The birth of a giant panda: Tracking the biological factors that successfully contribute to conception through to postnatal development

Kersey, David C.; Aitken‐Palmer, Copper; Rivera, Sam; Willis, Erin L.; Liang, Liu Yu; Snyder, Rebecca J.

doi:10.1016/j.theriogenology.2015.10.005

Cited by 12 publications

(32 citation statements)

References 20 publications

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“…By contrast, other mammals demonstrate either a single, peri-parturient surge or a gradual increase throughout the last 10–30 days of gestation that peaks near the time of parturition [ 30 , 31 , 35 , 46 – 48 ]. We also found that the initial PGFM increase in pregnant giant pandas occurs around the time that ceruloplasmin returns to baseline during the secondary rise in progestogens and 3–5 days before the embryo can be first visualized by ultrasound [ 7 , 9 , 18 , 20 ]. The underlying relationship of this unique PGFM pattern to its physiological mechanism are not understood in the giant panda, but our findings lend further evidence that hormonal and physiological changes correlated to implantation and fetal growth occur less than 30 days before parturition.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 98%

“…The mechanisms controlling the reactivation of corpus luteal function and embryonic development of implantation in the giant panda are unknown. Hormonal data, ultrasound analysis, and the size of altricial young support the hypothesis that embryo implantation occurs sometime between the onset of the secondary rise in progesterone and the peak in progesterone, allowing for less than 40 days of post-implantation fetal growth [ 6 , 16 , 18 – 20 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 86%

“…In both physiological states, females demonstrate maternal behavior (i.e., denning and cradling objects), decreased appetite, mammary gland growth, and changes in vulva morphology [ 5 ]. Urinary or fecal concentrations of other hormones, including estrogens, relaxin and glucocorticoids, also have proven to be ineffective indicators of pregnancy [ 16 , 20 , 21 ]. Ultrasonography is widely used in captive giant panda breeding programs to monitor uterine changes, detect pregnancy, and predict parturition date [ 9 , 22 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Recent research of urinary levels of ceruloplasmin, an acute phase protein associated with inflammation, showed that ceruloplasmin increases in the urine pregnant, but not pseudopregnant, giant pandas as early as 1 week after conception [ 7 ]. Ceruloplasmin decreases to baseline the last 3 to 4 weeks of pregnancy; coincident to the timing for first visualization of the embryo by ultrasound [ 7 , 20 ]. Kersey [ 20 ] hypothesized that nidation may occur around this time.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Ceruloplasmin decreases to baseline the last 3 to 4 weeks of pregnancy; coincident to the timing for first visualization of the embryo by ultrasound [ 7 , 20 ]. Kersey [ 20 ] hypothesized that nidation may occur around this time. The use of ceruloplasmin as a reliable biomarker of pregnancy; however, may be limited because the protein is relatively unstable and daily variation in concentrations requires intensive serial sampling and real-time monitoring throughout the luteal phase [ 7 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Use of urinary 13,14, dihydro-15-keto-prostaglandin F2α (PGFM) concentrations to diagnose pregnancy and predict parturition in the giant panda (Ailuropoda melanolecua)

et al. 2018

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Pregnancy determination is difficult in the giant panda (Ailuropoda melanolecua), representing a challenge for ex situ conservation efforts. Research in other species experiencing pseudopregnancy indicates that urinary/fecal concentrations of 13,14, dihydro-15-keto-prostaglandin F2α (PGFM) can accurately determine pregnancy status. Our objective was to determine if urinary PGFM concentrations are associated with pregnancy status in the giant panda. Urinary PGFM concentrations were measured in female giant pandas (n = 4) throughout gestation (n = 6) and pseudopregnancy (n = 4) using a commercial enzyme immunoassay. Regardless of pregnancy status, PGFM excretion followed a predictable pattern: 1) baseline concentrations for 11–19 weeks following ovulation; 2) a modest, initial peak 14–36 days after the start of the secondary urinary progestagen rise; 3) a subsequent period of relatively low concentrations; and 4) a large, terminal peak at the end of the luteal phase. Pregnant profiles were distinguished by an earlier initial peak (P = 0.024), higher inter-peak concentrations (P < 0.001), and a larger terminal peak (P = 0.003) compared to pseudopregnancy profiles. Parturition occurred 23 to 25 days from the initial PGFM surge and within 24 hours of the start of the terminal increase. These pattern differences indicate that urinary PGFM monitoring can be used to predict pregnancy status and time parturition in the giant panda. Furthermore, this is the only species known to exhibit a significant PGFM increase during pseudopregnancy, suggesting a unique physiological mechanism for regulating the end of the luteal phase in the giant panda.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 98%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 86%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 3 more Smart Citations

Use of urinary 13,14, dihydro-15-keto-prostaglandin F2α (PGFM) concentrations to diagnose pregnancy and predict parturition in the giant panda (Ailuropoda melanolecua)

et al. 2018

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Luteal phase length, endometrial edema, and behavior differentiate post‐ovulatory events in a giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca)

et al. 2021

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Despite decades of reproductive research on the giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca), the post‐ovulatory phase continues to confound zoologists in conservation and breeding centers around the world, often resulting in significant investments of time and resources without reproductive success. The purpose of this project was to document and compare post‐ovulatory characteristics during a non‐productive and productive breeding in the same individual in consecutive years. A multidisciplinary approach was used to monitor the visiting female giant panda at the Toronto Zoo through the luteal phase of her first two full reproductive cycles in 2014 and 2015. Monitoring occurred via urine‐endocrine analysis, weekly ultrasound examinations, and continuous behavioral observations. The 2014 reproductive cycle consisted of a pseudopregnancy, characterized by an extended luteal phase (241 days), the identification of endometrial edema and folding during ultrasound examinations, and a lack of strong association between behavior patterns and urinary progestagen secretion. The 2015 reproductive cycle included increased feeding time through the primary progestagen rise compared to the previous year, followed by simultaneous decrease in appetite and increases in inactivity, resting, sitting upright, and pre‐partum‐associated behaviors. These changes began 25 days before the birth of twins on Day 153 post‐ovulation. Both fetuses were detected via ultrasound 15 days pre‐partum. These results suggest that an absence of pre‐partum behaviors, ultrasound evidence of endometrial edema without a fetus, and an extended luteal phase may be indicative of pseudopregnancy in giant pandas. Simultaneous monitoring of morphology, behavior, and urinary‐endocrine profiles showed clear differences between successful and unsuccessful reproductive years.

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Comprehensive Breeding Techniques for the Giant Panda

Martin-Wintle

Kersey

Wintle

et al. 2019

Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology

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The birth of a giant panda: Tracking the biological factors that successfully contribute to conception through to postnatal development

Cited by 12 publications

References 20 publications

Use of urinary 13,14, dihydro-15-keto-prostaglandin F2α (PGFM) concentrations to diagnose pregnancy and predict parturition in the giant panda (Ailuropoda melanolecua)

Use of urinary 13,14, dihydro-15-keto-prostaglandin F2α (PGFM) concentrations to diagnose pregnancy and predict parturition in the giant panda (Ailuropoda melanolecua)

Luteal phase length, endometrial edema, and behavior differentiate post‐ovulatory events in a giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca)

Comprehensive Breeding Techniques for the Giant Panda

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