Uterine adenocarcinoma in a captive sika deer

A uterine adenocarcinoma with widespread visceral implantation and lymphatic metastases is described in a 4-yr-old captive nulliparous sika deer (Cervus nippon). The tumor was histologically characterized by proliferation of irregularly shaped acini and tubules lined by single- or multi-layered pleomorphic epithelial cells, which were sometimes multinucleated and contained PAS positive mucin. The neoplastic tissue was invasive and showed a marked desmoplastic reaction. A relationship between the tumor and a hormonal imbalance could not be ruled out. This is the first report of a tumor of the reproductive tract in a cervid.     

The occurrence of blood-inhabiting protozoa in captive and free-living penguins

While the susceptibility to infection with blood protozoa, particularly Plasmodium spp. and Leucocytozoon, of a wide range of species of penguins held in captivity is well established, the parasitism of penguins in the wild has been less studied. It appears, however, that free-living penguins from temperate locations exhibit infrequent parasitism, with the exception of Spheniscus demersus in Southern Africa in which infection with Babesia peircei is endemic, while the few available reports suggest that Antarctic and sub-antarctic species exhibit a generalised absence of blood-borne parasites. We have extended these studies by examining 194 thin blood smears for blood protozoa obtained from 4 species of free-living penguins from 5 sites, and have detected no blood parasites in penguins from either Antarctic (Aptenodytes forsteri, Pygoscelis adeliae) or temperate (Eudyptulaminor, Spheniscus humboldti) locations. We discuss the possible reasons for the relative scarcity of blood protozoa in wild penguins, which include biting preferences or absence of suitable vectors, host specificity of the parasites, and long periods spent at sea by most penguin species, resulting in reduced opportunity for maintenance of parasite life-cycles. Accepted: 6 July 1998     

Out-of-season breeding of captive white-tailed deer

Although techniques to induce out-of-season breeding in deer with exogenous hormones are documented, a successful technique has not been developed for use with white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus). The efficacy of using a combined treatment of melatonin, progesterone, and pregnant mare serum gonadotropin to advance seasonal estrus in captive white-tailed deer was tested. First estrus of 12 treated does (n = 16) occurred at least 57 days sooner than did those of 4 non-treated controls (mid-November). Previous estrus dates were known for 11 does, suggesting that their estrus was advanced by 37 to 119 days (X = 82 days). At first estrus, 12 does were bred to untreated bucks that had velvet-covered or recently polished antlers, resulting in a conception rate of 75%. Two does conceived when bred at second or third estrus. Two does failed to conceive when bred at first estrus and displayed no estrous cycling that year, but conceived out-of-season in subsequent years. These data document that this technique is useful for inducing successful, out-of-season breeding of captive white-tailed deer. Furthermore, we demonstrate that some bucks at our facility have adequate fertility and libido to impregnate does during midsummer.     

Ticks on captive and free-living wild animals in northeastern Brazil

From 2005 to 2009, 147 ticks found on 32 wild animals from or referred to two zoobotanical parks (Parque Zoobotânico Arruda Câmara and Parque Estadual Dois Irmãos) located in northeastern Brazil were identified. Ticks found on two veterinarians working in one of the parks (i.e., Parque Estadual Dois Irmãos), after return from forested areas within the park’s territory, were also identified. The following tick-host associations were recorded: Amblyomma fuscum Neumann on Boa constrictor L.; Amblyomma longirostre Koch on Ramphastos vitellinus ariel Vigors and Coendou prehensilis (L.); Amblyomma varium Koch on Bradypus variegates Schinz; Amblyomma rotundatum Koch on Chelonoidis carbonaria (Spix), Chelonoidis denticulata (L.), Micrurus ibiboboca (Merrem), Python molurus bivittatus Kuhl, Iguana iguana (L.) and B. variegatus; Amblyomma nodosum Neumann on Myrmecophaga tridactyla L. and Tamandua tetradactyla (L.); and Rhipicephalus sanguineus (Latreille) on Nasua nasua (L.). The ticks found on the veterinarians were identified as nine Amblyomma larvae. The presence of Am. nodosum in Pernambuco and Am. rotundatum and Am. varium in Paraíba is recorded for the first time and the occurrence of Am. longirostre in Pernambuco is confirmed. Ramphastos vitellinus ariel is a new host record for Am. longirostre whereas M. ibiboboca and B. variegatus are new host records for Am. rotundatum. Finally, the human parasitism by Amblyomma ticks is reported for the first time in Pernambuco, highlighting the potential of tick-borne pathogen transmission in this state.     

