The Daily Bulletin Archive

Please join the Biology Department for the seminar "Reproductive Aging in Non-human Primates: Lessons Learned from Aging Zoo Populations," presented by Susan Margulis, associate professor of biology at Canisius College, on Friday, April 15, at 2:00 p.m. in Bulger Communication Center East. All faculty, staff, and students are welcome.

Seminar Abstract
Examining life history parameters in long-lived species presents many challenges, particularly if one is studying wild populations. Zoos offer unprecedented access to populations of long-lived species. Not only do animals tend to live long lives in zoos (often attaining ages that would be unlikely in the wild), but zoos also maintain detailed histories on individuals. My research capitalizes on these rich sources of data by examining patterns of reproductive aging in zoo-housed gorillas. By combining non-invasive hormonal measurements, behavioral observation, and assessment of post-mortem records, my collaborators and I have explored patterns of reproductive aging and identified reproductive termination ("menopause") in zoo-housed gorillas. Longitudinal assessment and (eventually) analysis of necropsy records have further identified the ways in which reproductive aging in gorillas mirrors patterns observed in humans. While there are some notable differences, the changes in reproductive function in female gorillas are similar to those seen in human females.