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1 September 2018 REPRODUCTIVE HORMONE PATTERNS IN MALE AND FEMALE COWNOSE RAYS (RHINOPTERA BONASUS) IN AN AQUARIUM SETTING AND CORRELATION TO ULTRASONOGRAPHIC STAGING
Julie D. Sheldon, Matthew C. Allender, Robert H. George, Frank Bulman, Kim Abney
Author Affiliations +
Abstract

Reproductive management of cownose rays (Rhinoptera bonasus) under professional care plays an important role in conservation of the species, but hormone and ultrasonographic analyses of their 12-mo reproductive cycle have not been documented previously. Plasma reproductive hormone concentrations (17B-estradiol, progesterone, testosterone, and androstenedione) were measured monthly via radioimmunoassay for 1 yr in an aquarium-managed population of adult females (n = 15) and males (n = 5). Ultrasounds of the uterus were performed each month at the time of sample collection to identify gestation stage (0–5) based on a previously developed in-house staging system. Stages were correlated to hormone concentrations to track progression through pregnancy. Thirteen females were reproductively active, and each produced one pup in March–June, similar to timing for free-ranging populations. Female estradiol increased steadily throughout gestation from stages 0 to 5, while progesterone, testosterone, and androstenedione were increased only in early gestation (stages 1 and 2). Unlike month of year, gestation stage strongly predicted hormone concentration, but specific values to predict parturition date were not identified. Male testosterone and progesterone were higher in March–June (mating season) than July–January, while estradiol and androstenedione did not exhibit a seasonal pattern. Aquarium-managed cownose rays have similar reproductive patterns to what is reported in wild populations. Ultrasonographic monitoring with serial hormone analysis and accurate mating records will provide the most useful information for managing a reproductive population of cownose rays in an aquarium setting.

Copyright 2018 by American Association of Zoo Veterinarians
Julie D. Sheldon, Matthew C. Allender, Robert H. George, Frank Bulman, and Kim Abney "REPRODUCTIVE HORMONE PATTERNS IN MALE AND FEMALE COWNOSE RAYS (RHINOPTERA BONASUS) IN AN AQUARIUM SETTING AND CORRELATION TO ULTRASONOGRAPHIC STAGING," Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine 49(3), 638-647, (1 September 2018). https://doi.org/10.1638/2017-0247.1
Accepted: 21 May 2018; Published: 1 September 2018
KEYWORDS
Cownose ray
hormone
radioimmunoassay
reproduction
Rhinoptera bonasus
ultrasound
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