Premium
Assessing reproductive cycles and pregnancy in cheetahs ( Acinonyx jubatus ) by vaginal cytology
Author(s) -
Asa Cheryl S.,
Junge Randall E.,
Bircher J. Stephen,
Noble Gary A.,
Sarri Kristen J.,
Plotka Edward D.
Publication year - 1992
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.1430110303
Subject(s) - acinonyx jubatus , biology , vaginal cytology , estrous cycle , cytology , pregnancy , physiology , hormone , vaginal smear , follicle stimulating hormone , andrology , endocrinology , gynecology , luteinizing hormone , medicine , zoology , genetics
Vaginal cytology was used to monitor ovarian cycles, two pregnancies, and three pseudopregnancies. Vaginal smears were collected two or three times per week from three adult females; smears plus blood samples were collected once per week from a fourth, adolescent female. Mean cycle lengths, based on intervals between onset of leukocyte infusions, were 11.9 ± 4.9 days (n = 43 cycles), 10.8 ± 5.1 days (n = 49), and 12.3 ± 6.3 days (n = 7) for the three females. Weekly hormone data from the adolescent female revealed a correlation between serum estradiol and percent anuclear cells, suggesting that these cells may be indicative of estrus. The fourth female experienced two sustained, 6‐week increases in serum progesterone, one spontaneous and the other following follicle‐stimulating hormone (FSH) administration. Leukocyte infusions continued during these periods of increased progesterone secretion. However, leukocyte infusions ceased during the two pregnancies of one adult female and during two FSH‐induced pseudopregnancies of another. © 1992 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.