ISSN:0275-2565    

DOI:10.1002/ajp.1350240302

出版商:Wiley Subscription Services, Inc., A Wiley Company    

年代:1991

数据来源: WILEY

摘要:

AbstractMost of the progress in female great ape reproduction has focused on monitoring ovarian and endocrine activity. Perhaps of more importance has been the gradually evolving interest and willingness to consider biotechnology as a potential, viable approach for enhancing reproductive performance. Artificial insemination (AI), in vitro fertilization (IVF), and embryo transfer offer an array of possibilities for combating infertility and understanding the fundamental differences and similarities among great ape species. Multidisciplinary efforts have assessed reproductive competence, from the simple (i.e., perineal tumescence and urinary occult blood in chimpanzees) to the complex (i.e., ovum recovery and IVF following exogenous hormone treatment in chimpanzees and gorillas). Hysterosalpingography and laparoscopy have been used to determine uterotubal patency and to identify pathological conditions in gorillas. Assays for steroid metabolites in serial urine samples, to permit accurate assessments of ovarian cyclicity, have been developed and validated for all great apes species. Stimulation of follicular recruitment and maturation has been achieved following administration of clomiphene citrate (chimpanzees and gorillas) and human menopausal gonadotropin (gorillas). Clomiphene citrate and human chorionic gonadotropin have been used to regulate ovulation for the AI of chimpanzees. Pregnancies have resulted in chimpanzees and gorillas following AI using fresh and cryopreserved/thawed semen; however, conception rates vary. Embryos have been nonsurgically recovered from chimpanzees after timed matings and follicular oocytes have been recovered from chimpanzees and gorillas by transabdominal laparoscopy after exogenous hormone treatment. To date, although in vivo matured ova have been fertilized in vitro using homologous sperm in chimpanzees and gorillas, no great ape offspring have been born from transferred embryos produced by in vitro or in vivo fertilization. A review of the many remaining problems suggests the need for more basic studies of ovulation induction, ovum and sperm requirements in vivo and in vitro, and the effects of animal manipulation (anesthesia, surgery, and other stressors) on the ability of the female to ovulate and sustain pregnancy. Especially important are more assessments to identify reproductively competent individuals so that these females can be placed with breeding males while subfertile or infertile animals are designated for intensive artificial breeding research.

ISSN:0275-2565    

DOI:10.1002/ajp.1350240303

出版商:Wiley Subscription Services, Inc., A Wiley Company    

年代:1991

数据来源: WILEY

摘要:

AbstractPrevious research on sexual behavior of the great apes suggests that female chimpanzees readily conceive in traditional laboratory pair tests, i.e., free‐access tests (FATS), but female gorillas and orang‐utans do not. Although several different mechanisms could account for this result, the one tested is derived from R.V. Short's hypothesis that “form reflects function,” with respect to the ratio of testis weight to body weight in the great apes. The implication of this hypothesis is that the more frequent maleinitiated mating that occurs prior to ovulation in the FATs, in comparison with the wild, reduces the fertility of male orang‐utans and gorillas as a function of their relatively small testes. The hypothesis was tested by conducting restricted‐access tests (RATS) with female choice, tests in which the female determines whether and when copulation may occur. In the RATs, the cycle rate of copulation was reduced in both the gorillas and orang‐utans to rates typical of their wild counterparts. Three females of each species, moreover, did conceive in the RATs, but this result was not statistically significant. Several conditions were implicated in the failure of additional females of both species to conceive during the RATs, including an absence of copulation, copulation without ejaculation, and copulation with ejaculation temporally dissociated from the presumptive time of ovulation. Little support was obtained for the hypothesis that failure to conceive during the FATs was due to the males' relatively small testes and frequent copulation, but such a possibility cannot be ruled out. Relatively low levels of pregnanediol glucuronide during the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle were implicated in the failure to conceive by female gorillas but not female orang‐utans. The data suggest that female regulation of mating in the RATs results in patterns and rates of copulation that are more characteristic of these species than those obtained in the FATs. Restricted‐access testing thus may prove useful in facilitating the breeding of gorillas and orang‐utans in oth

