Ashley Franklin

Saint Louis Zoo · AZA Reproductive Management Center

Systemic amyloid A (AA) amyloidosis is a major cause of morbidity and mortality among captive cheetahs. The self-aggregating AA protein responsible for this disease is a byproduct of serum amyloid A (SAA) protein degradation. Transcriptional induction of the SAA1 gene is dependent on both C/EBPβ and NF-κB cis-acting elements within the promoter reg...

Cryopreserving genetic resources is becoming increasingly important for species management. In the zoo-based red wolf (Canis rufus) population, inbreeding continues to increase in the absence of new founders. Through banking sperm, we preserve genetic diversity and create the ability to decrease inbreeding accumulation in the future. The quality an...

Many animal populations managed by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ (AZA) Species Survival Plans® (SSPs) have low rates of reproductive success. It is critical that individuals recommended to breed are successful to achieve genetic and demographic goals set by the SSP. Identifying factors that impact reproductive success can inform managers o...

This study investigated possible female-related causes for inconsistent success among reproductive pairs in the zoo-based red wolf (Canis rufus) population. Females (n = 13) at seven institutions were assessed for evidence of ovulation and normal reproductive cycles through the measurement of estradiol and progesterone metabolite excretion in feces...

Population viability analysis (PVA) utilizes simulation models to project the genetic and demographic trajectories of populations over time. One benefit to using PVA to assist in ex situ population planning is the ability to compare outcomes from multiple management scenarios. Reproductive viability analysis (RVA), used to identify biological and r...

Modern herpetoculture has seen a rise in welfare-related habitat modifications, although ethologically-informed enclosure design and evidence-based husbandry are lacking. The diversity that exists within snakes complicates standardizing snake welfare assessment tools and evaluation techniques. Utilizing behavioral indicators in conjunction with phy...

Modern herpetoculture has seen a rise in welfare-related habitat modifications, although ethologically-informed enclosure design and evidence-based husbandry are lacking. The diversity that exists within snakes complicates standardizing snake welfare assessment tools and evaluation techniques. Utilizing behavioral indicators in conjunction with phy...

Fecal glucocorticoid metabolite (FGM) concentrations, activity, and personality were assessed for 35 fennec foxes (Vulpes zerda) to determine whether animals managed as ambassadors differed from exhibit or off-exhibit animals. A FGM assay, pedometer, and personality assessment tool were validated. Then, fecal samples and movement data were collecte...

The Association of Zoos and Aquariums Reproductive Management Center (RMC) in the US and the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria Reproductive Management Group (RMG) in Europe monitor efficacy of contraceptive products in participating institutions and use those results to inform contraceptive recommendations. This study used the joint RMC-RMG...

Somali wild ass (Equus africanus somaliensis) are the most endangered species of wild equid, and little is known about their reproductive biology. Here, we describe social interactions and glucocorticoid production of five pairs of Somali wild ass females and their foals, which were born within a two-month period at the Saint Louis Zoo. Behavioral...

Tigers (Panthera tigris spp.) are endangered in the wild; ensuring sustainable insurance populations requires careful planning within zoological collections. In captive situations, contraceptives are often used to control breeding and ensure genetically viable populations that contain manageable numbers of animals; reversible contraceptives are ide...

The blue iguana (Cyclura lewisi) is an endangered rock iguana species native to Grand Cayman, in the Cayman Islands. Health assessments were conducted on captive and free-roaming iguanas in 2001 and 2003–2014 and were performed in the summer wet season (June–July) of 2003–2004 and 2010–2014 and in the winter dry season (November–December) of 2001 a...

The AZA Reproductive Management Center (RMC) in the U.S. and the EAZA Reproductive Management Group (RMG) in Europe cooperate with the Reproductive Health Surveillance Program to monitor efficacy, reversibility and safety of contraceptive products in participating institutions, using those results to inform contraceptive recommendations. This study...

