Duer Connie, Carden Melissa, Tomasi Thomas
Oklahoma State University, 430 Life Sciences West, Stillwater, OK 74078-3052, USA.
Anim Reprod Sci. 2007 Feb;97(3-4):278-83. doi: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2006.02.008. Epub 2006 Mar 22.
Previous studies have analyzed total testosterone concentrations in maternal serum for a reliable method of fetal gender determination in Asian elephants (Elephas maximus). The present study investigated the possibility that progesterone concentrations in maternal serum may reflect these testosterone patterns. Weekly serum samples were collected from 17 pregnancies in captive Asian elephants and analyzed via radioimmunoassay (RIA) for progesterone concentrations. Nine and eight cows carried male and female calves, respectively. Mean progesterone concentrations in maternal serum of elephants carrying male calves were greater than in those carrying female calves (P<0.01). Mean progesterone concentrations (based on 5-week means) in maternal serum were greater at weeks 20-55 (P<0.01) and 60-65 (P<0.05) for elephants carrying male calves.
此前的研究分析了亚洲象（印度象）母血清中的总睾酮浓度，以寻找一种可靠的胎儿性别鉴定方法。本研究调查了母血清中孕酮浓度可能反映这些睾酮模式的可能性。从圈养亚洲象的17次怀孕中每周采集血清样本，并通过放射免疫分析（RIA）测定孕酮浓度。其中9头母象怀的是雄性幼崽，8头母象怀的是雌性幼崽。怀雄性幼崽的母象血清中孕酮的平均浓度高于怀雌性幼崽的母象（P<0.01）。怀雄性幼崽的母象在第20 - 55周（P<0.01）和第60 - 65周（P<0.05）时，母血清中孕酮的平均浓度（基于5周平均值）更高。
