Relationship between gonadal steroid hormones and vulvar bleeding in southern tamandua, Tamandua tetradactyla
Publication Type: |
Journal Article |
Year of Publication: |
2011 |
Authors: |
Satoshi Kusuda, Tomoko Endoh, Hiroyuki Tanaka, Itsuki Adachi, Osamu Doi, Junpei Kimura |
Publication/Journal: |
Zoo Biology |
Publisher: |
A Wiley Company, Inc., Wiley Subscription Services |
Keywords: |
anteater, estradiol, estrous cycle, pregnancy, progesterone |
ISBN: |
1098-2361 |
Abstract:
Abstract This study aimed at demonstrating the profiles of circulating gonadal steroid hormones during the estrous cycle and pregnancy in a southern tamandua (Tamandua tetradactyla). Additionally, this study clarified the relationship between vulvar bleeding and hormonal changes. The concentrations of serum progesterone (P4) and estradiol-17β (E2) were determined by enzyme immunoassays. Serum P4 and E2 concentrations changed cyclically and the estrous cycle length (±SD) based on the E2 cycles was 44.3±4.5 days. Vulvar bleeding started to be seen at the decreasing of P4. The cycle length for vulvar bleeding was 43.3±4.2 days. Interval from the first day of bleeding to the peak of E2 concentration was 23.1±3.1 days. Serum P4 during pregnancy remained high and E2 increased 8 weeks after conception and remained high until parturition. The female delivered normally after a 165 day-pregnancy period and reared the offspring well. Approximately 3 weeks after parturition, serum E2 and P4 cycles resumed. Visual bleeding may be useful as a real-time indicator for understanding the ovarian cycle of southern tamanduas, and estrus could be expected approximately 3 weeks after the first bleeding. Zoo Biol 30:212–217, 2011. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc.