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The anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) plays an inhibitory role during folliculogenesis by regulating the number of follicles entering the growing pool. Antral follicle counts (AFC) are highly correlated with serum AMH concentrations and both appear to be related to the ovarian reserve in several species. Few data on AMH and AFC in mares exist, especially with regard to fertility. Therefore, the objective of the current study was to investigate the interrelationship between antral follicle count, serum AMH concentrations and fertility outcome in mares. One hundred and twenty-seven mares were enrolled in the study and grouped according to their reproductive status. Around time of estrus, serum AMH concentrations and AFC before and after ovulation were determined. Mares were artificially inseminated and pregnancy diagnosis was performed 14 to 18 days later. A high inter-individual variability in AFC and AMH concentration and a positive relationship between AMH and AFC for follicles ≤ 30 mm in diameter were observed, with a stronger correlation in mares older than 18 years. A high correlation between AFC measurements before and after ovulation was identified. The AFC after ovulation was higher than AFC before ovulation. AMH concentrations were neither related to the mares' reproductive status nor to age, number of cycles needed for pregnancy and pregnancy outcome. Excepted for a higher AFC in the middle-aged mares (9-18 years) compared to the younger mares (9 years), no associations between AFC and age, reproductive status as well as fertility of mares were found. This study confirms the relationship between AFC and AMH and a high degree of reproducibility of AFC measurements. However, based on our findings, neither AFC nor AMH are useful predictors of fertility in mares.Das Anti-Müller-Hormon (AMH) hemmt während der Follikulogenese die Anzahl heranwachsender Follikel. Die Anzahl der antralen Follikel («antral follicle count», AFC) korreliert stark positiv mit der Serumkonzentration von AMH und beide sind bei mehreren Spezies ein Indikator für die ovarielle Reserve. Da bisher wenige Daten über AFC und AMH bei Stuten, insbesondere im Hinblick auf deren Auswirkungen auf die Fertilität vorliegen, sollte dies in der vorliegenden Arbeit un­tersucht werden. Hundertsiebenundzwanzig Stuten ­wurden in die Studie eingeschlossen und nach Reproduk­tionsstatus gruppiert. Die AFC und die AMH-Konzen­tration wurden während der Rosse vor und nach der Ovulation ermittelt. Die Stuten wurden künstlich besamt und die 14 bis 18 Tage später eine Trächtigkeitsunteruchung durchgeführt. Es bestanden hohe Variabilität im AFC und in der AMH-Konzentration zwischen den Stuten und ein positiver Zusammenhang zwischen AMH und AFC für Follikel mit einem Durchmesser ≤ 30 mm, wobei die Korrelation bei Stuten18 Jahre stärker ausgeprägt war. Die AFC-Messungen vor und nach Ovulation korrelierten sehr gut miteinander, wobei der AFC nach Ovulation grösser war als vor der Ovulation. Die AMH-Konzentrationen waren unabhängig vom Alter, dem Reproduktionsstatus, der Anzahl benötigter Zyklen bis zur Erreichung einer Trächtigkeit und dem Trächtigkeitsausgang. Mit Ausnahme der Beobachtung, dass die AFC bei mittelalten Stuten (9–18 Jahre) höher als diejenige bei AFC jüngerer Stuten (9 Jahre) war, konnten keine Assoziationen zwischen AFC und Alter, Reproduktionsstatus oder Fertilität erkannt werden. Diese Studie bestätigt den Zusammenhang zwischen AFC und AMH und eine hohe Reproduzierbarkeit der AFC-Messungen. Allerdings können anhand der vorliegenden Ergebnisse weder AFC noch AMH als brauchbare Prädiktoren für die Fruchtbarkeit von Stuten herangezogen werden.Il existe peu de données sur l’AMH et l’AFC chez les juments, particulièrement en rapport avec la fertilité. L’objectif de cette étude était donc d’examiner la relation entre le compte de follicules antraux, le taux sérique d’AMH et la fécondité chez les juments. Cent vingt-sept juments ont été inclues dans l’étude et groupées selon leur état reproducteur. Les taux sériques d’AMH et l’AFC ont été déterminés pendant l’oestrus avant et après l’ovulation. Les juments ont été inséminées artificiellement et le diagnostic de gestation réalisé 14 à 18 jours plus tard. Une grande variabilité interindividuelle de l’AFC et l’AMH et une corrélation positive entre l’AMH et l’AFC pour les follicules de diamètre ≤ 30 mm ont été observées, cette dernière étant plus forte chez les juments âgées de plus de 18 ans. L’AFC après ovulation était supérieur à l’AFC avant ovulation, et une forte corrélation entre les deux mesures a été constatée. Aucun lien entre les taux sériques d’AMH, l’état reproducteur, l’âge, le nombre de cycles œstraux par gestation et le taux de gestation n’a été observé. Hormis un AFC supérieur chez les juments d’âge moyen (9-18 ans) comparé aux juments plus jeunes (.L’ormone antimulleriano (AMH) funge da regolatore della follicologenesi inibendo il reclutamento e lo sviluppo follicolare iniziale. La conta dei follicoli antrali («antral follicle count», AFC) è altamente correlata alla concentrazione sierica di AMH ed entrambi sembrano avere valore predittivo sulla riserva ovarica in diverse specie. Pochi dati sono disponibili sull’AMH e la AFC nelle cavalle, specialmente in relazione alla fertilità. Lo scopo di questo studio era quindi quello di indagare sull’interrelazione tra la conta dei follicoli antrali, i livelli sierici di AMH e la fertilità nelle cavalle. Centoventisette cavalle sono state arruolate nello studio e divise in gruppi in base al loro stato riproduttivo. Le concentrazioni sieriche di AMH e l’AFC sono state determinate durante l’estro prima e dopo l’ovulazione. Le cavalle sono state inseminate artificialmente e la diagnosi di gravidanza è stata effettuata 14-18 giorni più tardi. Sono state osservate un’alta variabilità interindividuale ed una correlazione positiva tra l’AMH e la AFC per i follicoli con diametro ≤ 30 mm, la quale era più forte nelle cavalle di età superiore a 18 anni. La AFC dopo l’ovulazione era più alta della AFC prima dell’ovulazione, ed è stata riscontrata un’elevata correlazione tra i due conteggi. I livelli sierici di AMH non erano in relazione con lo stato riproduttivo delle cavalle, né con la loro età, il numero di cicli estrali per gravidanza e tasso di gravidanza. Non sono state identificate associazioni tra AFC, età, stato riproduttivo e fertilità delle cavalle, ad eccezione di una AFC maggiore nelle cavalle di media età (9-18 anni) rispetto a quelle più giovani (.

