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Calle, P. P., Colter, S. B., Taylor, R. A., & Wright, A. M. (1989). Extramedullary thoracolumbar fungal (scopulariopsis-brumptii) abscesses in 2 snow leopard (Panthera-uncia) littermates. Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine, 20(3), 346–353.
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Wharton, D., & Mainka, S. A. (1997). Management and husbandry of the snow leopard Uncia uncia. International Zoo Yearbook, 35, 139–147.
Abstract: The international studbook for the Snow leopard Uncia uncia was established in 1976. The species has been the focus of intensive captive management and as at 1 January 1992, 541 animals were maintained at 160 collections. This paper gives an overview of the diet, housing, breeding and captive management of the species with specific reference to animals maintained in North American collections. A summary of veterinary care reported in the Snow leopard captive-management survey is also given.
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Wildt, D., Pukazhenthi, B., Brown, J., Monfort, S., Howard, J., & Roth, T. (1995). Spermatology for understanding, managing and conserving rare species. Reproduction Fertility and Development, 7(4), 811–824.
Abstract: Most conventional spermatology research involves common mammalian species including livestock, laboratory animals and humans. Yet, there are more than 4500 mammalian species inhabiting the planet for which little is known about basic reproductive biology, including sperm characteristics and function. This information is important, not just as adjunct knowledge, but because the majority of these species are threatened with extinction, largely due to human-induced pressures. The field of conservation is changing rapidly, and global cooperation is emerging among a variety of wildlife enthusiasts, ranging from management authorities of nature reserves to curators of rare zoological collections. Conservation progress depends on systematic, multidisciplinary research first to answer basic questions, with new data then applied to endangered species management plans. The reproductive physiologist is a crucial component of this scheme. Reproduction is the essence of species survival, and enormous effort needs to be directed at these 'untraditional' research species, subspecies and populations. Spermatology research combined with simultaneous efforts in endocrinology, embryology and cryopreservation (among others) can lead to the successful application of assisted reproduction. Examples from this laboratory include an array of wild felid species and a rare cervid and mustelid. Obstacles to success are formidable, including unique species-specificities, diminished genetic diversity and a general lack of resources. Nonetheless, the field offers tremendous opportunities for generating unique knowledge of comparative interest and with conservation utility.
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Graham, L. H., Goodrowe, K. L., Raeside, J. I., & Liptrap, R. M. (1995). Non-invasive monitoring of ovarian function in several felid species by measurement of fecal estradiol-17-beta and progestins. Zoo Biology, 14(3), 223–237.
Abstract: An extraction and assay procedure to measure fecal estradiol-17-beta and progestin concentrations in several cat species was developed and validated for use for noninvasive monitoring of ovarian function. Fecal samples were collected over a range of 3-20 months from female tigers (three), lions (three), snow leopards (three), cheetahs (two), caracals (two), and domestic cats (five). Samples were extracted with 90% methanol, lipids removed with petroleum ether, and the estradiol and progestins in the methanol measured by radioimmunoassay (RIA). High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) fractionation and subsequent RIA of the fractions indicated that the estradiol-17-beta antiserum cross-reacted primarily with estradiol-17-beta in the feces of lions and tigers and was assumed to be specific for estradiol-17-beta in the feces of other species as well. However, there were several immunoreactive compounds, presumably progesterone metabolites, excreted in the feces which varied both quantitatively and qualitatively among species. The behavior of tigers, lions, cheetahs, and caracals was visually monitored during the collection period and frequency of sexual behaviors was positively correlated with increases in fecal estradiol in all species observed. The mean fecal estradiol-17-beta peaks were as follows: tigers, 128.0 +- 13.1; lions, 186.0 +- 14.8; snow leopards, 136.7 +- 15.9; cheetahs, 140.9 +- 9.0; caracals, 24.5 +- 4.0; and domestic cats 158.9 +- 19.3 ng/gm. Fecal progestin concentrations rose significantly (P lt 0,001) only after breeding or during pregnancy and were as follows: tigers, 5.6 +- 0.6; lions, 1.9 +- 0.1; cheetahs, 8.4 +- 1.1; and caracals, 2.4 +- 0.4 mu-g/gm. Fecal progestins were elevated for one-half to two-thirds of the gestation length during presumed pseudopregnancy but remained elevated throughout successful pregnancies. These results suggest that ovarian function can be monitored noninvasively in the family Felidae by the measurement of fecal estradiol-17-beta and progestin concentrations.
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Freeman, H. (1983). Behavior in adult pairs of captive snow leopards (Panthera uncia). Zoo Biology, 2(1), 1–22.
