A5064786754- Reproductive Physiology in Livestock
- Genetic and phenotypic traits in livestock
- Animal Behavior and Welfare Studies
- Epigenetics and DNA Methylation
- Wildlife Ecology and Conservation
- Virus-based gene therapy research
- Reproductive Biology and Fertility
- Sperm and Testicular Function
- Herpesvirus Infections and Treatments
- Animal Disease Management and Epidemiology
- Cancer-related molecular mechanisms research
- Effects of Environmental Stressors on Livestock
- Genetics and Neurodevelopmental Disorders
- Genomics and Chromatin Dynamics
- Animal Genetics and Reproduction
- Tuberculosis Research and Epidemiology
- Mycobacterium research and diagnosis
- Animal health and immunology
- Cancer-related Molecular Pathways
- T-cell and Retrovirus Studies
- Viral gastroenteritis research and epidemiology
- Birth, Development, and Health
- Genetics, Aging, and Longevity in Model Organisms
- Gut microbiota and health
- Veterinary Medicine and Surgery
Cornell University
2024
Missouri State University
2011-2023
SeaWorld Entertainment
2020-2021
SeaWorld San Diego
2021
University of Florida
2017
Jacobs (United States)
2017
University of Colorado Colorado Springs
2017
Pfizer (Germany)
2012
California Sea Grant
2011
Chembio (United States)
2009
Evolutionary medicine may provide insights into human physiology and pathophysiology, including tumor biology.To identify mechanisms for cancer resistance in elephants compare cellular response to DNA damage among elephants, healthy controls, cancer-prone patients with Li-Fraumeni syndrome (LFS).A comprehensive survey of necropsy data was performed across 36 mammalian species validate large long-lived organisms, (n = 644). The African Asian elephant genomes were analyzed potential...
A highly fatal hemorrhagic disease has been identified in 10 young Asian and African elephants at North American zoos. In the affected animals there was ultrastructural evidence for herpesvirus-like particles endothelial cells of heart, liver, tongue. Consensus primer polymerase chain reaction combined with sequencing yielded molecular that confirmed presence two novel but related herpesviruses associated disease, one another elephants. Otherwise healthy external herpetic lesions herpesvirus...
Age-associated DNA-methylation profiles have been used successfully to develop highly accurate biomarkers of age ("epigenetic clocks") in humans, mice, dogs, and other species. Here we present epigenetic clocks for African Asian elephants. These were developed using novel DNA methylation 140 elephant blood samples known age, at loci that are conserved between mammalian species, a custom Infinium array (HorvathMammalMethylChip40). We elephants (Elephas maximus), (Loxodonta africana), both...
ABSTRACT Tuberculosis (TB) in elephants is a reemerging zoonotic disease caused primarily by Mycobacterium tuberculosis . Current methods for screening and diagnosis rely on trunk wash culture, which has serious limitations due to low test sensitivity, slow turnaround time, variable sample quality. Innovative more efficient diagnostic tools are urgently needed. We describe three novel serologic techniques, the ElephantTB Stat-Pak kit, multiantigen print immunoassay, dual-path platform VetTB...
Disease susceptibility and resistance are important factors for the conservation of endangered species, including elephants. We analyzed pathology data from 26 zoos report that Asian elephants have increased neoplasia malignancy prevalence compared with African bush This is consistent observed higher to tuberculosis elephant endotheliotropic herpesvirus (EEHV) in To investigate genetic mechanisms underlying disease resistance, differential responses between among other traits, we sequenced...
In the elephant, two distinct LH surges occur 3 wk apart during nonluteal phase of estrous cycle, but only second surge (ovLH) induces ovulation. The function first, anovulatory (anLH) is unknown, nor it clear what regulates timing these surges. To further study this observation in Asian serum concentrations LH, FSH, progesterone, inhibin, estradiol, and prolactin were quantified throughout cycle to establish temporal hormonal relationships. examine long-term dynamics hormone secretion,...
At present, the worldwide captive elephant population is not self-sustaining. The major reason for low reproductive rates heretofore undiagnosed disorders of nulliparous females prime breeding age. Recent advances in ultrasound technology have facilitated detection these non-sedated animals. Approximately 2,000 ultrasonographic examinations were performed more than 280 and wild African Asian female elephants. entire urogenital tract was scanned, measured, documented to provide a reference...
Elephant endotheliotropic herpesviruses (EEHVs) can cause fatal hemorrhagic disease in juvenile Asian elephants (Elephas maximus); however, sporadic shedding of virus trunk washes collected from healthy also has been detected. Data regarding the relationship viral loads blood compared with are lacking, and questions about whether undergo multiple infections EEHVs have not addressed previously. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction was used to determine kinetics EEHV1 loads,...
The unique clinical and pathological findings in nine Asian (Elephas maximus) two African (Loxodonta africana) elephants from North American Zoos with a highly fatal disease caused by novel endotheliotropic herpesviruses are described. Identification of the viruses molecular techniques some epidemiological aspects were previously reported. Consensus primer polymerase chain reaction (PCR) combined sequencing yielded evidence that confirmed presence but related associated disease, one second...
