Elephant Reproduction

2718 Words6 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Biology 30 reproductive system

Reproduction of Female Elephants
Basic anatomy and physiology, artificial insemination, parturition, and social aspects of reproduction
Introduction
The study and research of reproduction in elephants is increasingly critical in consideration of the quickly dwindling population numbers and estimates. The current Asian elephant population is estimated to lie between 50,000-70,000 across the world, with 15,000 of these individuals in captivity. African elephant population numbers are low as well after serious culling through hunting and poaching. These numbers make the low reproduction rates a great concern as elephants do not currently sufficiently reproduce at an adequate rate to sustain population size.12
Reproductive Anatomy and Physiology of the Female Elephant
The vagina has multiple longitudinal folds and in size measures 30x15x10 cm approximately. In elephants, the penis does not physically penetrate the vagina during deposition of semen. During pregnancy, a thick vaginal mucus is present that works as a critical mechanical and infectious barrier. Nulliparous females contain a hymen that does not actually rupture by mating. The vaginal os has by two blind pouches by it that are considered to be possible remnants of Wollfian ducts. The clitoris is large and aids in guiding the penis during copulation. The ovaries are small in comparison to the overall size of the elephant, measuring approximately 7x5x2.5 cm in adults. Leading from these, the oviducts, at about 10 cm long, are positioned near the tip of the uterine horn at the ends of the oviducts. The ovaries contain multiple follicles displaying different stages of development, even in pregnant cows, with the dominant follicle usually being between 10 to 20 mm in size.13 T...

... middle of paper ...

... 29 Oct. 2013.
11. Rasmussen, L.E.L., and B.A. Schulte. "Chemical Signals in the Reproduction of Asian (Elephas Maximus) and African (Loxodonta Africana) Elephants." Animal Reproduction Science 53.1-4 (1998): 19-34. Web. 29 Oct. 2013.
12. Saragusty, Joseph, Thomas Hildebradnt, Britta Behr, Andreas Knieriem, Jurgen Kruse, and Robert Hermes. "Successful Cryopreservation of Asian Elephant (Elephas Maximus) Spermatozoa." Animal Reproduction Science 115.1-4 (2009): 255-266. Web. 15 Oct. 2013.
13. Sukumar, R. The Living Elephants : Evolutionary Ecology, Behavior, And Conservation. New York: Oxford University Press, 2003. eBook Collection (EBSCOhost). Web. 24 Nov. 2013.
14. Schmitt, Dennis. "Reproductive System." Biology, Medicine, and Surgery of Elephants. Ed. Murray E Fowler and Susan K Mikota. Blackwell Publishing, 2006. 347-354. Wiley Online Library. Web. 4 Oct. 2013.

Show More
Related

  • Analysis Of Barbara Gowdy's White Bone

    780 Words  | 2 Pages

    So far this book was a nice little surprise. Like previously stated, upon picking this book up one would think that the author is crazy for writing about the lifestyles of elephants. But when it is actually explored and read its written style and messages make for this book to be taken in very easily and fluently. This language used is at the perfect level, and the subject level is complex enough that the reader has to make connections themselves or else they will become confused almost guaranteed.

    Read More

  • As Toid by The Egg: Nonfiction Biology Article Summary

    650 Words  | 2 Pages

    ... reproduction for understanding human reproduction, using computer programs and 3-D model. There has been a lot of research on how the egg binds with the sperm. The main evidence uncovered to support the main body of the article was observing the chicken reproduction to show how the egg was fertilized.

    Read More

  • Female Reproductive System In Birds Essay

    653 Words  | 2 Pages

    The female reproductive system in birds is reduced in most species to a left ovary and oviduct. This unilateral reduction of the female reproductive system is thought to bear two benefits: it reduces the female’s body and it prevent the potential problem of simultaneously carrying two large fragile eggs within the abdominal cavity. It also balances the body with the liver on the right side adjacent to the left ovary.

    Read More

  • Monotreme Reproductive Biology and Behavior

    2594 Words  | 6 Pages

    The word “monotreme” is Greek for “one-hole,” referring to the cloaca that is the exit for the urinary, reproductive, and excretory systems (Dawson, 1983). The creatures are oviparous--the females lay eggs that develop outside of her body. This paper will explain the background of the animals, the anatomy of the tract and egg, breeding behavior, and genetics behind this unique reproductive system. It will pay special attention to the similarities of the monotreme reproductive system to those of animals we are more familiar with.

    Read More

  • Elephants Can Lend A Helping Trunk

    326 Words  | 1 Pages

    Each author has the same purpose in writing about the elephant studies and there are many similarities and differences in which the elephants behaved.

