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" Investigating the impacts of a female to female introduction on hormone levels in the sable antelope (Hippotragus niger) "
Erin Jane Loeding
J. S. Thomas, Rachel
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Latin Dissertation
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| Language of Document
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English
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| Record Number
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52450
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| Doc. No
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TL22404
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| Call number
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1464603
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| Main Entry
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Erin Jane Loeding
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| Title & Author
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Investigating the impacts of a female to female introduction on hormone levels in the sable antelope (Hippotragus niger)\ Erin Jane Loeding
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| College
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Western Illinois University
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| Date
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2009
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| Degree
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M.S.
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2009
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| Page No
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53
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| Abstract
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Introductions of sable antelope (Hippotragus niger ) can be difficult due to the potential ensuing aggression compounded by their large horns. The goal of this research was to use hormonal assays and behavioral analyses to evaluate the impact and success of an introduction of two females. The specific objectives of this study were to: (1) compare the effectiveness of four different hormone extraction methods from fecal samples; (2) determine if the two females, once introduced, were reproductively active and synchronized their estrous cycles; (3) document changes in two female sable antelope during the introduction, both behaviorally and hormonally; (4) measure androgen metabolite values during the introduction and compare to dominance status and observed aggression; and (5) compare fecal glucocorticoid metabolites (FGM) values in each individual before, during, and after the introduction. A new adult female sable antelope was introduced to a resident adult female on 19 May 2006 at Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago, IL. The female sable antelope were introduced slowly with a one month "howdy period". Behavioral observations were conducted daily for one year using instantaneous scan-sampling. A survey of eight questions was used to rate dominance of the two females were completed by five zookeepers working in the Antelope/Zebra area at the end of the study. Fecal samples (collected for one year) were extracted, comparing the methods of using wet and dry feces and boiling and shaking agitation step. Fecal samples were analyzed using enzyme immunoassays for progestin metabolites, FGM, and androgen metabolites. All the fecal extraction methods were strongly correlated, therefore, wet feces with shaking agitation was used. Both sable antelope were determined to be reproductively active with estrus present throughout the year long study; however, estrus synchronization did not occur. Behavioral observations suggested limited aggression between females, although keeper survey results revealed the new female was more dominant. Moreover, new female had higher mean FGM and androgen metabolites than the resident. For both females, FGM was higher before the introduction compared to during and after; which are similar. Although the new female's androgen metabolites remained unchanged over the introduction, the resident's increased during the introduction then decreased. These data demonstrate that hormonal indicators of reproduction, stress, and dominance are measurable in the sable antelope. Furthermore, the study documented that gradual introductions can effectively minimize the risk of aggression, injury and stress. Analysis of hormones from feces can be used to document introduction's impact, thus providing zoo management with valuable information.
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| Subject
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Biological sciences; Behavior; Dominance; Estrus; Sable antelope; Stress; Organismal biology; 0472:Organismal biology
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J. S. Thomas, Rachel
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Western Illinois University
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