Effects of a simple method for determining the time of insemination and different methods on artificial insemination in common bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus).

In this study, we examined the usefulness of a simpler and more feasible method for determining the optimal timing of artificial insemination and the conditions for its success in six female common bottlenose dolphins. Pregnancy was successfully achieved in five dolphins by performing intrauterine insemination, using chilled semen stored for less than 3 days or frozen semen within 24 hr of exhibiting a peak serum estradiol (E) level of 100 pg/mL or higher or on the day with a serum E level of approximately 100 pg/mL, measured with a simple measuring device. We concluded that the determining the optimal timing of intrauterine insemination by measuring serum E levels is a simpler and more useful method compared with the conventional approach.

Rhabdomyolysis, myoglobinuric nephrosis, and crystalline nephropathy in a captive bottlenose dolphin.

A 5-y-old female bottlenose dolphin () from an aquarium in Japan had clinical signs of anorexia, vomiting, and bradykinesia. Enrofloxacin and lactated Ringer solution were administered for treatment of bacterial infection and for rehydration. Elevations of creatine kinase and aspartate aminotransferase activities were detected on day 4 of treatment, indicating that rhabdomyolysis had developed on day 3.

Utility of carboxylated poly L-lysine for the liquid storage of bottlenose dolphin semen.

Assisted reproduction techniques are required to maintain a genetically diverse captive population of bottlenose dolphins. These techniques include semen preservation, and liquid storage has been proposed as a suitable alternative to cryopreservation, but the optimum conditions, in terms of temperature, duration, and media, have yet to be fully established. The aim of this study, therefore, was to determine the optimum temperature for the liquid storage of dolphin semen during a 14-day period and the usefulness of carboxylated poly-L-lysine (CPLL) as an additive to the semen extender used for the liquid storage.

Vasomotor effects of 5-hydroxytryptamine, histamine, angiotensin II, acetylcholine, noradrenaline, and bradykinin on the cerebral artery of bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus).

From an evolutionary aspect, dolphins share a very close phylogenetic relationship with pigs. Previously, we characterized porcine cerebral artery responsiveness to intrinsic vasoactive substances. Therefore, here, we investigated dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) cerebral artery responsiveness to 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), histamine (His), angiotensin (Ang) II, acetylcholine (ACh), noradrenaline (NA), and bradykinin (BK) to characterize their related receptor subtypes.

Cooperation in bottlenose dolphins: bidirectional coordination in a rope-pulling task.

In comparison with terrestrial animals, such as primates, there is limited empirical evidence for cooperative behavior in marine mammals under experimental conditions. In this study, we used a cooperative rope-pulling task to investigate how bottlenose dolphins () coordinate their behavior with a partner. Dolphins successfully learned and were able to perform the task, even when one subject started after the other.

Examination of the relationship between the working conditions of young workers and the content of the meals they buy at convenience stores.

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between the working conditions of young workers and the meals they buy at convenience stores, and to consider the prevention of obesity. The subjects of this study were 284 workers under 29 yr of age employed at a transportation company in Ishikawa prefecture. Questionnaires were sent to participants, and 193 valid responses were obtained.