Human chorionic gonadotrophin does not induce ovulation in the tammar wallaby
Ryan R. Witt A B D , Lyn A. Hinds C and John C. Rodger A B
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A School of Environmental and Life Sciences, Biology Building, University of Newcastle, University Drive, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia.
B FAUNA Research Alliance, PO Box 5092, Kahibah, NSW 2290, Australia.
C CSIRO Health and Biosecurity, Canberra, ACT, Australia.
D Corresponding author. Email: ryan.witt@newcastle.edu.au
Australian Mammalogy 43(3) 354-358 https://doi.org/10.1071/AM20050
Submitted: 9 July 2020 Accepted: 8 September 2020 Published: 1 October 2020
Abstract
We investigated whether human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG), rather than porcine luteinising hormone (pLH), could induce ovulation in the tammar wallaby (Notamacropus eugenii) after priming with pregnant mare serum gonadotrophin (PMSG). pLH is effective, but is more expensive and supply is problematic. On Day 0 pouch young were removed (RPY) and 5 mg kg−1 of bromocriptine mesylate was administered to all non-pregnant wallabies (n = 12) to reactivate an oestrous cycle. On Day 20 RPY each female received 20IU PMSG i.m. and three days later (Day 23 RPY), the Single-Dose group (n = 6) received 500IU of hCG suspended in oil at 0900 hours, and the Multi-Dose group (n = 6) received 500IU of hCG at 0900, 1230 and 1630 hours. From Day 25 to Day 28 RPY copulatory plugs were observed in the Single-Dose (n = 4 of 6; Day 25.3 to 28.3 RPY) and Multi-Dose (n = 5 of 6; Day 25 to 28 RPY) groups. Autopsy on Day 31 RPY revealed that all females had reactivated, and despite all having large preovulatory follicles (4–6 mm) in both ovaries, no ovulations or embryos were observed. We conclude that hCG is not an effective source of exogenous LH for the induction of ovulation in the tammar wallaby.
Keywords: conservation, GnRH agonist, human chorionic gonadotrophin, luteinising hormone, marsupial, Notamacropus eugenii, oestrous synchronisation, reproductive technology, superovulation, tammar wallaby.
References
Amiridis, G. S., Belibasaki, S., Leontides, L., Lymberopoulos, A., and Vainas, E. (2000). Reproductive efficiency of three estrus synchronization schemes comprising fixed-time insemination in dairy cows. Journal of Veterinary Medicine 47, 271–276.| Reproductive efficiency of three estrus synchronization schemes comprising fixed-time insemination in dairy cows.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 10932523PubMed |
Crawford, J. L., McLeod, B. J., and Eckery, D. C. (2011). The hypothalamic–pituitary–ovarian axis and manipulations of the oestrous cycle in the brushtail possum. General and Comparative Endocrinology 170, 424–448.
| The hypothalamic–pituitary–ovarian axis and manipulations of the oestrous cycle in the brushtail possum.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 21074534PubMed |
El-Nemr, A., Bhide, M., Khalifa, Y., Al-Mizyen, E., Gillott, C., Lower, A. M., Al-Shawaf, T., and Grudzinskas, J. G. (2002). Clinical evaluation of three different gonadotrophin-releasing hormone analogues in an IVF programme: a prospective study. European Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Reproductive Biology 2002, 140–145.
| Clinical evaluation of three different gonadotrophin-releasing hormone analogues in an IVF programme: a prospective study.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Fierro, S., Gil, J., Vinoles, C., and Olivera-Muzante, J. (2013). The use of prostaglandins in controlling estrous cycle of the ewe: a review. Theriogenology 79, 399–408.
| The use of prostaglandins in controlling estrous cycle of the ewe: a review.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 23219520PubMed |
Fletcher, T. P. (1983). Endocrinology of reproduction in the dasyurus marsupial Dasyuroides byrnei (Spencer). Ph.D. Thesis, Latrobe University, Melbourne.
Frankham, R., Ballou, J., and Briscoe, D. (2010). ‘Introduction to Conservation Genetics.’ (Cambridge University Press: Cambridge.)
Hinds, L. A. (1983). Progesterone and prolactin in marsupial reproduction. Ph.D. Thesis, Australian National University, Canberra.
Hinds, L. A. (1994). Prolactin, a hormone for all seasons: endocrine regulation of seasonal breeding in the Macropodidae. Oxford Reviews of Reproductive Biology 16, 247–299.