Presumptive gangrenous ergotism in free-living moose and a roe deer

Presumptive gangrenous ergotism in 10 moose (Alces alces) and one roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) is reported. Three of the moose came from a municipality in southeastern Norway where the disease occurred as a cluster in 1996. The other moose represented solitary or sporadic cases diagnosed in four municipalities in northwestern Norway between 1996 and 2004. Affected moose (seven calves, three yearlings) were found between October and June, showing distal limb lesions on one to three limbs. The lesions in the moose found during October and November presented as dry gangrene, whereas moose found between December and June presented with loss of the distal part of the limbs or open lesions close to sloughing. Four of the moose also had bilateral ear lesions affecting the outer third of the pinnae. A retrospective diagnosis of ergotism (June 1981) was made in a 1-yr-old roe deer from northwestern Norway showing loss of the distal part of all four limbs.     

Bovine virus diarrhea virus in free-living deer from Denmark

Free-living deer are suggested as a possible source of infection of cattle with bovine virus diarrhea (BVD) virus. To examine this hypothesis blood samples from 476 free-living deer were collected during two different periods and tested for BVD virus and antibody in Denmark. In 1995-96, 207 animals were tested. These included 149 roe deer (Capreolus capreolus), 29 fallow deer (Dama dama), 20 red deer (Cervus elaphus) and one sika deer (Cervus sika). For the remaining eight animals no species information was available. In 1998-99, 269 animals were tested including 212 roe deer and 57 red deer. The animals were selected from areas with a relatively high prevalence of cattle herds with a BVD persistent infection status in 1997 and 1998. All 207 samples from 1995-96 were found antibody-negative except two samples from red deer. Only 158 of the 207 samples were tested for virus and were all found negative. Of the 269 samples from 1998-99 all but one were antibody negative. The positive sample was from a red deer. All samples were virus-negative. It appears that BVD infection does not occur in roe deer in Denmark. The presence of antibody in a few red deer from various districts in Jutland probably results from cattle to deer transmission, rather than spread among deer. Hence, the possibility of free-living deer as a source of infection for cattle in Denmark seems to be remote.     

Acute sarcocystosis in a captive white-tailed deer in Virginia

A 19-mo-old female captive white-tailed deer in a public wild animal park in Richmond (Virginia, USA) was necropsied and evaluated histologically following spontaneous death after a 1 wk period of lethargy in a captive herd of 22 deer. An acute necrotizing pneumonia was associated with intraendothelial protozoal schizonts that were identified immunohistochemically as Sarcocystis spp. This is the first confirmed report of acute sarcocystosis in a wild ruminant.     

Intraocular pressure and tear production in captive eland and fallow deer

Applanation tonometry was used to estimate intraocular pressure (IOP) and Schirmer tear test (STT) I was used to estimate tear production in both eyes of 12 juvenile elands (Taurotragus oryx) and one eye each of 15 Asian fallow deer (Dama mesopotamica). Mean (+/- standard deviation) IOP was 14.6 +/- 4.0 mm Hg in the eland and 11.9 +/- 3.3 mm Hg in the deer. Mean tear production was 18.7 +/- 5.9 mm/min in the eland and 10.5 +/- 6.5 mm/min in the deer. The large variation in IOP between two members of the family Bovidae, the elands reported here and the Thomson gazelle (Gazella thomsoni) for which we previously reported a mean pressure of 7.6 mm Hg, illustrates the need to establish reference values for each species. Tear production may be influenced by the species' natural habitat.     

