圈养林麝社会等级与粪样类固醇激素水平的关系

动物社群的社会等级可对个体的资源分配、社群稳定及个体的行为对策产生重要影响,圈养动物的类固醇激素水平与饲养管理有关,可反映动物的社群紧张水平。深入理解圈养动物的社会等级与其类固醇激素水平的关系是进行濒危动物迁地保育和成功驯养的基础。2018年6月15日—8月15日,用焦点取样法对四川马尔康林麝繁育场的25头林麝进行了冲突行为取样及社会等级计算,采用放射免疫分析法检测了同期粪样的类固醇激素水平,分析了林麝社会等级与粪样皮质醇、睾酮及雌二醇水平的关系。结果表明:低等级雌麝的雌二醇水平(289.037±59.710 pg·g^-1,n=11)显著高于高等级雌麝(45.670±27.283pg·g^-1,n=6)(P<0.05),低等级雄麝的睾酮水平(3.863±1.538 ng·g^-1,n=3)和高等级雄麝(8.017±1.295 ng·g^-1,n=5)无显著差异(P>0.05);低等级雄麝(37.891±7.564 ng·g^-1,n=3)和雌麝(37.262±1.544 ng·g^-1,n=11)的皮质醇水平与高等级雄麝(29.947±2.441 ng·g^-1,n=5)及雌麝(37.478±4.628 ng·g^-1,n=6)间的差异不显著(P>0.05)。不区分性别,低等级林麝的皮质醇水平(37.397±1.826 ng·g^-1,n=14)和高等级个体(34.055±2.886ng·g^-1,n=11)间无显著差异(P>0.05)。研究结果表明,圈养林麝雌体的社会等级与其粪样雌二醇水平呈负相关,低等级雌麝的粪样雌二醇水平显著高于高等级雌麝。在麝类驯养实践中,可监测雌麝的社会等级和粪样雌二醇水平变化,预测雌麝的行为健康及繁殖成效。     

小熊猫妊娠期粪便中孕酮、雌二醇的水平变化

2000年3—8月在成都动物园和成都大熊猫繁育研究基地,用放射免疫分析法测定了6只雌性小熊猫粪样中孕酮（P）和雌二醇（E2）的水平变化,同时对其繁殖行为进行了观察。研究结果表明,交配后的雌体粪样中E2浓度下降至基础水平,P浓度在30d后上升至150ng／g以上;怀孕雌体在妊娠期粪样中P水平在200ng／g以上,P峰值可以达500ng／g以上;假妊娠者粪样中P水平一般不超过150ng／g,P峰值在200ng／g以下;雌体产前半个月孕酮迅速下降,E2缓慢上升,产后P保持在基础水平。这意味着可通过测定粪便中P水平进行早孕诊断、产期预测和真假妊娠判断。根据行为观察和粪样激素分析可知,雌兽妊娠期为123—128d（X=124,N=5）,产仔率为1．8／胎（N=5）。     

黄金周游客干扰对圈养大熊猫应激影响初探

通过非损伤性手段,监测了"五一"黄金周期间北京动物园一雌一雄两只圈养大熊猫粪样中的皮质醇水平变化.结果显示,随着客流量的明显上升,雌雄个体粪样中的皮质醇水平均出现了明显的升高.其中雄性大熊猫粪样中皮质醇含量的变化与前一日的客流量存在显著性相关,而雌性个体粪样中的皮质醇水平则与前一日客流量存在极显著的相关性.     

