Longitudinal fecal hormone analysis for monitoring reproductive activity in the female polar bear (Ursus maritimus) |
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| Affiliation: | 1. Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine (IKE), Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden;2. Animal Reproduction and Obstetrics, University of León, León, Spain;3. ITRA-ULE, INDEGSAL, University of León, León, Spain;4. SaBio IREC (CSIC-UCLM-JCCM), Albacete, Spain;5. Cabárceno Park, Cantabria, Spain;6. Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), Clinical Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden;7. Molecular Biology (Cell Biology), University of León, León, Spain;1. Department of Biomedical Sciences, Unit of Physiology, Pathophysiology and Experimental Endocrinology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria;2. Department of Zoology, Institute of Ecology and Earth Sciences, Tartu University, Tartu, Estonia;3. Natural Resources Institute Finland, Green Technology, Maaninka, Finland;4. Institute of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, Estonian University of Life Sciences, Tartu, Estonia;5. Species Conservation Lab, Tallinn Zoological Gardens, Tallinn, Estonia;1. ITRA-ULE, INDEGSAL, University of León, León, Spain;2. Animal Reproduction and Obstetrics, University of León, León, Spain;3. SaBio IREC (CSIC-UCLM-JCCM), Campus Universitario, Albacete, Spain;4. Molecular Biology (Cell Biology), University of León, León, Spain;5. Cabárceno Park, Cabárceno, Cantabria, Spain;1. Steroid Research & Mass Spectrometry Unit, Laboratory for Translational Hormone Analytics in Paediatric Endocrinology, Division of Paediatric Endocrinology & Diabetology, Center of Child and Adolescent Medicine, Justus Liebig University, Giessen, Germany;2. Veterinary Clinic for Obstetrics, Gynecology and Andrology of Large and Small Animals, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Justus Liebig University, Giessen, Germany;1. Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Centro Interdisciplinario de Ciencias Marinas, Av. Instituto Politécnico Nacional s/n Col. Playa Palo de Santa Rita, C.P. 23096 La Paz, B.C.S., Mexico;2. University of Alaska, College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences, 17101 Pt. Lena Loop Road, Juneau, AK 99801, USA;3. Southwest Fisheries Science Center, NOAA Fisheries, 34500 Highway 1, Monterey, CA 09394, USA |
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| Abstract: | The objective was to identify suitable enzyme immunoassays to monitor gonadal and placental function in the female polar bear. Immunoreactive progesterone, progesterone metabolite (PdG), estrogen, and androgen metabolite (T) concentrations were measured in fecal samples collected over 24 mo from captive female bears (N = 20). Whereas fecal extracts produced displacement curves parallel to the standard curve for each respective steroid, T and PdG more accurately reflected reproductive events. Concentrations of fecal T increased (P < 0.05) during the breeding season, and brief spikes were associated with estrus and mating. A postovulatory increase in PdG was not always detected, but sustained baseline T after mating appeared consistent with ovulation. Parturient bears excreted higher PdG concentrations (P < 0.05) during expected time of embryo implantation in Fall, and a late gestational rise in fecal T occurred 30 days prepartum. Many nonparturient bears also had a PdG rise in the Fall, suggesting they experienced either pregnancy loss or a pseudopregnancy. Differentiating pregnant and pseudopregnant states was not achieved using fecal PdG alone, but when combined with fecal T, comprehensive diagnoses could be made. Nonparturient bears demonstrated elevated (P < 0.05) fecal T during summer months, whereas parturient bears did not. In summary, noninvasive hormone monitoring techniques were established for the female polar bear. Although this study was directed at facilitating management and breeding efforts of captive polar bears, the methods could be applied to studies of reproductive function in wild populations. |
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