Chemosensory responses in two species of elephants to constituents of temporal gland secretion and musth urine

1988 ◽  
Vol 14 (8) ◽  
pp. 1687-1711 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. E. Little Rasmussen
Keyword(s):  
Gland Secretion ◽  
Temporal Gland Secretion

Reproductive Endocrinology and Musth Indicators in a Captive Asian Elephant (Elephas maximus)

2016 ◽  
Vol 119 (3) ◽  
pp. 839-860 ◽  
Author(s):  
Connie Duer ◽  
Tom Tomasi ◽  
Charles I. Abramson
Keyword(s):  
Well Being ◽  
Asian Elephant ◽  
Elephas Maximus ◽  
Gland Secretion ◽  
Total Testosterone ◽  
Social Constructs ◽  
Department Staff ◽  
The People ◽  
Intermittent Access ◽  
Temporal Gland Secretion

Even in the best situations, the artificial social constructs of captivity alter natural elephant behavior and unfortunately create distress. Asian elephants are powerful and intelligent animals that require consideration for their well-being and prudent management. The males present particular difficulties due to a temporary state of heightened aggressive behavior unique to male elephants called “musth.” When he is in this state, the danger the elephant poses to other animals and the people around him is considerable. In addition to antagonistic behavior, musth is also characterized by temporal gland secretion and urine dribbling. In previous studies, musth has been attributed to elevated testosterone levels. This study attempted to enhance the knowledge base concerning these phenomena by examining hormone concentrations ( n = 357) in Onyx, a male Asian elephant housed at Dickerson Park Zoo, with intermittent access to females ( n = 1–5) over a 12-year period. Behavior and signs of musth also were recorded daily by elephant department staff. Musth indicators (temporal gland secretion, aggression, urine dribbling) increased with musth but not prior to it. We confirmed that temporal gland secretion was a better indicator of behavioral musth than urine dribbling. Hormones concentrations increased as musth approached, and presumably initiated musth indicators, but variability was high. Therefore, these hormones cannot be used to predict the onset of musth in this individual. Rather, the free/total testosterone ratio was a good indication of the 60-day pre-musth period. In addition, testosterone production and musth indicators increased in intensity when a young bull at the zoo started entering musth.

scholarly journals Vaccination against GnRH may suppress aggressive behaviour and musth in African elephant (Loxodonta africana) bulls - a pilot study

2010 ◽  
Vol 81 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
H. M. De Nys ◽  
H. J. Bertschinger ◽  
J. A. Turkstra ◽  
B. Colenbrander ◽  
R. Palme ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pilot Study ◽  
Aggressive Behaviour ◽  
Loxodonta Africana ◽  
African Elephant ◽  
Gland Secretion ◽  
Vaccine Adjuvant ◽  
Free Ranging ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Temporal Gland Secretion ◽  
Cortisol Metabolites

Aggressive behaviour and musth are constant problems in captive and sometimes in free-ranging African elephant bulls. Aggressive bulls are difficult and musth bulls almost impossible to manage without severely restricting their movement either by leg-chaining or using tranquillisers. This study investigated the relationship between faecal androgen metabolites (FAM) and faecal cortisol metabolites (FCM) concentrations and aggressive behaviour and tested a GnRH vaccine as a means of down-regulating aggressive behaviour and musth in 1 free-ranging and 5 captive elephant bulls. The bulls were non-aggressive (n = 3), aggressive (n = 2) or in musth (n = 1) at the onset of the study. The bulls were injected with a GnRH vaccine-adjuvant combination 3 or 4 times at 3- to 7-week intervals. Behaviour, FAM and FCM concentrations were measured during every week prior to vaccination until 4 months after the last vaccination. FAM concentrations were positively correlated with aggressive behaviour before the 1st vaccination. Androgen production, as reflected by FAM concentrations, was down-regulated in 3 of the 6 immunised bulls. At least 2 bulls and possibly a 3rd showed behavioural improvement following GnRH vaccination and in all 3 temporal gland secretion ceased. No further aggressive behaviour was observed until the end of the study in any of the bulls. The results of this 1st GnRH immunisation study suggest that it could be a useful method to control aggressive behaviour and musth in African elephant bulls.

Constituents of temporal gland secretion of the African elephant,Loxodonta africana

1982 ◽  
Vol 8 (5) ◽  
pp. 821-835 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. W. Wheeler ◽  
L. E. Rasmussen ◽  
F. Ayorinde ◽  
I. O. Buss ◽  
G. L. Smuts
Keyword(s):  
Loxodonta Africana ◽  
African Elephant ◽  
Gland Secretion ◽  
Temporal Gland Secretion

Temporal gland secretion in African elephants (Loxodonta africana)

2017 ◽  
Vol 82 ◽  
pp. 34-40
Author(s):  
John Kioko ◽  
Kris Taylor ◽  
Heather J. Milne ◽  
Kendra Zoë Hayes ◽  
Christian Kiffner
Keyword(s):  
Loxodonta Africana ◽  
Gland Secretion ◽  
African Elephants ◽  
Temporal Gland Secretion

scholarly journals Xenoxins, a family of peptides from dorsal gland secretion of Xenopus laevis related to snake venom cytotoxins and neurotoxins

1993 ◽  
Vol 268 (22) ◽  
pp. 16458-16464
Author(s):  
H.V. Kolbe ◽  
A. Huber ◽  
P. Cordier ◽  
U.B. Rasmussen ◽  
B. Bouchon ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Xenopus Laevis ◽  
Snake Venom ◽  
Gland Secretion ◽  
Dorsal Gland

Anal gland secretion of European mole: Volatile constituents and significance in territorial maintenance

1996 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
pp. 383-392 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chantal Khazanehdari ◽  
Alan J. Buglass ◽  
John S. Waterhouse
Keyword(s):  
Gland Secretion ◽  
Anal Gland ◽  
Anal Gland Secretion ◽  
Volatile Constituents ◽  
European Mole
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