Ovarian activity in Arabian leopards (Panthera pardus nimr): sexual behaviour and faecal steroid monitoring during the follicular cycle, mating and pregnancy

2007 ◽  
Vol 19 (7) ◽  
pp. 822 ◽  
Author(s):  
Florine J. de Haas van Dorsser ◽  
Daphne I. Green ◽  
William V. Holt ◽  
Amanda R. Pickard
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Behaviour ◽  
Arabian Peninsula ◽  
Average Duration ◽  
Ovarian Activity ◽  
Panthera Pardus ◽  
Fundamental Understanding ◽  
In Captivity ◽  
Steroid Profiles ◽  
Basic Features ◽  
Steroid Excretion

The Arabian leopard is a critically endangered subspecies endemic to the Arabian Peninsula. A fundamental understanding of the ovarian activity of the leopard is important to enhance the success with which it breeds in captivity. The objective of the present study was to characterise the endocrinology of the follicular cycle, ovulation and pregnancy in captive females using faecal steroid hormone analyses and observations of sexual behaviour. The follicular cycle of the leopard was shown to last 18–23 days based on the interval between consecutive peaks of faecal oestrogen conjugates, and the occurrence of silent heats was high. Puberty had commenced at 2 years of age, but faecal steroid profiles did not match those of the adult female until 3 years of age. No seasonal change in ovarian steroid excretion was observed, although behavioural oestrus was suppressed in summer. Significant rises in faecal progestagen concentrations were only recorded in mated leopards, indicating that these females were strictly induced ovulators. However, only 60% of these mating periods were ovulatory. Progestagen concentrations during pregnancy were significantly higher than those of the non-pregnant luteal phase. The average duration of the non-pregnant and pregnant luteal phases was 39 and 97 days, respectively. The basic features of the reproductive cycle of the Arabian leopard described here form an important foundation for further study into its reproduction.

Copulation and Associated Behaviour in The Quokka, Setonix brachyurus.

1999 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 139
Author(s):  
I.G. McLean ◽  
N.T. Schmitt
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Behaviour ◽  
In Captivity ◽  
In The Wild ◽  
Copulatory Behaviour

While preparing a review of published descriptions of copulatory behaviour in macropod marsupials (McLean, Lundie-Smith and Jarman 1993), we were surprised to find no description for one of the most studied species, the quokka (Setonix brachyurus, e.g. see Bradshaw 1983). Copulating quokkas have been seen previously by researchers (e.g. Kitchener 1970), but no account was given. Here we provide descriptions of copulatory behaviour in quokkas, and comment on levels of sexual behaviour and activity by quokkas in the wild and in captivity.

THE EFFECT OF THE LONG TERM ADMINISTRATION OF ORAL CONTRACEPTIVES ON EXCRETION VALUES FOR FOLLICLE-STIMULATING HORMONE AND LUTEINISING HORMONE

1967 ◽  
Vol 54 (1) ◽  
pp. 96-104 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. T. Bell ◽  
A. L. Herbst ◽  
Mariamma Krishnamurti ◽  
J. A. Loraine ◽  
Eleanor Mears ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Oral Contraceptives ◽  
Luteinising Hormone ◽  
Follicle Stimulating Hormone ◽  
Term Therapy ◽  
Ovarian Activity ◽  
Long Term Effects ◽  
Term Administration ◽  
Steroid Excretion ◽  
Stimulating Hormone

ABSTRACT Pituitary gonadotrophic function together with urinary steroid excretion has been studied in four women during and following long term therapy with oral contraceptives. Assays of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) were performed in all subjects while luteinising hormone (LH) output was measured in two. Estimations of urinary oestrogens and pregnanediol indicated absence of ovarian activity during treatment and the resumption of ovulation in the first or second post-treatment cycle. In the three women who received progestogen-oestrogen mixtures depression of FSH and LH activities during treatment was noted. In the subject receiving a progestogen alone such a depression did not occur. Following withdrawal of medication urinary FSH excretion remained similar to that during treatment while LH levels either rose or were unchanged. It is concluded that the long term effects of oral contraceptives on pituitary gonadotrophic function are variable and may depend on such factors as the composition of the tablet administered, its total dosage and the duration of therapy.

Sequential orgaqisation of social behaviour in captive adult and juvenile Macropus rufus (Marsupialia: Macropodidae).

1989 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 5
Author(s):  
P. Wilhelm ◽  
U. Ganslosser
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Behaviour ◽  
High Intensity ◽  
Social Behaviour ◽  
Mating Behaviour ◽  
Functional Categories ◽  
Low Intensity ◽  
Macropus Rufus ◽  
In Captivity ◽  
Free Ranging ◽  
Behavioural Repertoire

The behavioural repertoire of Macropus rufus in captivity is described in comparison with data from literature. Most behavioural elements observed do not differ from those of free-ranging populations. Some new elements of agonistic and sexual behaviour are described. The sequential organisation of adult social behaviour allows a distinction between the functional categories of agonistic, friendly and sexual behaviour as well as a series of transitional elements. In sexual behaviour, low-intensity sexual checking can be distinguished from high-intensity courting and mating behaviour. In agonistic contexts a distinction between elements of ritualised and unritualised fighting is possible on the basis of sequences, with fixed sequences of behaviour patterns in ritualised fighting. Young M. rufus show nearly all behaviour patterns of adults, though frequently out of context. Their behavioural repertoire is not organised into different functional categories. Playfighting as well as running-play are not restricted to the mother-young dyad.

