Development of a Body Condition Index in Zoo-managed Male African Elephants (Loxodonta africana) Validated by Metabolic Hormones
Presenter Type
UNO Graduate Student (Masters)
Major/Field of Study
Biology
Advisor Information
Dr. James Wilson
Location
MBSC306 - G (Masters)
Presentation Type
Oral Presentation
Start Date
24-3-2023 1:00 PM
End Date
24-3-2023 2:15 PM
Abstract
Development of a Body Condition Index in Zoo-managed Male African Elephants
(Loxodonta africana) Validated by Metabolic Hormones
Zoo-managed African elephants (Loxodonta africana) have limited reproductive success due to a low number of births and high mortality. The Association of Zoo and Aquariums Elephant Taxon Advisory Group/Species Survival Plan (AZA TAG/SSP) Management Committee has approved further research to better understand the causes of poor reproductive success.
Obesity in many different species has been associated with a variety of health and reproductive problems. Animals maintained in a zoo environment are at particular risk of obesity and the associated health problems. Body condition scoring (BCS) indexes are used in multiple species as a means of visually assessing the body composition of an animal. An index has been created for female African elephants; however this system does not address the differences in bull elephant physiology. Male African elephants have different hormonal and biological needs than female elephants, specifically in breeding and musth periods as these may be correlated with changes in androgens and body condition. A similar index must be validated for bull elephants so that the entire zoo population of African elephants can be successfully monitored for obesity.
Participants submitted photos of specific body angles on a quarterly basis for a period of one year. Along with the photographs, participants collected blood serum samples for metabolic hormone testing; these include testosterone, leptin, triglycerides, insulin, and glucose. The photos are scored on a 5-point scale by multiple people to combat bias. A frequency of body condition scores will be calculated for each animal involved and the relationship between the scores and the hormone levels will be investigated for mean hormone levels vs BCS category. It is expected the zoo-managed bulls will rate higher on the BCS scoring, so photographs of wild elephants will also be used to fill out the lower scores.
Scheduling
9:15-10:30 a.m., 10:45 a.m.-Noon, 1-2:15 p.m., 2:30 -3:45 p.m.
Development of a Body Condition Index in Zoo-managed Male African Elephants (Loxodonta africana) Validated by Metabolic Hormones
MBSC306 - G (Masters)
Development of a Body Condition Index in Zoo-managed Male African Elephants
(Loxodonta africana) Validated by Metabolic Hormones
Zoo-managed African elephants (Loxodonta africana) have limited reproductive success due to a low number of births and high mortality. The Association of Zoo and Aquariums Elephant Taxon Advisory Group/Species Survival Plan (AZA TAG/SSP) Management Committee has approved further research to better understand the causes of poor reproductive success.
Obesity in many different species has been associated with a variety of health and reproductive problems. Animals maintained in a zoo environment are at particular risk of obesity and the associated health problems. Body condition scoring (BCS) indexes are used in multiple species as a means of visually assessing the body composition of an animal. An index has been created for female African elephants; however this system does not address the differences in bull elephant physiology. Male African elephants have different hormonal and biological needs than female elephants, specifically in breeding and musth periods as these may be correlated with changes in androgens and body condition. A similar index must be validated for bull elephants so that the entire zoo population of African elephants can be successfully monitored for obesity.
Participants submitted photos of specific body angles on a quarterly basis for a period of one year. Along with the photographs, participants collected blood serum samples for metabolic hormone testing; these include testosterone, leptin, triglycerides, insulin, and glucose. The photos are scored on a 5-point scale by multiple people to combat bias. A frequency of body condition scores will be calculated for each animal involved and the relationship between the scores and the hormone levels will be investigated for mean hormone levels vs BCS category. It is expected the zoo-managed bulls will rate higher on the BCS scoring, so photographs of wild elephants will also be used to fill out the lower scores.