Chemical and surgical interventions to alleviate intraspecific aggression in male collared lemurs (Eulemur collaris)

To reduce male-male aggression in collared lemurs (Eulemur collaris) at Disney's Animal Kingdom, a clinical trial of leuprolide acetate (Depo-Lupron) injections through one breeding season (24 wk), followed by surgical castration after the breeding season was implemented. Daily behavioral obser...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inJournal of zoo and wildlife medicine Vol. 42; no. 2; p. 214
Main Authors Ferrie, Gina M, Becker, Kris K, Wheaton, Catharine J, Fontenot, Deidre, Bettinger, Tammie
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published United States 01.06.2011
Subjects
Aggression - drug effects
Animals
Behavior, Animal - drug effects
Feces - chemistry
Lemuridae - physiology
Lemuridae - surgery
Leuprolide - pharmacology
Male
Orchiectomy
Testosterone - blood
Time Factors
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Summary:To reduce male-male aggression in collared lemurs (Eulemur collaris) at Disney's Animal Kingdom, a clinical trial of leuprolide acetate (Depo-Lupron) injections through one breeding season (24 wk), followed by surgical castration after the breeding season was implemented. Daily behavioral observations to record occurrences of aggression were conducted before and during the injection period, as well as after castration. Fecal sample collection began 2 wk before the first injection and continued throughout the clinical trial to determine testosterone metabolite concentration. Samples were collected 3 times per week. Fecal collection and behavioral observation continued for 5 mo after castration. Fecal samples from 3 intact males from other institutions were obtained to compare testosterone values. While the lemurs were treated with Depo-Lupron, testosterone concentrations spiked immediately after injection, and then returned to pretreatment, nonbreeding-season levels after varying lengths of time. Analysis of the behavioral data indicated that aggression was not significantly reduced with Depo-Lupron treatment. However, after castration, contact aggression and wounding decreased to zero. Although the sample is small, this study presents the first documented data on the effects that chemical treatment with Depo-Lupron and surgical castration have upon hormone levels and aggressive behavior in eulemurs.
ISSN:1042-7260
DOI:10.1638/2009-0193.1