Hinds, L. A., Fletcher, T. P., and Rodger, J. C. (1996). Hormones of oestrus and ovulation and their manipulation in marsupials. Reproduction, Fertility and Development 8, 661–672.
| Hormones of oestrus and ovulation and their manipulation in marsupials.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Johnston, S. D., McGowan, M. R., O’Callaghan, P., Cox, R., and Nicolson, V. (2000). Natural and artificial methods for inducing the luteal phase in the koala (Phascolarctos cinereus). Journal of Reproduction and Fertility 120, 59–64.
| Natural and artificial methods for inducing the luteal phase in the koala (Phascolarctos cinereus).Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 11006146PubMed |
Johnston, S. D., McGowan, M. R., O’Callaghan, P., Cox, R., Houlden, B., Haig, S., and Taddeo, G. (2003). Birth of koalas Phascolarctos cinereus at Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary following artificial insemination. International Zoological Yearbook 38, 160–172.
| Birth of koalas Phascolarctos cinereus at Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary following artificial insemination.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Jungnickel, M. K., and Hinds, L. A. (2000). Hormonal profiles in the tammar wallaby, Macropus eugenii, following FSH/LH superovulation. Reproduction, Fertility and Development 12, 457–464.
| Hormonal profiles in the tammar wallaby, Macropus eugenii, following FSH/LH superovulation.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Magarey, G. M., Rodger, J. C., Buist, J. M., and Mate, K. E. (2003). Effects of repeated superovulation and surgical oocyte collection on ovarian response and natural breeding ability of the tammar wallaby (Macropus eugenii). Reproduction 125, 701–707.
| Effects of repeated superovulation and surgical oocyte collection on ovarian response and natural breeding ability of the tammar wallaby (Macropus eugenii).Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 12713433PubMed |
Marshall Graves, J. A., and Westerman, M. (2002). Marsupial genetics and genomics. Trends in Genetics 18, 517–521.
| Marsupial genetics and genomics.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Martinez, M. F., McLeod, B., Tattersfield, G., Smaill, B., Quirke, L. D., and Juengel, J. L. (2015). Successful induction of oestrus, ovulation and pregnancy in adult ewes and ewe lambs out of the breeding season using a GnRH+progesterone oestrus synchronisation protocol. Animal Reproduction Science 155, 28–35.
| Successful induction of oestrus, ovulation and pregnancy in adult ewes and ewe lambs out of the breeding season using a GnRH+progesterone oestrus synchronisation protocol.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 25708125PubMed |
Mate, K. E., and McCartney, C. A. (1998). Sequence and analysis of zona pellucida 2 cDNA (ZP2) from a marsupial, the brushtail possum, Trichosurus vulpecula. Gamete Biology 51, 322–329.
| Sequence and analysis of zona pellucida 2 cDNA (ZP2) from a marsupial, the brushtail possum, Trichosurus vulpecula.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Mate, K. E., Harris, M. S., and Rodger, J. C. (2000). Fertilization in monotreme, marsupial and eutherian mammals. In ‘Fertilization in Protozoan and Metazoan Animals. Cellular and Molecular Aspects’. (Eds J. J. Tarin, and A. Cano.) pp. 223–275. (Springer: Berlin & Heidelberg.)
Molinia, F. C., Gibson, R. J., Smedley, M. A., and Rodger, J. C. (1998). Further observations of the ovarian response of the tammar wallaby (Macropus eugenii) to exogenous gonadotrophins: an improved method for superovulation using FSH/LH. Animal Reproduction Science 53, 253–263.
| Further observations of the ovarian response of the tammar wallaby (Macropus eugenii) to exogenous gonadotrophins: an improved method for superovulation using FSH/LH.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 9835380PubMed |
Orvieto, R., Kerner, R., Krissi, H., Ashkenazi, J., Rafael, Z. B., and Bar-Hava, I. (2002). Comparison of leuprolide acetate and triptorelin in assisted reproductive technology cycles: a prospective, randomized study. Fertility and Sterility 78, 1268–1271.
| Comparison of leuprolide acetate and triptorelin in assisted reproductive technology cycles: a prospective, randomized study.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 12477523PubMed |
Pai, H. D., Gangurde, P. B., Palshetkar, N. P., and Pai, R. D. (2015). GnRH agonists in controlled ovarian stimulation. In ‘Principles and Practice of Controlled Ovarian Stimulation in ART’. (Ed. S. Ghumman.) pp. 93–100. (Springer India: New Delhi.)
