Seasonal reproductive characteristics of female and male Jackson's hartebeest (Alcelaphus buselaphus jacksoni)

This project examined reproductive characteristics of female and male Jackson's hartebeest (Alcelaphus buselaphus jacksoni), a subspecies that originates in Africa and is currently a model for studies of endangered hartebeest subspecies. Progestagen concentrations were measured in fecal samples collected thrice weekly for 1 year from three non-pregnant, adult females, in the Northern Hemisphere (31°37′N, 81°09′W). When their ovaries were active, the females exhibited regular luteal cycles with an overall mean (±S.D.) cycle length of 21.4 ± 4.1 days (n = 31 luteal phases). Peak luteal progestagen concentration was 1.73 ± 0.63 μg/g, with a nadir concentration of 0.79 ± 0.24 μg/g. Cyclic activity ceased from 6 April to 28 June, 7 April to 8 July, and from 18 February to 20 August, for the three females, respectively. During this acyclic period, mean progestagen concentration was 0.90 ± 0.23 μg/g. Ejaculates were collected by electroejaculation from seven males throughout all seasons, with mean (± S.D.) 40 ± 18% motility, 4.1 ± 0.19 progressive motility (scale, 0-5), 1373 ± 826 × 106 sperm/mL, and 42 ± 28% morphologically normal sperm. These data characterized basic reproductive traits for Jackson's hartebeest and established the females as spontaneously ovulating and seasonally polyestrous when housed in the Northern Hemisphere, whereas males produced apparently viable sperm throughout the year.