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Reproductive Sciences in Animal Conservation pp 135–169Cite as

Comparative Reproductive Biology of Elephants

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Part of the book series: Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology ((AEMB,volume 753))

Abstract

The ability to serially collect blood samples and conduct ultrasound examinations in Asian and African elephants has provided unique opportunities to study the biology of these endangered species. As a result, many unique aspects of elephant reproduction have been identified. For females, there are interesting differences in luteal steroidogenic activity, follicular maturation, pituitary gonadotropin secretion, fetal development and reproductive tract anatomy, while males exhibit the unique phenomenon of musth and an unusual reproductive anatomy (internal testes, ampullary semen storage). However, problems associated with uterine and ovarian pathologies hamper captive propagation efforts. Older, nulliparous cows are particularly susceptible, leading to speculation that continuous ovarian cyclicity of non-bred females in zoos is having a negative and cumulative effect on reproductive health. There are notable species differences in reproductive mechanisms as well (e.g., ovarian acyclicity, prolactin secretion, sperm cryosensitivity), implying that species-specific approaches to management and application of assisted reproductive techniques are needed for maximal reproductive efficiency and enhancement of genetic management.

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Acknowledgments

I thank all of the technical, veterinary, zoo and research staff (and elephants) who contributed to the reproductive work described herein. This work was funded or supplied with in-kind donations by the Abbott Fund, AZA Conservation Endowment Fund, FBB Capital Partners, Friends of the National Zoo, Institute of Museum and Library Services, International Elephant Foundation, Morris Animal Foundation, Pfizer Corporation, Siemens Medical Solutions Diagnostics, Shared Earth Foundation, Smithsonian Competetive Grants Program, Smithsonian Scholarly Studies Program, Smithsonian Women’s Committee, and the Wolcott Fund.

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  1. Center for Species Survival, Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, 1500 Remount Road, Front Royal, VA, USA

    Janine L. Brown

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Correspondence to Janine L. Brown .

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  1. Department of Human Metabolism, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom

    William V. Holt

  2. Center for Species Survival, Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, Front Royal, Virginia, USA

    Janine L. Brown

  3. Center for Species Survival, Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, Front Royal, Virginia, USA

    Pierre Comizzoli

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Brown, J.L. (2014). Comparative Reproductive Biology of Elephants. In: Holt, W., Brown, J., Comizzoli, P. (eds) Reproductive Sciences in Animal Conservation. Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology, vol 753. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-0820-2_8

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