秦岭野生雌性川金丝猴粪便睾酮水平与邀配频次的季节性变化

为研究野生雌性川金丝猴(Rhinopithecus roxellana)不同季节体内睾酮水平与性行为频次的变化及二者的关系,我们以秦岭一野生川金丝猴种群为研究对象,通过长时间连续跟踪观察,完成了该种群中所有87只金丝猴的个体识别。用无损伤取样法采集了三只成年雌性川金丝猴不同季节的粪样,对粪样中的睾酮进行抽提测定,同时对采样个体的性行为进行记录。结果显示:1)成年雌猴在交配盛期与非交配盛期,粪样中睾酮水平均呈明显的周期性波动,交配盛期时睾酮水平的变化周期为24.56 d±4.07 d,非交配盛期时为43.67 d±2.89 d,显著长于交配盛期;2)成年雌猴在交配盛期的粪样睾酮水平为2.85 ng±1.12 ng/g,邀配频次为0.98±1.04次/d,非交配盛期时睾酮水平为1.71 ng±0.77 ng/g,邀配频次为0.28±0.53次/d,与交配盛期相比,非交配盛期的睾酮水平和邀配频次均明显降低;3)交配盛期各成年雌猴的粪样睾酮水平与邀配频次均有较显著的正相关关系(相关系数分别为0.631、0.683和0.659),而在非交配盛期这种相关关系并不存在(相关系数分别为0.091、0.493和0.205)。本研究表明,成年雌性川金丝猴体内睾酮水平、睾酮水平变化周期及邀配行为频次均具有明显的季节性差异,这种季节性差异可能是川金丝猴行季节性繁殖的内在原因和外在表现之一。本研究亦表明交配盛期雌猴的性行为频次在一定程度上可能受体内睾酮水平的控制,而在非交配盛期这种控制作用较弱。     

圈养马麝刻板行为表达与粪样类固醇激素的关系

2017年7月1日-8月31日及2018年6月1日-7月31日,在甘肃兴隆山保护区马麝繁育中心,采用焦点取样法和连续记录法进行了圈养马麝的刻板行为取样,采集同期粪样,并用放射免疫分析法（RIA）检测粪样中肾上腺皮质醇、睾酮及雌二醇激素的水平,分析了圈养马麝刻板行为表达与上述3种激素水平的关系。结果显示,展现刻板行为的圈养马麝的皮质醇水平（111.099 ± 16.231）ng/g略高于无刻板行为表达的马麝（95.640± 9.738） ng/g,差异未达显著（P> 0.05）;展现刻板行为雄麝的睾酮水平（135.900± 21.582）ng/g略高于无刻板行为的雄麝（108.182 ± 9.689） ng/g,差异也不显著（P> 0.05）;展现刻板行为雌麝的雌二醇水平（0.445 ± 0.116）ng/g显著低于无刻板行为雌麝（10.843 ± 1.142）ng/g（P< 0.05）。研究结果表明,圈养雄性马麝的刻板行为表达与其类固醇激素水平不相关;而雌麝的刻板行为表达与雌二醇分泌显著负相关,这与其繁殖及健康状况有关。在麝类驯养实践中,可将粪样类固醇激素水平（尤其是雌二醇）作为其受胁迫水平及行为健康的监测指标。     

密度因素对布氏田鼠体重增长及免疫功能的影响

为了研究种群密度对布氏田鼠(Microtus brandti)免疫功能的影响，我们以分别取自稳定的同性别饲养群的成年布氏田鼠为对象，测定了雌性和雄性个体在低(1只／笼)、中(4只／笼)、高(8只／笼)3个饲养密度梯度下的生长及免疫指标，包括体重、睾丸重、脾脏重、血清抗体及皮质醇含量等。结果发现：(1)随着密度的升高，布氏田鼠的体重和雄性睾丸的重量有所降低；(2)中密度和高密度饲养条件下雌性的免疫水平高于低密度个体，但密度对雄性个体的免疫状况影响不大；(3)不同密度饲养条件下布氏田鼠血清中的皮质醇含量没有显著差异。这些结果表明，和睦稳定的种内关系未必对布氏田鼠造成社群压力，但密度能够影响布氏田鼠的生长、繁殖和免疫状况，而且这些影响存在着性别差异。     

