Diagnosis and treatment of infertility in male great apes

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Abstract
Increased concern for maintenance of endangered species in captivity has prompted increased interest in monitoring the fertility of captive animals. This paper outlines methods for discrimination between lack of reproduction and infertility, and provides guidelines for identification of physiological causes of infertility. The role of environment in infertility is discussed, and suggestions are made for correction of environmental deficiencies. A brief review of the potential for infectious infertility is followed by an outline of appropriate treatments. It appears that a primary cause of physiological infertility in the gorilla is spermatogenic arrest, and it also appears possible that this defect may be corrected by alterations in environment and management. In summary, the outlook for continued breeding of great apes in captivity is bright, and efforts in the past few years to identify and alleviate potential causes for infertility and nonreproduction are beginning to yield good results.