scholarly journals Serum concentrations of oestradiol and progesterone, and sexual behaviour during the normal oestrous cycle in the leopard (Panthera pardus)

Reproduction ◽  
1988 ◽  
Vol 82 (1) ◽  
pp. 43-49 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. M. Schmidt ◽  
D. L. Hess ◽  
M. J. Schmidt ◽  
R. C. Smith ◽  
C. R. Lewis
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Behaviour ◽  
Oestrous Cycle ◽  
Panthera Pardus ◽  
Serum Concentrations

EXCRETION OF STEROID HORMONES IN AN ANENCEPHALIC NEWBORN INFANT

1972 ◽  
Vol 70 (1) ◽  
pp. 113-131 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter Eneroth ◽  
Harry Ferngren ◽  
Jan-Åke Gustafsson ◽  
Björn Ivemark ◽  
Åke Stenberg
Keyword(s):  
Steroid Hormones ◽  
Adrenal Cortex ◽  
Newborn Infant ◽  
Neonatal Period ◽  
Steroid Hormone ◽  
Helix Pomatia ◽  
List Type ◽  
Steroid Profiles ◽  
Steroid Excretion ◽  
Hormone Excretion

ABSTRACT The steroid hormone excretion in an anencephalic foetus was studied by analysis of steroids in the meconium and urine. The meconium (14.3 g) contained about 2.7 mg of isomers of pregnane-3,20-diol, pregnane-3,16,20-triol and pregnane-3,20,21-triol. 1.7 ml of urine was collected from 24 h after birth of the foetus until death at 52 h of age. The following steroids were identified in the urine after hydrolysis with enzymes of Helix pomatia: 3α,6α-dihydroxy-5α-pregnan-20-one; 3β,6α-dihydroxy-5α-pregnan-20-one; 16α-hydroxy-5α1 and 5β2-pregnane-3,20-dione; 6α-hydroxy-5β-pregnane-3,20-dione; 3ξ,15ξ-dihydroxy-5ξ-pregnan-20-one; 16β, 20β-dihydroxy-5α-pregnan-3-one and 1ξ,3ξ,16ξ-trihydroxy-5ξ-pregnan-20-one. Qualitatively the differences between these steroid profiles of meconium and urine from the corresponding profiles of normal newborns were mainly the following: the absence of 3β-hydroxy-Δ5-steroid excretion in the anencephalic foetus; the presence of 3-oxo-5α(and 5β)-steroids in the urine of the anencephalic foetus. The results of the present investigation are in agreement with the view that during the neonatal period, 3β-hydroxy-Δ5-steroids are mainly synthesized in the foetal adrenal cortex.

scholarly journals Follicular, endocrine and behavioural dynamics of the Indian rhinoceros (Rhinoceros unicornis) oestrous cycle

Reproduction ◽  
2004 ◽  
Vol 128 (6) ◽  
pp. 843-856 ◽  
Author(s):  
Monica A Stoops ◽  
Randal D Pairan ◽  
Terri L Roth
Keyword(s):  
Follicular Development ◽  
Young Female ◽  
Oestrous Cycle ◽  
Response To Treatment ◽  
Ovarian Activity ◽  
Large Follicle ◽  
Rhinoceros Unicornis ◽  
Metabolite Profiles ◽  
In Captivity ◽  
Progesterone Metabolite

Longitudinal ultrasound, behaviour and endocrine evaluations were conducted, over 14 to 18 months, in two young female Indian rhinoceroses (Rhinoceros unicornis) to characterize the oestrous cycle. Both females showed the same pattern of follicular development producing a large follicle (10–12 cm diameter) on one of the ovaries that persisted for 8.5 ± 4.68 days before spontaneously ovulating. Ovulation occurred in all eight cycles monitored in a 6- to 7-year-old female versus 10 out of 14 cycles monitored in a 5- to 6-year-old female. Ultrasound examinations confirmed follicular collapse 48 h following the onset of behavioural oestrus in ovulatory cycles, while anovulatory cycles were associated with the formation of a haemorrhagic follicle. The day of behavioural oestrus corresponded to peak urinary oestrogen conjugate concentrations for each cycle, but anovulatory cycles had lower concentrations on the day of behavioural oestrus compared with ovulatory cycles. A transient increase in urinary progesterone metabolite concentrations was detected 1 day prior to ovulation. Irregular urinary progesterone metabolite profiles followed anovulatory cycles, reflecting varying degrees of follicular luteinization. In an attempt to ensure that a cycle would result in ovulation in the 5- to 6-year-old female, a GnRH treatment was tested during two separate cycles. Administration of GnRH on the day of behavioural oestrus resulted in an increase in urinary luteinizing hormone concentrations 2 h following injection. Regardless, ovulation did not occur in response to treatment. This study provides the first ultrasound data on ovarian activity in the Indian rhinoceros and establishes normal physiologic and behavioural relationships during the oestrous cycle that may facilitate the breeding of this species in captivity.

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