Daniela Yuschenkoff, Lance Adams, Melissa Joblon, Kathryn Tuxbury, Charles Innis, Benjamin Balducchi, Michael McEntire, Natalie D MyIniczenko
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
Introduction: Reproductive disease in female elasmobranchs has been increasingly reported in the literature, though there are limited descriptions of therapeutic intervention.
Methods: This retrospective case series details the surgical management of 20 female elasmobranchs representing nine species. Data for this study were collected from the medical records and necropsy reports of elasmobranchs at six separate zoos and aquaria.
Results: All animals presented with ovarian or uterine abnormalities, including ovarian enlargement (either due to the presence of cysts and/or chronic follicle retention), yolk coelomitis, and excess uterine fluid. Medical management, primarily hormonal and antibiotic therapy, failed to resolve clinical signs in these cases, and the patients were unlikely to survive long-term. All animals underwent complete or partial unilateral ovariectomy (22 procedures total). Surgical approach, anesthetic protocols, and intraoperative treatments varied by species and institution. Post-operative complications were common, particularly hyporexia, dehiscence, and persistent bacterial coelomitis (when already present prior to surgery). Two Chilean round rays (Urotrygon chilensis) required a second ovariectomy after a functional contralateral ovary developed post-unilateral ovariectomy. In this group, 32% of the patients experienced post-operative mortality directly due to surgical or post-surgical complications; 18% died post-operatively due to pre-existing conditions or systemic compromise. However, this was improved with balanced anesthetic protocols and more aggressive peri-procedural supportive care based on the authors' experience.
Discussion: In successful procedures, ovariectomy led to the resolution of clinical signs, demonstrating that ovariectomy is a viable therapeutic option for reproductive disease in elasmobranchs, though early intervention, post-operative monitoring, and supportive care are recommended.
期刊介绍：
Frontiers in Veterinary Science is a global, peer-reviewed, Open Access journal that bridges animal and human health, brings a comparative approach to medical and surgical challenges, and advances innovative biotechnology and therapy.
Veterinary research today is interdisciplinary, collaborative, and socially relevant, transforming how we understand and investigate animal health and disease. Fundamental research in emerging infectious diseases, predictive genomics, stem cell therapy, and translational modelling is grounded within the integrative social context of public and environmental health, wildlife conservation, novel biomarkers, societal well-being, and cutting-edge clinical practice and specialization. Frontiers in Veterinary Science brings a 21st-century approach—networked, collaborative, and Open Access—to communicate this progress and innovation to both the specialist and to the wider audience of readers in the field.
Frontiers in Veterinary Science publishes articles on outstanding discoveries across a wide spectrum of translational, foundational, and clinical research. The journal''s mission is to bring all relevant veterinary sciences together on a single platform with the goal of improving animal and human health.
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