Seasonal changes in the blood composition of captive and free-living White-crowned Sparrows

Summary Seasonal changes in several blood components (cholesterol, phospholipid phosphorus, glyceride glycerol, free fatty acids, and calcium), hematocrit, and body mass were studied in captive and free-living groups of White-crowned Sparrows (Zonotrichia leucophrys gambelii) over a 2-year period. Cholesterol, phospholipid phosphorus, and glyceride glycerol levels were correlated with body mass and all of them changed in parallel during the year (Table 2 and Figs. 1–3). These lipids were elevated during premigratory and migratory periods, minimal during the summer breeding period, and reduced during periods of body molt. Concentrations of them were consistently higher in captive birds than in free-living ones. Free fatty acid levels were highly variable and not correlated with levels of other blood lipids or with body mass (Fig. 4). However, they too increased during premigratory periods. On the other hand, they were consistently higher in free-living sparrows than in captives. Plasma calcium was relatively constant at 3–5 mEq/l between July and the following March (Fig. 5). It increased during the spring, but earlier than preparations for migration by 2–3 weeks. It was also elevated in egg-laying females. The hematocrit rose during the vernal migratory period, but not during the autumnal one; was minimal in breeding birds; and declined during periods of body molt (Fig. 6). Calcium and hematocrit levels were similar in captive and free-living birds. It appears that captive populations of White-crowned Sparrows generally provide relibale information concerning changes in blood composition that are taking place concurrently in the field.This investigation was done to satisfy partially the requirements for the Ph.D. degree at Washington State University by deGraw and Kern. The project was supported by an NIH Training Grant (GM01276) from the National Institute of General Medical Sciences     

Epidemiology of chronic wasting disease in captive white-tailed and mule deer

The natural occurrence of chronic wasting disease (CWD) in a 1993 cohort of captive white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) afforded the opportunity to describe epidemic dynamics in this species and to compare dynamics with those seen in contemporary cohorts of captive mule deer (O. hemionus) also infected with CWD. The overall incidence of clinical CWD in white-tailed deer was 82% (nine of 11) among individuals that survived >15 mo. Affected white-tailed deer died or were killed because of terminal CWD at age 49-76 mo (x = 59.6 mo, SE = 3.9 mo). Epidemic dynamics of CWD in captive white-tailed deer were similar to dynamics in mule deer cohorts. Incidence of clinical CWD was 57% (4/7) among hand-raised (HR) and 67% (4/6) among dam-raised (DR) mule deer; affected HR mule deer succumbed at 64-86 mo of age (x = 72 mo; SE = 5 mo), and affected DR mule deer died at age 31-58 mo (x = 41.3 mo; SE = 6.1 mo). Sustained horizontal transmission of CWD most plausibly explained epidemic dynamics, but the original source of exposures could not be determined. Apparent differences in mean age at CWD-caused death among these cohorts may be attributable to differences in the timing or intensity of exposure to CWD, and these factors appear to be more likely to influence epidemic dynamics than species differences. It follows that CWD epidemic dynamics in sympatric, free-ranging white-tailed and mule deer sharing habitats in western North American ranges also may be similar.     

Experimental infection of captive axis deer with Brucella abortus

Four captive-raised axis deer, Axis axis (Erxleben), which were negative serologically to Brucella were inoculated with 1 X 10(8) virulent Brucella abortus biotype 1 organisms (Texas #221 isolate) administered bilaterally into the conjunctival sac. Sera collected from each deer prior to inoculation and 30 days post-inoculation (PI) were examined for Brucella antibodies by the buffered Brucella antigen (card), the rivanol precipitation, the standard tube agglutination, and the cold complement fixation tube serologic tests. All four axis deer converted serologically as determined by all tests at 30 days PI. Brucella abortus biotype 1 was isolated from 26 of 32 tissue samples collected at necropsy and also from milk from the lactating female.     

