Opportunities and challenges associated with fecal progesterone metabolite analysis

Abstract

Conventionally, plasma or milk progesterone evaluations are used to determine the reproductive status of female animals. Collection of such samples is often associated with difficulties of animal handling and restraint. Measurable quantities of progesterone metabolites are found in feces of animals. Their concentrations are known to be well correlated to plasma progesterone levels and are, therefore, used as non-invasive samples for assessing reproductive function in a wide range of animal species. Although the analysis of fecal progesterone metabolites has been widely accepted in many laboratories, several factors are known to affect the results from this valuable analytical technique. Some of these factors include storage/transportation media for fecal samples, type of solvent that is used for extraction of progesterone metabolites from feces, and the type and sensitivity of an assaying technique employed. Although fecal progesterone metabolites analysis is associated with some difficulties, it can effectively be used to monitor reproductive function in a wide range of animal species. This review aims to highlight the usefulness of fecal progesterone metabolite analysis as a non-invasive technique in monitoring reproductive function in animals. The article mainly focuses on the many opportunities and challenges associated with this analytical technique.

Low invasive estrous synchronization protocol for wild animals: an example with melengestrol acetate in brown brocket deer (Mazama gouazoubira)

“…We can also infer that the estrous behavior induced by MGA treatment was associated with nadir FPM concentration, which is consistent with the data described for M. gouazoubira (Pereira et al, 2006). This event is represented in feces after 12 to 24 hours (Schwarzenberger et al, 1996;Palme, 2005;Peter et al, 2018) and it is in agreement with nadir FPM values observed in all females of this study.…”

Vaginal Smear and Neutrophil Count as an Alternative Method for Estrous Phase in Female Tiger (Panthera tigris sumatrae, Pocock, 1929)

“…There is a minor difference compared to other literatures. Other literatures show neutrophil values ranged from 57 -75 cells on wild ranging Bengal tiger with anaesthesia [51]. Female captive tiger has neutrophil values ranged 63.58 ± 0.48 cells without any anaesthesia [52].…”

“…Ketamine supresses neutrophil chemotaxis (neutrophil migrations) leads to immunosuppression effect [55,56]. Both [51] and [52] researches, the tiger bloods are added to anticoagulant agent on sample collection. A possible explanation is both neutrophil values from those literature were using EDTA.…”

From Saliva to Faeces and Everything in Between: A Guide to Biochemical Analysis Using Animal Samples for Biomarker Detection

“…This is particularly true for large animals, which produce a large faecal sample, such as cattle and elephants. The same part of the sample should be taken to allow for appropriate comparison between samples (Hadinger et al, 2015;Peter et al, 2018). Then homogenisation is required prior to analysis; removal of large pieces of nondigested foods such as seeds and insects will aid in this (Millspaugh & Washburn, 2004;Palme, 2005).…”