Lens culinaris agglutinin-biotin/Texas red-strepavidin fluorescence, routine transmission electron microscopy, and Lens culinaris agglutinin-biotin/gold-labeled strepavidin transmission electron microscopy. No CGFD was detected in any domestic cat oocyte. Immature, in vitro-matured, and in vivo-matured oocytes had similar, uniform distributions of CG throughout the entire cortical region as measured by fluorescence microscopy. In vivo-matured oocytes were further examined by transmission electron microscopy, which confirmed the lack of a CGFD. All oocytes contained CG having a mean diameter of 0.28 +/- 0.03 micron/granule and a mean density of 51.5 +/- 13.0 CG/100 microns of plasma membrane.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Gonadotrophin dose and timing of anaesthesia for laparoscopic artificial insemination in the puma (Felis concolor).

Ovarian response to equine chorionic gonadotrophin (eCG) and human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG), the effect of timing of anaesthesia relative to hCG injection and the use of laparoscopic intrauterine artificial insemination were examined in the puma (Felis concolor). In Expt 1, females were treated with 100 (n = 6) or 200 (n = 8) IU eCG (i.m.) followed 80 h later by 100 IU hCG (i.m.) and were then anaesthetized 40-43 h after hCG injection for ovarian assessment. Although there was no difference (P > 0.05) in the number of unovulated ovarian follicles, females treated with 200 IU eCG had more (P < 0.05) corpora lutea per female and more corpora lutea as a percentage of the total number of ovarian structures. In Expt 2, all females were treated with 200 IU eCG and 80 h later with 100 IU hCG, and then anaesthetized either 31-39 h (Group A; n = 8) or 41-50 h (Group B; n = 6) after hCG injection for ovarian assessment. All Group B pumas ovulated compared with only three (37.5%) Group A females (P < 0.05). Compared with Group A, Group B pumas had more corpora lutea per female, more corpora lutea as a percentage of the total number of ovarian structures, and fewer unovulated follicles (P < 0.05). One of nine post-ovulatory females laparoscopically inseminated in utero with 16 x 10(6) motile spermatozoa became pregnant and delivered a healthy cub.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Sensitivity to exogenous gonadotropins for ovulation induction and laparoscopic artificial insemination in the cheetah and clouded leopard.

Ovarian sensitivity to exogenous gonadotropins was assessed in the cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus) and clouded leopard (Neofelis nebulosa) to help optimize artificial insemination (AI). Eighteen female cheetahs were used on 29 occasions and were given i.m. injections of 100, 200, or 400 IU eCG and 100 or 250 IU hCG 80 h later. Twenty-three female clouded leopards were treated i.m. on 27 occasions with 25, 50, 75, 100, 200, or 400 IU eCG followed 80 h later with 75, 140, or 280 IU hCG. Ovaries were examined laparoscopically at 43-48 h after hCG in cheetahs and 39-50 h in clouded leopards. All gonadotropin dosages stimulated ovarian activity in both species, but ovulation success and corpus luteum (CL) morphology varied (p < 0.05) with treatment. For both species, the highest and intermediate eCG dosages resulted in ovulation in a high proportion (72-100%) of females. The lowest eCG dosage, although capable of stimulating follicular development, compromised ovulation and resulted in few (< 26%) postovulatory females. For each species, small CL (2-4-mm diameter) were observed with the highest and lowest eCG dosage, and large CL (5-8-mm diameter) were associated with intermediate eCG dosages. Aged CL (10-12 mm diameter) were observed in 4 of 23 (17.4%) clouded leopards with no prior male exposure, indicating occasional spontaneous ovulation. Nineteen laparoscopic intrauterine AI procedures were performed in eCG/hCG-treated postovulatory cheetahs. Eighteen AI procedures were conducted in eCG/hCG-treated postovulatory clouded leopards. Six of the 13 cheetahs (46%), all in the 200-IU eCG/100-IU hCG group, became pregnant, in contrast to none of the clouded leopards. This study has revealed differences in ovarian activity in two wild felid species as a result of changes in exogenous gonadotropin dosage. Because of this dose-effect response, this comparative approach is necessary to identify a gonadotropin regimen that can mimic "normalcy." Even then, the relatively high AI success in the cheetah compared to the clouded leopard suggests that factors other than ovarian response can dictate the efficiency of assisted reproduction in this taxon.

Timing of ovulation after gonadotrophin induction and its importance to successful intrauterine insemination in the tiger (Panthera tigris).

The ovarian response to equine chorionic gonadotrophin (eCG) and human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG), the effect of timing of ovulation relative to hCG injection and the use of laparoscopic intrauterine artificial insemination (AI) were examined in two subspecies of tiger (Panthera tigris). Adult female tigers were subjected to the same eCG/hCG treatment followed by laparoscopy under xylazine/diazapam/ketamine HCl anaesthesia at 39-42 h (Group I, n = 9), 46-49 h (Group II, n = 5) or 51-55 h (Group III, n = 5) after hCG. Six of these females, observed to be postovulatory at the time of laparoscopy (Group II, n = 3; Group III, n = 3), were subjected to intrauterine AI. The number of preovulatory follicles observed on the ovaries of Group I females was twofold greater (P < 0.05) than the number observed on ovaries of females in Group II and III. Fewer (P < 0.05) corpora lutea were observed on ovaries of Group I females (1.3 +/- 0.6) compared with the number of corpora lutea in Group II and III (combined average, 7.8 +/- 0.8 corpora lutea per female). Only one of ten females in Groups II and III failed to ovulate by the time of laparoscopy. Four Group I females never ovulated, based on a laparoscopic re-evaluation 4 weeks later. One female inseminated 46 h after hCG (Group II) became pregnant and delivered a healthy cub after a normal gestation. There were no apparent differences between subspecies in response to the same ovulation induction protocol. Results demonstrate the importance of the relationship between exogenous gonadotrophin treatment and onset of anaesthesia for laparoscopic examination and AI in tigers. Data clearly indicate that anaesthesia/laparoscopy conducted too early (39-42 h after hCG) compromises the number of females and proportion of follicles ovulating. In contrast, ovulation success is high if anaesthesia/laparoscopy is performed after this time, and intrauterine insemination can result in healthy young.

Effect of season on seminal traits and serum hormone concentrations in captive male Siberian tigers (Panthera tigris).

Electroejaculates and serum samples were collected throughout the year from 5 male Siberian tigers. Semen quality, seminal plasma chemistry and serum hormone concentrations were evaluated and analysed as a function of season. Semen volume, concentration, motility, viability and morphology were not influenced by season. The ability of spermatozoa to undergo capacitation and penetrate zona-free hamster eggs did not differ due to season. Season had no influence on seminal plasma concentrations of acid phosphatase, calcium, glucose, potassium and phosphorus. Serum values of thyroxine and triiodothyronine were lowest (P = 0.002 and P = 0.03, respectively) during the summer months while cortisol showed no seasonal variation. Serum testosterone concentrations were higher in fall and early winter (P less than 0.001) than at other times of the year but were not correlated with semen quality. These results demonstrate that season has no effect on the semen production and quality of captive male Siberian tigers.