新疆昆仑雪菊水提物对小鼠肠道短链脂肪酸的调节作用

目的研究新疆昆仑雪菊水提物对小鼠肠道短链脂肪酸的影响。方法 C57BL/6小鼠随机分为4组:空白对照组(n=10)、高剂量组(n=10)、中剂量组(n=10)和低剂量组(n=10),给药14 d,用气相色谱法测定粪样中乙酸、丙酸、丁酸水平。结果相比空白对照组,低剂量组小鼠肠道粪样中乙酸水平显著升高(F=4.662,P=0.011),丙酸水平显著降低(F=3.097,P0.007),中剂量组与高剂量组比较差异无统计学意义。乙酸与乳杆菌属呈正相关(r=0.491,P=0.017),丙酸与乳杆菌属呈负相关(r=-0.425,P=0.038)。结论新疆昆仑雪菊水提物对小鼠肠道短链脂肪酸具有一定的调节作用。     

社群压力对圈养雌性亚洲象动情的影响

亚洲象是中国一级濒危保护动物,改善圈养亚洲象的繁殖状况是亚洲象保护工作的重要内容之一。本研究旨在通过分析社群压力对圈养雌性亚洲象应激和动情状况的影响,从而探究圈养雌性亚洲象长期不动情的原因。通过放射性免疫法检测雌性亚洲象尿液中皮质醇、孕酮和雌二醇水平以及粪便中皮质醇和雌二醇水平,以雌激素水平反映亚洲象的动情状况,以皮质醇水平反映亚洲象的应激状态,以争斗行为和友好行为的发生情况反映圈养群体的社群压力。研究发现：(1)处于优势地位的个体表现出更多的斗争行为,处于从属地位的个体受到更多的攻击行为;(2)优势个体的皮质醇水平显著高于处于从属地位个体的皮质醇水平;(3)优势个体的雌二醇和孕酮具有小幅周期性波动,而从属个体的雌二醇和孕酮水平没有表现出明显的波动。从本研究结果可以看出圈养亚洲象群体中优势个体对从属个体的行为抑制可能是导致从属个体雌激素水平低,长期不能参与繁殖的原因。     

普氏原羚粪便样品中皮质醇激素保存时效研究

由于采集粪便样品无需对目标动物进行捕捉、限制或影响其行为,检测粪便样品中类固醇激素的方法近几十年来在野生动物保护、行为生态学、生理生态学等诸多领域得到广泛应用。普氏原羚(Procapra przewalskii)由于其种群和行为等方面的特殊性,较难进行直接的生理监测,因此采用间接手段监测其粪便类固醇激素就显得很有必要。为探讨不同保存方法对普氏原羚粪便中皮质醇的影响,我们将采集到的新鲜粪便样品充分混合后分为30份,各取10份分别保存于﹣20℃、4℃和20℃,在保存2、5、7、10、15、20、25、30 d和50 d时,使用酶联免疫吸附测定法(ELISA)检测样品中的皮质醇含量。单因素方差分析(One-way ANOVA)结果显示,保存于﹣20℃的粪便样品中皮质醇含量在保存50 d内没有显著变化,含量为(11.747±2.951)ng/g(平均值±标准差),(F=1.966,n=81,P0.05),而保存于4℃和20℃的样品则出现明显波动(4℃:F=23.643,P0.05;20℃:F=35.126,P0.05),含量分别为(15.951±6.766)ng/g和(11.042±6.094)ng/g。保存于4℃和20℃的样品中皮质醇含量在24 h内均有上升,在随后的几天逐渐下降。结果表明,﹣20℃冷冻可以简便有效地保存普氏原羚粪便样品中的皮质醇激素。同时,在野外暴露超过24 h的粪便样品会造成测定结果产生误差,在采集样品时要考虑到潜在的影响。     

