Influence of age and gender on secretion of anti-Müllerian hormone in Asian (Elephas maximus) and African (Loxodonta africana) elephants.
Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) secretion was studied in Asian and African elephants varying in age and reproductive status. Overall mean concentrations did not differ (P > 0.05) between species, but were markedly higher in male than female Asian elephants (31.01 ± 4.22 ng/mL and 0.19 ± 0.02 ng/mL, mean ± SEM) and African elephants (40.27 ± 3.18 ng/mL, 0.17 ± 0.04 ng/mL), respectively. Anti-Müllerian hormone secretion was not significantly affected by ovarian cyclicity status (cycling vs noncycling), but was higher (P < 0.05) in prepubertal (0.40 ± 0.10 ng/mL) than reproductive age (8-35 y; 0.18 ± 0.04 ng/mL) and aged (≥ 36 y; 0.16 ± 0.03 ng/mL) females. In males, AMH secretion was not significantly affected by musth status, but was age-related, with higher concentrations (P > 0.05) in prepubertal (49.08 ± 6.11 ng/mL) as compared to aged (≥36 y; 22.27 ± 5.82 ng/mL) bulls; concentrations in mature bulls (8-35 y; 37.01 ± 3.17 ng/mL) were similar to prepubertal and older bulls. We concluded that circulating AMH concentrations in elephants were similar between species and not affected by reproductive status; however, concentrations were significantly higher in males than females, and in younger animals. The diagnostic value of AMH to assess fertility status of individual elephants remains to be determined.
Center for Species Survival, Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, National Zoological Park, Front Royal, Virginia 22623, USA.
T L
TL
Dow
W
W
Roudebush
F N
FN
Parker
J L
JL
Brown
D000367:Age Factors; D000818:Animals; D054304:Anti-Mullerian Hormone / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D004606:Elephants / Q000378:metabolism*; D030762:Estrous Cycle / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D012737:Sex Factors
D054304:Anti-Mullerian Hormone