Rodger, J. C., Paris, D. B. B. P., Czarny, N. A., Harris, M. S., Molinia, F. C., Taggart, D. A., Allen, C. D., and Johnston, S. D. (2009). Artificial insemination in marsupials. Theriogenology 71, 176–189.
| Artificial insemination in marsupials.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 18950846PubMed |
Soulé, M., Gilpin, M., Conway, W., and Foose, T. (1986). The millenium ark: how long a voyage, how many staterooms, how many passengers? Zoo Biology 5, 101–113.
| The millenium ark: how long a voyage, how many staterooms, how many passengers?Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Stewart, F., and Tyndale-Biscoe, C. H. (1982). Prolactin and luteinizing hormone receptors in marsupial corpora lutea: relationship to control of luteal function. Journal of Endocrinology 92, 63–72.
| Prolactin and luteinizing hormone receptors in marsupial corpora lutea: relationship to control of luteal function.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 6276490PubMed |
Sutherland, R. L., Evans, S. M., and Tyndale-Biscoe, C. H. (1980). Macropodid marsupial luteinizing hormone: validation of assay procedures and changes in concentrations in plasma during the oestrous cycle in the female tammar wallaby (Macropus eugenii). Journal of Endocrinology 86, 1–12.
| Macropodid marsupial luteinizing hormone: validation of assay procedures and changes in concentrations in plasma during the oestrous cycle in the female tammar wallaby (Macropus eugenii).Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 7430881PubMed |
Tyndale-Biscoe, C. H., and Hinds, L. A. (1984). Seasonal patterns of circulating progesterone and prolactin and response to bromocriptine in the female tammar Macropus eugenii. General and Comparative Endocrinology 53, 58–68.
| Seasonal patterns of circulating progesterone and prolactin and response to bromocriptine in the female tammar Macropus eugenii.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 6714652PubMed |
Tyndale-Biscoe, C. H., Hinds, L. A., Horn, C. A., and Jenkin, G. (1983). Hormonal changes at oestrus, parturition and post-partum oestrus in the tammar wallaby (Macropus eugenii). Journal of Endocrinology 96, 155–161.
| Hormonal changes at oestrus, parturition and post-partum oestrus in the tammar wallaby (Macropus eugenii).Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 6822779PubMed |
Witt, R. R., and Rodger, J. C. (2018). Recent advances in tools and technologies for monitoring and controlling ovarian activity in marsupials. Theriogenology 109, 58–69.
| Recent advances in tools and technologies for monitoring and controlling ovarian activity in marsupials.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 29254685PubMed |
Witt, R. R., Forbes, I. R., McBain, J., and Rodger, J. C. (2016). Ovarian suppression in a marsupial following single treatment with a gonadotrophin-releasing hormone agonist in microspheres. Reproduction, Fertility and Development 28, 1964–1973.
| Ovarian suppression in a marsupial following single treatment with a gonadotrophin-releasing hormone agonist in microspheres.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Witt, R. R., Hinds, L. A., and Rodger, J. C. (2018a). Delayed return to oestrus following treatment with the gonadotrophin-releasing hormone agonist, Lucrin® Depot, in the tammar wallaby. Theriogenology 115, 108–116.
| Delayed return to oestrus following treatment with the gonadotrophin-releasing hormone agonist, Lucrin® Depot, in the tammar wallaby.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 29747158PubMed |
Witt, R. R., Rodger, J. J., and Rodger, J. C. (2018b). Breeding in the fat-tailed dunnart following ovarian suppression with the gonadotrophin-releasing hormone agonist Lucrin® Depot. Reproduction, Fertility and Development 30, 507–518.
| Breeding in the fat-tailed dunnart following ovarian suppression with the gonadotrophin-releasing hormone agonist Lucrin® Depot.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Witt, R. R., Hinds, L. A., and Rodger, J. C. (2020). Induction of synchronous oestrus but not ovulation after pre-treatment with the GnRH agonist, Lucrin® Depot, in the tammar wallaby. Theriogenology 145, 24–30.
| Induction of synchronous oestrus but not ovulation after pre-treatment with the GnRH agonist, Lucrin® Depot, in the tammar wallaby.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 31982691PubMed |
