Estrus Cycle Monitoring in Wild Mammals: Challenges and Perspectives

Abstract

The knowledge of reproductive physiology is of paramount importance to guide reproductive management and to make possible future application of assisted reproduction techniques (ARTs) aiming ex situ conservation of wild mammals. Nevertheless, information on the basic reproductive aspects of wild mammals remain scarce, and appropriate management practices have not yet been developed for all the species. This chapter discusses the methods most currently used for reproductive monitoring in wild females. Additionally, the difficulties regarding their use in different species and the possibilities of these procedures in captivity or in free-living mammals are addressed.

Opportunities and challenges associated with fecal progesterone metabolite analysis

“…A better understanding of fundamental reproductive processes in animals is dependent on the collection of blood samples and analysis of reproductive hormones therein. However, in most animal species, the collection of blood samples is accompanied with stress and difficulties of animal handling and restraint, and in some cases, there may be a need for expertise [ 9 , 16 - 19 ]. This is even more difficult especially in aquatic and some free-living terrestrial animals [ 2 , 20 , 21 ].…”

“…Using either assay, it is possible to characterize ovarian cycles [ 16 ], screen open cows [ 10 ], and assess reproductive function in wildlife [ 8 , 36 - 40 ]. The choice of which immunological technique to employ is dependent on factors such as assay technique involved, type of information required, route of excretion of the metabolites, as well as the practicability of sample collection [ 18 , 19 ].…”

“…Other analytical methods such as high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) have been developed and are frequently used in several laboratories for quantifying progesterone metabolites in biological samples [ 7 , 19 , 41 , 42 ]. HPLC separates progesterone metabolites according to their respective properties [ 9 , 10 , 36 , 43 ].…”

“…Most times, it takes a fairly long time for samples to arrive at the laboratory for analysis. Failure to properly preserve fecal samples allows gut bacteria and their enzymes to further metabolize progesterone metabolites therein [ 19 , 74 - 76 ]. At present, there is no consensus on the best method of preserving fecal samples.…”

Karakteristik Sitologi Vagina Selama Siklus Estrus dan Gejala Klinis Estrus pada Banteng (Bos javanicus d’Alton 1823)

“…Siklus estrus dan pengamatan tanda-tanda estrus eksternal dapat digunakan untuk deteksi estrus antara lain sitologi vagina, pengukuran profil hormon, ultrasonografi, atau termografi (Silva et al, 2017). Pengetahuan tersebut sangat penting untuk menentukan waktu yang tepat untuk kawin alam atau melalui inseminasi buatan (IB).…”