Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item:
https://hdl.handle.net/1959.11/14691
Title: | Reproductive seasonality and the effect of the GnRH agonist deslorelin as a contraceptive in captive male Black Flying-foxes ('Pteropus alecto') | Contributor(s): | Melville, D F (author); O'Brien, G M (author); Crichton, E G (author); Theilemann, P (author); McKinnon, A (author); Johnston, S D (author) | Publication Date: | 2012 | DOI: | 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2011.09.012 | Handle Link: | https://hdl.handle.net/1959.11/14691 | Abstract: | Effective contraception would enhance genetic management of captive 'Pteropus species', which typically breed well in captivity. Male reproductive seasonality was monitored (15-mo interval) in captive 'P. alecto' (6 controls and 5 treated with 4.7 mg deslorelin). In untreated males, there were seasonal changes in testicular volume, body weight and testosterone secretion; testicular volume and body weight peaked in February and March, respectively, whereas testosterone concentration remained >5 ng/ml before rising (P < 0.001) to 24.9 ± 3.6 ng/ml (mean ± SEM) in April. However, there was no corresponding change in sperm quality, and seminal vesicle gland (SVG) secretions remained present in ejaculates. In treated males, testosterone concentration had an initial 'flare' response (mean ± SEM peak: 19.95 ± 3.27 ng/ml) before declining (P < 0.001) by 32 d to basal levels, where it remained. In these males, there was reduced sperm motility after 1 mo (P < 0.001) and the absence of SVG secretions after 4 mo. However, aspermic ejaculates were first recorded 5 mo post-treatment. At 10 mo after treatment, ermatogenesis was still disrupted, when membrane-intact, but non-motile sperm were present in two individuals. Motile sperm were first recovered from one of these males 13 mo after deslorelin treatment. We concluded that captive 'P. alecto' males: (a) had seasonal reproductive changes in testicular volume, body weight and testosterone secretion; (b) produced motile, membrane-intact sperm and SVG secretions throughout the year; and (c) had a rapid decline in testosterone concentration and consequent suppression of testicular function for at least 5 mo following deslorelin administration. | Publication Type: | Journal Article | Source of Publication: | Theriogenology, 77(3), p. 652-661 | Publisher: | Elsevier Inc | Place of Publication: | United States of America | ISSN: | 1879-3231 0093-691X |
Fields of Research (FoR) 2008: | 060803 Animal Developmental and Reproductive Biology 050211 Wildlife and Habitat Management |
Fields of Research (FoR) 2020: | 310903 Animal developmental and reproductive biology 410407 Wildlife and habitat management |
Socio-Economic Objective (SEO) 2008: | 960411 Control of Pests, Diseases and Exotic Species in Urban and Industrial Environments 960403 Control of Animal Pests, Diseases and Exotic Species in Farmland, Arable Cropland and Permanent Cropland Environments |
Socio-Economic Objective (SEO) 2020: | 180302 Control of pests, diseases and exotic species in fresh, ground and surface water 180204 Control of pests, diseases and exotic species in coastal and estuarine environments 180602 Control of pests, diseases and exotic species in terrestrial environments |
Peer Reviewed: | Yes | HERDC Category Description: | C1 Refereed Article in a Scholarly Journal |
---|---|
Appears in Collections: | Journal Article |
Files in This Item:
File | Description | Size | Format |
---|
SCOPUSTM
Citations
13
checked on Feb 24, 2024
Page view(s)
1,028
checked on Oct 29, 2023
Items in Research UNE are protected by copyright, with all rights reserved, unless otherwise indicated.