An Investigation of Ovarian and Adrenal Hormone Activity in Post-Ovulatory Cheetahs ( Acinonyx jubatus )

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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Published in:Animals (Basel) 2022-03, Vol.12 (7), p.809
Main Authors: Koester, Diana C, Maly, Morgan A, Putman, Sarah, Edwards, Katie L, Meeks, Karen, Crosier, Adrienne E
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Acinonyx jubatus
Animals
Artificial insemination
Birth
Breeding
cheetah
estrogen
Estrogens
Etiology
Feces
Females
glucocorticoid
Glucocorticoids
hormone
Hormones
Immunoassays
Injection
Laboratory animals
Metabolites
Ovaries
Ovulation
Physiology
Population
Pregnancy
progestagen
Reproduction (biology)
Reproductive technologies
Steroids
Success
Zoo animals
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Summary: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 (p < 0.01) in the last trimester than any other time. For pregnant females that gave birth to singletons, fGM was higher (p = 0.0205), but fEM tended to be lower (p = 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.
ISSN:2076-2615
2076-2615
DOI:10.3390/ani12070809