Reproductive activity in the peninsular pronghorn determined from excreted gonadal steroid metabolites

Kersey, David C.; Holland, Jeff; Eng, Curtis

doi:10.1002/zoo.21199

Cited by 6 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 36 publications

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“…Previously, testosterone EIA (Polyclonal antibody, R156/7) has been reported for monitoring faecal testosterone metabolites in a wide range of animals including pronghorn (Antilocapra americana peninsularis) [57], red river hogs (Potamochoerus porcus) [58], Polar Bears (Ursus maritimus) [59]. In this study, we have shown immunoreactive testosterone metabolites in the faecal samples and found immunoreactivity with the antibody (Munro, University of California, Davis, CA, USA).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 52%

Non-Invasive Reproductive Hormone Monitoring in Endangered Pygmy Hog (Porcula salvania)

Kumar¹,

Buragohain²,

Deka³

et al. 2021

Preprint

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The Pygmy hog (Porcula Salvania), till recently, classified as a critically endangered suid, is facing the threat of extinction globally due to habitat degradation. Efforts are being made to protect the pygmy hogs from extinction and breed them in captivity under Pygmy Hog Conservation Pro-gramme (PHCP). However, very little information is available on the reproductive physiology of pygmy hogs. Therefore, the present study aimed to standardize enzyme immunoassays (EIAs) for monitoring pregnancy and reproductive status using progesterone and testosterone metabolites. A total of 785 faecal samples were collected from five females and two males over a period of one year from PHCP Research and Breeding Centre, Guwahati, Assam. High-pressure liquid chro-matography (HPLC) analysis revealed the presence of immunoreactive progesterone and testos-terone metabolites in faeces. Mating was observed in all the five females and four of them gave birth successfully. We were able to detect pregnancy using faecal progesterone metabolites. Based on mating and parturition, the mean gestation period was estimated to be 153.25 days from four females. The breeding centre recorded 172 births between 1996 and 2000 and found strong sea-sonality in births and most of the births were between May and June. Faecal testosterone metabo-lites were significantly higher in the breeding season than the non-breeding season. This is the first study and will help in future breeding programs in other captive breeding centres and reproduc-tive monitoring of reintroduced populations.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 52%

Non-Invasive Reproductive Hormone Monitoring in Endangered Pygmy Hog (Porcula salvania)

Kumar¹,

Buragohain²,

Deka³

et al. 2021

Preprint

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“…A pronounced increase in fAM concentrations during the calving period has also been reported in other ungulates and mammals such as non-human primates [24,28,58,59]. In the Peninsular pronghorn, Kersey et al [16] reported that the rise in androgen concentrations, arising during the prepartum and postnatal periods in males might be a consequence of increased oestrogen levels observed in females, indicating their receptivity to males. This situation may parallel the pattern observed in our study, as an increase in oestrogen levels prior to calving and during the postpartum period, known as foal heat has been shown to occur in other ungulate species [60].…”

Section: Plos Onementioning

confidence: 61%

“…There is a paucity of data focusing on male reproductive physiology in species of the Antilopinae family. Previous studies on male Peninsular pronghorn (Antilocapra americana peninsularis) indicated successful copulation occurs during the breeding season with alterations in androgen concentrations following the oestrogen patterns of females [16]. In captive male blackbuck (Antelope cervicapra), the levels of androgens are closely linked to aggressive behaviour and scent marking [17].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Reproductive events and respective faecal androgen metabolite concentrations in captive male roan antelope (Hippotragus equinus)

et al. 2020

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Understanding the reproductive biology of the roan antelope (Hippotragus equinus) (É. Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire, 1803) is crucial to optimise breeding success in captive breeding programmes of this threatened species. In this study, the pattern of faecal androgen metabolite (fAM) production related to reproductive events (calving or birthing, mating, gestation, and lactation), sexual behaviours as well as environmental cues were studied in captive adult male roan antelope. Faecal sample collection and behavioural observations were carried out from August 2017 to July 2018 for three reproductive males participating in a conservation breeding programme at the Lapalala Wilderness Nature Reserve in South Africa. As a prerequisite, the enzyme immunoassay used in this study was biologically validated for the species by demonstrating a significant difference between fAM concentrations in non-breeding adults, breeding adults and juvenile males. Results revealed that in adults males, the overall mean fAM levels were 73% higher during the breeding period compared to the non-breeding periods, and 85% higher when exclusively compared to the lactation/gestation periods, but only 5.3% higher when compared to the birthing period. Simultaneously, fAM concentrations were lower during the wet season compared to the dry season, increasing with a reduction in photoperiod. With the exception of courtship, frequencies of sexual behaviours monitored changed in accordance with individual mean fAM concentrations in male roan antelope, the findings suggest that androgen production varies with the occurrence of mating activity and may be influenced by photoperiod but not with rainfall.

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“…Previously, testosterone EIA (polyclonal antibody, R156/7) has been reported for monitoring fecal testosterone metabolites in a wide range of animals, including the pronghorn ( Antilocapra americana peninsularis ) [ 57 ], red river hog ( Potamochoerusporcus ) [ 58 ], and polar bear ( Ursus maritimus ) [ 59 ]. Fecal testosterone metabolite levels of two monitored pygmy hogs did not show aclear cycle; however, there were elevated concentrations during the September–December period for both males.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Non-Invasive Reproductive Hormone Monitoring in the Endangered Pygmy Hog (Porcula salvania)

Kumar

Buragohain

Deka

et al. 2021

Animals

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The pygmy hog (Porcula salvania), until recently was classified as a critically endangered suid facing the threat of extinction due to habitat degradation. Efforts are being made to protect the pygmy hog from extinction and breed them in captivity under the Pygmy Hog Conservation Programme (PHCP). However, very little information is available on the reproductive physiology of pygmy hogs. Therefore, the present study aims to standardize enzyme immunoassays (EIAs) for monitoring pregnancy and reproductive status using progesterone and testosterone metabolites. A total of 785 fecal samples were collected from five females and two males over a period of one year from the PHCP Research and Breeding Centre, Guwahati, Assam. High-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis revealed the presence of immunoreactive progesterone and testosterone metabolites in feces. Mating was observed in all five females, and four of them gave birth successfully. We were able to detect pregnancy using fecal progesterone metabolites. The mean gestation period, based on mating and parturition, was estimated to be 153.25 days from the four females studied. The breeding center recorded 172 births between 1996 and 2000 and found strong seasonal patterns in the birth rate, with most of the births occurring between May and June. In the males, fecal testosterone metabolites were significantly higher in the breeding season than in the non-breeding season. This is the first study on the subject and will help with future breeding programs in other captive breeding centers and with reproductive monitoring of reintroduced populations.

show abstract

Reproductive activity in the peninsular pronghorn determined from excreted gonadal steroid metabolites

Cited by 6 publications

References 36 publications

Non-Invasive Reproductive Hormone Monitoring in Endangered Pygmy Hog (Porcula salvania)

Non-Invasive Reproductive Hormone Monitoring in Endangered Pygmy Hog (Porcula salvania)

Reproductive events and respective faecal androgen metabolite concentrations in captive male roan antelope (Hippotragus equinus)

Non-Invasive Reproductive Hormone Monitoring in the Endangered Pygmy Hog (Porcula salvania)

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