Noninvasive monitoring of female reproductive hormone metabolites in the endangered European mink (Mustela lutreola)

This study examined the reproductive physiology of female European mink (Mustela lutreola) to augment the available information on estrus, ovulation, and pregnancy with the long-term goal of supporting ex situ breeding management of this highly endangered species. Fecal reproductive hormone metaboli...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Theriogenology 2015-12, Vol.84 (9), p.1472-1481
Main Authors: Nagl, Astrid, Kneidinger, Nadja, Kiik, Kairi, Lindeberg, Heli, Maran, Tiit, Schwarzenberger, Franz
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Captive management
Estrogen
Estrogens - chemistry
Estrogens - metabolism
Feces - chemistry
Female
Induced ovulation
Mink - physiology
Pregnancy
Pregnane
Pregnanes - chemistry
Pregnanes - metabolism
Progesterone metabolite
Reproduction - physiology
Seasons
Species conservation
Time Factors
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:This study examined the reproductive physiology of female European mink (Mustela lutreola) to augment the available information on estrus, ovulation, and pregnancy with the long-term goal of supporting ex situ breeding management of this highly endangered species. Fecal reproductive hormone metabolites were measured using EIAs for estrogen and 20-oxo-pregnane metabolites. Seasonal hormone profiles were established. A comparison of hormone fluctuations in pregnant and nonpregnant females showed that both estrogen and 20-oxo-pregnane metabolites were significantly elevated during gestation, which is 42 days in length. Delayed implantation or embryonic diapause does not occur in this species. Litter size was correlated with 20-oxo-pregnane levels but not with estrogen concentrations. During lactation, 20-oxo-pregnane metabolite levels remained higher than in nonpregnant females. The breeding season was characterized by peaks in vaginal cornified cells and fecal estrogen metabolite levels. Up to four peaks in estrogen levels were identified and confirmed that European mink are seasonally polyestrous. The results of 20-oxo-pregnane measurements indicated that hCG can be applied to induce ovulation. With the establishment of this noninvasive method, we present a new tool to support population management of this species.
ISSN:0093-691X
1879-3231
DOI:10.1016/j.theriogenology.2015.07.023