Non-invasive detection and monitoring of estrus, pregnancy and the postpartum period in pygmy loris (Nycticebus pygmaeus) using fecal estrogen metabolites

✍ Scribed by M. H. Jurke; N. M. Czekala; H. Fitch-Snyder

• Publisher: John Wiley and Sons
• Year: 1997
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 103 KB
• Volume: 41
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0275-2565
• DOI: 10.1002/(sici)1098-2345(1997)41:2<103::aid-ajp3>3.0.co;2-0

✦ Synopsis

Estrone-conjugates (E 1 C) were measured in the feces of six female pygmy lorises (Nycticebus pygmaeus) during estrus (n = 12), pregnancy (n = 4) and the postpartum period (n = 3). Noninvasive feces collection permitted frequent sampling throughout estrus and pregnancy, without disturbance of animals. The estrous period was defined as an increase in fecal E 1 C levels above an average of 70 ng/g feces with peaks above 100 ng/g feces obtained in consecutive fecal samples collected over a 6-to 11-day period between the end of July and the first third of October. Comparison of the periovulatory profile of E 1 C and the stage of labial opening of the vagina revealed a high agreement (P < 0.001). In all pregnant females, an E 1 C rise was found approximately 47 days postestrus, the source of which may be the growing fetal placental unit. Estimated gestation lengths ranged between 187 and 198 days (n = 4). Am.