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Chen JQ, Zhang Q, Yu D, Bi R, Ma Y, Li Y, Lv LB, Yao YG. Optimization of Milk Substitutes for the Artificial Rearing of Chinese Tree Shrews (Tupaia belangeri chinensis). Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12131655. [PMID: 35804554 PMCID: PMC9265009 DOI: 10.3390/ani12131655] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2022] [Revised: 06/22/2022] [Accepted: 06/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary The Chinese tree shrew, a squirrel-like mammal, has been widely used as a laboratory animal in biological research. However, the low survival rate of the pups has seriously hindered the establishment of inbred lines of this species and further limited its wider use. We found a milk substitute appropriate for artificial rearing of Chinese tree shrew pups independent of any obvious adverse effects on their survival, health, and reproductive performance compared to those of the maternally reared pups. The successful optimization of a milk substitute for the artificial rearing of Chinese tree shrew pups may increase the availability of this experimental animal. Abstract The Chinese tree shrew (Tupaia belangeri chinensis) has the potential to replace the use of non-human primates in biomedical research. To increase the availability of this species, we have undertaken the ambitious task of establishing inbred lines of the Chinese tree shrew; however, we have been hindered by a low survival rate of inbred pups. Here, we report our artificial rearing (AR) of Chinese tree shrew pups using four different milk substitutes: the formula described by Tsang and Collins (milk TC) and three commercially available milk substitutes intended for possums (milk A and milk C) and for guinea pigs (milk B). We compared the effects of these milk substitutes and maternal milk on the daily milk consumption, growth performance, and survival of the pups. We also assessed the life span and reproductive performance of the F1 individuals given the best milk substitute as compared to the maternally reared (MR) pups. Milk B was found to be appropriate for AR. Pups fed with milk B had a high survival rate at the weaning age compared to those fed with the other milk substitutes. The AR pups fed with milk B had a life span similar to that of MR pups. AR females fed with milk B had an earlier age of the first reproduction, a larger number of litters, and a higher rate of survival of the offspring at the weaning age compared with the MR females. The successful optimization of a milk substitute for AR of Chinese tree shrew pups will undoubtedly facilitate the wide usage of this experimental animal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia-Qi Chen
- National Resource Center for Non-Human Primates, National Research Facility for Phenotypic & Genetic Analysis of Model Animals (Primate Facility), Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650107, China; (J.-Q.C.); (Q.Z.); (D.Y.); (R.B.); (Y.M.); (Y.L.)
| | - Qingyu Zhang
- National Resource Center for Non-Human Primates, National Research Facility for Phenotypic & Genetic Analysis of Model Animals (Primate Facility), Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650107, China; (J.-Q.C.); (Q.Z.); (D.Y.); (R.B.); (Y.M.); (Y.L.)
| | - Dandan Yu
- National Resource Center for Non-Human Primates, National Research Facility for Phenotypic & Genetic Analysis of Model Animals (Primate Facility), Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650107, China; (J.-Q.C.); (Q.Z.); (D.Y.); (R.B.); (Y.M.); (Y.L.)
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Yunnan Province, and KIZ-CUHK Joint Laboratory of Bioresources and Molecular Research in Common Diseases, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650204, China
- Kunming College of Life Science, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650204, China
| | - Rui Bi
- National Resource Center for Non-Human Primates, National Research Facility for Phenotypic & Genetic Analysis of Model Animals (Primate Facility), Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650107, China; (J.-Q.C.); (Q.Z.); (D.Y.); (R.B.); (Y.M.); (Y.L.)
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Yunnan Province, and KIZ-CUHK Joint Laboratory of Bioresources and Molecular Research in Common Diseases, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650204, China
- Kunming College of Life Science, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650204, China
| | - Yuhua Ma
- National Resource Center for Non-Human Primates, National Research Facility for Phenotypic & Genetic Analysis of Model Animals (Primate Facility), Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650107, China; (J.-Q.C.); (Q.Z.); (D.Y.); (R.B.); (Y.M.); (Y.L.)
| | - Yijiang Li
- National Resource Center for Non-Human Primates, National Research Facility for Phenotypic & Genetic Analysis of Model Animals (Primate Facility), Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650107, China; (J.-Q.C.); (Q.Z.); (D.Y.); (R.B.); (Y.M.); (Y.L.)
| | - Long-Bao Lv
- National Resource Center for Non-Human Primates, National Research Facility for Phenotypic & Genetic Analysis of Model Animals (Primate Facility), Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650107, China; (J.-Q.C.); (Q.Z.); (D.Y.); (R.B.); (Y.M.); (Y.L.)