Mules (Equus mulus) are interspecific hybrids derived from crossing horse (Equus caballus) mares with jackasses (Equus asinus). In Italy, the production of mules is very important for the special environmental areas, where they are used as working animals, instead of the forbidden agricultural machines. Although many horse mares carry mule pregnancy successfully at term, low fertility of mares used for producing mules was reported, but limited data about reproductive efficiency in mares carrying mule pregnancy, especially when age and reproductive status are concerned, are available. Therefore, the present study aimed to assess the effect of age and of reproductive status on some reproductive indices of horse mares carrying mule pregnancy, in the final purpose to better clarify factors affecting reproductive performances in the valuable production of mules as working animals under special environmental areas in Italy. The study, performed on 96 draft mares inseminated with Martina Franca donkey semen, showed a satisfactory 89.6% 14 days PO pregnancy rate, lower pregnancy losses (19.8%) than those previously reported for mule pregnancies, leading to satisfactory foaling rates (71.9%), similar to those reported for intraspecific horse pregnancies. A clear, significant detrimental effect of mare's age on pregnancy losses, foaling rate, and on number of estrous cycles needed to achieve pregnancy, was found. Reproductive status also affected the reproductive indices, with significantly higher pregnancy losses and lower foaling rate in barren mares, reopening the question about the possible lower reproduction efficiency in horse mares carrying mule pregnancy. The present study results, although mostly descriptive, add useful information about some factors affecting reproductive performances in the valuable production of mules as working animals under special environmental areas in Italy., Horse mare, Age, Mule pregnancy, Reproductive status, Reproductive indices, Animal science, Animal breeding, Animal physiology, Veterinary medicine