Control of Psoroptes cuniculi in captive white-tailed deer with ivermectin-treated corn

Psoroptes cuniculi, the ear mite of domestic rabbits, was collected from captive white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus). This is the first report of rabbit ear mite infestations in white-tailed deer in Oklahoma or Texas (USA). In addition to moderate infestations in their ears, two 4-yr-old bucks, two 3-yr-old does, and seven 4-yr-old does showed patchy areas of alopecia along the sides and brisket. Both bucks also had patchy areas of alopecia around the base of antlers. Ear mites were eradicated from all deer except from one doe by providing ivermectin-treated corn to the deer at a rate of 1,000 g (equivalent to 200 mcg/kg of ivermectin)/day/deer for several days. The ear mite infestation in the one doe was eradicated by intramuscularly injection with ivermectin at 400 mcg/kg. After treatment with the ivermectin and eradication of the mites, the alopecia improved and eventually was eliminated. The ivermectin-treated corn also controlled all internal nematode parasites in the deer.     

Larvae of Elaphostrongylus cervi in a population of free-living red deer in Italy

Hunter-killed red deer (n = 68; Cervus elaphus) harvested from the Italian provinces of Bologna (Emilia Romagna) and Pistoia (Tuscany) (44 degrees 00'N 11 degrees 00'E) from October 2001 to January 2002 were examined for protostrongylid larvae. Twenty-eight animals (41%) had protostrongylid larvae in feces, lungs, and inguinal and iliac lymph nodes. Of these 28 animals, 20 were adults (71%), four were yearlings (14%), and four were calves (14%). Shape, length, width, and the location to the nematodes were consistent with Elaphostrongylus cervi, which has not been previously reported in Italy.     

迁地保育林麝体况及影响因素

通过建立基于外貌性状的量化性体况评分标准,于2012年7—10月间对四川马尔康麝场的586头圈养林麝(雌麝299头,雄麝287头)进行了体况评分,并分析了相关变量对林麝体况得分的效应,结果表明:马尔康麝场圈养林麝的体况评分均值为3.49(±0.02,n=586),大部分林麝(59.56%,n=349)的体况评分高于均值。雌麝体况评分均值(3.50±0.02,n=299)略高于雄麝(3.49±0.03,n=287)(P0.05),成体麝体况评分(3.59±0.02,n=291)极显著地高于老龄林麝(3.38±0.09,n=27)和亚成林麝(3.35±0.03,n=184)(P0.01)。林麝的体况得分与其年龄相关不显著(r=0.07,P0.05),但亚成体及成体麝的体况评分与其年龄间的相关极显著(亚成体r=0.19,P0.01;成体r=-0.16,P0.01),而老龄麝体况评分与其年龄略呈负相关(r=-0.23,P0.05)。S模型y=e1.2811-0.0885/a(R2=0.051,df=500,F=26.74,P0.01)可近似拟合林麝体况得分和年龄的关系。此外,马尔康麝场泥地基底的改装圈舍中的林麝体况(3.52±0.03,n=197)显著优于原装青砖圈舍林麝评分(3.47±0.02,n=389)(P0.05)。     

