Induction of ovarian follicular wave emergence in wapiti (Cervus elaphus)

The Levels of Cortisol and Selected Biochemical Parameters in Red Deer Harvested during Stalking Hunts

As a reactive species, the red deer is sensitive to both negative exogenous and endogenous stimuli. An intensive hunting period may have a particularly negative impact on game animals. The aim of this study was to determine the plasma cortisol level and biochemical parameters in 25 wild red deer (Cervus elaphus) harvested during stalking hunts in correlation with the sex and age of the animals. The mean cortisol concentrations in the stags and hinds analyzed in this study were similar (20.2 and 21.5 ng/mL, respectively). Higher HDL cholesterol values were found in the blood of the hinds than in stags (p < 0.05). Similarly, the mean levels of LDL cholesterol, lactate dehydrogenase, and alanine aminotransferase were higher by 21%, 16%, and 42%, respectively, in the blood of the hinds. In contrast, the levels of alkaline phosphatase, bilirubin, and aspartate aminotransferase were higher in the stags (by 30%, 49%, and 36%, respectively). There was a negative correlation of the cortisol concentration with urea and bilirubin and a positive correlation between cortisol and aspartate aminotransferase in the stags (p < 0.05). In turn, a negative correlation was found between the cortisol and urea levels in the hinds (p < 0.05). In summary, the stress caused by stalking hunts and the characteristic behavior of red deer during the mating season had an impact on chosen biochemical parameters. The increased concentration of cortisol resulted in a decrease in the carcass mass, which may lead to the deterioration of the physical condition of animals on hunting grounds.

Comparing two different superovulation protocols on ovarian activity and fecal glucocorticoid levels in the brown brocket deer (Mazama gouazoubira)

BACKGROUND

Stress is a limiting factor in assisted reproduction in wild animals maintained in captivity. However, the knowledge of assisted reproduction techniques for wild animals is useful for future in situ and ex situ conservation programs. Thus, this study evaluated the ovulation rate, presence of functional corpora lutea and fecal glucocorticoid levels following treatments promoting superovulation in captive brown brocket deer.

METHODS

The crossover design used six hinds, allocated to two groups (n=6): eCG Treatment, CIDR for 8 days, followed by 0.25 mg of EB on day 0, 700 IU of eCG on day 4 following device insertion and 265 mug of PGF2alfa on day 8; and FSH Treatment, CIDR for 7.5 days, followed by 0.25 mg of EB on day 0, 130 mg of FSH in 8 equal doses and 265 mug of PGF2alfa on day 7.5. Induced adrenal activity and treatment efficacy were evaluated by corpora lutea (CL) counts and fecal glucocorticoid and progestin concentration (ng/g feces) analyses for five different phases: Pre, two days before treatment; Early, first four days of treatment; Late, last four days of treatment; Total, entire treatment period; and Post, five days posttreatment.

RESULTS

eCG Treatment resulted in the highest number of CL (P lower than 0.05). There was no significant difference for fecal glucocorticoid concentrations in five different time periods between the treatments; however Pre fecal glucocorticoid concentrations (90.06+/-19.64) were significantly different from Late (200.76+/-26.39) within FSH Treatment. The mean fecal progestin concentration and mean ovulation rate were higher in eCG Treatment (4293.69+/-769.47, 7.0+/-1.8) than in FSH Treatment (1571.26+/-240.28, 2.6+/-0.8) (P lower than or equal to 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Although the eCG Treatment induced a good superovulatory response, with the formation of functional corpora lutea, we cannot yet affirm that we have established a suitable protocol for induction of SOV in the species M. gouazoubira because approximately 65% of the deer showed premature regression of the corpora lutea. Moreover, multiple FSH applications in FSH Treatment resulted in a low ovulation rate and induced an increase in fecal glucocorticoid levels.

Ovarian synchronisation in wood bison (Bison bison athabascae) during the anovulatory season

Two experiments were performed in wood bison during the anovulatory season to establish an effective protocol for ovarian synchronisation. In an untreated control phase, bison cows (n = 19) were examined daily to establish the interval to new follicular wave emergence (4.9 ± 0.7 days) for the purposes of comparison with the experimental treatments. In Experiment 1, bison were treated by transvaginal ultrasound-guided follicular ablation (n = 9) or with 2 mg, i.m., 17β-oestradiol (n = 10). In Experiment 2, bison were treated by follicular ablation (n = 9) or with 2 mg, i.m., 17β-oestradiol +100 mg, i.m., progesterone (n = 10). In Experiment 1, the interval to new wave emergence for control, follicular ablation and 17β-oestradiol-treated groups was 4.9 ± 0.7, 1.1 ± 0.1 and 3.1 ± 0.4 days, respectively (P < 0.05). The degree of synchrony was 2.4 ± 0.4, 0.2 ± 0.1 and 0.8 ± 0.2 days, respectively (P < 0.05). In Experiment 2, the interval to new wave emergence for control, follicular ablation and 17β-oestradiol + progesterone-treated groups was 4.9 ± 0.7, 1.2 ± 0.2 and 3.3 ± 0.3 days, respectively (P < 0.05), and the degree of synchrony was 2.4 ± 0.4, 0.2 ± 0.1, and 0.8 ± 0.2 days, respectively (P < 0.05). The degree of synchrony did not differ between ablation and hormone treatment groups in either experiment, but was greater in treatment groups than in the untreated control phase. Both follicular ablation and hormone treatment shortened and decreased the variability in the interval to follicular wave emergence in bison, but wave emergence occurred earlier after follicular ablation.

Comparison of three protocols for superovulation of brown brocket deer (Mazama gouazoubira)

This study aims to evaluate the ovulation rate and the presence of functional corpora lutea after treatment by three different protocols designed to cause superovulation in brown brocket deer. Six female received an intravaginal device containing 0.33 g of progesterone (CIDR®) for 8 days, followed by 0.5 mg injection of estradiol benzoate at the time of insertion and 265 µg of cloprostenol at the time of removal. Afterwards, the hinds were divided into three groups (n = 2): Treatment A received injection of 600 IU eCG on Day 4 after CIDR® insertion; Treatment B received injection of 300 IU eCG at the same time; and Treatment C received injection of 250 IU FSH dissolved in PVP, also on Day 4 post-insertion. The treatments were crossed over with 44-48 day intervals after CIDR® removal, such that all the deer were submitted to all three treatments. The mean ovulation rate (Treatment A = 3.40 ± 0.68, Treatment B = 1.40 ± 0.24, Treatment C = 0.80 ± 0.49), total ovarian stimulation (Treatment A = 4.80 ± 1.02, Treatment B = 1.80 ± 0.37, Treatment C = 1.40 ± 0.60), and mean CL diameter (Treatment A = 7.33 ± 0.76 mm, Treatment B = 3.94 ± 0.19 mm, Treatment C = 2.18 ± 0.49 mm) in Treatment A were significantly higher than the mean ovulation rates, total ovarian stimulation, and mean CL diameter in Treatments B and C. The mean fecal progesterone metabolites at the luteal phase in Treatment A (6,277.94±2,232.47 ng/g feces) was significantly different from Treatment C (1,374.82±401.77 ng/g feces). Thus, although fertility was not evaluated directly, Treatment A proved capable of induce superovulation in the species Mazama gouazoubira, presenting the greatest mean ovulation rates, with the formation of functional corpora lutea.