Background Understanding animal movement facilitates better management and conservation. The link between movement and physiology holds clues to the basic drivers of animal behaviours. In bears, heart rate increases with the metabolic rate during the active phase. Their movement and heart rate change at seasonal and daily scales, and can also depend on environmental factors. Their behaviour is, therefore, flexible in activity patterns with high individual variations. The aim of this study was to establish the relationship between heart rate and distance travelled, and test whether this relationship was influenced by environmental (e.g., time of year and time of day) and biological (e.g., reproductive status, sex, body mass and age of the bears) factors. We analysed data of distance travelled and heart rate of 15 GPS-collared brown bears, both males and females, equipped with cardiac loggers in the south of Sweden in 2014–2017. Results Heart rate increased with distances travelled exceeding 50 m in an hour, but this correlation depended on the day-of-year with higher heart rate in August than in May. Bears accompanied by cubs had lower heart rate than solitary bears especially in May. When movement was minimum ( Conclusions Our findings suggest that heart rate increases with long distances travelled, but varies with day-of-year and reproductive status, depending on the metabolic rate. Studying the change in heart rate in bears can help to evaluate their seasonal rhythms and how different factors affect them. This study illustrates the usefulness of combined bio-logging proxies, i.e., movement and heart rates in our case, in animal ecology.

Surgical sterilization (ovariohysterectomy) is one of the most common surgical procedures in small veterinary practice because it represents the safest way to control the population of cats. Th e aim of this study is to compare postoperative recovery in three groups of cats (estrous, anestrous and gravid cats) aft er performed ovariohysterectomy using combination of xylasine/ketamine anesthesia and, on the basis of obtained data, determine whether there are some signifi cant diff erences in postoperative recovery in these three groups of cats. Th is study included 45 cats that were divided into three groups. First group consisted of 15 cats in estrous, second group consisted of 15 cats in anestrous and the third group consisted of 15 gravid cats. Ovariohysterectomy was performed in private veterinary clinic. Anesthetic protocol was the same for all cats, that is, combination of xylasine and ketamine at appropriate doses according to body weight. Parameters that were followed through postoperative course were appetite, body temperature, appearance of the wound and activity. Data was collected on the first and third day aft er surgery. Analysis of the collected data shows relatively uniform results among groups of cats considering all followed parameters. Results in this study did not show any signifi cant diff erences in response to xylasine/ketamine anesthesia among cats of diff erent reproductive status through monitoring of postoperative course.

The aim of this study was to investigate the association between female reproductive status and risk of spontaneous abortion among female workers in the Jinchang Cohort. This study used data obtained from a baseline survey of the Jinchang Cohort Study of female workers in Jinchang Industry, the largest nickel production company in China. A standardized, structured questionnaire was used to collect the health status of 18,834 female workers employed by the company from 2011 to 2013. Spearman grade correlation analysis and logistic regression models were used to evaluate the association between female reproductive status and risk of spontaneous abortion. The incidence rate of spontaneous abortion was 6.89%, and fatigue was associated with the risk of spontaneous abortion. The number of pregnancies, age at primary birth and age at the last pregnancy were associated with an increased risk of spontaneous abortion (rs = 0.190, p = 0.000, rs = 0.092, p = 0.000, rs = 0.061, p = 0.000, respectively). In addition, there was a negative correlation between the number of artificial abortions and spontaneous abortions (rs = &minus, 0.129, p = 0.000). Female reproductive status was associated with an increased risk of spontaneous abortion in this cohort. More studies are needed to confirm this observed association.

