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Appeltant R, Hermes R, Holtze S, Modina SC, Galli C, Bjarkadottir BD, Adeniran BV, Wei X, Swegen A, Hildebrandt TB, Williams SA. The neonatal southern white rhinoceros ovary contains oogonia in germ cell nests. Commun Biol 2023; 6:1049. [PMID: 37848538 PMCID: PMC10582104 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-023-05256-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2022] [Accepted: 08/18/2023] [Indexed: 10/19/2023] Open
Abstract
The northern white rhinoceros is functionally extinct with only two females left. Establishing methods to culture ovarian tissues, follicles, and oocytes to generate eggs will support conservation efforts using in vitro embryo production. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first description of the structure and molecular signature of any rhinoceros, more specifically, we describe the neonatal and adult southern white rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum simum) ovary; the closest relation of the northern white rhinoceros. Interestingly, all ovaries contain follicles despite advanced age. Analysis of the neonate reveals a population of cells molecularly characterised as mitotically active, pluripotent with germ cell properties. These results indicate that unusually, the neonatal ovary still contains oogonia in germ cell nests at birth, providing an opportunity for fertility preservation. Therefore, utilising ovaries from stillborn and adult rhinoceros can provide cells for advanced assisted reproductive technologies and investigating the neonatal ovaries of other endangered species is crucial for conservation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruth Appeltant
- Nuffield Department of Women's and Reproductive Health, University of Oxford, Women's Centre, Level 3, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, UK
- Gamete Research Centre, Veterinary Physiology and Biochemistry, Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Robert Hermes
- Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Alfred-Kowalke-Str 17, D-10315, Berlin, Germany
| | - Susanne Holtze
- Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Alfred-Kowalke-Str 17, D-10315, Berlin, Germany
| | - Silvia Clotilde Modina
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via dell'Università 6, 26900, Lodi, Italy
| | - Cesare Galli
- Avantea srl, Laboratory of Reproductive Technologies, Via Porcellasco 7/F, 26100, Cremona, Italy
- Fondazione Avantea, 26100, Cremona, Italy
| | - Briet D Bjarkadottir
- Nuffield Department of Women's and Reproductive Health, University of Oxford, Women's Centre, Level 3, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, UK
| | - Babatomisin V Adeniran
- Nuffield Department of Women's and Reproductive Health, University of Oxford, Women's Centre, Level 3, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, UK
| | - Xi Wei
- Nuffield Department of Women's and Reproductive Health, University of Oxford, Women's Centre, Level 3, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, UK
| | - Aleona Swegen
- Nuffield Department of Women's and Reproductive Health, University of Oxford, Women's Centre, Level 3, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, UK
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, 2308, NSW, Australia
| | - Thomas Bernd Hildebrandt
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via dell'Università 6, 26900, Lodi, Italy
- Freie Universität Berlin, D-14195, Berlin, Germany
| | - Suzannah A Williams
- Nuffield Department of Women's and Reproductive Health, University of Oxford, Women's Centre, Level 3, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, UK.
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Schwarzenberger F, Hermes R. Comparative analysis of gestation in three rhinoceros species (Diceros bicornis; Ceratotherium simum; Rhinoceros unicornis). Gen Comp Endocrinol 2023; 334:114214. [PMID: 36646327 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2023.114214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2022] [Revised: 12/13/2022] [Accepted: 01/11/2023] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
This comparative analysis evaluated endocrine profiles and gestation length data of captive pregnant black rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis), white rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum), and greater one-horned (GOH) rhinoceros (Rhinoceros unicornis). Hormone profiles were collected over three decades as part of pregnancy diagnoses. After the third month of gestation, the luteo-placental shift in progesterone production in pregnant rhinoceroses causes a significant increase in the concentration of faecal progesterone metabolites. We defined a laboratory-specific value of 1000 ng/g faeces as a threshold for incipient feto-placental progesterone production. Using this value allowed a comparison between species and revealed significant individual differences within a species. The mean ± SEM gestation days for reaching the 1000 ng/g faeces threshold were 89.5 ± 2.9 (range 56-138 days; n = 39) in black, 96.0 ± 2.6 (58-138; n = 39) in white, and 117.8 ± 5.3 (74-173; n = 19) in GOH rhinoceroses. For the calculations of gestation length, we complemented our results from three decades of reproductive monitoring with data from the literature, resulting in about 70 values for each species. Gestation length in the black, the white and the GOH rhinoceros was 460.6 ± 1.5 (range: 436 - 486), 503.8 ± 1.3 (range: 480 - 525) and 480.5 ± 1.1 (range: 453 - 505) days, respectively. Daylight length significantly affected gestation length, while the sex of offspring had no effect. On average, pregnancies with parturitions in spring and summer were one week shorter than those in autumn and winter. Although rhinoceroses are non-seasonal breeders, most parturitions in captivity occur in autumn and winter. We also analysed preconception endocrine profiles in the white rhinoceros. Conceptions in this species occurred after oestrous cycles of approximately 35 days (n = 18), 70 days (n = 3), 15 days (n = 1), after periods of ovarian inactivity (n = 5), and during a foal heat within one month after stillbirth parturition (n = 1). In conclusion, this study provides a comprehensive overview of gestational parameters in three rhinoceros species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Franz Schwarzenberger
- Dept. of Biomed. Sci. - Physiology, Pathophysiology & Experimental Endocrinology, Vetmeduni Vienna, 1210 Vienna, Austria.
| | - Robert Hermes
- Dept. Reproduction Management, Leibnitz Institute for Zoo & Wildlife Research, Alfred-Kowalke-Str 17, 10315 Berlin, Germany.
