Hormonal control of estrous cyclicity and attempted superovulation in wood bison (Bison bison athabascae)

Analysis of progesterone and estrone-sulfate in feces of American Bison using liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry: Technical validation and correlation with blood levels

American Bison's wild nature limits blood sample availability to study its endocrinology. This report describes progesterone (P4) and estrone-sulfate (E1S) assays in American Bison feces using Liquid Chromatography coupled with Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS). In 2 ranches, samples of feces (n = 73) and serum (n = 93) were collected in pregnant and nonpregnant American Bison. Feces samples (250 mg) were extracted with methanol, purified, and concentrated. Then, feces and serum samples were assayed using LC-MS, according to our previously described technique. Fecal matrix homogeneity was determined by measuring steroids in different areas of the sample and concentration evolutions were evaluated after storage at room temperature. During the validation process, lower limits of quantification were 20 pg/g (E1S) and 4 ng/g (P4) by meeting the following criteria: relative standard deviation <15% and relative bias <15%. By measuring hormones in different spots from the same sample, a moderate variability for E1S (coefficient of variation [CV] up to 21.3%) and a high variability for P4 (CV up to 85.5%) were highlighted. Correlation between concentrations in feces and in serum was higher for E1S (r = 0.77) than for P4 (r = 0.65) and P4 could be assayed in pregnant and nonpregnant animals whereas E1S was only present in pregnant. Feces storage at room temperature induced modification of steroid concentrations. The quantification of E1S and, at a lower level, of P4 in feces is an interesting alternative to serum assay to describe the pregnancy-related evolution of these steroids in American Bisons, with feces ideally stored frozen and mixed before the LC-MS procedures.

Review: Reproductive physiology of bison and application of assisted reproductive technologies to their conservation

Bison are an ecologically and culturally important species on the European and North American continents. Their near extirpation was met with conservation efforts that prevented their extinction but left few animals or highly fragmented populations. Contemporary conservation efforts are focused on building ecologically and genetically sustainable bison herds for long-term conservation of the species. Assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs) can play a key role in building these herds by facilitating the movement of genetics in the form of gametes and embryos, while protecting animal well-being and ensuring biosecurity of existing bison herds. In addition, ARTs such as gamete and embryo cryopreservation can be used to protect against future losses of genetic diversity through biobanking. In this review, a brief summary of basic bison reproductive physiology is presented followed by an overview of the current state of ART in Bison bison (American bison) and Bison bonasus (European bison or wisent). Research on ART ranging from artificial insemination to in vitro embryo transfer and cloning is discussed with particular regard to the application of ART for conservation purposes. While significant progress has been made in ART for bison, there are still many opportunities to improve these technologies and expand their impact for bison conservation.

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.

Preliminary assessment of reproductive technologies in wood bison (Bison bison athabascae): Implications for preserving genetic diversity

Since the high prevalence of bovine tuberculosis and brucellosis in free-ranging wood bison in the Canadian north poses a threat to nearby healthy bison populations, commercial bison and cattle ranches, and potentially to humans, there is considerable impetus to salvage the genetics of infected bison and maintain a disease-free herd. In that regard, there is a great need to develop appropriate reproductive technologies. Therefore, the objective of this study was to develop protocols to produce and cryopreserve wood bison embryos (based on protocols used for cattle). Cumulus oocyte complexes (COC) aspirated from ovaries recovered after slaughter were matured in vitro, and fertilized with either frozen-thawed semen or chilled epididymal spermatozoa. Although both sources of spermatozoa resulted in acceptable rates of fertilization (64.4%, n=45; 89.2%, n=28, respectively) and cleavage (75.0%, n=40; 92.5%, n=40), production of morulae (7.5%, n=40; 25.0%, n=40) and blastocysts (7.5%, n=40; 10.0%, n=40) was low. Morulae- and blastocyst-stage embryos were frozen-stored by vitrification. To our knowledge, this is the first report regarding the in vitro production and cryopreservation of bison embryos for genetic recovery of diseased wood bison. These techniques have substantial potential for conserving and managing the genetic diversity of wild bison, and may also have important management implications for genetic salvage of diseased bison populations in North America.

Economical and ecological importance of indigenous livestock and the application of assisted reroduction to their preservation

Among the many mammalian species that are threatened as the result of habitat destruction are numerous species of rare or little-known native livestock that possess features that render them ideally adapted to their environment. Because of the vital and valuable role many of these species play both to the ecology and economy of their native countries, attention is being directed towards initiating breeding programs that might insure their continued survival. This review introduces and highlights the importance of some of these indigenous species and outlines efforts currently underway to apply assisted reproductive technologies to their conservation.