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Yunnan Province, and KIZ-CUHK Joint Laboratory of Bioresources and Molecular Research in Common Diseases, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650204, China
- Kunming College of Life Science, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650204, China
- Correspondence: (L.-B.L.); (Y.-G.Y.)
| | - Yong-Gang Yao
- National Resource Center for Non-Human Primates, National Research Facility for Phenotypic & Genetic Analysis of Model Animals (Primate Facility), Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650107, China; (J.-Q.C.); (Q.Z.); (D.Y.); (R.B.); (Y.M.); (Y.L.)
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Yunnan Province, and KIZ-CUHK Joint Laboratory of Bioresources and Molecular Research in Common Diseases, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650204, China
- Kunming College of Life Science, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650204, China
- Correspondence: (L.-B.L.); (Y.-G.Y.)
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Collins PM, Tsang WN, Urbanski HF. Endocrine correlates of reproductive development in the male tree-shrew (Tupaia belangeri) and the effects of infantile exposure to exogenous androgens. Gen Comp Endocrinol 2007; 154:22-30. [PMID: 17686481 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2007.06.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2006] [Revised: 05/21/2007] [Accepted: 06/27/2007] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
The developmental life-history of tree-shrews conforms with the general primate pattern. Consequently, elucidation of the tree-shrew's neuroendocrine reproductive axis could shed light on the mechanisms that underlie human pubertal development. In the present study, we examined plasma gonadotropin concentrations in male tree-shrews from birth to sexual maturity, and related them to changes in the androgenic and gametogenic status of the testis. A hypogonadotropic infantile phase, during which a stable population of primordial cells is established, extended from birth to approximately Day 30. Following a short juvenile phase (Days 30-40), a pubertal phase of accelerated reproductive development was initiated between Days 40-55. At this time, FSH and LH levels rose and testosterone concentrations reached peak levels coincident with the descent of the testes, accelerated growth in the reproductive tract and the onset of spermatogenesis. To test whether this developmental peak in testosterone secretion is an important determinant in the normal onset of puberty, we exposed male tree-shrews prematurely to high circulating androgen levels for various periods and then examined the impact on key components of the developing reproductive axis. The testosterone implants failed to initiate spermatogenesis and the testes remained in an infantile state for the duration of the treatment, whereas implant removal led to the development of full spermatogenic activity. In both normal and experimental situations, low levels of FSH were associated with a lack of spermatogenic activity while the progression of germ cell development was precisely correlated with rising FSH levels. Taken together, these data establish a comprehensive picture of reproductive development in the male tree-shrew, and also provide support for the hypothesis that FSH plays a primary role in the initiation of spermatogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter M Collins
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA.
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Collins PM, Dobyns RJ, Tsang WN. Urinary immunoreactive androgen levels during sexual development in the male tree-shrew (Tupaia belangeri). COMPARATIVE BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY. A, COMPARATIVE PHYSIOLOGY 1989; 92:489-94. [PMID: 2566415 DOI: 10.1016/0300-9629(89)90354-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
1. Immunoreactive androgens were measured in the urine of individual male tree-shrews throughout post-natal development. 2. Urinary androgens were low during the infantile phase and then rose significantly between the 36-45 and 46-55 day age groups, in association with the onset of pubertal development. 3. Androgen excretion increased linearly during the pubertal period in parallel with the progressive development of the testes and reproductive tract. 4. The precise endocrine correlates established in the present work suggest that serial determination of urinary androgens provides a reliable method of monitoring male reproductive development which may be applied to small, sensitive species.
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Affiliation(s)
- P M Collins
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of California, Santa Barbara 93106
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