ISSN:0275-2565    

DOI:10.1002/ajp.1350240304

出版商:Wiley Subscription Services, Inc., A Wiley Company    

年代:1991

数据来源: WILEY

摘要:

AbstractSince 1972, Koko, a captive‐born female lowland gorilla, has been the subject of longitudinal linguistic and behavioral research. Data on behavioral and physical concomitants of Koko's estrous cycle have been gathered since her cycles began at the age of 5 years, 9 months. This study presents evidence of endocrinological influence on cognitive functioning: It demonstrates that frequency of sign‐language use by Koko is greater in the follicular phase of her reproductive cycle. This finding supports an earlier report on Koko and is in agreement with recent studies correlating human menstrual‐cycle phases with patterns of manual sequencing and verbal fluency. This study also confirms that nonlaboratory hormone tests designed for human female urine samples appear to be useful for detecting luteinizing hormone (LH) in gorilla urine and establishes the applicability of such tests for determining pregnanediol‐3‐glucuronide (PdG) levels in gorilla urine. Analyses of preliminary test results indicate that these enzyme immunoassay (EIA) tests match earlier radioimmunoassay (RIA) findings on the relationship between reproductive hormones and variables such as genital swelling and proceptivity in female

ISSN:0275-2565    

DOI:10.1002/ajp.1350240305

出版商:Wiley Subscription Services, Inc., A Wiley Company    

年代:1991

数据来源: WILEY

摘要:

AbstractFemales of both species of chimpanzee,Pan troglodytesandP. paniscus, exhibit conspicuous anogenital sex swellings that are useful external markers for assessing ovarian cyclicity. A new, quantitative method for describing these swelling cycles was refined during laboratory studies of four P.paniscusand nineP. troglodytesand was used to analyze variability in swelling patterns. Clear‐cut anatomical changes of the perineum were found to have both interindividual and interspecific reliability. The swollen phase of the cycle was defined as the period when the medial surfaces of the labia minora are pressed against each other so the aperture leading to the vagina appears as a slit (labial occlusion). When defined with this precision, comparisons within and between the species revealed two types of cycle for both species; swollen phases ofP. paniscuswere about 24 or 39 days in duration, on average, whereas those ofP. troglodyteswere about 14 or 18 days. Urine samples from theP. troglodyteswere collected and analyzed for luteinizing hormone (LH) (34 cycles), estrone glucuronide (E1G), and pregnanediol‐3‐glucuronide (PdG) (18 cycles). When the two types of cycle were separated in analysis, it was found that the day when labial occlusion occurred served as a predictor of the preovulatory LH peak in the cycles with a long swollen phase. Levels of E1G correlated closely with swelling scores in multiparous females regardless of phase lengths, suggesting that the new swelling scores are a reliable indicator of E1G excretion in multipara. Cycles with long swollen phases had relatively high levels of PdG during the luteal phase, whereas cycles with short swollen phases had relatively low levels of PdG and a shorter luteal phase. The marker of labial occlusion and the duration of the preswollen phase defined by the marker appear to be potentially useful in studies of reproduction inPan, for monitoring female fertility, and in artificial insemination procedures. If it is confirmed that swelling pattern predicts progesterone levels during the luteal phase, it would make interventions possible in the case of low levels so that a potential pregnancy could be maintained to

ISSN:0275-2565    

DOI:10.1002/ajp.1350240306

出版商:Wiley Subscription Services, Inc., A Wiley Company    

年代:1991

数据来源: WILEY

摘要:

