An Investigation of Ovarian and Adrenal Hormone Activity in Post-Ovulatory Cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus)

Animals

Diana C. Koester¹  Katie L. Edwards²  Morgan A. Maly³  Adrienne E. Crosier³  Sarah Putman⁴  Karen Meeks⁵ 

[1] Conservation and Science Department, Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, Cleveland, OH 44109, USA;North of England Zoological Society, Chester Zoo, Chester CH2 1LH, UK;Smithsonian National Zoological Park and Conservation Biology Institute, Front Royal, VA 22630, USA;Smithsonian/Mason School of Conservation, Front Royal, VA 22630, USA;White Oak Conservation, Yulee, FL 32097, USA;

关键词: cheetah;    hormone;    pregnancy;    glucocorticoid;    progestagen;    estrogen;   

DOI  :  10.3390/ani12070809

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

Cheetahs have been the subject of reproductive study for over 35 years, yet steroid hormone activity remains poorly described after ovulation. Our objective was to examine and compare fecal progestagen (fPM), estrogen (fEM), and glucocorticoid (fGM) metabolite concentrations post-ovulation in pregnant and non-pregnant animals to better understand female physiology (1) during successful pregnancy, (2) surrounding frequent non-pregnant luteal phases, and (3) after artificial insemination (AI) to improve the low success rate. Secondarily, the authors also validated a urinary progestagen metabolite assay, allowing pregnancy detection with minimal sample collection. Fecal samples were collected from 12 females for ≥2 weeks prior to breeding/hormone injection (the PRE period) through 92 days post-breeding/injection. Samples were assessed for hormone concentrations using established enzyme immunoassays. Urine samples were collected for 13 weeks from 6 females after natural breeding or AI. There were no differences among groups in fGM, but in pregnant females, concentrations were higher (p < 0.01) in the last trimester than any other time. For pregnant females that gave birth to singletons, fGM was higher (p = 0.0205), but fEM tended to be lower (p = 0.0626) than those with multi-cub litters. Our results provide insight into the physiological events surrounding natural and artificially stimulated luteal activity in the cheetah.

【 授权许可】

Unknown