Graham L H, Webster T, Richards M, Reid K, Joseph S
Department of Animal Programs, Walt Disney World's Animal Kingdom, Bay Lake, Florida, USA.
Reprod Suppl. 2002;60:65-70.
The preliminary results of an investigation into the reproductive endocrinology of the hippopotamus (Hippopotamus amphibius) and the effects of the progestin Depo-Provera on ovarian function are presented. Faecal progestagen analysis indicated that hippos have an oestrous cycle of 29.2 +/- 0.9 days and faecal progestagen concentrations of 323.6 +/- 31.4 ng g(-1) during the luteal phase. Concentrations were higher (765.9 +/- 162.4 ng g(-1); P < 0.05) during pregnancy than during the luteal phase and remained high until parturition. A lactational anoestrus was usually, but not always, observed during nursing. The onset of puberty was observed in three animals and started at 2.5-3.5 years of age. After Depo-Provera treatment, increases in faecal progestagens indicative of ovulation were observed and were not significantly different from luteal concentrations observed before treatment (236.3 +/- 24.4 versus 340.1 +/- 47.9 ng g(-1), respectively); however, the duration of the luteal phase was shorter (P < 0.05) than before treatment (11.3 +/- 1.0 versus 18.9 +/- 1.0 days, respectively). Females returned to normal cyclicity at day 100.7 +/- 15.3 (range 70-116 days) after administration and one female conceived on day 100 after administration.
本文介绍了对河马（河马属两栖类）生殖内分泌学及孕激素醋酸甲羟孕酮对卵巢功能影响的初步研究结果。粪便孕激素分析表明，河马的发情周期为29.2±0.9天，黄体期粪便孕激素浓度为323.6±31.4 ng g⁻¹。怀孕期间的浓度（765.9±162.4 ng g⁻¹；P<0.05）高于黄体期，且一直保持较高水平直至分娩。哺乳期间通常（但并非总是）会出现哺乳期无发情期。在三只动物中观察到青春期开始，始于2.5至3.5岁。醋酸甲羟孕酮治疗后，观察到粪便孕激素增加表明有排卵，且与治疗前观察到的黄体期浓度无显著差异（分别为236.3±24.4和340.1±47.9 ng g⁻¹）；然而，黄体期持续时间比治疗前短（P<0.05）（分别为11.3±1.0和18.9±1.0天）。给药后第100.7±15.3天（范围70 - 116天）雌性恢复正常周期性，一只雌性在给药后第100天受孕。