AbstractData on mountain gorilla reproductive behavior, demography, and sexual behavior are reviewed and compared with earlier reviews of reproduction by wild gorillas and with data on captive gorillas. Topics covered include maturation, female transfer patterns and reproductive histories, reproductive intervals, influences on fertility, infant mortality, sex ratios at birth, birth seasonality, copulatory behavior, and estrus cyclicity. Most of the results of the updated analyses presented here corroborate those from previous studies of the same population. Newer information shows that responsibility for the initiation of copulations varies in association with female fertility and sexual state; that infant mortality in the first year is higher than reported earlier; that the sex ratio at birth is 1:1; and that, on a population level, interbirth intervals following the birth of males are the same length as those after female births. Data on reproductive intervals, sexual cyclicity, and copulatory behavior are generally similar to data from many captive situations. Two findings are particularly relevant to the problem of cessation of reproduction by captive females. First, fertility does not obviously decline with age in the wild. Second, a high proportion of females have reproduced in their natal groups and some have had multiple births there.

ISSN:0275-2565    

DOI:10.1002/ajp.1350240307

出版商:Wiley Subscription Services, Inc., A Wiley Company    

年代:1991

数据来源: WILEY

摘要:

AbstractA wide disparity between parturition and the resumption of sexual behavior in two captive female western lowland gorillas prompted an investigation of interbirth intervals (IBIs) in captive western lowland gorillas that had reared their infants. To determine reproductive intervals, a questionnaire was sent to 30 institutions (19 in North America and 11 in Europe) that maintained captive females who had previously reared or were currently rearing their offspring. Information compiled relates to the length of reproductive intervals, including lactational anestrus, estrous behavior to conception and from parturition to conception, and IBIs. These data are compared with studies published on wild mountain gorillas. The median IBI for 16 mothers still rearing infants when their next conception occurred was 4 years (range 2.33–6.42 years, N = 16). Twenty‐one percent of the 52 mothers in this study are no longer reproducing. The mean time without reproduction since separation from their last offspring was 5.43 years. This study indicates that the length of IBIs, lactational anestrus, and intervals from parturition, separation, and estrous behavior to conception compare closely with findings for wild populations. Incompatibility between partners may be a factor limiting further reproduction in some captive mothers in this st

ISSN:0275-2565    

DOI:10.1002/ajp.1350240308

出版商:Wiley Subscription Services, Inc., A Wiley Company    

年代:1991

数据来源: WILEY

摘要:

AbstractMany chronic degenerative diseases are suspected of resulting from autoimmune (AI) or immune complex (IC) mechanisms of unknown infectious etiology. Mycoplasmas have been associated with autoantibodies and tissue mimicry and with infertility and neonatal disorders, as well as with IC disorders. Their persistent colonization, which is clinically silent and common among healthy females, makes their etiopathogenic mechanisms difficult to assess.Finding the great apes to be colonized with and serologically expressing the human strains of mycoplasmas, as well as the anti‐IgG rheumatoid factor (RF), provided us the ideal model of immunologically‐related human disorders. In view of the etiopathologic role of IC in experimental vasculitis, especially collagen vascular diseases such as systemic lupus erythromatosus (SLE) with specific deposition on receptor sites of the vascular basement membranes, an investigation of IC's role in fetal and placental vascular disorders was initiated.The IgG‐IC fractions isolated from solubilized human synovial and placental tissue extracts on affinity protein‐A columns were further purified by pepsinization to minimize nonspecific Fc binding. Mycoplasmal antigens were identified in the F(ab)2‐IC fractions by reacting the electroblots from SDS‐PAGE with rabbit antisera to 6 IgG test serovars. Finding mycoplasmal and ureaplasmal antigens associated with the IgG‐IC in synovial and placental tissues suggests their pathogenic role in collagen vascular and reproductive disorders of both humans and the great apes.Mycoplasma cells cultured in rabbit‐serum‐enriched broth bound rabbit IgG as indicated by their specific reaction with goat anti‐rabbit IgG. Polyclonal rabbit antisera raised against the mycoplasma cells binding the gnotobiotic rabbit IgG expressed idiotypic antibodies reactive with heterologous mycoplasmas cultured with whole sera but not with gamma‐free or fetal bovine sera. Immunoblot analysis of SDS‐PAGE fractionated mycoplasmas with the anti‐M. pneumoniaerabbit IgG recognized common IgG epitopes in heterologous mycoplasma cells cultures with whole horse serum. These results demonstrate a potential role and pathogenic mechanism of mycoplasmas acting as a ligand, binding and causing conformational changes of IgG that could also apply to other specific tissue proteins. Conformational changes of bound tissue components could produce “altered‐self” antigens to initiate a variety of autoimmune disorders in