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Landolfi JA, Gaffney PM, McManamon R, Gottdenker NL, Ellis AE, Rech RR, Han S, Lowenstine LJ, Agnew D, Garner MM, McAloose D, Hollinger C, St Leger J, Terrell SP, Duncan M, Pessier AP. Reproductive tract neoplasia in adult female Asian elephants ( Elephas maximus). Vet Pathol 2021; 58:1131-1141. [PMID: 34269107 DOI: 10.1177/03009858211031843] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Recent reports have highlighted a lower-than-expected prevalence of neoplasia in elephants and suggested mechanisms for cancer resistance. But despite infrequent reports in the literature, uterine neoplasia is common in managed Asian elephants (Elephas maximus). This study is an archival review of reproductive tract neoplasia in 80 adult female Asian elephant mortalities in managed care facilities in the United States from 1988 to 2019. Neoplasms occurred in 64/80 (80%) of cases. Most were in the uterus (63/64; 98%) with only a single case of ovarian neoplasia. Myometrial leiomyomas were present in 57/63 (90%) cases with uterine neoplasia. Uterine adenocarcinoma was present in 8/63 (13%) cases. Remaining cases included endometrial adenoma (2), focal carcinoma in situ in endometrial polyps (1), anaplastic carcinoma (1), endometrial hemangioma (1), primitive neuroectodermal tumor (PNET; 1), and angiosarcoma (1). One case with uterine adenocarcinoma had a separate pelvic mass histologically characterized as an anaplastic sarcoma. Distant metastases were documented in 5/8 (63%) cases of uterine adenocarcinoma, and in the uterine anaplastic carcinoma, PNET, and angiosarcoma. Four uterine adenocarcinomas and one carcinoma in situ were examined immunohistochemically for pan-cytokeratin, vimentin, and estrogen receptor. In all, neoplastic cells were pan-cytokeratin positive and vimentin negative, and in 2 cases were immunoreactive for estrogen receptor. Results show that female reproductive tract neoplasia, particularly of the uterus, is common in Asian elephants and is not limited to leiomyomas. Importantly, uterine neoplasms have the potential to impact fecundity and may represent obstacles to conservation in managed care.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Sushan Han
- Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| | | | - Dalen Agnew
- 70726Michigan State University, Lansing, MI, USA
| | | | - Denise McAloose
- 2015Wildlife Conservation Society, Bronx Zoo, Bronx, NY, USA
| | | | | | | | | | - Allan P Pessier
- 7114San Diego Zoo Global, San Diego, CA, USA.,6760Washington State University, Pullman, WA, USA
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Fertility Control in Wildlife: Review of Current Status, Including Novel and Future Technologies. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2019; 1200:507-543. [PMID: 31471808 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-23633-5_17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Wildlife conservation requires varying degrees of management of endangered species as well as management of their potential predators and competitors. Conservation also depends on ameliorating human-wildlife conflict, especially where there is a threat to the safety of people and of their pets and livestock. In addition, sustainability of wildlife populations can be affected by feral domestic animals or invasive species, that require removal or control. With the increasing concern for animal welfare, non-lethal methods of limiting population size and distribution, such as fertility control, are gaining favor. Breeding programs in zoos depend on highly effective and selective contraception to manage sustainable insurance populations. This review covers fertility control methods currently in use, those that have not lived up to past promises, and others that are under development and present hope for addressing remaining challenges.
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Roth TL, Schook MW, Stoops MA. Monitoring and controlling ovarian function in the rhinoceros. Theriogenology 2017; 109:48-57. [PMID: 29249327 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2017.12.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2017] [Accepted: 12/01/2017] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Despite their size and potentially dangerous demeanor, the rhinoceros has been a preferred subject of wildlife reproductive scientists. Several factors contribute to this taxon's popularity including the ability to utilize insightful tools like non-invasive hormone metabolite monitoring and transrectal ultrasonography, the necessity for mate introductions to coincide with the female's estrus when breeding certain species or individuals, and the desire to develop assisted reproductive technologies to facilitate the genetic management and ultimate sustainability of small, managed populations in human care. The resulting profusion of rhinoceros reproductive studies has revealed significant species-specific characteristics and exposed the prevalence of aberrant reproductive activity within this taxon. Of equal importance, it has guided necessary intervention and enhanced our success in overcoming challenges associated with breeding rhinoceroses.
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Affiliation(s)
- T L Roth
- Center for Conservation and Research of Endangered Wildlife (CREW), Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden, 3400 Vine Street, Cincinnati, OH 45220, USA.
| | - M W Schook
- Disney's Animal Kingdom, 1200 North Savannah Circle East Bay Lake, FL 32830, USA.
| | - M A Stoops
- Center for Conservation and Research of Endangered Wildlife (CREW), Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden, 3400 Vine Street, Cincinnati, OH 45220, USA.
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