lechatestsurlatable t1_iqmchpr wrote
How do chemical signals affect breeding behavior? Are you mimicking something that the captive animals cannot do that they normally do in the wild?
UniversityofBath OP t1_iqmhyvn wrote
Odour is linked directly to physiological condition and is therefore
expected to provide accurate information about sex hormone levels. Hence,
chemical signals will inform other group members about the reproductive status
of female lemurs.
I studied scent-marking and sexual behaviours in captive lemurs and I
collected vaginal odour samples over the breeding period, as I would have done
in the wild. I also analysed the odour compounds and resynthesized the female fertile
mixture in our lab at Wolverhampton. I am now using this mixture to trigger
male mating behaviour in lemur pairs which have been struggling with
reproduction across European zoos.
In captivity logistics and practicalities of the data collection are a lot
easier! Since captivity is a controlled environment (i.e. diet, enclosure, daily
routine) we recognize that our experimental set-up may provide a slightly different
outcome than would have been in the wild. However, our aim is to improve
captive breeding.
CrustedButte t1_iqmo92l wrote
To trigger the mating behavior, do you just spray the scent on the female lemurs?
UniversityofBath OP t1_iqn1sfx wrote
To trigger male mating behaviour I soack cotton strips with the chemical mixture and put the strips inside the enclosure, so the lemurs can smell the odour (but avoid it if they find it unpleasent).
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