Pregnancy diagnosis in the black rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis) by salivary hormone analysis

Abstract

Saliva samples collected from 12 black rhinoceroses (Diceros bicorrtis) were analyzed for 20 alpha-hydroxyprogesterone-like and total estrogen immunoreactivity . Five nonpregnant, two conception, and nine pregnancy intervals were monitored. HPLC co-chromatography of immunoreactive free steroid components in saliva indicated that one of three immunoreactive progestin components eluted with 20 alpha-hydroxypreg-4-en-3-one, whereas the single major estrogen peak eluted with estradiol. Direct radioimmunoassay measurements of ether extracts for these two reproductive hormones in saliva provided accurate and consistent profiles in which pregnancy was detected 13 months prior to parturition, and parturition was predicted by approximately 1 month. Measurement of 20 alphahydroxypreg-4-en-3-one was more useful in pregnancy diagnosis, and estradiol measurement was useful as an indicator of impending parturition.

Current Status of Salivary Hormone Analysis

“…By studying the normal cycle length of the female rhinoceros, investigators detected pregnancy through analysis of salivary 20␣-hydroxypreg-4-en-3-one in captive African black rhinos (77 ). Obtaining saliva from rhinos is possible only from animals accustomed to the keepers in the park or zoological garden, but according to the authors, saliva was particularly useful for situations in which it was difficult to collect uncontaminated urine and feces (76 ).…”

A review of the reproductive physiology of rhinoceros species in captivity

“…For animals conditioned to allow rectal examinations, ultrasono-graphy would be the method of choice because pregnancy can be detected with a high degree of accuracy during the first month of gestation (Adams et al, 1991; R. W. Radcliffe et al, 1997;Roth et al, 2001Roth et al, , 2004. Alternatively, for less tractable animals, progesterone monitoring can be used to diagnose pregnancy 3-5 months after mating, when systemic concentrations exceed luteal levels (Ramsay et al, 1987;Hodges & Green, 1989;Schwarzenberger et al, 1993Schwarzenberger et al, , 1996Schwarzenberger et al, , 2000Czekala & Callison, 1996;Berkeley et al, 1997;Patton et al, 1999;Lance et al, 2001;Roth et al, 2004). Although the general reproductive physiology of the horse differs significantly from that of the rhinoceros, in terms of early embryo development, the horse is an ideal model.…”

“…In general, endogenous progesterone concentrations are very useful for monitoring reproductive cyclicity and detecting pregnancy because progesterone increases during the luteal phase of the cycle, decreases during oestrus and remains elevated during pregnancy. Monitoring progesterone, or progestin metabolites, has proven effective across all species and it has been the most reliable hormone for studying the Black rhinoceros (Ramsay et al, 1987;Brett et al, 1989;Hodges & Green, 1989;Hindle et al, 1992;Schwarzenberger et al, 1993Schwarzenberger et al, , 1996Czekala & Callison, 1996;Berkeley et al, 1997;Lance et al, 2001;R. W. Radcliffe et al, 2001;Garnier et al, 2002) and the White rhinoceros (Hodges & Green, 1989;Hindle et al, 1992;R.…”

“…In contrast, measuring oestrogen or oestrogen metabolites has proven challenging in all but the Indian rhinoceros. Although some studies have shown that oestrogens can be measured and do reflect changes in reproductive status in the Black rhinoceros (Hindle et al, 1992;Czekala & Callison, 1996;Berkeley et al, 1997), White rhinoceros (Hindle et al, 1992) and Sumatran rhinoceros (Heistermann et al, 1998), a similar number of studies have failed to validate the results in these species (Ramsay et al, 1987;Brett et al, 1989;Roth et al, 2004). Conflicting data could be a result of the specificity of antibody required for accurate assessments and/or the sensitivity of the assay owing to the low concentrations of endogenous oestrogens produced.…”

Avaliação da eficiência da eletroforese capilar como técnica analítica na prospecção de metabólitos de esteróides em extratos fecais de onça-pintada (Panthera onca)

“…Salientando ainda a sobreposição na biossíntese de esteróides pela adrenal, acrescente-se que também a estrona, a progesterona e a 17α-diidroprogesterona foram localizadas entre os inúmeros esteróides da adrenal (FRIEDEN;LIPNER, 1975 Por mais de 25 anos, laboratórios independentes desenvolveram técnicas pioneiras para avaliação de padrões hormonais em fezes e urina ( HODGES et al, 1979;BAMBERG et al, 1984;MONFORT et al, 1990;KIRKPATRICK 1991;GARNIERA et al, 1998;SCHWARZENBERGER et al, 1998) ou mesmo em saliva CALLISON 1996). Metabólitos hormonais excretados nas fezes e urina refletem acuradamente os padrões hormonais no sangue, com, é claro, a demora apropriada na passagem do sangue para a excreta.…”