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Serum and fecal steroid analysis of ovulation, pregnancy, and parturition in the black rhinoceros ( Diceros bicornis )
Author(s) -
Berkeley E. V.,
Kirkpatrick J. F.,
Schaffer N. E.,
Bryant W. M.,
Threlfall W. R.
Publication year - 1997
Publication title -
zoo biology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.5
H-Index - 54
eISSN - 1098-2361
pISSN - 0733-3188
DOI - 10.1002/(sici)1098-2361(1997)16:2<121::aid-zoo3>3.0.co;2-c
Subject(s) - luteal phase , feces , estrous cycle , biology , endocrinology , medicine , estrogen , rhinoceros , metabolite , pregnancy , radioimmunoassay , follicular phase , hormone , paleontology , genetics
Studies were conducted to determine: (1) if fecal hormone metabolite concentrations correlated with serum estrogen and progesterone concentrations, follicular activity and reproductive behavior in the black rhinoceros ( Diceros bicornis ) and (2) if threshold values of respective fecal metabolite concentrations correlated with pregnancy. Blood and fecal samples were collected, in conjunction with transrectal ultrasound and behavior observations, for an 18‐month period from one black rhinoceros female. Subsequently, serial fecal samples were collected from 13 females in 10 zoos. Quantitative analysis of serum progesterone (P 4 ) and estradiol (E 2 ) was performed by radioimmunoassay (RIA): analysis of fecal estrogen metabolites (E) and fecal progesterone metabolites (P) were performed by enzyme immunoassay (EIA). Serum P 2 concentrations identified two luteal phase patterns and two nadirs which corresponded with behavioral estrus. Fecal E patterns indicated a sharp peak which corresponded with breeding. concentrations of fecal P illustrated identifiable nadirs and several peaks which corresponded to serum P 4 nadirs and luteal phases. Serum P 4 concentrations were not different between the luteal phase and pregnancy. Fecal P concentrations started to rise above luteal phase concentrations approximately 150 days postbreeding and remained elevated until immediately before parturition. Serum E 2 and fecal E concentrations rose and subsequently declined after parturition. In the fecal samples from seven pregnant females, fecal P concentrations were similarly elevated compared to six nonpregnant females. Results indicated that fecal steroid metabolites accurately reflected serum steroid hormone concentrations and that the measurement of P and E concentrations permitted the characterization of the estrous cycle, the diagnosis of pregnancy, and the onset of parturition. Zoo Biol 16:121–132, 1997. © 1997 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.