不同性别杂色山雀血浆活性氧和超 氧化物歧化酶与繁殖成效的关系

氧化应激是指活性氧等氧化剂的产生大于抗氧化防御系统清除能力时的不平衡状态,是个体应对内外环境刺激的适应性生理机制,是衡量个体身体状况的综合性生理指标。为探究氧化应激对鸟类繁殖的预测作用,本研究测量了育雏前期(雏鸟6～8日龄)杂色山雀(Sittiparus varius)亲鸟血浆氧化应激分子活性氧和超氧化物歧化酶含量,通过巢箱监测获得了杂色山雀的繁殖参数,采用偏最小二乘回归法分析杂色山雀氧化应激对其雏鸟出飞率和繁殖成功率的预测作用。结果显示,雌性杂色山雀亲鸟血浆活性氧浓度与雏鸟出飞率(n=13,P 0.05)、繁殖成功率(n=13,P 0.01)均呈显著负相关关系,即血浆活性氧水平越低的雌性杂色山雀,其繁殖巢雏鸟出飞率和繁殖成功率越高;雌性杂色山雀亲鸟血浆超氧化物歧化酶浓度与雏鸟出飞率(n=13,P0.05)、繁殖成功率(n=13,P 0.05)无显著相关关系。本研究中这两项血浆氧化应激标记物与杂色山雀雄性亲鸟繁殖成效间均无显著的相关关系。该结果表明,杂色山雀雌性亲鸟活性氧水平对其繁殖成效具有显著的预测作用。     

Fecal corticoid metabolite measurement in the cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus)

This longitudinal study addresses the relationship of cortisol excretion to ovarian activity in captive female cheetahs. A radioimmunoassay was developed and validated to measure corticoid metabolite concentrations in feces. A restraint experiment was used to demonstrate that fecal cortisol is detectable following stressful episodes. In studies of 7 females, fecal cortisol output indicated that they could be placed into 3 different categories. Females of the high-in-cortisol category (∼200 ng/g feces, n = 2) were independently rated by caretakers as the most nervous individuals in the collection (n = 24). These females appeared to be compromised in their ovarian cycling, as indicated by fecal estrogen measurements. In contrast, reproducing females fell into the low and intermediate cortisol excretion categories. A non-cycling high-cortisol female had an episodic cycle following a period of relatively low (intermediate) cortisol levels, followed by resumption of acyclicity and high cortisol excretion. Stress and reproductive failure may, therefore, be associated in the female cheetah. The close proximity of conspecifics as a potential source of stress and, consequently, suppressed ovarian activity in some females is suggested by these results. Zoo Biol 16:133–147. 1997 © 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Comparative analysis of gonadal and adrenal activity in the black and white rhinoceros in North America by noninvasive endocrine monitoring

