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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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White, S. D., Stannard, A. A., Ihrke, P. J., & Rosser, E. J. (1981). Therapy of demodicosis in snow leopard challenged. J Am Vet Med Assoc, 178(9), 877–878.
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Wharton, D. (1997). Endangered Species Update. Endangered Species Update, 14(11), 13.
Abstract: The snow leopard is listed as endangered, although most of its high mountain habitat remains untouched. However the ability of humans to exploit wildlife has led to it being endangered. Serious attempts to keep snow leopards in captivity began in 1891, but it was not until the 1950s that cubs survived long enough to become breeders. The American Zoo and Aquarium Association (ASA) Snow Leopard Species Survival Plan (SSP) was set up in 1984, achieving success with breeding goals.
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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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Watanabe, M., Sugano, S., Togashi, T., Imai, J., Uchida, K., Yamaguchi, R., et al. (2000). Molecular cloning and phylogenetic analysis of canine beta-casein. DNA Seq, 11(3-4), 295–300.
Abstract: A canine beta-casein cDNA was isolated from mammary tissue by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using degenerate primers. It encodes 250 amino acids protein containing the conserved sequence motif of beta- casein. It showed the highest homology with snow-leopard (Uncia uncia (55-62% identity). It also showed 44-53% identity with human, 33-42%, identity with mouse, 29-37%, identity with rat, 43-53% identity with rabbit, 41-48% identity with pig, 44-51% identity with cattle and 44- 50% identity with sheep. A 1.2-kb mRNA was detected in mammary tissue by Northern blot analysis. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that canine beta-casein formed a branch with lesser panda and snow leopard, which were grouped into carnivore.
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Ward, A. E. (1921). Game animals of Kashmir and adjacent hill provinces. J.of Bombay Natural Historical Society., 29, 23–35.
Abstract: comments that snow leopard may take blue sheep as prey
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Turner, L. (1980). Oklahoma City Zoo-Twenty Nine Snow Leopards. Int.Ped Book of Snow Leopards, 2, 96–111.
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Trepanier, L. A., Cribb, A. E., Spielberg, S. P., & Ray, K. (1998). Deficiency of cytosolic arylamine N-acetylation in the domestic cat and wild felids caused by the presence of a single NAT1-like gene. Pharmacogenetics, 8(2), 169–179.
Abstract: The purpose of this study was to determine the molecular basis for a relative deficiency in the cat of cytosolic arylamine N- acetyltransferase (NAT), an enzyme family that is important in the metabolism of xenobiotics and that normally consists of at least two related enzymes, NAT1 and NAT2. N-acetyltransferase in feline liver showed high affinity (mean Km = 2.1 microM) for p-aminobenzoic acid, an NAT1 selective substrate in humans and rabbits, but showed a very poor affinity (mean Km > 10 mM) for sulfamethazine, an NAT2 selective substrate in humans and rabbits. Immunoreactive N-acetyltransferase was detected in feline liver, bladder and colon using an NAT1-specific antipeptide antibody, but was not detected in any tissues using an NAT2- specific antibody. Southern blot analysis of genomic DNA demonstrated a single band in domestic cats using each of six restriction digests; single bands were also found on Southern blot analysis of six wild felids. The deduced amino acid sequence of the central portion of feline N-acetyltransferase, obtained by polymerase chain reaction amplification in both domestic cats and seven wild felids (lion, tiger, lynx, snow leopard, bobcat, Asian leopard cat and cheetah), contained three residues, Phe125, Arg127, and Tyr129, which determine NAT1-like substrate specificity in humans. These results support the conclusion that cytosolic arylamine N-acetylation activity is low in the cat because of the presence of a single N-acetyltransferase that has substrate specificity, immunogenicity and sequence characteristics similar to human NAT1, and that the unusual presence of only a single N- acetyltransferase gene appears to be a family wide trait shared by other felids.
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Anonymous. (1996). Trade continues in snow leopard skins. Snow Line, Xiv.
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Thorel, M. F., Karoui, C., Varnerot, A., Fleury, C., & Vincent, V. (1998). Isolation of Mycobacterium bovis from baboons, leopards and a sea-lion. Vet Res, 29(2), 207–212.
Abstract: This study reports on two series of cases of Mycobacterium bovis infection in zoo animals. The first was in a captive population of baboons (Papio hamadryas) and the second in a mixed group of wild mammals, including four leopards (Panthera uncia and Panthera pardus) and a sea-lion (Otaria byrona). The isolation and identification of strains of M. bovis confirmed the presence of M. bovis infections in both zoos. The epidemiological study using genetic markers such as the IS6110-based DNA fingerprinting system made it possible to differentiate between M. bovis strains. The M. bovis strains isolated from baboons were shown to contain a single IS6110 copy, as usually do cattle isolates, whereas the M. bovis strains isolated from the other exotic animals presented multiple copies. This finding suggests that the origin of the contamination for the baboons in zoo A could be related to cattle. The origin of the contamination for the leopards and sea-lion in zoo B is more difficult to determine. In conclusion, the authors suggest some recommendations for avoiding outbreaks of tuberculosis infections in zoos.
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