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Endocrine monitoring of the ovarian cycle and pregnancy in the saddle‐back tamarin ( Saguinus fuscicollis ) by measurement of steroid conjugates in urine
Author(s) -
Heistermann M.,
Hodges J. K.
Publication year - 1995
Publication title -
american journal of primatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.988
H-Index - 81
eISSN - 1098-2345
pISSN - 0275-2565
DOI - 10.1002/ajp.1350350204
Subject(s) - endocrine system , urine , physiology , saddle , steroid , pregnancy , biology , endocrinology , medicine , hormone , genetics , mathematics , mathematical optimization
Direct measurements of urinary immunoreactive estrone conjugates (E1C) and pregnanediol glucuronide (PdG), were applied to monitoring the ovarian cycle (n = 9) and pregnancy (3 full term pregnancies, 2 mid‐term abortions) in Saguinus fuscicollis . During the ovarian cycle, urinary E1C concentrations revealed a high degree of day‐to‐day variability and appeared to be uninformative in reflecting cyclic ovarian function. In contrast, PdG was a reliable indicator of ovarian cyclicity with excretion patterns corresponding well with plasma progesterone profiles. Luteal phase PdG concentrations were on average 4–7–fold higher than corresponding follicular phase values. On the basis of changes in circulating progesterone, a mean cycle length of 25.7 ±1.0 days with an average follicular phase of 7.1 ± 0.6 days and a mean luteal phase of 18.6 ± 0.7 days, was found (n = 14 cycles). Following conception, both urinary steroid conjugate concentrations increased and elevated levels were maintained beyond the normal luteal phase length, allowing pregnancy to be determined at around day 25–30. During mid‐ to late pregnancy, PdG levels declined while E1C concentrations continued to be elevated until approximately 6 weeks before parturition when a decrease occurred. Both hormones showed a clear and rapid fall to follicular phase values following termination of pregnancy at either parturition or mid‐term abortion. Post partum ovulations (n = 5) occurred on average 17–18 days following birth with four ovulations leading to conceptions. The results demonstrate the potential of urinary steroid conjugate analysis as a practical and reliable method for non‐invasive monitoring of reproductive status in the female saddle‐back tamarin. © 1995 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.