a
White Oak Conservation Center, 581705 White Oak Road, Yulee, FL, United States
b International Species Information System, Eagan, MN, United States
c Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens, 370 Zoo Parkway, Jacksonville, FL, United States
b International Species Information System, Eagan, MN, United States
c Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens, 370 Zoo Parkway, Jacksonville, FL, United States
Abstract
Basic reproductive
information in female jaguars (. Panthera onca) is lacking, thus
longitudinal fecal samples from seven females were analyzed via enzyme
immunoassay to measure estradiol and progestin metabolites throughout
the year. Mean estrus length of 194 estrus periods measured hormonally
was 6.5 ± 0.3 d, mean peak fecal estradiol concentration was 138.7 ± 5.7
ng/g; and in one female, estrus resumption occurred approximately 15 d
post-partum. Ovulation, as indicted by sustained elevated progestin
concentrations (>20 d), was successfully induced one time by
treatment with exogenous hormones in one female and by physical vaginal
stimulation in two females a combined total of three times. Elevated
fecal progestin was observed outside exogenous stimulation on five
occasions, suggesting ovulation occurred spontaneously. Mean length of
physically induced and spontaneous pseudopregnancies was 24.7 ± 4.2 d
and 29.6 ± 2.6 d, respectively, and mean length of pregnancy (n = 2) was
98.0 ± 0.0 d. Mean peak progestin concentration for spontaneous and
induced pseudopregnancies, and pregnancy was 7.4 ± 1.4 μg/g, 6.4 ± 1.2
μg/g, and 13.7 ± 1.0 μg/g, respectively. This data suggests jaguars are
polyestrous and generally induced ovulators, with a moderate incidence
of spontaneous ovulation. Additionally, two protocols to successfully
stimulate ovarian activity in jaguars are described. © 2015 Elsevier
Inc.
Author keywords
Estradiol; Non-invasive fecal hormone monitoring; Ovarian stimulation; Progestins; Pseudopregnancy; Spontaneous ovulation
Indexed keywords
EMTREE drug terms: estradiol; gestagen
EMTREE medical terms: adult; Article; basic
reproduction number; controlled study; enzyme immunoassay; estrus; feces
analysis; female; hormonal regulation; hormone determination; jaguar;
nonhuman; ovary cycle; ovary function; ovulation; ovulation induction;
pregnancy; priority journal; pseudopregnancy
Chemicals and CAS Registry Numbers: estradiol, 50-28-2
