A surge-like increase in luteinizing hormone preceding musth in a captive bull African elephant (Loxodonta africana).
This study was conducted to determine the correlation between reproductive hormones and musth in a male African elephant. Changes in circulating luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), testosterone and immunoreactive (ir-) inhibin and the degree of musth were evaluated for 4 years. LH increased 4 weeks before musth began. The highest concentrations of testosterone and ir-inhibin were observed from April to October. There were positive correlations among testosterone, ir-inhibin and musth behavior. These findings suggested that the surge-like LH in the pre-musth period might stimulate secretion of testosterone and ir-inhibin and thus initiate the musth behavior. This study also suggested that the high LH level before musth might be a useful biomarker for the beginning of the musth season.
Department of Basic Veterinary Science, The United Graduate School of Veterinary Sciences, Gifu University.
Saroch
S
Kaewmanee
Gen
G
Watanabe
Megumi
M
Keio
Yuki
Y
Yamamoto
Tatsuya
T
Yamamoto
Miori
M
Kishimoto
Kentaro
K
Nagaoka
Etsuo
E
Narushima
Masayuki
M
Katayanagi
Risa
R
Nakao
Yuko
Y
Sakurai
Shu
S
Morikubo
Mikako
M
Kaneko
Masato
M
Yoshihara
Tomoko
T
Yabe
Kazuyoshi
K
Taya
D000818:Animals; D004606:Elephants / Q000097:blood* / Q000502:physiology*; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood; D007265:Inhibins / Q000097:blood; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood; D013997:Time Factors
D013739:Testosterone; D007265:Inhibins; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone