Urofecal steroid profiles of captive Blue-fronted parrots (Amazona aestiva) with different reproductive outcomes

Abstract

Despite Psitaciformes (parrots) being the third largest nonpasserine order (398 species), it currently ranks second in number of threatened species (28%) according to the Internatinal Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) criteria. Since most of the literature concerning reproductive endocrinology in avian species derives from domestic and song birds, it is puzzling that advances in reproductive science for the Psitaciformes order lags far behind, in spite of the growing threats against them. In order to expand our knowledge of Neotropical parrots (Psittacidae), we examined annual changes in urofecal sex steroid metabolites of Blue-fronted amazon pairs (Amazona aestiva) exhibiting successful (nestlings) and unsuccessful breeding (infertile or no eggs). Urofecal samples were collected over a year from eight breeding pairs housed under the same environmental and management conditions. Fecal androgen and progestagen concentrations were determined in males and females, respectively, by enzyme immunoassays previously validated for this species. All eggs were registered between late winter and mid-spring, and egg-laying intervals varied between females (range: 1-8 days; average 3.60 ± 0.51 days). Similar profiles of urofecal progestagens were observed in reproductively successful females and females producing infertile eggs, with progestagen peaks preceding egg laying events (1.77 ± 0.50 days). In contrast, non-laying females had no rises in progestagens during the year. Successful and unsuccessful males did not displayed distinct annual patterns of androgen production, and apart from the peaks during the breeding season, more than half of the individuals intriguingly presented significant increases from late summer to early autumn, a period without reproductive activity. Finally, we noticed that samples with progestagen levels exceeding 40 ng/g had very high probability (>97.5%) to be from females in pre-laying or laying phases, suggesting a feasible application of this characteristic to noninvasively discriminate the reproductive status in amazon females with an accuracy and sensitivity of 94.55% and 58.13%, respectively. Our findings confirmed that urofecal progestagens and androgens are good indicators of the gonadal condition in Blue-fronted amazons, but there is still much to be done for their extensive use in artificial insemination or selection of the most suitable breeding birds for the season.

Stress in captive Blue-fronted parrots (Amazona aestiva): the animalists’ tale

“…This is supported by the fact that CM concentrations in the commercial breeder parrots are increased when compared with other captive animals in the zoo or living as pets, which were not reproducing. However, such an increase in GC levels during reproduction can be considered normal and even necessary to increase the chances of reproductive success in birds (Pereira et al. , 2018).…”

Opportunities and Limitations for Reproductive Science in Species Conservation

“…Beside its use in mammals, fecal hormone monitoring has been used in several avian species, for example, the budgerigar (Melopsittacus undulatus), blue-fronted parrot (Amazona aestiva), and Kori bustard (Ardeotis kori) (85)(86)(87). The scope of this technology has also been extended to include the measurement of waterborne steroids in water samples that have held fishes.…”

Reproductive status of a female white cockatoo (<i>Cacatua alba</i>) based on relationships among urofecal steroid hormone dynamics, molting, and body weight

“…In male Svalbard rock ptarmigans (Lagopus muta hyperboreus) [28] and male Japanese rock ptarmigan (L. m. japonica) [15], an association between supraorbital comb development and urofecal testosterone (T) concentrations have been reported. Relatively less has been reported in psittacine birds, but the annual dynamics of male androgen and female progestagen in Hispaniolan amazon parrots (Amazona ventralis) have been clarified [21].…”