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1 September 2014 OVULATION INDUCTION AND ARTIFICIAL INSEMINATION OF A CAPTIVE POLAR BEAR (URSUS MARITIMUS) USING FRESH SEMEN
Erin Curry, Jeff Wyatt, Lawrence J. Sorel, Katherine M. MacKinnon, Terri L. Roth
Author Affiliations +
Abstract

In 2008, polar bears were listed as a species threatened with extinction by the U.S. Endangered Species Act. Unfortunately, reproductive success has been poor despite breeding recommendations for almost every reproductively viable bear by the Species Survival Plan®. Assisted reproductive technologies could complement breeding efforts by overcoming the challenges of behavioral incompatibilities and deficiencies, facilitating genetic management and increasing cub production. The goal of this study was to artificially inseminate a female polar bear after inducing ovarian activity and ovulation with exogenous hormones (equine chorionic gonadotropin and porcine luteinizing hormone). Fresh semen collected from an adult male via electroejaculation/urethral catheterization was used for the insemination. Fecal steroid monitoring indicated that the female ovulated following the exogenous hormone treatment. Progestin concentrations increased in late summer, at the time implantation was expected to occur; however, no cubs were produced. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first report of ovulation induction and artificial insemination in a polar bear.

American Association of Zoo Veterinarians
Erin Curry, Jeff Wyatt, Lawrence J. Sorel, Katherine M. MacKinnon, and Terri L. Roth "OVULATION INDUCTION AND ARTIFICIAL INSEMINATION OF A CAPTIVE POLAR BEAR (URSUS MARITIMUS) USING FRESH SEMEN," Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine 45(3), 645-649, (1 September 2014). https://doi.org/10.1638/2013-0055R1.1
Received: 28 March 2013; Published: 1 September 2014
KEYWORDS
Assisted reproductive technology (ART)
endangered species
noninvasive monitoring
Ovarian stimulation
pseudopregnancy
wildlife
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