Abstract For decades, attempts to breed elephants using artificial insemination (AI) have failed despite considerable efforts and the use of various approaches. However, recent advances in equipment technology endocrine‐monitoring techniques resulted 12 conceiving by AI within a 4‐year period (1998–2002). The successful technique employs unique endoscope‐guided catheter transrectal ultrasound deliver semen into anterior vagina or cervix, uses “double LH surge” (i.e., identifying anovulatory...
An understanding of species-specific vitamin D metabolism and its role in calcium homeostasis is essential for correct diet formulation development husbandry protocols managed nondomestic species. This study documented serum metabolites other analytes involved Asian elephants (Elephas maximus) at a latitude similar to their wild natural habitat. Serum values 33 low were measured the peak summer, revealing D2 (25(OH)D2 2.3 ± 0.6 ng/ ml 24,25(OH)2D2 2.17 0.52 ng/ml) nondetectable D3. minerals...
The endocrinology of the elephant estrous cycle has been well characterized, but little emphasis placed on evaluating corresponding changes in reproductive tract. Ultrasound was used to document tract morphology throughout four cycling female African elephants. During a 7-month period, frequent ultrasound examinations (n = 190) during luteal and non-luteal phase were compared with serum progesterone luteinizing hormone (LH) concentrations period. Ultrasonographic images documented vaginal...
Induced parturition was studied in eight 2-year-old heifers and 16 cows to determine the effect of induced on reproductive performance milk production. All animals were randomly assigned either a control or treatment group within age, number lactations previous production groups. The received 20 mg dexamethasone 8 estradiol benzoate 6 12 days prior their expected calving dates. Treatment with plus shortened gestation length increased incidence retained placentas (P < .01). No differences...
Abstract ABSTRACT: Artificial insemination plays a key role in the genetic management of elephants zoos. Because freshly extended semen is typically used for artificial elephants, it has become imperative to optimize conditions liquid storage and transport. The objectives this study were examine interactions between different extenders temperatures on sperm total motility, progressive acrosomal integrity Asian (Elephas maximus) African (Loxodonta africana) elephants. Ejaculates collected by...
The success rate of captive elephant breeding programs worldwide is poor. Along with undiagnosed reproductive disorders in females and fatal diseases such as the newly discovered herpesvirus infection, male infertility now considered a major contributing factor failure to maintain self-sustaining populations. To address questions related dysfunction, approximately 309 ultrasonographic assessments combined semen collection were performed (n = 10) wild 4) African (Loxodonta africana) 61) Asian...
Asian elephants (Elephas maximus) have highly variable ejaculate quality within individuals, greatly reducing the efficacy of artificial insemination and making it difficult to devise a sperm cryopreservation protocol for this endangered species. Because seminal plasma influences function physiology, including motility, objectives study were characterize chemistry protein profiles elephant determine relationships between components semen quality. Ejaculates exhibiting good motility (≥65%)...
There is a need to identify strategic investments in Asian elephant ( Elephas maximus ) health that will yield maximal benefits for overall and conservation. As an exploratory first step, survey was administered veterinarians from range countries at workshop via email help prioritize health-related concerns mostly benefit elephants. Responses were received 45 eight had of experience with captive wild The occurrence medical conditions responses treatment varied among responses. However,...
Approximately 20 TP53 retrogenes exist in the African and Asian elephant genomes (Loxodonta Africana, Elephas Maximus) addition to a conserved gene that encodes full-length protein. Elephant TP53-RETROGENE 9 (TP53-R9) p53 protein (p53-R9) is truncated middle of canonical DNA binding domain. This C-terminally retrogene lacks nuclear localization signals oligomerization domain its counterpart. When expressed human osteosarcoma cells (U2OS), p53-R9 binds Tid1, chaperone responsible for...
Two juvenile Asian elephants (Elephas maximus) presented with an acute onset of facial edema and lethargy. Examination the oral cavity each animal revealed cyanosis tip distal margins tongue suggestive endothelial inclusion body disease (EIBD) elephants. Whole-blood samples were obtained, polymerase chain reaction tests confirmed presence elephant herpesvirus. The animals administered famciclovir (Famvir, SmithKline Beecham Pharmaceuticals, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19101, USA), a potent...
Elephants have the longest pregnancy of all mammals, with an average gestation around 660 days, so their embryonic and foetal development always been special interest. Hitherto, it has only possible to estimate ages from theoretical calculations based on mass. The recent sophisticated ultrasound procedures for elephants now made monitor growth foetuses known gestational age conceived in captivity natural matings or artificial insemination. We studied early stages 10 captive Asian 9 African...
Asian elephant spermatozoa are sensitive to chilling and do not respond well cryopreservation. The objectives of the present study were to: (1) determine whether cholesterol content can be modified by preincubation with cholesterol-loaded cyclodextrin (CLC); (2) assess effects CLC concentration(s), temperature at time glycerol addition (22°C vs 4°C) dilution medium on post-thaw sperm survival. Spermatozoa incubated ≥1.5 mg exhibited increased (P < 0.05) concentrations. Pretreatment 1.5...
Abstract Maximum lifespan of a species is the oldest that individuals can survive, reflecting genetic limit longevity in an ideal environment. Here we report methylation-based models accurately predict maximum (r=0.89), gestational time (r=0.96), and age at sexual maturity (r=0.87), using cytosine methylation patterns collected from over 12,000 samples derived 192 mammalian species. Our epigenetic predictor corroborated extended growth hormone receptor knockout mice rapamycin treated mice....