Reproductive behaviour of captive Sumatran rhinoceros (Dicerorhinus sumatrensis).

The Sumatran rhinoceros (Dicerorhinus sumatrensis) is on the verge of extinction in Malaysia. At the Sumatran rhinoceros Conservation Centre in Sungai Dusun, the reproductive behaviour of two female and two male rhinoceroses were studied for 8-10 months during attempts to breed them in captivity. Due to the paucity of scientific information on the reproductive biology of the Sumatran rhinoceros, this study was conducted to obtain information on the reproductive behaviour of this species. The male rhino was introduced to a female rhino in the morning for 1-2 h daily in order to observe for behavioural oestrus. Observations were made on the signs of oestrus and mating behaviour. Oestrus was determined by receptivity towards the male and lasted about 24 h. Common signs of oestrus were an increase in frequency of urine spraying, tail raising or swinging, anogenital and other contacts. Although the males exhibited mounting, the inability of the male to achieve intromission was poor. The study demonstrated that the pattern of courtship and copulation of the captive Sumatran rhinos were comparable with those of other rhino species, reported previously by other scientists and flehmen reflex was also exhibited by the male Sumatran rhinos. In a captive breeding programme, it is recommended that only an oestral female is introduced into a male enclosure due to the male solitary behaviour and to avoid serious injuries inflicted onto the females.

Gross anatomy and ultrasonographic images of the reproductive system of the Sumatran rhinoceros (Dicerorhinus sumatrensis).

The Sumatran rhinoceros (Dicerorhinus sumatrensis) is the smallest of all the rhino species. It is one of the rarest mammals in the world and is in imminent danger of extinction. A study was carried out on seven wild-caught females, three wild-caught males and one captive born female Sumatran rhinoceros at the Sumatran Rhinoceros Breeding Centre in Sungai Dusun, Selangor, Malaysia, beginning 1990. As a result of the paucity of scientific information on the reproductive biology of the Sumatran rhinoceros, this study was conducted to obtain information, which could assist in the captive breeding of this endangered and near extinct species. The anatomy of the reproductive system was based on two post-mortem specimens and transrectal real-time ultrasonography in six adult females. Genitalia of the Sumatran rhinoceros were similar to those of other species of rhinoceroses. The cervix consisted of several folds, the uterus was bicornuate with a short body and prominent horns and the ovaries were completely covered by the fimbriated end of the fallopian tube. The internal genitalia could be imaged by ultrasonography. The testes were located within a pendulous scrotum. Two lateral projections were located at the base of the penis. A well-defined process glandis was present at the tip of the penis. The accessory sex glands and the testes could be imaged by ultrasonography.

Superovulation and egg recovery in goats in the tropics.

The superovulatory response to gonadotrophin treatment during different months of the year was investigated in Kambing kacang goats, a tropical breed, in Malaysia. Sixty-three cycling does, fitted with progesterone impregnated intravaginal sponges for 17 days, received two days before sponge withdrawal, an intramuscular injection of either 10, 15 or 20 mg of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) or 500, 1000 or 1500 iu of equine chorionic gonadotrophin (eCG). The dose of FSH was divided into four decreasing daily doses and each daily dose was subdivided into two and administered at 07.00 and 19.00. Fifty-four does detected in oestrus were mated with fertile bucks. The ovarian response was determined by laparoscopy and eggs were recovered surgically five or six days after oestrus. The ovulatory response (mean +/- standard deviation) based on corpora lutea was higher in the FSH (13.4 +/- 8.4 corpora lutea per doe, n = 20) than the eCG-treated groups (6.4 +/- 5.1 corpora lutea per doe, n = 25) but the difference was not significant (P greater than 0.05). Does responded to gonadotrophins throughout the year with more than 50 per cent of does responding during the rainy months compared with less than 35 per cent responding during the dry months. This difference was statistically significant (P less than 0.05). Egg recovery was better in the FSH (6.8 +/- 5.3 per doe, n = 20) than the eCG groups (3.0 +/- 3.8 per doe, n = 21) but the difference was not significant (P greater than 0.05).

Adolescent sexuality, contraceptive health and STD.

PIP: Major topics addressed by this article on adolescent sexuality include adolescent festivals, adolescent reproductive psychophysiology, contraception for adolescents, the World Federation of Contraception and Health, sexually transmitted diseases, and recommendations for research. The purpose of adolescent festivals is to increase communication between young people and their parents on subjects such as sexuality. Of particular concern is the traumatic emotional, physical, and financial impact of adolescent pregnancy, both in developed and developing countries. Contraceptive methods considered to be most appropriate for use in developing countries are injectable Depo-Provera and the Norplant contraceptive implant system. To reduce the problem of adolescent pregnancy, television programs need to portray responsible sexuality, family responsibility and involvement must be strengthended, funds for education and prevention programs should be increased, and there must be more intraprofessional collaboration. The World Federation of Contraception and Health, a nonprofit multicenter institution, has been created to make recommendations on how current resources can be utilized to address problems of adolescent sexuality. Adolescent clubs are being set up to provide adolescents and their families with computer support and information. Another concern is the spread of sexually transmitted diseases that cause infections in the genitourinary tract and threaten to impair future fertility. The incidence of diseases such as chlamydia trachomatis and nongonococcal urethritis is especially high in teenagers. Needed in the future are more multicenter studies conducted by microbiologists, pathophysiologists, family planning experts, epidemiologists, venereologists, gynecologists, obstetricians, and dermatologists on the many aspects of adolescent sexuality.^ieng

Relationship of ovarian contents to plasma progesterone concentration in the swamp buffalo (Bubalus bubalis).