Conservation strategies for crocodilians often include captive breeding to create stable assurance populations. Evaluating adrenal and gonadal hormone patterns can provide animal managers with data to more effectively monitor animal welfare and reproductive status. This study evaluated the effects of season (breeding, nesting or off), sex (male and...

Conservation strategies for crocodilians often include captive breeding to create stable assurance populations. Evaluating adrenal and gonadal hormone patterns can provide animal managers with data to more effectively monitor animal welfare and reproductive status. This study evaluated the effects of season (breeding, nesting, or off), sex (male an...

Special encounters that allow contact between animals and guests are common in zoos and aquariums. Visitors to the Saint Louis Zoo may touch guinea pigs serving as ambassador animals. We evaluated two welfare indicators in ambassador guinea pigs by comparing glucocorticoid levels and body weights between periods when guinea pigs lived in a habitat...

Zoological institutions often use immersive, naturalistic exhibits to create an inclusive atmosphere that is inviting for visitors while providing for the welfare of animals in their collections. In this study, we investigated physiological changes in salivary cortisol and blood pressure, as well as psychological changes among visitors before and a...

The island fox (Urocyon littoralis) is native to 6 of the 8 Channel Islands of California, USA. The species experienced a population decline in the 1990s but recovered after predatory golden eagles (Aquila chrysaetos) were relocated and feral pigs (Sus scrofa), a main food source for the eagles, were removed. As part of an ongoing conservation prog...

There is limited physiological information on onset of puberty in male lions. The aim of this study was to use longitudinal non-invasive monitoring to: 1) assess changes in steroid metabolite excretory patterns as a function of age and body weight; 2) determine correlations between fecal androgen (FAM) and glucocorticoid (FGM) metabolite concentrat...

This poster explains the role of reproductive management for primates in sanctuaries and provides data on use of contraceptives in sanctuary primate species.

This presentation introduces the Reproductive Viability Analysis (RVA) technique for identifying biological predictors of reproductive success in zoo populations, using red river hogs as an example.

Understanding the factors used by female cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus) to make mate choice decisions could benefit zoo breeding programs, which currently assign mates based primarily on genetic distance. Because transporting animals between institutions is costly and can be stressful, females are often limited in the number of males available for mat...

Because of poor reproduction after the lifting of an 8-year breeding moratorium, a biomedi-cal survey of female lions in U.S. zoos was initiated in 2007. Fecal estrogen (FEM), proges-tagen (FPM) and glucocorticoid (FGM) metabolites were analyzed in samples collected 3–4 times per wk from 28 lions at 17 facilities (0.9–13.8 yr of age) for 4 mo—3.5 y...

Although the free-ranging cheetah is generally socially solitary, as many as 60% of males live in same-sex (usually sibling) coalitions. Under ex situ conditions, the cheetah experiences low reproductive success with only ~18% of males having ever produced young. Most male cheetahs (85%) are managed in captivity in coalitions, but with no data on t...

The collective cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus) population in zoological institutions has never been self-sustaining because of challenges in natural reproduction. A retrospective analysis of North American zoo-breeding records has revealed that >90% of litters produced since 2003 occurred in facilities 'off-display' from the public. We examined seminal,...

Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were isolated from the whole blood of cheetahs ( Acinonyx jubatus ; n = 3) and stimulated with lipopolysaccharides (LPS) to induce the production of proinflammatory cytokines TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 for establishment of cross-reactivity between these cheetah cytokines and feline-specific cytokine antibodies...

he present study used a model organism, Tribolium castaneum, to evaluate the effect of inbreeding accumulation on additive genetic variance and fitness related traits, owing to population bottleneck events, under laboratory conditions and environmental stressors. Demographic bottlenecks were imposed on 21 populations of T. castaneum, varying in int...

Captive and endangered animal populations have greater rates of inbreeding due to small population sizes and an insufficient number of unrelated potential mates. If mating between related individuals occurs often, it can have significant negative impacts on fitness and reproductive performance. There are multiple strategies currently available for...