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17 - Ultrasonography to assess and enhance health and reproduction in the giant panda
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- By Thomas B. Hildebrandt, Institute for Zoo Biology and Wildlife Research Berlin, Janine L. Brown, National Zoological Park, Frank Goritz, Institute for Zoo Biology and Wildlife Research Berlin, Andreas Ochs, Zoological Garden Berlin AG, Patrick Morris, San Diego Zoo, Zoological Society of San Diego, Meg Sutherland-Smith, San Diego Zoo, Zoological Society of San Diego
- Edited by David E. Wildt, Smithsonian National Zoological Park, Washington DC, Anju Zhang, Hemin Zhang, Wildlife Conservation and Research Center for Giant Pandas, Donald L. Janssen, Zoological Society of San Diego, Susie Ellis
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- Book:
- Giant Pandas
- Published online:
- 09 August 2009
- Print publication:
- 27 July 2006, pp 410-439
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Summary
INTRODUCTION
Ultrasonography is a routine diagnostic procedure used for assessing soft tissue characteristics in the human and veterinary medical fields of ophthalmology, cardiology, neurology, nephrology, obstetrics, oncology and orthopaedics. Because various forms of ultrasonography have existed for more than 50 years, it is surprising that this technology has only recently been applied to the study and management of wildlife species (Hildebrandt & Göritz, 1998; Hildebrandt et al., 2003). Nonetheless, there already is enough evidence making it clear that ultrasonography, combined with other technologies, can address issues that directly impact the health and reproductive welfare of wildlife species. This chapter focuses on the relevance of this technique for assisting in the assessment of medical and reproductive health in the giant panda.
The struggle to propagate and maintain viable wild animal populations in captivity is often related to information gaps that limit our ability to develop breeding and health strategies that are species appropriate. As demonstrated throughout this book, the giant panda presents some significant challenges to ex situ managers, which are exacerbated by a lack of basic biological knowledge about the species. Ultrasonographical studies are helping fill these physiological and anatomical voids by allowing the:
characterisation of reproductive tract morphology;
description of reproductive events;
monitoring of foetal development;
documentation of progression and treatment of pathologies.
Ultrasonography is also playing a significant role in developing and using artificial insemination (AI), which plays a critical role in the genetic management of this species (see Chapters 20 and 21).
11 - Ultrasound for analysis of reproductive function in wildlife species
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- By Thomas B. Hildebrandt, Department of Reproduction Management, Institute for Zoo Biology and Wildlife Research, Berlin, Germany, Janine L. Brown, Conservation & Research Centre, National Zoological Park, Smithsonian Institution, Front Royal, VA 22630 and Washington DC 20008, U.S.A., Robert Hermes, Department of Reproduction Management, Institute for Zoo Biology and Wildlife Research, Berlin, Germany, Frank Göritz, Department of Reproduction Management, Institute for Zoo Biology and Wildlife Research, Berlin, Germany
- Edited by William V. Holt, Zoological Society of London, Amanda R. Pickard, Zoological Society of London, John C. Rodger, David E. Wildt, Smithsonian National Zoological Park, Washington DC
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- Book:
- Reproductive Science and Integrated Conservation
- Published online:
- 21 January 2010
- Print publication:
- 05 December 2002, pp 166-182
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Summary
INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES
Ultrasonography was used as early as the 1950s to characterise soft tissues in humans, and today is used routinely in human and veterinary medicine in the areas of ophthalmology, cardiology, neurology, nephrology, gynaecology and andrology, obstetrics, organ transplantation, oncology, orthopaedics and dermatology. It is somewhat surprising then that ultrasonography has received so little attention in zoo and wildlife medicine (see review, Hildebrandt & Göritz, 1998). Furthermore, although the number of investigations has increased recently, the focus remains on mammals (69%) with less emphasis on reptiles (19%), birds (12%), fish and amphibians (<1%) (Göritz, 1996).
Reproduction in many zoo-held animals is poor, and infertility caused by physiological disorders or mismanagement prohibits creating selfsustaining populations. Because of limited knowledge of species' reproductive anatomy and physiology, techniques to determine sex, sexual maturity, reproductive tract morphology, the reproductive cycle itself and gestation and foetal growth are critical to successful ex situ reproduction and management. This is an exciting time because ultrasonography is finally finding a niche in the study and management of rare wildlife species. Since 1993 we have conducted thousands of ultrasound examinations in more than 100 species, often in collaboration with reproductive biologists, theriogenologists and pathologists. The aim of this chapter is to describe some of our experiences in the use of ultrasonography as a powerful tool for assessing reproductive fitness of captive and free-living wildlife species.