Using rectal palpation and laparoscopy, the relationship of ovarian contents to plasma progesterone concentration during the oestrous cycle, early pregnancy and post partum periods in the swamp buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) was studied. During the oestrous cycle, four stages in the lifespan of the corpus luteum were seen laparoscopically. The mean (+/- sd) concentrations of progesterone in plasma in cows with and without a corpus luteum on their ovaries were 1.49 +/- 0.78 ng/ml (n = 31) and 0.14 +/- 0.09 ng/ml (n = 14), respectively. Plasma progesterone levels reflected age-dependent changes occurring in the cyclic corpus luteum. The accuracy of diagnosing ovarian contents was 82 and 91 per cent for rectal palpation and plasma progesterone levels respectively. Approximately 29 per cent follicles (larger than 10 mm) were incorrectly diagnosed as corpora lutea by rectal palpation.

Relationship of scrotal circumference to age, body weight and onset of spermatogenesis in goats.

Scrotal circumference (SC) and body weight (BW) measurements were obtained from 122 crossbred (SaanenxLoca; JumnaparixLocal) bucks, ranging in age from 3 to 28 months. Spermatogenesis and semeniferous tubule diameters were studied from testicular biopsies in 24 bucks. The results showed that SC increased curvilinearly and was significantly correlated with age (P<0.05). Scrotal circumference correlated more significantly with BW (P<0.001). Spermatogenesis was completed at 6-7 months with a sudden increase in tubular diameter at the same time. Since SC is an indirect measurement of testicular size, a marked increase in testicular size indicated the onset of active spermatogenesis and, hence, the possibility of using bucks for breeding at an earlier age than normally recommended. Further, SC norms obtained in this study may become useful in the evaluation of bucks for breeding soundness.

A laparoscopic technique for in vivo observation of ovaries in the water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis).

A technique was developed for observing the ovaries of the water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) restrained in a standing position using a laparoscope (10 mm diameter, 600 mm length) inserted in the right paralumbar fossa after sedation with xylazine and local infiltration anaesthesia. Insufflation of the abdominal cavity with carbon dioxide was necessary to pass the laparoscope along the body wall to the pelvic inlet where both ovaries could be examined in detail with a manipulating probe inserted ipsilaterally. Twenty-one buffaloes were subjected to 50 laparoscopic examinations without infections or adverse reactions. Laparoscopy was a simple, reliable and rapid technique for repeated observation of the ovaries in the buffalo.

Testicular hypoplasia in a bull with XX/XY chimerism.

A 4-year-old 1/2 Hereford X Bos indicus bull displayed XX/XY chimerism associated with arrested spermatogenesis. Phenotypic examination revealed underdeveloped dorsal neck muscles, a non-pendulous scrotum, testes firm in consistency and a scrotal circumference measurement of 27 cm. On rectal palpation, small seminal vesicles were present and only azoospermic seminal fluid was collected at 3 monthly electroejaculations. Chromosome analysis on 2 monthly batches of leukocyte cultures showed a mean chimeric ratio of 80% of XX:20% XY cells. Cells cultured from skin were all male. Histopathological examination of both testes revealed reduction in size and number of tubules, marked hypoplastic germinal epithelium showing only spermatogonia and a well defined interstitium with large quantities of collagen. The small size of the testes and histological changes were suggestive of a testicular hypoplasia.

Examination of Droughtmaster bulls for breeding soundness.

Forty Droughtmaster bulls were evaluated for breeding soundness, using the method of examination and criteria for classifying bulls of the Society for Theriogenelogy. Eighty three percent of the bulls were classified as satisfactory, 14 percent as questionable and 3 percent as unsatisfactory breeders. Scrotal circumference for 2 to 8-year-old bulls were smaller in questionable and unsatisfactory bulls, as compared to satisfactory bulls. For bulls rated as satisfactory breeders, the scrotal circumference of 37 to 43 cms was higher than for other beef breeds. Three related bulls (2 questionable, 1 satisfactory) carried sperm defects classified as 'knobbed' (38 +/- 3%), 'Dag' (40 +/- 4%) and 'pseudo-droplets' (41 +/- 5%), which may adversely affect fertility.

Some clinico-pathologic findings in elephants (Elephas maximus) infected with Fasciola jacksoni.

Severe submandibular and ventral abdominal oedema was observed in an Asian elephant (Elephas maximus) in which liver flukes (Fasciola jacksoni) were recovered from the bile ducts at post-mortem examination. Clinico-pathologic examination of blood samples and serum from this elephant and another 8 elephants showed that most had anemia and hypoproteinemia. Fecal samples from 6 of the elephants contained from 6 to 83 eggs per gram. Treatment of elephants with nitroxynil (10 mg/kg) by subcutaneous injection produced severe local reactions at the injection site. Feces collected 2 and 4 months after treatment were free of trematode eggs. Hematologic values measured 4 months after treatment showed that the hemoglobin concentration, packed cell volume, erythrocyte count and plasma protein concentration had increased to within the normal range.