Jump to main content
US EPA
United States Environmental Protection Agency
Search
Search
Main menu
Environmental Topics
Laws & Regulations
About EPA
Health & Environmental Research Online (HERO)
Contact Us
Print
Feedback
Export to File
Search:
This record has one attached file:
Add More Files
Attach File(s):
Display Name for File*:
Save
Citation
Tags
HERO ID
7424136
Reference Type
Journal Article
Title
Comparative reproductive biology of elephants
Author(s)
Brown, JL; ,
Year
2014
Is Peer Reviewed?
Yes
Journal
Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology
ISSN:
0065-2598
Publisher
SPRINGER-VERLAG BERLIN
Location
BERLIN
Book Title
REPRODUCTIVE SCIENCES IN ANIMAL CONSERVATION: PROGRESS AND PROSPECTS
Page Numbers
135-169
Language
English
PMID
25091910
DOI
10.1007/978-1-4939-0820-2_8
Web of Science Id
WOS:000350410000009
URL
http://link.springer.com/10.1007/978-1-4939-0820-2_8
Exit
Abstract
The ability to serially collect blood samples and conduct ultrasound examinations in Asian and African elephants has provided unique opportunities to study the biology of these endangered species. As a result, many unique aspects of elephant reproduction have been identified. For females, there are interesting differences in luteal steroidogenic activity, follicular maturation, pituitary gonadotropin secretion, fetal development and reproductive tract anatomy, while males exhibit the unique phenomenon of musth and an unusual reproductive anatomy (internal testes, ampullary semen storage). However, problems associated with uterine and ovarian pathologies hamper captive propagation efforts. Older, nulliparous cows are particularly susceptible, leading to speculation that continuous ovarian cyclicity of non-bred females in zoos is having a negative and cumulative effect on reproductive health. There are notable species differences in reproductive mechanisms as well (e.g., ovarian acyclicity, prolactin secretion, sperm cryosensitivity), implying that species-specific approaches to management and application of assisted reproductive techniques are needed for maximal reproductive efficiency and enhancement of genetic management.
Editor(s)
Holt, WV; Brown, JL; Comizzoli, P;
ISBN
978-1-4939-0819-6
Home
Learn about HERO
Using HERO
Search HERO
Projects in HERO
Risk Assessment
Transparency & Integrity