Timely identification of a cow's reproduction status is essential to minimize fertility-related losses on dairy farms. This includes optimal estrus detection, pregnancy diagnosis, and the timely recognition of early embryonic death and ovarian problems. On-farm milk progesterone (P4) analysis can indicate all of these fertility events simultaneously. However, milk P4 measurements are subject to a large variability both in terms of measurement errors and absolute values between cycles. The objective of this paper is to present a newly developed methodology for detecting luteolysis preceding estrus and give an indication of its on-farm use. The innovative monitoring system presented is based on milk P4 using the principles of synergistic control. Instead of using filtering techniques and fixed thresholds, the present system employs an individually on-line updated model to describe the P4 profile, combined with a statistical process control chart to identify the cow's fertility status. The inputs for the latter are the residuals of the on-line updated model, corrected for the concentration-dependent variability that is typical for milk P4 measurements. To show its possible use, the system was validated on the P4 profiles of 38 dairy cows. The positive predictive value for luteolysis followed by estrus was 100%, meaning that the monitoring system picked up all estrous periods identified by the experts. Pregnancy or embryonic mortality was characterized by the absence or detection of luteolysis following an insemination, respectively. For 13 cows, no luteolysis was detected by the system within the 25 to 32 d after insemination, indicating pregnancy, which was confirmed later by rectal palpation. It was also shown that the system is able to cope with deviating P4 profiles having prolonged follicular or luteal phases, which may suggest the occurrence of cysts. Future research is recommended for optimizing sampling frequency, predicting the optimal insemination window, and establishing rules to detect problems based on deviating P4 patterns. ispartof: JOURNAL OF DAIRY SCIENCE vol:101 issue:9 pages:8369-8382 ispartof: location:United States status: published

BackgroundIt remains elusive whether the changes in cardiometabolic biomarkers during the menopausal transition are due to ovarian aging or chronological aging. Well-conducted longitudinal studies are required to determine this. The aim of this study was to explore the cross-sectional and longitudinal associations of reproductive status defined according to the 2012 Stages of Reproductive Aging Workshop criteria with 74 metabolic biomarkers, and establish whether any associations are independent of age related changes.MethodsWe determined cross-sectional associations of reproductive status with metabolic profiling in 3,312 UK midlife women. In a subgroup of 1,492 women who had repeat assessments after 2.5 years, we assessed how change in reproductive status was associated with the changes in metabolic biomarkers. Metabolic profiles were measured by high-throughput quantitative serum NMR metabolomics. In longitudinal analyses, we compared the change in metabolic biomarkers for each reproductive status category change to that in the reference of being pre-menopausal at both time points. As all women aged by a similar amount during follow-up, these analyses contribute to distinguish age related changes from those related to change in reproductive status.ResultsConsistent cross-sectional and longitudinal associations of menopause with a wide range of metabolic biomarkers were observed, suggesting transition to menopause induces multiple metabolic changes independent of chronological aging. The metabolic changes included increased concentrations of very small VLDL, IDL and LDL subclasses, remnant and LDL cholesterol, and reduced LDL particle size, all towards an atherogenic lipoprotein profile. Increased inflammation was suggested via an inflammatory biomarker, glycoprotein acetyls, but not via C-reactive protein. Also, levels of glutamine and albumin were increased during the transition. Most of these metabolic changes seen at the time of becoming post-menopausal remained or became slightly stronger during the post-menopausal years.ConclusionsTransition to post-menopause has effects on multiple circulating metabolic biomarkers, over and above the underlying age trajectory. The adverse changes in multiple apolipoprotein-B containing lipoprotein subclasses and increased inflammation may underlie women’s increased cardiometabolic risk in post-menopausal years.AbbreviationsALSPACAvon Longitudinal Study of Parents and ChildrenBMIbody mass indexCRPhigh sensitive C-reactive proteinCVDcardiovascular diseasesHDLhigh-density lipoproteinHRThormone replacement therapyIDLintermediate-density lipoproteinLDLlow-density lipoproteinSDstandard deviationSTRAWStages of Reproductive Aging WorkshopSWANThe Study of Women’s health Across the NationVLDLvery low-density lipoprotein

