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Linking socio-sexual and vocal behaviour with faecal progesterone and oestrogen metabolite levels in Southern white rhinoceros females.

ABSTRACT: Progesterone and oestrogen are the main gonadal steroid hormones that regulate the ovarian activity and induce the fertile oestrus period in females. The monitoring of this receptive phase is particularly decisive for captive breeding and is commonly based on the observation of female behavioural patterns that coincide with their hormonal oestrus. However, in the white rhinoceros (WR), a species that is well known for its impaired reproductive rate in captivity, the female behavioural and vocal indicators of receptivity have not been systematically investigated or linked to their hormonal states so far. In order to close this gap, we combined behavioural and acoustic recordings, conducted over an average period of 32 days, with the analysis of faecal progesterone and oestrogen metabolite concentrations (fPM and fEM) in 27 adult Southern white rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum simum; SWR) females from 10 European zoos. For eight of the study females, we were able to detect a receptive period indicated by their acceptance of sexual behaviour from the bulls. The comparison of behaviour and vocalization between receptive and non-receptive periods in these females demonstrated that particularly presenting and marking behaviour distinctly peaked during the receptive period, indicating the significance of olfactory signalling for female reproductive behaviour. Based on the analysis of fPM profiles, we were able to identify different reproductive states (cycling, non-cycling, pregnant) in 21 of 27 study females. In contrast, fEM profiles proved to be unsuitable for the detection of ovarian activity. For the majority (five of six females for which behavioural receptivity and endocrine cyclicity were determined), a coincidence of their receptive period and the hormonal oestrus, indicated by a nadir in fPM levels, could be detected. Conclusively, this study revealed a comprehensive behavioural repertoire that reflects the hormonal oestrus in SWR females and can therefore be reliably used for non-invasive ex situ reproduction monitoring.

SUBMITTER: Jenikejew J

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8715736 | biostudies-literature |

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Project description:Testosterone is known to be essential for sexual maturation as well as for the display of behavioural traits linked to reproduction. At the same time, external factors such as the presence of receptive females may affect testosterone levels, stressing the hormone's substantial role in reproductive success. It is therefore of major interest to investigate the links between androgens, behaviour and the social environment especially in species that rely on a resilient reproduction rate, such as the white rhinoceros (WR). We collected faecal samples of 16 male Southern WR (Ceratotherium simum simum) aged between 1 and 44 years from 11 European zoos. Audio and video recordings were simultaneously taken from five of the study males that were sexually mature and had direct contact with receptive females. Our results showed a positive correlation of faecal testosterone metabolite (fTM) concentrations and progressing age up until adulthood followed by a decline in older males. While previous reproductive success did not show any effect, the access to receptive females resulted in higher fTM levels. Thereby, fTM concentrations remained at the same level regardless of the receptivity phase, while social cohesion with respective females, affiliative behaviour as well as call rates of Pant and Hiss distinctly peaked during the receptive compared to the non-receptive periods. Conclusively, the immediate presence of receptive females poses a female effect that enhances the overall androgen levels in males and, thus, might facilitate their reproductive success. However, androgens do not seem to be the main driver of behavioural changes during courtship or mating. By linking endocrinological and socio-behavioural factors, we were able to provide an applicable basis for non-invasive monitoring of reproductive behaviour in male WR in captivity, thereby contributing to deeper understanding of potential reproduction impairments in a species whose population in captivity remains not fully self-sustaining.

Dataset Information

Linking socio-sexual and vocal behaviour with faecal progesterone and oestrogen metabolite levels in Southern white rhinoceros females.

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