Patterns of fecal reproductive steroid metabolites and adrenal corticoids were characterized for 12‐ to 24‐month periods in black (n = 10 male, 16 female) and white (n = 6 male, 13 female) rhinoceroses at 14 institutions. All black rhinoceros females exhibited at least some ovarian cyclicity on the basis of fecal progestogen analysis (range, 2–12 cycles/yr). However, cycles often were erratic, with many being shorter (<20 days; 18% of cycles) or longer (>32 days; 21%) than the average of 26.8 ± 0.5 days (n = 104 cycles). Five females exhibited periods of acyclicity of 2–10‐month duration that were unrelated to season. One complete and seven partial pregnancies were evaluated in the black rhinoceros. Fecal progestogens increased over luteal phase concentrations after 3 months of gestation. Females resumed cyclicity within 3 months postpartum, before calves were weaned (n = 5). Approximately half of white rhinoceros females (6 of 13) showed no evidence of ovarian cyclicity. Of the cycles observed, 5 were “short” (32.8 ± 1.2 days) and 24 were “long” (70.1 ± 1.6 days). Only two females cycled continuously throughout the study. One had both long (n = 9) and short (n = 2) cycles, whereas the other exhibited long cycles only (n = 5). Fecal estrogen excretion was variable, and profiles were not useful for characterizing follicular activity or diagnosing pregnancy in either species. Males of both species showed no evidence of seasonality on the basis of fecal androgen profiles. Androgen metabolite concentrations were higher (P < 0.05) in the black (27.6 ± 6.9 ng/g) than in the white (16.8 ± 3.1 ng/g) rhinoceros. An adrenocorticotropin hormone challenge in four black rhinoceros males demonstrated that the clearance rate of corticoid metabolites into feces was ～24 hours. Fecal corticoid concentrations did not differ between males and females, but overall means were higher in the black (41.8 ± 3.1 ng/g) than in the white (31.2 ± 1.7 ng/g) rhinoceros. In summary, fecal steroid analysis identified a number of differences in hormonal secretory dynamics between the black and white rhinoceros that may be related to differences in reproductive rates in captivity. Most black rhinoceros females exhibited some cyclic ovarian activity. In contrast, few white rhinoceroses demonstrated evidence of regular estrous cyclicity, and those females that were active had comparatively long cycles. Results also suggest that fecal corticoid concentrations reflect adrenal activity and may be species specific. Continued studies are needed to determine whether fecal corticoid measurements will be useful for understanding the cause of inconsistent gonadal activity in these two species. Because all but three (15.8%) of the white rhinoceroses evaluated in this study were less than 20 years of age compared to 73.1% (19 of 26) of the black rhinoceroses, the impact of age on reproductive and adrenal activity also needs to be evaluated further. Zoo Biol 20:463–486, 2001. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Evidence for chronic stress in captive but not free-ranging cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus) based on adrenal morphology and function

The cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus) is highly endangered because of loss of habitat in the wild and failure to thrive in captivity. Cheetahs in zoos reproduce poorly and have high prevalences of unusual diseases that cause morbidity and mortality. These diseases are rarely observed in free-ranging cheetahs but have been documented in cheetahs that have been captured and held in captive settings either temporarily or permanently. Because captivity may be stressful for this species and stress is suspected as contributing to poor health and reproduction, this study aimed to measure chronic stress by comparing baseline concentrations of fecal corticoid metabolites and adrenal gland morphology between captive and free-ranging cheetahs. Additionally, concentrations of estradiol and testosterone metabolites were quantified to determine whether concentrations of gonadal steroids correlated with corticoid concentration and to assure that corticosteroids in the free-ranging samples were not altered by environmental conditions. Concetntrations of fecal corticoids, estradiol, and testosterone were quantified by radioimmunoassay in 20 free-ranging and 20 captive cheetahs from samples collected between 1994 and 1999. Concentrations of baseline fecal corticoids were significantly higher (p = 0.005) in captive cheetahs (196.08 +/- 36.20 ng/g dry feces) than free-ranging cheetahs (71.40 +/- 14.35 ng/g dry feces). Testosterone concentrations were lower in captive male cheetahs (9.09 +/- 2.84 ng/g dry feces) than in free-ranging cheetahs (34.52 +/- 12.11 ng/g dry feces), which suggests suppression by elevated corticoids in the captive males. Evidence for similar sulppression of estradiol concentrations in females was not present. Adrenal corticomedullary ratios were determined on midsagittal sections of adrenal glands from 13 free-ranging and 13 captive cheetahs obtained between 1991 and 2002. The degree of vacuolation of cortical cells in the zona fasciculata was graded for each animal. Corticomedullary ratios were larger (p = 0.05) in captive cheetahs; however, there was no difference (p = 0.31) in the degree of corticocyte vacnolation between the two populations. These data proxile both mnorphologic and functional evidence suggestive of chronic stress in captive cheetahs. Further research into the role of hypercortisolemia in the pathogenesis of the reproductive abnormalities and unusual diseases of captive cheetahs is needed.     

