Changes in urinary concentrations of total estrogen and pregnanediol in a female giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) from 1991 to 2000
Publication Type: |
Journal Article |
Year of Publication: |
2003 |
Authors: |
Etsuo Narushima, Takako Hayashi, Tatsuoko Hara, Nagahiro Nose, Teruyuki Komiya |
Publication/Journal: |
Zoo Biology |
Publisher: |
A Wiley Company, Inc., Wiley Subscription Services |
Keywords: |
estrogen, giant panda, pregnancy, pregnanediol, pseudopregnancy |
ISBN: |
1098-2361 |
Abstract:
Abstract 10.1002/zoo.10105.abs Total estrogen and pregnanediol concentrations in urine samples from one female giant panda were measured from 1991–2000. This female experienced her first estrus at the age of 5 years 3 months in 1991. From 1992 on, estrous behavior was observed every year between January and June, and the peak values of total estrogen ranged from 28.3 ng/ml in 1992 to 85.6 ng/ml in 1999. The female’s estrus in 2000 was very weak, and she died in July 2000. She was artificially inseminated every year from 1994 to 1999, but no pregnancy occurred. The concentration of pregnanediol rose 3–11 weeks after the total estrogen concentration peaked, and reached peak concentration 78–111 days after the peak of total estrogen concentration. The peak value of pregnanediol ranged from 0.72 to 1.79 µg/ml. It was not possible to accurately predict pregnancy based on pregnanediol concentrations. Zoo Biol 22:383–387, 2003. © 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc.