Dear All

The following paper has been e-published ahead of print in the Journal of Andrology. Contact: holley@muraco.biz

Title: Use of Human Chorionic Gondadotropoin in a Male Pacific Walrus (Odobenus

rosmarus divergens) to Induce Rut and Achieve a Pregnancy in a Nulliparous Female

Authors: Holley S. Muraco, Leah D. Coombs, Dianna G. Procter, Paul J. Turek,

Michael J. Muraco

Published-Ahead-of-Print on December 29, 2011 by Journal of Andrology

Abstract

Walrus in United States zoos have a very low reproductive rate of 11 births in 80 years, and little

is known about Pacific walrus (Odobenus rosmarus divergens) reproductive biology. To address

this, we initiated a program in which detailed biological data were recorded on captive walrus.

As part of a seven year study, one male and one female 16-year-old captive Pacific walrus were

carefully monitored with weekly serum hormone analysis, daily glans penis smears for

spermatozoa, and abdominal ultrasound for pregnancy. The female ovulated once annually from

late December through mid-January, and then exhibited nine months of sustained elevated

progesterone. This non-conceptive estrous cycle profile is consistent with reports from wild

walrus females. In contrast, the male’s seasonal rut routinely occurred in late February through

May with a serum testosterone peak in March. This profile differed from the reported adult male

cycle in wild walrus of November through March. During the period of the female’s ovulation,

the male had nadir testosterone levels and was consistently azoospermic. Likewise, during the

male’s spermatogenic rut in the spring, the female was anovulatory with elevated progesterone.

Based on this, the male was treated with 14-weeks of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) in an

attempt to increase testosterone levels in synchrony with the female’s annual ovulation. The

treatment successfully induced rut characterized by sustained elevated serum testosterone levels

and production of spermatozoa. The male and female successfully bred, and the female became

pregnant. Upon discontinuation of hCG treatment, the male resumed baseline testosterone levels.

We theorize that the lack of synchronization of rut and ovulatory cycles is a primary reason for

the reproductive failure in these captive walrus. Key Words: endocrinology, ovulation,

reproduction, testosterone, progesterone, ultrasound