An Investigation of Ovarian and Adrenal Hormone Activity in Post-Ovulatory Cheetahs (<em>Acinonyx jubatus</em>)
Cheetahs have been the subject of reproductive study for over 35 years, yet steroid hormone activity remains poorly described after ovulation. Our objective was to examine and compare fecal progestagen (fPM), estrogen (fEM), and glucocorticoid (fGM) metabolite concentrations post-ovulation in pregna...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2022-03-01
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| Series: | Animals |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/12/7/809 |
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| author | Diana C. Koester Morgan A. Maly Sarah Putman Katie L. Edwards Karen Meeks Adrienne E. Crosier |
| author_facet | Diana C. Koester Morgan A. Maly Sarah Putman Katie L. Edwards Karen Meeks Adrienne E. Crosier |
| author_sort | Diana C. Koester |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Cheetahs have been the subject of reproductive study for over 35 years, yet steroid hormone activity remains poorly described after ovulation. Our objective was to examine and compare fecal progestagen (fPM), estrogen (fEM), and glucocorticoid (fGM) metabolite concentrations post-ovulation in pregnant and non-pregnant animals to better understand female physiology (1) during successful pregnancy, (2) surrounding frequent non-pregnant luteal phases, and (3) after artificial insemination (AI) to improve the low success rate. Secondarily, the authors also validated a urinary progestagen metabolite assay, allowing pregnancy detection with minimal sample collection. Fecal samples were collected from 12 females for ≥2 weeks prior to breeding/hormone injection (the PRE period) through 92 days post-breeding/injection. Samples were assessed for hormone concentrations using established enzyme immunoassays. Urine samples were collected for 13 weeks from 6 females after natural breeding or AI. There were no differences among groups in fGM, but in pregnant females, concentrations were higher (<i>p</i> < 0.01) in the last trimester than any other time. For pregnant females that gave birth to singletons, fGM was higher (<i>p</i> = 0.0205), but fEM tended to be lower (<i>p</i> = 0.0626) than those with multi-cub litters. Our results provide insight into the physiological events surrounding natural and artificially stimulated luteal activity in the cheetah. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T12:13:15Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-c705377b6df14963819352d9db8a5b91 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2076-2615 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T12:13:15Z |
| publishDate | 2022-03-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Animals |
| spelling | doaj.art-c705377b6df14963819352d9db8a5b912023-11-30T22:50:41ZengMDPI AGAnimals2076-26152022-03-0112780910.3390/ani12070809An Investigation of Ovarian and Adrenal Hormone Activity in Post-Ovulatory Cheetahs (<em>Acinonyx jubatus</em>)Diana C. Koester0Morgan A. Maly1Sarah Putman2Katie L. Edwards3Karen Meeks4Adrienne E. Crosier5Conservation and Science Department, Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, Cleveland, OH 44109, USASmithsonian National Zoological Park and Conservation Biology Institute, Front Royal, VA 22630, USASmithsonian/Mason School of Conservation, Front Royal, VA 22630, USANorth of England Zoological Society, Chester Zoo, Chester CH2 1LH, UKWhite Oak Conservation, Yulee, FL 32097, USASmithsonian National Zoological Park and Conservation Biology Institute, Front Royal, VA 22630, USACheetahs have been the subject of reproductive study for over 35 years, yet steroid hormone activity remains poorly described after ovulation. Our objective was to examine and compare fecal progestagen (fPM), estrogen (fEM), and glucocorticoid (fGM) metabolite concentrations post-ovulation in pregnant and non-pregnant animals to better understand female physiology (1) during successful pregnancy, (2) surrounding frequent non-pregnant luteal phases, and (3) after artificial insemination (AI) to improve the low success rate. Secondarily, the authors also validated a urinary progestagen metabolite assay, allowing pregnancy detection with minimal sample collection. Fecal samples were collected from 12 females for ≥2 weeks prior to breeding/hormone injection (the PRE period) through 92 days post-breeding/injection. Samples were assessed for hormone concentrations using established enzyme immunoassays. Urine samples were collected for 13 weeks from 6 females after natural breeding or AI. There were no differences among groups in fGM, but in pregnant females, concentrations were higher (<i>p</i> < 0.01) in the last trimester than any other time. For pregnant females that gave birth to singletons, fGM was higher (<i>p</i> = 0.0205), but fEM tended to be lower (<i>p</i> = 0.0626) than those with multi-cub litters. Our results provide insight into the physiological events surrounding natural and artificially stimulated luteal activity in the cheetah.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/12/7/809cheetahhormonepregnancyglucocorticoidprogestagenestrogen |
| spellingShingle | Diana C. Koester Morgan A. Maly Sarah Putman Katie L. Edwards Karen Meeks Adrienne E. Crosier An Investigation of Ovarian and Adrenal Hormone Activity in Post-Ovulatory Cheetahs (<em>Acinonyx jubatus</em>) Animals cheetah hormone pregnancy glucocorticoid progestagen estrogen |
| title | An Investigation of Ovarian and Adrenal Hormone Activity in Post-Ovulatory Cheetahs (<em>Acinonyx jubatus</em>) |
| title_full | An Investigation of Ovarian and Adrenal Hormone Activity in Post-Ovulatory Cheetahs (<em>Acinonyx jubatus</em>) |
| title_fullStr | An Investigation of Ovarian and Adrenal Hormone Activity in Post-Ovulatory Cheetahs (<em>Acinonyx jubatus</em>) |
| title_full_unstemmed | An Investigation of Ovarian and Adrenal Hormone Activity in Post-Ovulatory Cheetahs (<em>Acinonyx jubatus</em>) |
| title_short | An Investigation of Ovarian and Adrenal Hormone Activity in Post-Ovulatory Cheetahs (<em>Acinonyx jubatus</em>) |
| title_sort | investigation of ovarian and adrenal hormone activity in post ovulatory cheetahs em acinonyx jubatus em |
| topic | cheetah hormone pregnancy glucocorticoid progestagen estrogen |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/12/7/809 |
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