Roth T L, O'Brien J K, McRae M A, Bellem A C, Romo S J, Kroll J L, Brown J L
Center for Research of Endangered Wildlife, Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden, Cincinnati, OH 45220, USA.
Reproduction. 2001 Jan;121(1):139-49. doi: 10.1530/rep.0.1210139.
Longitudinal ultrasound and endocrine evaluations were conducted in two adult female Sumatran rhinoceroses (Dicerorhinus sumatrensis) over a period of 12-22 months to learn more about their reproductive physiology. Rectal ultrasonography was conducted to monitor ovarian activity. Blood samples were collected and analysed for progesterone and LH, and faecal samples were analysed for progestin metabolites. One female showed cyclic ovarian activity during the study period, whereas the other female showed no evidence of ovarian activity. The cyclic Sumatran rhinoceros appeared to be an induced ovulator, the first of its kind reported within the Perrisodactyla. Ultrasound examinations of the ovaries revealed the formation of anovulatory haemorrhagic follicles when the animal was not mated. These follicles appeared to undergo varied degrees of luteinization that resulted in irregular faecal progestin profiles. When allowed to mate, the female showed a 21 day reproductive cycle that was reflected in both faecal progestin and serum progesterone profiles. The concentration of serum LH was baseline before mating, increased approximately 30-fold within 1-2 h of intromission and returned to baseline within 22 h. Ovulation occurred within 46 h of copulation. The female conceived three times during the study. Pregnancy was detected using ultrasonography 14-16 days after mating, and the concentration of both serum progesterone and faecal progestins remained high. Early embryogenesis appeared to be similar to that in horses. However, each pregnancy terminated unexpectedly within the first 3 months of gestation. This study demonstrates the important role that basic research and reproductive technology can play in developing a natural breeding programme for an endangered animal in captivity.
在12至22个月的时间里，对两只成年雌性苏门答腊犀牛（双角犀属苏门答腊种）进行了纵向超声和内分泌评估，以更多地了解它们的生殖生理。进行直肠超声检查以监测卵巢活动。采集血样并分析孕酮和促黄体生成素（LH），分析粪便样本中的孕激素代谢物。在研究期间，一只雌性表现出周期性的卵巢活动，而另一只雌性没有卵巢活动的迹象。这只周期性活动的苏门答腊犀牛似乎是诱导排卵者，这是在奇蹄目动物中首次报道的此类情况。对卵巢的超声检查显示，当这只动物未交配时，会形成无排卵性出血性卵泡。这些卵泡似乎经历了不同程度的黄素化，导致粪便孕激素水平不规则。当允许其交配时，这只雌性表现出21天的生殖周期，这在粪便孕激素和血清孕酮水平中都有所体现。交配前血清LH浓度处于基线水平，在插入后1至2小时内增加约30倍，并在22小时内恢复到基线水平。排卵发生在交配后46小时内。在研究期间，这只雌性成功受孕三次。在交配后14至16天通过超声检查检测到怀孕，血清孕酮和粪便孕激素的浓度均保持在较高水平。早期胚胎发育似乎与马相似。然而，每次怀孕都在妊娠的前3个月内意外终止。这项研究表明，基础研究和生殖技术在为圈养濒危动物制定自然繁殖计划方面可以发挥重要作用。
