• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.85-87
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• 2010

A necropsy of a primiparous, 4-year-old, Himalayan tahr (Hemitragus jemlahicus) was performed in September 8, 2009. Typical appearances of ovaries, oviducts, uterine horns, cervix and caruncles were well shown. Five cervical folds were present in the cervix. Cervical opening can be reached in the length of less than 15 cm from the entrance of vagina. Development of two follicles was found in the left ovary even though breeding season of this species naturally starts in late November. The reproductive organs of a primiparous, 3-year-old, Corriedale sheep showed that differences in the length and morphological appearance of cervix exist between two species. Comparative understanding of reproductive systems in Himalayan tahr and Corriedale sheep could help advancing assisted reproductive technologies in feral goats.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.291-295
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• 2010

Four estrus-induced Himalayan tahrs (Hemitragus jemlahicus) were inseminated with frozen-thawed semen by laparoscopic or transcervical insemination techniques with no regard to the site of ovulation in non-breeding season. In June and July, 2009, estrus was synchronized by Eazi-Breed $CIDR^{(R)}$ (Controlled internal drug release; Pfizer Animal Health, New Zealand) insertion for 16 days and PG 600 (PMSG 400IU, hCG 200 IU; Intervet, Netherlands) injection (IM) a day before removing $CIDR^{(R)}$. Forty eight hours later, laparoscopic or transcervical insemination was done to each of two tahrs under anesthetic condition inducted by ketamine (1.5 mg/kg) and medetomidine (0.09 mg/kg). For examination of estradiol and progesterone, blood was collected right before $CIDR^{(R)}$ insertion, PG 600 injection, $CIDR^{(R)}$ removal and insemination. Estradiol levels of four tahrs (No. 1, 2, 3, 4) before $CIDR^{(R)}$ insertion and insemination were 13.3, 8.8, 14.3, 12 pg/ml and 23.5, 25.5, 21.1, 11.5 pg/ml, respectively. Progesterone levels of four tahrs (No. 1, 2, 3, 4) before $CIDR^{(R)}$ insertion and insemination were 1.8, 0.05, 0.63, 0.61 ng/ml and 1.03, 0.37, 1.48, 2.12 ng/ml. Except for No. 4 tahr, cervices showed cervical mucus and opened enough to penetrate with embryo transfer gun sheet usually used for cows. Therefore, No.4 was laparoscopically inseminated together with No. 1. In conclusion, none of four Himalayan tahrs was pregnant. However, we proved that estrus could be induced by CIDR and PG 600 injection in non-breeding season, and laparoscopic or transcervical insemination with frozen-thawed semen could be one of assisted reproductive techniques in Himalayan Tahr.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.219-222
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• 2011

Eight female Himalayan tahrs (Hemitragus jemlahicus) were estrus-synchronized, and transcervically inseminated with frozen-thawed semen in September, 2009, about 2 to 3 months earlier than their natural breeding season. Intravaginal progesterone-releasing devices were inserted into vaginas of six Himalayan tahrs on September 7, and the other two on September 8 to suppress luteal function of ovaries. The devices had been placed deep inside the vagina prior to withdrawal on September 23. A day before CIDR removal, a combination of PMSG 400 IU and hCG 200 IU was intramuscularly injected. Forty hours later, frozen-thawed semen was transcervically inseminated. Pregnancy diagnosis was performed 39 days later by analyzing progesterone level of serum. Every treatment was done under anesthesia inducted by xylazine injection. In conclusion, vaginal discharge of cervical mucus, hormonal changes induced by implant-typed or muscularly injectable hormones and widening of cervix enough to insert an insemination gun into uterine body were achieved in non-breeding season. Moreover, the first inseminated Himalayan tahr, 36 hours after CIDR removal was assumed to be pregnant but the fetus may have been lost due to the use of anesthetic drug.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.141-145
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• 2011

Seven male Himalayan tahrs were strongly assumed to have accidently fed on foreign bodies in 2007. At the time, zoo caretakers witnessed missing fence padding, such as carpet, plastic awning, and ropes. The incident occurred the morning after the items had been set up to protect indigenous, wild long-tailed gorals from self injury caused by head butting the steel fence. Adult male Himalayan tahrs were obviously suspected of mostly eating the paddings mainly composed of carpet, thin and long plastic awning, and ropes. Even though they had not shown digestive problems, surgery was determined necessary in order to remove any indigestible foreign bodies. Left flank rumenotomy was conducted on seven male Himalayan tahrs from April to May, 2011. After anesthesia with xylazine, rumenotomy was performed on a concrete floor, with legs and head secured by ropes. No access to water and hay prior to operation for two days was needed to make the surgical procedure done quickly. Two sheets of small hand towels protecting against inflow of ruminal contents were beneficial during surgery. Antibiotics were administered intramuscularly for seven days. No abscesses at the surgical site were found after surgery. Like domestic ruminants, wild ruminants also ingest metalic or non-metalic, indigestible foreign bodies by accident. Therefore, simplified rumenotomy must be developed to apply to those wild animals to lengthen their longevity and to advance the quality of life in captivity. This case report is the first showing how to perform rumenotomy of Himalayan tahr, a wild ruminant, in Korea.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.205-208
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• 2010

A female Saanen goat was pregnated by a Markhor (Capra falconeri) and three Himalayan tahrs (Hemitragus jemlahicus) were mismated by a conspecific male at Seoul zoo. Cross-breeding whether intentional or unintentional is considered opposite to the primary rule of species conservation. The Markhor, imported in October, 2002, having the number of chromosomes (2n = 60) same as domestic goats accidently mated with a Saanen goat. The mating time was back-calculated on the basis of zookeepers' record. The Saanen and three Himalayan tahrs (2n = 48) were successfully aborted by intramuscularly injecting 15mg $PFG_2{\alpha}$ (dinoprost tromethamine).