Factors Influencing Annual Fecal Testosterone Metabolite Profiles in Captive Male Polar Bears (<i><scp>U</scp>rsus maritimus</i>)

Curry, Erin; Roth, Terri L.; MacKinnon, KM; Stoops, Monica A.

doi:10.1111/rda.12012

Cited by 16 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 9 publications

(17 reference statements)

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“…In a study of testosterone levels in scats from 14 male polar bears in zoos, monitored for periods of 12–36 mo, testosterone levels were highest from early January through the end of May (Curry et al . ). Stoops et al .…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 97%

Behavior and activity budgets of wild breeding polar bears (Ursus maritimus)

Stirling

Spencer

Andriashek

2015

Marine Mammal Science

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We quantify the first complete description of breeding behavior and activity budgets of an undisturbed pair of adult polar bears, observed 24 h/d for 13 d from 2 to 15 May 1997, at Radstock Bay, Devon Island, Nunavut, Canada. The male herded the female to an area of 1–2 km2, where we observed them throughout the observation period. All behaviors were documented from when the adult female and her 2.5‐yr‐old cub were first observed being followed by an adult male, through separation of the cub from its mother, a week of intense interactions preceding several days with copulation, after which they parted. They mated for 51, 86, 66, and 150 min on 9–10, 12, 13, and 14 May, respectively, and parted on 14–15 May. The male deterred three challengers. The peak breeding season for polar bears runs from early April through mid‐May, although additional mating behavior has been documented in June. Timing of mating and duration of copulations in the wild were similar to reports from zoos. Induced ovulation, male intrasexual competition, female fitness, the mating system, and potential consequences of climate warming are discussed with insights made possible by documentation of the reproductive behavior of wild polar bears.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 97%

Behavior and activity budgets of wild breeding polar bears (Ursus maritimus)

Stirling

Spencer

Andriashek

2015

Marine Mammal Science

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“…Previously, testosterone EIA (Polyclonal antibody, R156/7) has been reported for monitoring faecal testosterone metabolites in a wide range of animals including pronghorn (Antilocapra americana peninsularis) [57], red river hogs (Potamochoerus porcus) [58], Polar Bears (Ursus maritimus) [59]. In this study, we have shown immunoreactive testosterone metabolites in the faecal samples and found immunoreactivity with the antibody (Munro, University of California, Davis, CA, USA).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 51%

Non-Invasive Reproductive Hormone Monitoring in Endangered Pygmy Hog (Porcula salvania)

Kumar¹,

Buragohain²,

Deka³

et al. 2021

Preprint

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The Pygmy hog (Porcula Salvania), till recently, classified as a critically endangered suid, is facing the threat of extinction globally due to habitat degradation. Efforts are being made to protect the pygmy hogs from extinction and breed them in captivity under Pygmy Hog Conservation Pro-gramme (PHCP). However, very little information is available on the reproductive physiology of pygmy hogs. Therefore, the present study aimed to standardize enzyme immunoassays (EIAs) for monitoring pregnancy and reproductive status using progesterone and testosterone metabolites. A total of 785 faecal samples were collected from five females and two males over a period of one year from PHCP Research and Breeding Centre, Guwahati, Assam. High-pressure liquid chro-matography (HPLC) analysis revealed the presence of immunoreactive progesterone and testos-terone metabolites in faeces. Mating was observed in all the five females and four of them gave birth successfully. We were able to detect pregnancy using faecal progesterone metabolites. Based on mating and parturition, the mean gestation period was estimated to be 153.25 days from four females. The breeding centre recorded 172 births between 1996 and 2000 and found strong sea-sonality in births and most of the births were between May and June. Faecal testosterone metabo-lites were significantly higher in the breeding season than the non-breeding season. This is the first study and will help in future breeding programs in other captive breeding centres and reproduc-tive monitoring of reintroduced populations.

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“…Previously, testosterone EIA (polyclonal antibody, R156/7) has been reported for monitoring fecal testosterone metabolites in a wide range of animals, including the pronghorn ( Antilocapra americana peninsularis ) [ 57 ], red river hog ( Potamochoerusporcus ) [ 58 ], and polar bear ( Ursus maritimus ) [ 59 ]. Fecal testosterone metabolite levels of two monitored pygmy hogs did not show aclear cycle; however, there were elevated concentrations during the September–December period for both males.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Non-Invasive Reproductive Hormone Monitoring in the Endangered Pygmy Hog (Porcula salvania)

Kumar

Buragohain

Deka

et al. 2021

Animals

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The pygmy hog (Porcula salvania), until recently was classified as a critically endangered suid facing the threat of extinction due to habitat degradation. Efforts are being made to protect the pygmy hog from extinction and breed them in captivity under the Pygmy Hog Conservation Programme (PHCP). However, very little information is available on the reproductive physiology of pygmy hogs. Therefore, the present study aims to standardize enzyme immunoassays (EIAs) for monitoring pregnancy and reproductive status using progesterone and testosterone metabolites. A total of 785 fecal samples were collected from five females and two males over a period of one year from the PHCP Research and Breeding Centre, Guwahati, Assam. High-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis revealed the presence of immunoreactive progesterone and testosterone metabolites in feces. Mating was observed in all five females, and four of them gave birth successfully. We were able to detect pregnancy using fecal progesterone metabolites. The mean gestation period, based on mating and parturition, was estimated to be 153.25 days from the four females studied. The breeding center recorded 172 births between 1996 and 2000 and found strong seasonal patterns in the birth rate, with most of the births occurring between May and June. In the males, fecal testosterone metabolites were significantly higher in the breeding season than in the non-breeding season. This is the first study on the subject and will help with future breeding programs in other captive breeding centers and with reproductive monitoring of reintroduced populations.

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Factors Influencing Annual Fecal Testosterone Metabolite Profiles in Captive Male Polar Bears (Ursus maritimus)

Cited by 16 publications

References 9 publications

Behavior and activity budgets of wild breeding polar bears (Ursus maritimus)

Behavior and activity budgets of wild breeding polar bears (Ursus maritimus)

Non-Invasive Reproductive Hormone Monitoring in Endangered Pygmy Hog (Porcula salvania)

Non-Invasive Reproductive Hormone Monitoring in the Endangered Pygmy Hog (Porcula salvania)

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