Strategies for Ovulation induction and oocyte retrieval in the lowland gorilla

• Published in: Journal of assisted reproduction and genetics 1997-02, Vol.14 (2), p.102-110
• Main Authors: HATASAKA, H. H, SCHAFFER, N. E, CHENETTE, P. E, KOWALSKI, W, HECHT, B. R, MEEHAN, T. P, WENTZ, A. C, VALLE, R. F, CHATTERTON, R. T, JEYENDRAN, R. S
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animal Experimentation; Animal productions; Animals; Biological and medical sciences; Cryopreservation; Embryo, Mammalian; Estradiol - blood; Female; Fertility Agents, Female - therapeutic use; Fertilization in Vitro; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone - agonists; Gorilla gorilla; Leuprolide - therapeutic use; Menotropins - therapeutic use; Oocytes; Ovulation Induction - methods; Superovulation - blood; Superovulation - drug effects; Terrestrial animal productions; Vertebrates
• ISSN: 1058-0468; 1573-7330
• DOI: 10.1007/bf02765779

Ovulation induction and oocyte retrieval were performed in a lowland gorilla in an attempt to propagate and potentially cryopreserve embryos from an infertile animal and to advance techniques to help preserve this endangered species. Following 34 days of leuprolide acetate suppression, human menopausal gonadotropins were administered for 14-days in a 32-year-old wild-born lowland gorilla. Ten oocytes were retrieved by transrectal ultrasound-guided aspiration. Other approaches to oocyte recovery were not feasible in this case. A serum estradiol concentration of 4700 pg/ml at the time of human chorionic gonadotropin administration did not induce ovarian hyperstimulation. Mature oocytes were recovered from follicles measuring 14 to 24 mm in diameter, with a corresponding average serum estradiol concentration of approximately 300 pg/ml for each mature follicle. Cryopreservation of a gorilla embryo was effected from cryopreserved gorilla spermatozoa. Parameters for monitoring ovulation induction in the gorilla appear to be similar to those for humans. The results indicate that the use of a gonadotropin releasing hormone agonist and higher doses of gonadotropins than previously used in gorillas appear to improve oocyte recovery.