绝经后女性血清25(OH)D水平与高血压的相关性分析

目的:探讨绝经后女性血清25羟维生素D[25(OH)D]与高血压的相关性。方法:选取456例绝经后女性为研究对象,按照是否存在高血压分为高血压组(n=102例)和非高血压组(n=354例),测定所有患者的血清25(OH)D水平;血清25(OH)D水平分为四组:即25(OH)D≥30 ng/m L组(n=50例)、21~29 ng/m L组(n=110例)、10~20 ng/m L组(n=240例)、25(OH)D10 ng/m L组(n=56例);比较各组相关指标的差异。并利用Logistic回归方程分析血清25(OH)D与高血压发生的关系。结果:高血压组与非高血压组在体质指数(BMI)、收缩压(SBP)、舒张压(SDP)、雌激素、高敏C反应蛋白(hs-CRP)、甘油三酯(TG)、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇(LDL-C)、空腹血糖(FPG)方面存在统计学差异(P0.05);高血压组血清25(OH)D[14.56±3.21(ng/ml)]低于非高血压组[19.89±4.75(ng/ml)](t=10.649,P0.001);在血清25(OH)D10 ng/m L组中,SBP和SDP值、高血压发生率均高于25(OH)D≥30 ng/m L组、21~29ng/m L组(n=110例)、10~20 ng/m L组(P0.05);血清25(OH)D水平与绝经后女性发生高血压呈现负相关(P0.05)。在血清25(OH)D不同分组中,从25(OH)D≥30 ng/m L组到25(OH)D10 ng/m L组发生高血压的风险值依次增加。结论:血清25(OH)D水平与绝经后高血压的发生密切相关,随着血清25(OH)D水平的逐渐降低,高血压发生的风险亦逐渐增大。     

Seasonal variation in the endocrine-testicular function of captive jaguars (Panthera onca)

Captive adult male jaguars (Panthera onca) from two locations in southeast Brazil were studied to evaluate the effects of season on endocrine and testicular function. For assessment of testicular steroidogenic activity, androgen metabolite concentrations were measured in fecal samples collected one to three times per week over 14 ( n=14 ), 9 ( n=1 ) or 7 months ( n=1 ). To assess seasonality, data were grouped by season (summer: December-February; autumn: March-May; winter: June-August; spring: September-November). Additionally, samples collected in the dry season (March-August) were compared with those collected in the wet season (September-February). There were no differences ( P>0.05 ) in fecal androgen concentrations in samples collected in spring, summer, autumn, and winter ( 480.8+/-50.4 ng/g, 486.4+/-42.0 ng/g, 335.4+/-37.7 ng/g, and 418.6+/-40.4 ng/g dry feces). However, there were differences ( P<0.05 ) in fecal androgen concentrations between the dry and wet seasons ( 380.5+/-28.0 ng/g versus 483.9+/-32.3 ng/g dry feces). Sperm samples, collected from all males twice (approximately 6 months apart) were similar; mean (+/-S.E.M.) motility, concentration and morphology were 57.0 %4.5%, 6.3+/-2.4 x 10(6) ml(-1), and 60.8+/-3.1 %, respectively. In conclusion, androgen metabolite concentrations in the captive male jaguar were not affected by season, but there was a difference between the wet and dry periods. Further research is needed to verify these results.     

Enzyme immunoassay of progesterone in the feces from beef cattle to monitor the ovarian cycle

