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

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