Urinary steroid evaluations to monitor ovarian function in exotic ungulates: X. Pregnancy diagnosis in Perissodactyla

Non-invasive Pregnancy Diagnosis from Urine by the Cuboni Reaction and the Barium Chloride Test in Donkeys (Equus asinus) and Alpacas (Vicugna pacos)

The aim of the research was to evaluate two chemical tests for non-invasive pregnancy diagnosis from urine, the Cuboni reaction and the barium chloride test, in donkeys (Equus asinus) and alpacas (Vicugna pacos). The research was carried out from April 2013 to September 2014. Urine samples were collected on five private Czech farms from 18 jennies and 12 alpaca females. Urine was collected non-invasively into plastic cups fastened on a telescopic rod, at 6-9 week intervals. In total, 60 and 54 urine samples from alpacas and jennies, respectively, were collected. The Cuboni reaction was performed by the State Veterinary Institute Prague. The barium chloride test was done with 5 ml of urine mixed together with 5 ml of 1% barium chloride solution. Results of the Cuboni reaction were strongly influenced by the reproductive status of jennies; the test was 100% successful throughout the second half of pregnancy. However, no relationship was found between the real reproductive status of alpaca females and results of the Cuboni reaction. It was concluded that the barium chloride test is not suitable for pregnancy diagnosis either in donkeys, due to significant influence of season on the results, or in alpacas, because no relationship between results of the test and the reproductive status of alpaca females was found. In conclusion, the Cuboni reaction has potential to become a standard pregnancy diagnostic method in donkeys.

APPLICATION OF NONINVASIVE PREGNANCY DIAGNOSIS IN BACTRIAN CAMELS (CAMELUS BACTRIANUS) USING CUBONI REACTION AND BARIUM CHLORIDE TEST

Pregnancy diagnoses in half-tamed animals are often very complicated. This study aimed to examine the alternative noninvasive and cheap methods of pregnancy diagnosis from urine in domestic Bactrian camels (Camelus bactrianus). Urine from 14 female camels kept in four European zoologic gardens was collected and tested by two chemical tests--Cuboni reaction and barium chloride test. The Cuboni reaction was significantly (P<0.01) affected by the pregnancy status of female camels. The total accuracy of the Cuboni reaction was 70.5% but it increased significantly (P<0.05) in the time leading up to parturition. The accuracy was 100% in the 3rd third of pregnancy. Urine of nonpregnant females did not react with a solution of barium chloride while, contrary to other studies, white precipitates formed mostly (80 to 100%) in urine of pregnant females. This study concluded that the Cuboni reaction is applicable for pregnancy diagnosis in camels.

Seasonal changes in fecal testosterone concentrations and their relationship to the reproductive behavior, antler cycle and grouping patterns in free-ranging male Pampas deer (Ozotoceros bezoarticus bezoarticus)

The purpose of this study was to validate noninvasive endocrine monitoring techniques for Pampas deer and to evaluate seasonal changes in testicular steroidogenic activity and their correlation to reproductive behavior, antler cycle and group size. Thus, fecal samples, behavioral data and observations of antler status were collected at monthly intervals during 1 year from free-ranging Pampas deer stags (three radio-collared individuals and 15 random individuals) living in Emas National Park, Brazil (18 degrees S latitude). Fecal steroids were extracted using 80% methanol and steroid concentrations were quantified by a commercial enzyme immunoassay (EIA). Fecal testosterone concentrations peaked in December-January (summer), March (early autumn) and in August-September (winter-spring), with minimal values from April-July. Reproductive behavior had two peaks, the first in December-January, characterized by predominately anogenital sniffing, flehmen, urine sniffing, chasing and mounting behavior, and the second peak in July-September (behavior primarily related to gland marking). There were significant correlations between fecal testosterone and reproductive behavior (r=0.490), and between fecal testosterone and antler phases (r=0.239). Antler casting and regrowth occurred under low testosterone concentrations, whereas velvet shedding was associated with high concentrations of testosterone. We inferred that Pampas deer stags exhibited a seasonal cycle that modulated sexual behavior and the antler cycle, and we concluded that fecal steroid analysis was a practical and reliable non-invasive method for the evaluation of the endocrine status of free-ranging Pampas deer.

Faecal progesterone metabolite analysis for non-invasive monitoring of reproductive function in the white rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum)

The two subspecies of white rhinoceros, southern (Ceratotherium simum simum) and northern (Ceratotherium simum cottoni), breed poorly in captivity, and estimates of oestrous cycle length vary considerably (range, 25-90 days). To characterise reproductive patterns, faecal samples were collected 2-3 times/week for up to 56 months from non-pregnant animals (n=21) of both subspecies. Immununoreactive pregnanes containing a 20-oxo-group (20-oxo-P) were analysed in a group-specific enzyme immunoassay using an antibody against 5alpha-pregnane-3beta-ol-20-one 3HS:BSA. Reproductive patterns were highly variable among and within individual animals. However, rhinoceroses could be classified into four major categories on the basis of oestrous cycle length and luteal phase 20-oxo-P concentrations: (1) regular oestrous cycles of 10 weeks duration and > 800 ng/g (n=2 animals); (2) oestrous cycles between 4-10 weeks and 250-750 ng/g (n=6); (3) no apparent cycle regularity, but luteal activity indicated by 20-oxo-P concentrations of 100-200 ng/g (n=6); (4) no apparent luteal activity as indicated by 20-oxo-P of < 100 ng/g (n=7). In two attempts to induce ovarian activity, chlormadinone acetate was fed daily to one animal for 35 and 45 days, respectively. Each treatment was followed by a subsequent hCG injection which resulted in luteal phases of 17 and 18 days, respectively, beginning about 10 days after hCG. Concentration of faecal 20-oxo-P in one pregnant animal during the 4th and 5th month of gestation were markedly higher than those observed during the luteal phase of the cycle. In conclusion, two thirds of white rhinoceroses in this study had erratic or missing luteal activity, whereas variable cycles of 4-10 weeks in length were evident in six females, and regular oestrous cycles of 10 weeks in length were found in two animals.