The present study was undertaken to measure fecal progesterone concentration of beef cattle using antibody against authentic progesterone and to examine whether this method can monitor the ovarian cycle in beef cattle. Rectal fecal samples collected from 14 beef cattle were mixed with 6 ml of 100% methanol and shaken for 15 min. After centrifugation, supernatant was extracted with petroleum ether followed by an enzyme immunoassay (EIA) for progesterone. Specificity of the assay was examined by HPLC separation of fecal solution followed by the EIA in each fraction. The present assay identified only progesterone but not other metabolites in the feces sample that was extracted with petroleum ether. Sensitivity of the assay was estimated to be 0.0055 ng/ml (0.11 ng/g). Coefficient variations of intra- and inter-assay were 9.6-10.9% and 10.8-16.6%, respectively. Recovery rates ranged between 73 and 84%. Patterns in the fecal progesterone concentrations during the ovarian cycle were almost parallel to the plasma concentrations. A significant positive correlation was established between the fecal and plasma progesterone concentrations in individual animal (r=0.59-0.84, P<0.001, n=10) as well as pooled data (r=0.70, P<0.001, n=65). Fecal progesterone concentrations of day 0 (showing the nadir of concentration) of the ovarian cycle were less than 50 ng/g, which increased significantly toward day 9 (P<0.01). From days 14 to 18, there was significant reduction of fecal progesterone concentration (P<0.01). Ovarian cycles had at least 48 ng/g (mean=74 ng/g) of difference between minimum and maximum fecal progesterone concentrations. All cattle at days 9, 11 and 14 had higher fecal progesterone concentrations by more than 20 ng/g compared with day 0. These results suggest that the present EIA is suitable to measure the progesterone in cattle feces and can monitor ovarian cycle.     

Characterization of reproductive cycles and adrenal activity in the black‐footed ferret (Mustela nigripes) by fecal hormone analysis

The reproductive cycle of the black‐footed ferret (Mustela nigripes) was characterized by enzyme immunoassay (EIA) analysis of ovarian fecal steroids (estradiol, progestins) in 29 females over two consecutive breeding seasons. Estrous status was determined by measuring the vulva size and examining the percentage of superficial cells in vaginal lavages. Mean fecal estradiol concentrations were correlated with vulval area (r = 0.370, P < 0.0001) and the percentage of superficial cells (r = 0.380, P < 0.0001). Ovulation resulted in a rise in fecal progestin concentrations 5 days after breeding that differed (P < 0.05) between pregnant (n = 14) and pseudopregnant (n = 12) females during the late luteal phase (days 12–40), with concentrations remaining higher in pregnant animals. Gestation length was 41.3 ± 0.7 days with 3.6 ± 0.4 kits produced per female. Litter size correlated significantly (P < 0.05) with fecal estradiol, but not progestins during the 12 to 40 days after breeding. Females failing to breed (n = 3) remained in estrus for 31 ± 6.2 days before ovulation induction with human chorionic gonadotropin. Adrenal activity in male (n = 4) and female (n = 6) black‐footed ferrets was monitored by quantifying fecal corticoid metabolites after a series of manipulations (physical restraint, intramuscular saline, intramuscular gel adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), intramuscular liquid ACTH). A significant (P < 0.0001) increase in fecal corticoids above the pre‐treatment baseline occurred 20 to 44 hours after restraint (five of 10 animals), saline (six of nine), gel ACTH (seven of 10), and liquid ACTH (nine of 10) treatments. Immunoreactivity of high‐performance liquid chromatography–separated fecal elutes was compared using antibodies against cortisol and corticosterone. The cortisol EIA demonstrated immunoreactivity that co‐eluted with ³H‐cortisol, whereas a corticosterone radioimmunoassay detected a metabolite peak that co‐eluted with ³H‐corticosterone in addition to a slightly less polar and one considerably more polar peak. Despite recognizing different metabolites, both assays produced similar temporal profiles of corticoid excretion after manipulation. This study provides new information on the black‐footed ferret regarding differences in fecal steroid excretion patterns between pregnancy and pseudopregnancy and the potential application of fecal corticoid metabolite monitoring for evaluating responses to stressors associated with practices used in breeding management. Zoo Biol 20:517–536, 2001. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Correlation between serum and fecal concentrations of reproductive steroids throughout gestation in goats

