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Urinary steroid evaluations to monitor ovarian function in exotic ungulates: IV. Estrogen metabolism in the okapi ( Okapia johnstoni )
Author(s) -
Loskutoff Naida M.,
Kasman Lonnie H.,
Raphael Bonnie L.,
OttJoslin Janis E.,
Lasley Bill L.
Publication year - 1987
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/zoo.1430060303
Subject(s) - biology , estrogen , urinary system , follicular phase , urine , ovary , medicine , endocrinology , physiology
In this investigation, an attempt was made to identify the major urinary estrogen metabolites in the okapi by radioisotope infusion and by chromatographic separation procedures. The results suggest that the urinary estrogens are excreted in concentrations below the limit of sensitivity of conventional assay systems. In addition, a variety of contaminants with estrogenic immunoreactivity are present in okapi urine that are not necessarily correlated with follicular activity. A great proportion of circulating estrogen is eliminated in fecal material. However, the rate of elimination is slow, and the extraction procedures necessary to detect the metabolites are tedious, which would prevent the practical application of this procedure for monitoring follicular activity.