成年与未成年圈养林麝粪便菌群多样性的比较

本研究旨在解析林麝未成年组(n=10)和成年组(n=10)之间的菌群差异。收集林麝新鲜粪便,提取总DNA,利用带标签的通用引物扩增16S rRNA V3-V4区,使用Illumina Miseq 300PE测序平台对扩增产物进行Miseq双端测序,通过计算ACE和Shannon等多样性指数,以及微生物组成成分和距离聚类分析,揭示组成结构与差异。α多样性分析表明成年组微生物的多样性丰富度略高于未成年组,但不存在显著差异性(P>0.05)。未成年组和成年组均是厚壁菌门(Firmicutes)、拟杆菌门(Bacteroidetes)和变形菌门(Proteobacteria)所占的比例较高。成年组Proteobacteria比例明显高,而Firmicutes比例较低。LEfSe分析表明有12个显著差异的细菌分类。两组在Firmicutes门存在显著差异的细菌较少,而在Proteobacteria上存在显著差异的细菌较多。本研究证明在不同年龄阶段,微生物的丰富度和多样性不存在显著差异,细菌的组成成分也相同。但是在组成比例上存在差异性,间接反映了不同年龄阶段营养吸收的不同需求。     

圈养林麝麝香分泌时间节律及影响因素

在2016年和2017年的5—8月,我们对川西马尔康麝场圈养林麝（Moschus berezovskii）的麝香分泌进行了行为与生理监测,对麝香分泌的各阶段进行了准确判定,记录了泌香启动、泌香盛期开始、泌香盛期终止及泌香结束的时间阶段及持续时间长,分析了林麝麝香分泌的时间阶段与体重和年龄等因素的关系。结果表明,马尔康麝场的雄性林麝平均泌香启动日在6月16日[（167.06±7.75）d,n=141],于6月17日进入泌香盛期[（168.52±7.67）d,n=141],6月21日[（172.17±7.26）d, n=138]泌香活动减弱,至6月25日[（176.27±8.11）d, n=131]泌香结束;雄麝体重与其泌香启动、泌香盛期停止及泌香结束时间呈显著负相关（r_PS = -0.234,P_PS =0.028;r _VSF = -0.215,P_VSF = 0.047;r _SE = -0.229,P_SE = 0.043）,即雄麝的体重越大,其泌香越早;各年龄组间的平均泌香时长差异显著（F _{17, 113} = 3.482, P = 0.003）,其中2岁雄麝平均泌香时长最长[（13.07±2.08）d, n=20],显著高于3岁[（9.38±0.76）d, n=12, P = 0.042]和4岁[（7.80±1.60）d, n=5, P = 0.013]个体;马尔康林麝平均泌香量为（11.85g±0.96）g, （n=114）,随泌香时长延长有增加趋势,但不显著（P = 0.854）。基于上述林麝雄体的泌香时间、泌香量与年龄和体重等因素间的关联,可对圈养的林麝个体间的泌香力、泌香量等进行区分和预判,作为圈养林麝驯养生产力优化的依据,并可为圈养林麝优质品系的选育提供参考。     

Cooling and freezing of sperm from captive,free-living and endangered squirrel monkey species

Germoplasm banking is an important tool for the preservation of genetic material from Neotropical primates in captivity, and from free living species, especially the endangered ones like Saimiri vanzolinii (Black-headed squirrel monkey), a primate with a low incidence area (870 km² of floodplains) in the southern part of the Mamirauá Sustainable Development Reserve, Brazil. Therefore, in the present study we aimed to develop a sperm cryopreservation protocol comparing sperm cooling in presence (T1) and absence (T2) of egg yolk, and to test freezing protocols to preserve semen from captive (Saimiri collinsi), and free-living (Saimiri vanzolinii, Saimiri cassiquiarensis and Saimiri macrodon) New World primates. Cooling preserved sperm of S. collinsi in all evaluated microscopic parameters, except for sperm motility. No differences were observed among the treatments, indicating that semen of this species can be cooled without egg yolk. Freezing did not affect sperm quality of S. collinsi, except plasma membrane integrity that was negatively affected. Generally, a good maintenance rate was observed between cooling and thawing of semen for the four species, showing the positive translational application of protocols from S. collinsi to the free-living species. Developed freezing protocol proved to be useful for sperm cryopreservation of S. collinsi and in field conditions.