雄性小熊猫粪便中睾酮水平的变化与繁殖周期的关系

1999年 12月至 2 0 0 0年 9月 ,使用放射免疫分析法 ,测定了成都动物园和成都大熊猫繁育研究基地的 4只雄性小熊猫粪样中睾酮水平变化情况 ,同时对其行为进行了观察。研究结果表明 ,雄性粪样中睾酮水平在繁殖期(12月～ 3月 )显著高于非繁殖期 (4月～ 9月 ) (P <0 0 1) ,且睾酮水平变化与繁殖行为密切相关。在非繁殖期 ,雄性小熊猫的睾酮水平处于基础的较低水平时 ,其繁殖行为如蹭阴、舔阴、舔标记物和咩叫等几乎没有发生或很少发生 ;而在繁殖期 ,雄性小熊猫的睾酮水平明显升高 ,这些繁殖行为频繁发生。以上结果说明 ,睾酮是调节雄性小熊猫繁殖行为季节性变化的生理因子

Fecal Testosterone Levels and Reproduction Cycle in Male Red Panda (Ailurus fulgens)

Fecal testosterones were analysed from four male red pandas (Ailurus fulgens) in Chengdu Zoo and Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding by radioimmunoassays from December 1999 to September 2000, to investigate the hormonal correlations to reproduction and reproductive behaviors. The results indicated that fecal testosterone concentration was obviously higher (P<0.01) in reproductive season (from December 1999 to March 2000) than in non-reproductive season (from April to September 2000), and the fecal testosterone levels were closely correlated with reproductive aggression. In non-reproductive season, the reproductive behaviors such as scent marking, licking anogenital, licking marking, and bleating seldom happened when fecal testosterone concentration stayed in a relatively low at basal level. However, in reproductive season, these reproductive behaviors happened frequently when fecal testosterone level rose obviously. These imply that testosterone is the main physiological factor, which regulates seasonal changes of male red pandas' reproductive activities.