Abstract
Urinary concentrations of conjugated oestrone and pregnanediol-3-glucuronide were measured during after spontaneous and induced oestrus and during pregnancy. Behavioural oestrus was preceded by a rise in oestrone values from < 10 ng/mg creatinine (Cr) to peaks of 45 ng/mg Cr. Maximal lordotic response and mating activity coincided with the decline in oestrone levels. After presumed ovulation, urinary pregnanediol glucuronide concentrations increased from < 5 to 15-30 ng/mg Cr. Further increases in this steroid (to 60-80 ng/mg Cr) occurred 114 days after mating, presumably coincident with implantation. These high levels of pregnanediol glucuronide were maintained for 3 weeks, began to decline 1 week before parturition and fell to a nadir (< 5 ng/mg Cr) immediately after delivery. When FSH was administered i.m. for 5 days, urinary oestrone values rose markedly and were maximal (580 ng/mg Cr) on Day 7. Mating first occurred on Day 20 and 500 i.u. hCG were given i.m. Urinary pregnanediol glucuronide levels during the next 5 months were similar to those in the previous year during pregnancy with values rising 105-108 days after mating. However, no birth occurred. These results support the suggestion that pandas exhibit delayed implantation and demonstrate that the panda is responsive to exogenous gonadotrophins.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 23-28 |
Number of pages | 6 |
Journal | Journal of Reproduction and Fertility |
Volume | 84 |
Issue number | 1 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 1988 |
Externally published | Yes |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Physiology
- Embryology
- Molecular Biology
- Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Developmental Biology