| Records |
| Author |
Turner, J.W.J.; Kirkpatrick, J.F. |
| Title |
Androgens, behaviour and fertility control in feral stallions |
Type |
Journal Article |
| Year |
1982 |
Publication |
Journal of reproduction and fertility. Supplement |
Abbreviated Journal |
J Reprod Fertil Suppl |
| Volume |
32 |
Issue |
|
Pages |
79-87 |
| Keywords |
Animals; Animals, Wild; Copulation/drug effects; Female; *Fertility/drug effects; Horses/*physiology; Male; Periodicity; Pregnancy; Seasons; *Sexual Behavior, Animal/drug effects; Sexual Maturation; Sperm Count; Sperm Motility/drug effects; Testosterone/*blood/pharmacology |
| Abstract |
This field study of feral stallions in Montana and Idaho examines and correlates the seasonal pattern of plasma androgens and specific sociosexual behaviour and reports the effect of a long-acting androgenic steroid on this behaviour and on fertility. Plasma testosterone was measured by competitive protein binding assay in samples obtained by jugular venepuncture from captured animals. In samples taken from 34 sexually mature stallions in 6 different months during the year, a definite seasonal pattern in testosterone was present, with a peak in May (3.04 +/- 0.63 ng/ml) and a nadir in December (1.55 +/- 0.34 ng/ml). Values were less than 2.0 ng/ml in non-breeding months and greater than 2.4 ng/ml in breeding months. Behavioural endpoints measured were (1) stallion scent marking in response to elimination by mares (elimination marking), (2) mounting and (3) copulation. The frequencies of each of these endpoints followed closely the seasonal pattern seen for plasma androgens. In the fertility study microcapsulated testosterone propionate (microTP) was administered i.m. to 10 harem stud stallions 3 months before the 1980 breeding season. In these stallions and in 10 control harem studs, the above behavioural endpoints were examined in the 1980 and 1981 breeding seasons, and foal counts were made in 1981. There were no direct inhibitory or stimulatory effects of microTP treatment on any of the behavioural endpoints in either year. In 1981 foals were produced in 87.5% of the control bands and 28.4% of the microTP-treated bands. These results indicate that microencapsulated testosterone propionate can provide effective fertility control in feral horses without causing significant alterations in sociosexual behaviour. |
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English |
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0449-3087 |
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| Notes |
PMID:6962905 |
Approved |
no |
| Call Number |
refbase @ user @ |
Serial |
138 |
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| Author |
Klingel, H. |
| Title |
Social organization of feral horses |
Type |
Journal Article |
| Year |
1982 |
Publication |
Journal of Reproduction and Fertility. Supplement |
Abbreviated Journal |
J Reprod Fertil Suppl |
| Volume |
32 |
Issue |
|
Pages |
89-95 |
| Keywords |
Animals; Animals, Wild; Female; Horses/*physiology; Male; Sexual Behavior, Animal; *Social Behavior; Territoriality |
| Abstract |
The basic social unit in feral horses is the family group consisting of one stallion, one to a few unrelated mares and their foals. Surplus stallions associate in bachelor groups. Stallions are instrumental in bringing mares together in a unit which then persists even without a stallion. The similarity of social organization in populations living in a variety of different habitats indicates that feral horses have reverted to the habits of their wild ancestors, and that domestication has had no influence on this basic behavioural feature. |
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| ISSN |
0449-3087 |
ISBN |
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| Notes |
PMID:6962906 |
Approved |
no |
| Call Number |
refbase @ user @ |
Serial |
1958 |
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| Author |
Feist, J.D.; McCullough, D.R. |
| Title |
Reproduction in feral horses |
Type |
Journal Article |
| Year |
1975 |
Publication |
Journal of Reproduction and Fertility. Supplement |
Abbreviated Journal |
J Reprod Fertil Suppl |
| Volume |
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Issue |
23 |
Pages |
13-18 |
| Keywords |
Age Factors; Animals; Female; Horses/*physiology; Leadership; Male; Maternal Behavior; Population; Reproduction; *Sexual Behavior, Animal; Social Dominance; Sucking Behavior |
| Abstract |
A behavioural study of feral horses was conducted on the Pryor Mountain Wild Horse Range in the western United States. All 270 horses on the Range were identified individually. The sex ratio was nearly balanced. Foal to adult female ratio was 43-2:100. Morality was concentrated among foals and old horses. Horses were organized as forty-four harem groups each with a dominant stallion, one to two immature stallions, one to three immature mares, one to three adult mares and their yearling and foal offspring, and 23 bachelor groups of one to eight stallions. Harem groups were quite stable year-round because of dominance and leadership by the stallions and group fidelity by mares and their offsring. Most changes occurred during the breeding season and involved immature females. Defeat of dominant stallions was infrequent. Immature males were tolerated because of their submissive behaviour. Bachelor stallion groups were inherently unstable. Mares came into heat after foaling in May/June, and were mated by harem stallions only. |
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| Language |
English |
Summary Language |
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Original Title |
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| Series Editor |
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Series Title |
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Abbreviated Series Title |
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| Series Volume |
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Series Issue |
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Edition |
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| ISSN |
0449-3087 |
ISBN |
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Medium |
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| Area |
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Expedition |
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Conference |
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| Notes |
PMID:1060766 |
Approved |
no |
| Call Number |
refbase @ user @ |
Serial |
1964 |
| Permanent link to this record |