Measurement of faecal steroids as a non-invasive technique is widely used to monitor reproductive hormones in captive and free-ranging wild animals. This method offers a great advantage over invasive techniques like blood collection and deserves to be used in domestic animals. Repeated blood sampling is stressful, having animal welfare issues, difficult to obtain in field condition. In the faeces of cow, estradiol 17-á predominated, whereas in mares and sows, estradiol 17-â and estrone are main estrogens. Steroids are metabolized in liver, excreted in faeces and extraction is done by using a variety of methods such as ethanol, methanol etc. Faecal estrogen and progesterone metabolites evaluations are wel1 established approaches formonitoring of reproductive functions in a variety of mammalian species. So in future this method may be the most suitable for monitoring of reproductive status in farm animals particularly under field conditions. [Vet World 2013; 6(1.000): 59-63]

This archival cross-sectional investigation examined the impact of mood, reproductive status (RS), and age on polysomnographic (PSG) measures in women. PSG was performed on 73 normal controls (NC) and 64 depressed patients (DP), in the course of studies in menstruating, pregnant, postpartum, and peri- and postmenopausal women. A two-factor, between-subjects multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) was used to test the main effects of reproductive status (RS: menstrual vs pregnant vs postpartum vs menopausal) and diagnosis (NC vs DP), and their interaction, on PSG measures. To further refine the analyses, a two-factor, between subjects MANOVA was used to test the main effects of age (19 to 27 vs 28 to 36 vs 37 to 45 vs 46+ years) and diagnosis on the PSG data. Analyses revealed that in DP women, rapid eye movement (REM) sleep percentage was significantly elevated relative to NC across both RS and age. Significant differences in sleep efficiency, Stage 1%, and REM density were associated with RS; differences in total sleep time, Stage 2 percentage, and Stage 4 percentage were associated with differences in age. Both RS and age were related to differences in sleep latency, Stage 3 percentage, and Delta percentage. Finally, wake after sleep onset time, REM percentage, and REM latency did not vary with respect to RS or age. Overall, this investigation examined three major variables (mood, RS, and age) that are known to impact sleep in women. Of the variables, age appeared to have the greatest impact on PSG sleep measures, reflecting changes occurring across the lifespan.Esta investigación evaluó el impacto del ánimo, del estado reproductive (ER) y de la edad en las mediciones polisomnográficas (PSG) de registros de corte transversal en mujeres. Las mediciones PSG se realizaron en 73 controles normales (CN) y 66 pacientes con depresión (PD), en estudios durante la etapa menstrual, el embarazo, el postparto y, la peri y postmenopausia. Para evaluar los principales efectos del estado reproductivo (ER: menstrual v/s embarazo v/s postparto v/s menopausia) y del diagnóstico (CN v/s PD) en la interacción con las mediciones PSG se utilizó un análisis de la varianza multivariado (MANOVA) entre sujetos, para dos factores. Para perfeccionar aun más los análisis en la evaluación de los principales efectos de la edad (19 a 27 v/s 28 a 36 v/s 37 a 45 v/s 46 y más años) y del diagnóstico respecto a los datos PSG se empleó MANOVA entre sujetos, para dos factores. Los análisis revelaron que en las mujeres con depresión el porcentaje de sueño de movimientos oculares rápidos (REM) fue significativamente mayor en relación a los CN tanto para ER como para edad. Hubo diferencias significativas para la eficiencia del sueño, el porcentaje de la etapa 1 y la densidad del sueño REM que se asociaron con el ER. Diferencias para el tiempo total de sueño y el porcentaje de las etapas 2 y 4 se asociaron con diferencias en la edad. Tanto el ER como la edad se relacionaron con diferencias en la latencia de sueño, el porcentaje de la etapa 3 y el porcentaje de delta. Por último, el tiempo para despertar después de iniciar el sueño, el porcentaje de sueno REM y la latencia REM no variaron con relación al ER ni a la edad. Esta investigación examinó globalmente tres importantes variables (ánimo, ER y edad) que se sabe que influyen en el sueño en la mujer. De estas variables la edad tuvo el mayor impacto en las mediciones PSG del sueño, reflejando los cambios que ocurren a lo largo de la vida.Cette étude croisée d'archives a analysé l'impact de l'humeur, de l'état reproducteur (ER) et de l'âge sur les mesures polysomnographiques (PSG) des femmes. Des mesures PSG ont été réalisées sur 73 patientes témoins normales (TN) et 64 patientes déprimées (PD), au cours d'études chez des femmes ayant leurs règles, enceintes, pendant le postpartum, en périménopause ou déjà ménopausées. Une analyse de variance multivariée (MANOVA) à deux facteurs intersujets a testé les principaux effets de l'état reproducteur (ER: femmes ayant leurs règles vs enceintes vs pendant le postpartum vs ménopausées), du diagnostic (TN vs PD), et leur interaction sur les mesures PSG. Pour affiner ultérieurement les résultats, une analyse MANOVA à deux facteurs intersujets a été utilisée pour tester les principaux effets de l'âge (19 à 27 vs 28 à 36 vs 37 à 45 vs + de 46 ans) et du diagnostic sur les données PSG. Les analyses ont montré que chez les PD, le pourcentage de sommeil à mouvements oculaires rapides (REM) ou sommeil paradoxal était significativement élevé par rapport aux TN, à ER et âge équivalents. L'ER était associé à des différences significatives de fonctionnement du sommeil, de pourcentage de sommeil de stade 1 et de densité de sommeil REM ; avec l'âge, la durée totale du sommeil et le pourcentage de sommeil des stades 2 et 4 étaient changé. L'ER et l'âge ont influé sur la latence du sommeil, le pourcentage de sommeil de stade 3 et le delta. Finalement, l'ER ou l'âge n'ont rien changé au réveil après l'installation du sommeil, au pourcentage et à la latence de sommeil REM. Cette étude a analysé globalement trois variables principales (humour, ER et âge) connues pour influer sur le sommeil chez les femmes. Parmi les variables, l'âge semble avoir le plus grand impact sur les mesures PSG du sommeil, reflétant les changements intervenant au cours de la vie.