ISSN:0275-2565    

DOI:10.1002/ajp.1350240309

出版商:Wiley Subscription Services, Inc., A Wiley Company    

年代:1991

数据来源: WILEY

摘要:

AbstractThe endocrine profile during normal postpartum amenorrhea in chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) closely resembles that of women, and its duration is similarly extended by nursing. However, when infant chimpanzees in our colony were removed at birth, excessively prolonged postpartum amenorrhea (7–26 months duration) occurred in 24% of cases. Our endocrine studies indicate that such prolonged postpartum amenorrhea (PPAm) is a pathological condition associated with chronically elevated serum prolactin levels and galactorrhea.In the absence of nursing, we sought an alternate behavioral basis for PPAm. Breast and genital auto‐ and partner‐directed manipulation was compared in PPAm chimpanzees, normal 2–3 mo. postpartum chimpanzees (infants removed at birth), and regularly‐menstruating chimpanzees. A statistically significant pattern of breast, but not genital, manipulation was observed in the PPAm group only, at levels comparable to normal suckling. In particular, a characteristic pattern of nipple auto‐manipulation (spooling) occurred. Two partner‐stimulated PPAm animals were also identified: when caged individually, they resumed cycling within a few days. In contrast, 2 self‐stimulators did not resume cyclicity when isolated. These observations suggested that interruption of breast stimulation allowed cyclicity to resume.Treatment of PPAm chimpanzees with oral Bromocryptine Mesylate (Sandoz, 2.5–5.0 mg b.i.d.) was associated with depression of prolactin levels in most animals and resumption of cyclicity in 11/13 subjects within 4 months. Oral Pergolide (Eli Lilly, 200 μg once daily, 13–17 days), appeared much more effective, cyclicity resumed in 8/8 animals within 14 days of commencing treatment; both drugs significantly reduced postpartum

ISSN:0275-2565    

DOI:10.1002/ajp.1350240310

出版商:Wiley Subscription Services, Inc., A Wiley Company    

年代:1991

数据来源: WILEY

摘要:

AbstractThe Primate Research Institute (PRI) dedicated a colony of 81 proven breeders (60 females, 21 males) to the National Chimpanzee Breeding and Research Program (NCBRP). When possible, infants were left with their mothers for a minimum of 18 months. Programs to define and reduce fetal wastage and neonatal mortality were implemented. Pregnancies were diagnosed both by RIA for serum chorionic gonadotropin and by ultrasound prior to day 30 of pregnancy. Of 65 pregnancies detected by ultrasound and RIA, 15 (23%) resulted in fetal loss. Without the use of ultrasound and RIA, only 8 of these losses would have been detected. Infant mortality (7 of 53 live births; 13%) was primarily due to maternal abuse or problems related to premature delivery. The incidence of losses due to maternal abuse has been reduced by placing females in single cages 2 weeks prior to their estimated delivery date so endangered infants can be recognized and removed. The new system provided the first opportunity for most of the mothers to care for their infants; 25 succeeded (in 2 instances in the second pregnancy only) and 12 did not (infants from 2 mothers were removed due to delivery of twins). During this 26‐month period the colony grew by 46 infants (58%), half of which will be retained as future breeders. Thus, the NCBRP goal of achieving a self‐sustaining population appears via

ISSN:0275-2565    

DOI:10.1002/ajp.1350240311

出版商:Wiley Subscription Services, Inc., A Wiley Company    

年代:1991

数据来源: WILEY