Features of reproduction and assisted reproduction in the white (Ceratotherium simum) and black (Diceros bicornis) rhinoceros

Despite the worldwide increase of rhinoceros calf numbers, the growth of the population of white and black rhinoceros is slowing down mainly due to anthropogenic causes, such as poaching and habitat loss. Assisted reproduction is one of the methods of preserving the valuable genomes of these animals from being lost, and assists in breeding them in captivity to maintain the specie(s) numbers and provide an option for possible reintroduction into the wild. Since wild rhinoceros are difficult to handle and examine clinically, most of the current information available on their reproductive characteristics has been gained from captive rhinoceros populations. Nevertheless, very little is known about rhinoceros reproduction. Since the rhinoceros belongs to the odd-toed ungulates (Perissodactyls) group, like the horse and the tapir, the horse has been proposed as a suitable model to study reproduction and artificial reproductive techniques in the rhinoceros. In this review, the current knowledge of the reproduction of the rhinoceros is summarized

Collection and freezing of equine epididymal spermatozoa

The epididymis and vas deferens store an important number of fertile spermatozoa called the extragonadal sperm reserves. These stored spermatozoa can be collected in an ultimate attempt to preserve viable spermatozoa of a critically ill or dying stallion. Epididymides are collected via routine castration. After cooled transport of the testicles and epididymides, spermatozoa are collected either by retrograde flushing or by the float-up method. Retrograde flushing usually results in a much higher sperm yield and is considered the method of choice. Epididymal spermatozoa can be frozen using standard freezing protocols

Oviductal and uterine leiomyomata in mares

This paper describes a case of a sessile uterine leiomyoma in a 17-year-old chronic infertile Selle Francais mare. The mass was removed by transendoscopic electrocoagulation. In the same period, 725 mares were screened for oviductal and uterine solid masses in a slaughterhouse survey. Two uterine masses and one oviductal mass were detected in three different mares. Histological and immunohistochemical examination revealed leiomyoma in the four masses. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first report of an oviductal leiomyoma in a mare

Comparison of the reliability of snap foal Ig test, Gamma-Check E test, refractometry and electrophoresis for determining the immune status of newborn foals in the first hours of life

Twenty-eight warmblood mares were monitored during their late pregnancy in the Teaching Hospital of Ghent University. The reliability of two commercial assays (enzyme immunoassay and glutaraldehyde coagulation test) used for determining the IgG concentrations of their newborn foals was tested. Mammary secretions were examined at the time of foaling (T0), and then 4 (T1) and 8 (T2) hours after foaling by refractometry and electrophoresis. The foals’ blood IgG levels were measured at T1 and T2 as a routine clinical diagnostic examination using two different commercial test kits (SNAP Foal Ig and Gamma-Check E) and T0, T1 and T2 samples were stored (at −18 °C) for immunoglobulin (Ig) determination by electrophoresis. Differences between the results of refractometry and electrophoresis occurred in 27.8% of the colostrum analyses. Some serum IgG could be detected immediately post partum (T0) in 75% of the foals, and 42.82% of the newborn foals acquired a serum concentration of more than 800 mg/dl IgG within 8 h of birth. Compared to the electrophoresis, the glutaraldehyde test scored better (85%) than the enzyme immunoassay (74%), although both are accurate and safe to use since they clearly distinguish between safe and unsafe IgG concentrations

Foal in mare: insights inside the foaling mare

Normal development of the foal, normal and abnormal stages 1, 2 and 3, prolaps vesicae, uterine torsion and many other complications pre- and postpartum, malposture and reposition & foetotomy, caesarean section, repositions & much more ... More than 60 minutes of film and 3-dimentional animations ... This is a new, original and scientifically correct presentation of equine parturition in all its normal and abnormal features. These animations are meant to give students, veterinarians, teachers, biologists, breeders and horse owners more insights into the birth process of the mare

Trypanosoma equiperdum in the horse : a neglected threat?

Dourine is a contagious disease caused by Trypanosoma equiperdum that is transmitted directly from animal to animal during coitus. Dourine is known as an important disease in many countries, and it threatens equidae worldwide. It is reported to be widespread in South America, Eastern Europe, Russia, Mongolia, Namibia and Ethiopia. The disease can be carried to various parts of the world through the transportation of infected animals and semen. Since knowledge of the prepatent infectiousness of a recently infected animal is lacking, introduction of the disease is in principle an ever-present threat. Definitive diagnosis depends on the identification of the parasite by means of direct microscopy. This is rarely possible in practice and therefore, diagnosis in the field is based on the observation of typical clinical signs, together with serological tests. This paper is an endeavour to review briefly and compile information on the appearance and importance of Dourine in terms of its epidemiological and clinical features, as well as on its diagnosis, treatment and prognosis

Neonatal foal death due to infection with equine arteritis virus in Belgium

This case report describes a small outbreak of neonatal foal death in Belgium due to infection with equine arteritis virus (EAV). The outbreak started with one foal suffering from acute dyspnea four days after birth. Despite intensive treatment, this foal died within a few hours. Three weeks later, another foal was born on the same farm in a healthy condition, although placental edema was found. At the age of 10 days, the foal showed acute respiratory distress and severe dyspnea and died shortly after. Post-mortem examination of both foals revealed consolidated diaphragmatic lung lobes with compensatory emphysema. Histologic lesions consisted of a mild acute interstitial pneumonia. Microscopic examination of the allantochorion from the second foal showed a focal necrotizing vasculitis, and immunolabeling demonstrated the presence of EAV antigens in chorionic vascular endothelial cells and macrophages. Upon inoculation of rabbit kidney (RK13) cell culture with a suspension of lung tissue, a cytopathic effect was observed. The agent was identified as equine arteritis virus by means of immunostainings

Reproductive performance parameters in a large population of game-ranched white rhinoceroses (Ceratotherium simum simum)

The population of free-roaming white rhinoceroses (Ceratotherium simum) is under serious threat. Captive breeding of this species is therefore becoming more important, but this is challenging and often not successful. Obtaining reproductive reference values is a crucial aspect of improving these breeding results. In this study performed between 2008 and 2016, reproductive performance was analysed in 1,354 animals kept in a 8000 hectares game-ranched environment. Descriptive statistics of this captive population showed an average annual herd growth (%) of 7.0 +/- 0.1 (min -9-max 15). Average calving rates were calculated as an annual calving rate of 20% and biennial calving rate of 37% adult females calving per year. Females had a median age of 83.2 months at first calving (IQR 72.9-110.7) and inter-calving intervals of 29.2 (IQR 24.6-34.8) months. Furthermore, translocations of animals did not interfere with reproductive success in terms of inter-calving periods or age at first calving. Multivariate models showed a clear seasonal calving pattern with a significant increase of the number of calvings during December-April when compared to April-December. Our results did not show any significant skewed progeny sex ratios. Weather observations showed no significant influence of rain or season on sex ratios of the calves

Twisting of mummified remains around the umbilical cord as a potential risk of delayed twin reduction in the mare

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