Fiess M, Heistermann M, Hodges J K
Department of Reproductive Biology, German Primate Centre, Kellnerweg 4, Goettingen, D-37077, Germany.
Gen Comp Endocrinol. 1999 Jul;115(1):76-89. doi: 10.1006/gcen.1999.7287.
The aims of the present study were to (i) determine the relative abundance of the 5alpha-reduced progestins 5alpha-pregnane-3-ol-20-one (5alpha-P-3OH) and 5alpha-dihydroprogesterone (5alpha-DHP) and progesterone (P4) in African elephant feces and to establish improved fecal progestin assays for monitoring ovarian function; and (ii) describe longitudinal profiles of urinary and fecal progestin and estrogen metabolites during pregnancy. Matched urine and fecal samples were collected weekly from six adult females throughout 18 nonfertile cycles and two complete pregnancies (89 and 93 weeks duration). Fecal samples were lyophilized and extracted with 80% methanol in water and immunoreactive 5alpha-P-3OH, 5alpha-DHP, and P4 and (for pregnant females only) estrone (E1) and estradiol (E2) determined by enzyme immunoassay. Urine samples were hydrolyzed, ether-extracted, and assayed for 5alpha-P-3OH, E1, and E2. HPLC cochromatography of fecal extracts with various radioactive progestin tracers confirmed the presence of large amounts of both 5-reduced progestins (5alpha-P-3OH > 5alpha-DHP) but not of P4. 5-Reduced progestins (but not P4) were excreted in a cyclic pattern and levels were significantly correlated with urinary 5alpha-P-3OH. Fecal 5alpha-P-3OH showed the more pronounced and consistent luteal-phase elevation and a better correspondence to urine with respect to timing of the luteal-phase rise. Fecal and urinary 5-reduced progestins increased gradually during early pregnancy to maximum values around week 40-45. Levels gradually declined during the second half of pregnancy, reaching baseline values 2 days before parturition. Urinary estrogens did not show any cyclic pattern during the preconception period and levels remained low during the first 30 weeks of gestation. Thereafter, there was a rapid 10- to 20-fold increase to maximum values at mid-pregnancy, followed by a gradual decline to birth. There was no mid-pregnancy elevation in fecal estrogens, but there was a modest increase in E1 during the second half of gestation.
（i）测定非洲象粪便中5α-还原孕激素5α-孕烷-3-醇-20-酮（5α-P-3OH）、5α-双氢孕酮（5α-DHP）和孕酮（P4）的相对丰度，并建立用于监测卵巢功能的改进粪便孕激素检测方法；（ii）描述孕期尿液和粪便中孕激素及雌激素代谢物的纵向变化情况。在18个非生育周期和两次完整妊娠（持续89周和93周）期间，每周从6只成年雌性大象收集配对的尿液和粪便样本。粪便样本冻干后用80%甲醇水溶液提取，通过酶免疫测定法测定免疫反应性5α-P-3OH、5α-DHP、P4以及（仅针对怀孕雌性）雌酮（E1）和雌二醇（E2）。粪便提取物与各种放射性孕激素示踪剂的高效液相色谱共色谱法证实存在大量的两种5-还原孕激素（5α-P-3OH > 5α-DHP），但不存在P4。5-还原孕激素（而非P4）以周期性模式排泄，其水平与尿液中的5α-P-3OH显著相关。粪便中的5α-P-3OH在黄体期升高更为明显且一致，在黄体期上升时间方面与尿液的对应性更好。粪便和尿液中的5-还原孕激素在妊娠早期逐渐增加，在第40 - 45周左右达到最大值。在妊娠后半期水平逐渐下降，在分娩前2天降至基线值。孕前期间尿液雌激素未显示任何周期性模式，在妊娠的前30周水平保持较低。此后，在妊娠中期迅速增加10至20倍达到最大值，随后逐渐下降至分娩。粪便雌激素在妊娠中期没有升高，但在妊娠后半期E1有适度增加。