Abstract: Eight adult pairs of snow leopards (Panthera uncia) were observed for one to three years in the months December through March to determine the species' social and reproductive characteristics in captivity. To statistically examine the occurrence of behaviors as a function of estrus, the observation weeks were divided into three time blocks: before estrus, estrus, and after estrus. Using percentage of scan samples as an estimate of time spent in various behaviors, 16 behaviors and combined behavior categories were examined for (1) behaviors that differentiated successfully from unsuccessfully breeding pairs, (2) sex differences in behavior, (3) significant correlations between pair members, and (4) behaviors that showed time block effects. The rationale for identifying a behavioral profile of successful breeders in snow leopards was to aid zoos in their captive management programs by increasing their knowledge of the social behavior of this species. By finding correlates to breeding success, informed decisions on whether to change partners after a certain period of time, how to group the cats, and the optimum strategy for a survival plan can be made. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2000 APA, all rights reserved
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Karesh, W. B., & Kunz, L. L. (1986). Bilateral testicular seminoma in a snow leopard. J Am Vet Med Assoc, 189(9), 1201.
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Sundberg, J. P., Van Ranst, M., Montali, R., Homer, B. L., Miller, W. H., Rowland, P. H., et al. (2000). Feline papillomas and papillomaviruses. Vet Pathol, 37(1), 1–10.
Abstract: Papillomaviruses (PVs) are highly species- and site-specific pathogens of stratified squamous epithelium. Although PV infections in the various Felidae are rarely reported, we identified productive infections in six cat species. PV-induced proliferative skin or mucous membrane lesions were confirmed by immunohistochemical screening for papillomavirus-specific capsid antigens. Seven monoclonal antibodies, each of which reacts with an immunodominant antigenic determinant of the bovine papillomavirus L1 gene product, revealed that feline PV capsid epitopes were conserved to various degrees. This battery of monoclonal antibodies established differential expression patterns among cutaneous and oral PVs of snow leopards and domestic cats, suggesting that they represent distinct viruses. Clinically, the lesions in all species and anatomic sites were locally extensive and frequently multiple. Histologically, the areas of epidermal hyperplasia were flat with a similarity to benign tumors induced by cutaneotropic, carcinogenic PVs in immunosuppressed human patients. Limited restriction endonuclease analyses of viral genomic DNA confirmed the variability among three viral genomes recovered from available frozen tissue. Because most previous PV isolates have been species specific, these studies suggest that at least eight different cat papillomaviruses infect the oral cavity (tentative designations: Asian lion, Panthera leo, P1PV; snow leopard, Panthera uncia, PuPV-1; bobcat, Felis rufus, FrPV; Florida panther, Felis concolor, FcPV; clouded leopard, Neofelis nebulosa, NnPV; and domestic cat, Felis domesticus, FdPV-2) or skin (domestic cat, F. domesticus, FdPV-1; and snow leopard, P. uncia, PuPV-2).
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Chandra, S., & Laughlin, D. C. (1975). Virus-like particles in cystic mammary adenoma of a snow leopard. Cancer Res, 35(11 Pt 1), 3069–3074.
Abstract: Virus-like particles were observed in the giant cells of a mammary adenoma of a snow leopard kept in captivity. Particles that measured 115 to 125 nm in diameter budded from the lamella of endoplasmic reticulum and were studded on their inner surfaces with dense granules (approximately 12 nm) that gave them their unique ultrastructural morphology. Such particles were not observed extracellularly. Type B or type C particles were not seen in the tumor tissue.
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Schmidt, R. E., Eisenbrandt, D. L., & Hubbard, G. B. (1984). Tyzzer's disease in snow leopards. J Comp Pathol, 94(1), 165–167.
Abstract: Tyzzer's disease was diagnosed histologically in 2 litters of newborn snow leopard kittens. The gross and histological lesions were similar to those reported in domestic cats and other animals. No signs of illness was noted in either of the snow leopard dams.
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Gosselin, S. J., Loudy, D. L., Tarr, M. J., Balistreri, W. F., Setchell, K. D., Johnston, J. O., et al. (1988). Veno-occlusive disease of the liver in captive cheetah. Vet Pathol, 25(1), 48–57.
Abstract: Liver tissues from 126 captive cheetah were evaluated by light microscopy and histochemistry; eight animals were evaluated by electron microscopy. The main hepatic lesion, a vascular lesion resembling veno- occlusive disease (VOD) of the liver and characterized by subendothelial fibrosis and proliferation of smooth muscle-like cells in the central veins, was seen in 60% of the sexually mature cheetah. Although this hepatic vascular lesion was seen in cheetah as young as 1 year of age, the most severe lesions, usually associated with liver failure, were found in cheetah between the ages of 6 and 11. There was no sex predisposition, and in approximately 40% of the VOD cases, liver disease was not suspected clinically or at necropsy. VOD was found in other felidae, especially in the snow leopard. High levels of vitamin A in livers, as well as in diets of the cheetah, could be a contributing factor in the development of VOD in some groups of cheetah.
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