    Read More

  • Research Paper On In Vitro Fertilization

    1609 Words  | 4 Pages

    “Second, eggs are retrieved through a minor surgical procedure that uses ultrasound imaging to guide a hollow needle through the pelvic cavity to

    Read More

  • Shooting an Elephant

    422 Words  | 1 Pages

    A police officer in the British Raj, the supposedly 'unbreakable'; ruling force, was afraid. With his gun aimed at a elephant's head, he was faced with the decision to pull the trigger. That officer was George Orwell, and he writes about his experience in his short story, 'Shooting an Elephant';. To save face, he shrugged it off as his desire to 'avoid looking the fool'; (George Orwell, 283). In truth, the atmosphere of fear and pressure overwhelmed him. His inner struggle over the guilt of being involved in the subjugation of a people added to this strain, and he made a decision he would later regret enough to write this story.

    Read More

  • Essay On The Urinary System Of A Mink

    631 Words  | 2 Pages

    The testes are the primary reproductive organs in the male; they are responsible for the production of sperm. The testes are responsible for the production of testosterone, and are almost nonexistent prior to puberty. Testosterone affects vary to the sound of your voice to hair baldness. The epididymis is a firm structure that consists of three parts, sperm that passes through the epididymis after they are formed. The male urethra is approximately 18-20 cm long. The urethra allows the passage of both urine and sperm. There are two main parts of the penis; the root and body. The three main parts of the root of the penis are, the midline bulb, and the left and right crura on either side of the bulb. While the body is formed by three cylindrical masses of erectile tissue, they are the corpus spongiosum in the midline, and the two-corpus cavernosa on either side. The urethra leaves the head of the penis at the end of the corpus spongiosum.

    Read More

  • Why Do Animals Live In Zoos

    909 Words  | 2 Pages

    Just recently, eighteen Swaziland elephants were transported to their new homes in America. This included the Henry Doorly zoo in Nebraska, the Dallas Zoo, and the Sedgwick County Zoo in Kansas. These elephants were destroying the habitats of other species, and this relocation was specifically made to preserve Swaziland’s endangered rhino population. In gratitude the zoos will “contribute $450,000 to a wildlife conservation trust for rhinos in Swaziland” (Hinckley, par. 2). The result of the transfer produced many opposing views among conservationists. This raised the question of whether or not the elephants (or any animal) should be kept in zoos. This is a widely popular, yet difficult debate of ethical and statistical views. For this case,

    Read More

  • Elephants Helping Trunk

    346 Words  | 1 Pages

    The excerpt from Elephants Know When They Need a Helping Trunk is about the exact procedures and results of the same experiment that Elephants Can Lend a Helping Trunk was about. It contains the precise physical dimensions of every part of the test, and detailed explanations of each step that was followed to preform the test. Little to no opinions, quotes, or even conclusions that could be drawn were included, due to the strict, formal, and informational nature of the passage. The author's purpose was purely to explain all parts of the elephant study, and not at all to entertain or persuade.

    Read More

  • Ethics of Zoos

    868 Words  | 2 Pages

    Cohn, Jeffrey P. "Do Elephants Belong In Zoos?" Bioscience 56.9 (2006): 714-717. Academic Search Premier. Web. 24 Mar. 2014.

    Read More

  • Are We Living in a Dystopian Novel?

    940 Words  | 2 Pages

    Storck, Susan, MD. "In Vitro Fertilization (IVF): MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia." U.S National Library of Medicine. U.S. National Library of Medicine, 26 Feb. 2012. Web.

    Read More

  • Elephants

    621 Words  | 2 Pages

    Elephants should not be killed because they help the environment. Elephants actually help the environment by acting like a bulldozer and knocking down dead trees that would stand dormant otherwise. Africa does not have the time or money to bulldoze these dead trees that take up land that could be used for some well needed shelter. There are too many homeless people in Africa to have dead trees taking up in some cases large parts of land. Elephants work as construction equipment that Africa does not have the money for. Without these elephants dead trees would take up many miles of that that could be houses sheltering the poor population of Africa.

    Read More

  • Are Zoos Inhumane?

    2040 Words  | 5 Pages

    The "Emaciated Asian Elephant Started Life at Busch Gardens. " N.p., n.d. Web. The Web. The Web. 12 May 2015.

    Read More

  • Animal Welfare

    1665 Words  | 4 Pages

    Sikes, Roberts. and William L. Gannon. "Guidelines of the American Society of Mammalogists for the Use of Wild Mammals in Research." Journal of Mammalogy 92.1 (Feb. 2011): 235-253. Academic Search Premier. EBSCO. Web. 5 Oct. 2011.

    Read More

More about Elephant Reproduction

Open Document