The aim of the present study was to determine the number of follicles, oocyte quality and maturation rate of oocytes from pairs of ovary with different reproductive status in two maturation medium, TCM-199 as control and CR1aa as treatment. The pairs of ovary were classified into four groups: (i) ovaries with corpus luteum (CL) and dominant follicle (DF), (ii) ovaries with CL, without DF, (iii) ovaries with DF, without CL, (iv) ovaries without both CL and DF. Results of the experiment revealed that the greatest number of follicles was observed from ovary with CL without DF (15.88 ± 10.68), although not significantly different (P > 0.05) with other status of ovaries. The lowest number (P < 0.05) of A grade oocytes was found from ovary with DF without CL (1.20 ± 1.10). The percentage of Metaphase II was highest in TCM-199 (75.51%) with oocytes from ovaries with CL and DF, and the lowest with oocytes from ovaries with DF without CL in TCM-199 and CR1aa (42.86 and 30.95%). The study suggested that the number of oocytes with A grade were influenced by the reproductive status of ovaries. The maturation rate of A grade oocytes was influenced by the quality of oocytes and the composition of maturation medium.

It is a long held assumption that women have concealed ovulation, which means that men do not know when women's menstrual cycles are in their most fertile phase. Recent empirical results have provided evidence that ovulation may not be totally concealed from pair-bonded males, but the generality and the mechanisms of the finding demand further study. To examine the possible adaptive value of the phenomenon, it is necessary to study whether the ability to detect ovulation is confined to males. We studied these questions in an experiment in which male and female raters rated the sexual attractiveness and intensity of T-shirts' odors worn by 42 women using oral contraceptives (pill users) and by 39 women without oral contraceptives (nonusers). Males rated the sexual attractiveness of nonusers highest at midcycle. However, female raters showed only a nonsignificant trend for this relationship. Neither sex rated attractiveness of the odors of pill users according to their menstrual cycle. The results indicate that men can use olfactory cues to distinguish between ovulating and nonovulating women. Furthermore, the contrasting results between pill users and nonusers may indicate that oral contraceptives demolish the cyclic attractiveness of odors. Together, these findings give more basis for the study of the role of odors in human sexual behavior. Copyright 2004.

