Journal of Embryo Transfer (한국수정란이식학회지)

The Korean Society of Embryo Transfer (한국수정란이식학회)
권호 표지

Birth of a Siberian Tiger Cub from an Albino Mother Tiger with Help of eCG and hCG

  • Received : 2011.08.01
  • Accepted : 2011.08.20
  • Published : 2011.09.30
Download PDF
⟨ Previous Next ⟩

Abstract

This is about the successful use of eCG and hCG for producing a Siberian tiger pup born from 10-year-old, primiparous, albino Siberian tiger. From February 2010 to July 2010, natural breeding had been tried three times with no conception. During this period of five months, estrus behaviors appeared to be typically normal and a lot of matings were observed. After consecutive failures, 1000 IU eCG (equine chorionic gonadotropin) were intramuscularly injected on the day showing estrus behavior, followed with an injection of 750 IU hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) 80 hours later. The tiger stopped recurrence of estrus, and a cub, weighed 780 gram, was born alive 104 days after hCG injection. This study is the first report showing the unique, successful use of exogenous hormones as one of artificial breeding programs in the long history of captive breeding of carnivorous zoo animals in Korea.

Keywords

References

  1. Carden SM, Boissy RE, Schoettker PJ and Good WV. 1998. Albinism: Modern molecular diagnosis. Br. J. Ophthalmol. 82:189-195. https://doi.org/10.1136/bjo.82.2.189
  2. Crichton EG, Bedows E, Miller-Lindholm AK, Baldwin DM, Armstrong DL, Graham LH, Ford JJ, Gjorret JO, Hyttel P, Pope CE, Vajta G and Loskutoff NM. 2003. Efficacy of porcine gonadotropins for repeated stimulation of ovarian activity for oocyte retrieval and in vitro embryo production and cryopreservation in Siberian tigers (Panthera tigris altaica). Biol. Reprod. 68:105-113. https://doi.org/10.1095/biolreprod.101.002204
  3. Crosier AE, Comizzoli P, Baker T, Davidson A, Munson L, Howard JG, Marker LL and Wildt DE. 2011. Increasing age influences uterine integrity, but not ovarian function or oocyte quality, in the Cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus). Biol. Reprod. 85:243-253. https://doi.org/10.1095/biolreprod.110.089417
  4. Donoghue AM, Byers AP, Johnston LA, Armstrong DL and Wildt DE. 1996. Timing of ovulation after gonadotrophin induction and its importance to successful intrauterine insemination in the tiger (Panthera tigris). J. Reprod. Fertil. 107:53-58. https://doi.org/10.1530/jrf.0.1070053
  5. Donoghue AM, Johnston LA, Armstrong DL, Simmons LG and Wildt DE. 1993. Birth of a Siberian tiger cub (Panthera tigris altaica) following laparoscopic intrauterine artificial insemination. J. Zoo. Wildl. Med. 24:185-189.
  6. Howard JG, Roth TL, Byers AP, Swanson WF and Wildt DE. 1997. Sensitivity to exogenous gonadotropins for ovulation induction and laparoscopic artificial insemination in the cheetah and clouded leopard. Biol. Reprod. 56:1059-1068. https://doi.org/10.1095/biolreprod56.4.1059
  7. Howard JG. 1999. Assisted reproductive techniques in nondomestic carnivores. In: Fowler ME, Miller RE, editors. Zoo and Wild Animal Medicine: Current therapy IV. Philadelphia PA: WB Saunders Co; pp. 449-457.
  8. Lee HS, Yin XJ, Lee YH, Min WK, Kim TS, Choi JW, Yoon BC, Kim JI and Kong IK. 2004. In vitro maturation of tiger oocytes: A case report. J. Emb. Trans. 19:185-189.
  9. Pelican KM, Wildt DE, Pukazhenthi B and Howard JG. 2006. Ovarian control for assisted reproductioin in the domestic cat and wild felids. Theriogenology 66:37-48. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.theriogenology.2006.03.013
  10. Swanson WF and Brown JL. 2004. International training programs in reproductive sciences for conservation of Latin American felids. Ani. Rerod. Sci. 82-83:21-34.
  11. Tsutsui T, Tanaka A, Takagi Y, Nakagawa K, Fujimoto Y, Murai M, Anzai M and Hori T. 2000. Unilateral intrauterine horn insemination of fresh semen in cats. J. Vet. Med. Sci. 62:1241-1245. https://doi.org/10.1292/jvms.62.1241
  12. Yong HY, Park SH, Choi MK, Jung SY, Ku DC, Yoo JT, Yoo MJ, Yoo MH, Eo KY, Yeo YG, Kang SK and Kim HY. 2009. Baby giraffe rope-pulled out of mother suffering from dystocia without proper restraint device. J. Vet. Clin. 26:113-116.