Non-invasive techniques such as the measurement of fecal steroids are now widely used to monitor reproductive hormones in captive and free-ranging wild-life. These methods offer great advantages and deserve to be used in domestic animals. The aim of the present study was to determine the endocrine profile of dairy goats throughout pregnancy by the quantification of fecal progestins and estrogens and assess its correlation with serum concentrations. Blood and fecal samples were collected weekly from 11 adult, multiparous goats, from mating through pregnancy and 2 weeks post-partum. The extraction of estradiol and progesterone fecal metabolites was performed by dilution in ethanol. The radioimmunoassay (RIA) in solid phase was used to quantify serum 17beta-estradiol (estradiol) and progesterone, as well as their fecal metabolites. The mean concentrations of both fecal and serum estradiol started to increase between weeks 7 and 11, reached peak values near parturition and then decreased sharply (range: 19.8+/-5.8 ng/g of feces to 608.6+/-472.4 ng/g of feces and 0.007+/-0.005 ng/ml to 0.066+/-0.024 ng/ml). An increase in both fecal and blood progestagens occurred in the second week, mean concentrations remained greater until week 20, and then decreased in the last week of gestation and 2 weeks post-partum (range: 108.8+/-43.6 ng/g of feces to 3119.5+/-2076.9 ng/g of feces and 0.12+/-0.04 ng/ml to 13.10+/-4.29 ng/ml). The changes in blood and fecal hormone concentrations were analyzed and compared throughout gestation for each single goat, for each breed and for the whole group. Results indicated that matched values of serum and fecal hormone concentrations were correlated (r=0.79; p<0.001 for progesterone and r=0.84; p<0.001 for estradiol mean concentrations in the whole group). Regression analysis showed that logarithmic model allows significant prediction of serum from fecal concentrations with an R(2)=0.729 (y=0.013ln x-0.021) for estradiol and R(2)=0.788 (y=3.835ln x-18.543) for progesterone. Neither fecal nor serum concentrations were affected by the breed but a significant effect of the number of fetuses on progestin concentrations was found. Therefore, the profiles of progesterone and estradiol fecal metabolites reflect the serum concentrations of the same hormones in pregnant goats.     

Fecal hormones as a non-invasive population monitoring method for reindeer

Proper management of threatened species requires knowledge of population sizes and structures, however current techniques to gather this information are generally impractical and costly and can be stressful on the animals. Non-invasive methods that can produce high quality and accurate results are better alternatives. In winter 2010, we collected blood and fecal samples from 2 reindeer (Rangifer tarandus) populations (Kaamanen, Finland and Svalbard, Norway) to investigate the feasibility of using fecal progesterone metabolites to help estimate the reproductive status, the sex, and the age structures of the populations. We first examined the relationship between plasma progesterone and fecal progesterone metabolite concentrations. We further assessed whether fecal progesterone metabolite levels would clearly differ among calf, yearling, and adult and between pregnant and non-pregnant females. We quantified fecal progesterone metabolites (using enzyme immunoassay) and plasma progesterone (using radio immunoassay) of females and males of different ages from the 2 herds. We found in both populations that fecal progesterone metabolite levels reflected plasma progesterone concentrations. However, the range of fecal progesterone metabolite concentration was much wider in Finland than in Svalbard, possibly due to differences in diet or body condition. We determined a threshold value of 1.31 ng/ml plasma progesterone and 2025.93 ng/g dried fecal progesterone metabolites to identify pregnant reindeer from non-pregnant animals with 100% accuracy. We found a significant difference in fecal progesterone metabolite concentrations only between calves and yearlings/adults in Finland. We could not differentiate among males, non-pregnant adults, or calves of either sex; therefore identification of sex may have to rely on the use of DNA techniques. Our results suggest that hormone concentration, in combination with fecal DNA and pellet morphometry techniques, may provide important population parameters and is a valuable tool for the monitoring of reindeer and may have an application for threatened populations of woodland caribou throughout the winter and early spring. © 2011 The Wildlife Society.