The influence of the reproductive status was tested in the blood serum of 30 sheep (10 pregnant sheep on the 15th day prior to lambing, 10 lactating sheep on the 20th day of the lactation and 10 non-pregnant sheep). The influence of age was determined in the blood serum of 20 sheep and 20 lambs. Analysis of the impact of age in sheep and lamb on the concentration of thyroid hormones showed that 30-day old lambs had significantly higher (P

Understanding the life history of elasmobranch fishes (sharks, skates, and rays) is essential for their management. This study investigated the utilization of steroid hormone concentrations in non-lethally harvested elasmobranch skeletal muscle to assess reproductive status., Elasmobranch fishes (sharks, skates, and rays) are particularly susceptible to anthropogenic threats, making a thorough understanding of their life history characteristics essential for proper management. Historically, elasmobranch reproductive data have been collected by lethal sampling, an approach that is problematic for threatened and endangered species. However, recent studies have demonstrated that non-lethal approaches can be as effective as lethal ones for assessment of the reproductive status of an animal. For example, plasma has been used to examine concentrations of steroid hormones. Additionally, skeletal muscle tissue, which can be obtained non-lethally and with minimal stress, can also be used to quantify concentrations of steroid hormones. Skeletal muscle progesterone, testosterone, and estradiol concentrations were determined to be statistically significant indicators of reproductive status in the oviparous Leucoraja erinacea, the yolk-dependent viviparous Squalus acanthias, and the yolk-sac placental viviparous Rhizoprionodon terraenovae. The results of the present study demonstrate that steroid hormones present in non-lethally harvested skeletal muscle tissue can be used as reliable indicators of reproductive status in elasmobranchs.

The behavioral consequences of pregnancy in goats were studied to test the hypothesis that pregnant females on rangeland select a diet richer in nutrients once the demands of gestation increase, and that nutrient content in goat diets changes with the grazing season. A total of 12 mature mixed breed goats either pregnant (n = 6) or non-pregnant (n = 6) were used during the dry period (February to May). Dietary samples obtained from the oral cavity of grazing goats (restrained with a short light rope permanently tightened around their neck) were used for chemical analyses. Across months, pregnant goats selected diets higher (P < 0.01) in crude protein (CP) than non-pregnant goats; this nutrient did not meet the requirements of late gestating goats. Pregnant goats made use of less (P < 0.01) fibrous feeds than non-pregnant goats. In order to cope with changing nutrient demands for pregnancy, goats adjusted their diet by increasing the selection of plants with 32% higher calcium content compared to forages selected by non-pregnant goats. The physiological state of goats did not alter the levels of phosphorus (P), magnesium (Mg) and sodium (Na) in their diets; these minerals were adequate to meet the demands of pregnancy. There were no effects of physiological state on concentrations of copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), manganese (Mn) and iron (Fe) in the goat diets during the dry season, with levels adequate for sustainability of pregnancy. Pregnant goats did not seek forages lower in tannins, alkaloids, saponins and terpenes. It was concluded that to cope with increasing pregnancy costs, goats adjusted their diets increasing selection of forages or plant parts with high nutritional value to maximize their net nutrient budget.

Putranto HD (2011) A non-invasive identification of hormone metabolites, gonadal event and reproductive status of captive female tigers. Biodiversitas 12: 131-135. As a non-invasive method, fecal sample provides some advantage for animal and collector. The purpose of the present study were to monitor the reproductive status of female Siberian tigers (Panthera tigris altaica) by assessing changes in fecal during natural ovarian activity and pregnancy and to identify whether progesterone (P4) exists and what kinds of P4 metabolites excreted into the feces. Two female tigers were fed a diet consisting of meat. Drinking water was available ad libitum. Feces were collected ones to twice a week. The fecal contents of P4 and estradiol-17β (E2) were determined by EIA and P4 metabolites were separated by a modified HPLC. The EIA results shown that during its natural ovarian activity the E2 contents showed cyclic changes at the average of 27.0 d interval, however, no distinct cycles were shown in fecal P4 contents of non-pregnant tiger. In contrary, the fecal P4 contents in pregnant tiger increased remarkably after copulation approximately 2- to 6-fold higher than the mean value. The HPLC results indicated that two peaks were primarily detected fraction 63- 64 min (identified metabolites) and fraction 85 min (not identified metabolite) in feces of pregnant tiger. However, P4 detected only small amount in feces. It is possible to assess non-invasively gonadalevents such as luteal or follicular activity or ovulation of Siberian tigers by endocrine monitoring based on fecal P4 and E2 to understand reproductive status.

