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Effects of changes in photoperiod and temperature on the estrous cycle of a captive female giant panda ( Ailuropoda melanoleuca )
Author(s) -
Tay Trisha T. N.,
Li Desheng,
Huang Yan,
Wang Pengyan,
Tahar Tasha,
Kawi Josephine
Publication year - 2018
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.21408
Subject(s) - ailuropoda melanoleuca , biology , estrous cycle , photoperiodism , breed , zoology , ecology , botany
The female giant panda's estrus is known to be photoperiod sensitive, triggered by increasing day length. A pair of giant pandas was brought to Singapore in September 2012 and exposed to a constant temperature and photoperiod during the first 2 years. The female did not show any signs of estrus during that period. In November 2014, photoperiod and temperature were manipulated to simulate seasonal changes, to investigate the effects of environmental factors on the sexual behavior of the giant pandas. This paper documents the changes and observations carried out from 2012 to 2016, in the attempt to breed this vulnerable species.