Habitat alteration by humans may change the supply of food and cover for wild ungulates, but few studies have examined how these resources are utilised over time by individuals of different sex and reproductive status. We examined circadian and seasonal variation in habitat utilisation within a moose Alces alces population in central Norway. Our study area covers forests and open habitats, both influenced by human alterations (e.g. forestry and agriculture). We expected moose to select habitats with good forage and cover in all seasons, but to select open foraging habitats mainly during night-time. Moose selected good foraging habitats, such as young forest stands and cultivated land during night, whereas the utilisation of older forest stands providing cover increased during daytime. This circadian pattern changed throughout the year, seemingly related to variation in hours of daylight and provision of forage. Young forest stands provided higher density of preferred food plants compared to older stands and were highly selected from spring until autumn. Relative to young forest, the selection for older forest stands increased towards winter, likely due to provision of higher plant quality late in the growing season, and to reduced accumulation of movement-impeding snow during winter. Selection of cultivated land varied among seasons, being highest when crop biomass was high. We also found some indications of state-dependent habitat selection as reproducing females avoided open, food rich areas in the first months after their calves were born, whereas males and females without young selected these areas in spring and summer. Our results clearly show that moose exploit the variations in cover and food caused by forestry and agriculture. This is particularly relevant for moose in Norway as current changes in forestry practice lead to a reduction in young, food-rich forest stands, possibly aggravating the already declining body conditions and recruitment rates of moose. Copyright © 2011 The Authors. Published under a CC-BY license.

Sheep from temperate latitudes exhibit seasonal variations in many physiological functions such as reproduction, food intake, body weight, and pelage growth. Majority of seasonal changes are controlled by the annual photoperiodic cycle and melatonin secretion. For reproduction, the resulting key event is a modulation of the negative feedback of steroids on gonadotropin secretion. However, this seasonal effect could also depend on variable uptake of steroids by the brain. Seasonal regulation of food intake also involves numerous peripheral hormones, among which the protein hormone leptin informs the brain on the metabolic status of the animal. It has been shown previously that access of progesterone, estradiol and leptin to the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) increases under long days. This physiological modulation of the passage of hormones to the brain could depend on regulation of the permeability of the blood-CSF barrier. This study therefore compared the tight junction proteins in the choroid plexus of ewes exposed to short days or long days. Levels of occludin, zonula occludens proteins (ZO) ZO-1 and ZO-2, afadin and cadherin were significantly higher during short days, but no statistical difference was observed for junctional adhesion molecule 1 (JAM-1), ZO-3 or claudins 1 and 5. These results are consistent with an increase in the blood-CSF barrier permeability during long days through a regulation of tight junctions and show that the permeability could depend upon physiological conditions such as photoperiodic status.

Summary: In continental populations of Rangifer fertility in females is normally both high and relatively constant. The largest recorded va­ riation in annual rate of pregnancy within a single population is less than two-fold (range = 57.0-87.0 %, T. ^ Skogland, pers. comm.). In high arctic island populations, by contrast, fertility is highly variable: annual rates of birth in Svalbard reindeer (R. tarandus platyrhynchus), for example, vary up to eight-fold (range = 9.0-73.3 %, Tyler 1987, see also Tho­ mas 1982). The physiological mechanisms re­ sponsible for changes in fertility in cervids are not known. However, fertility in females is in­ fluenced by both body weight and fat reserves (Dauphine 1976, Leader-Williams and Ricketts 1982, Reimers 1983, Thomas 1982) and in red