Patzl M, Schwarzenberger F, Osmann C, Bamberg E, Bartmann W
Institut für Biochemie and L. Boltzmann-Institut für Veterinärmedizinische Endokrinologie, Veterinärmedizinische Universität Wien, Vienna, Austria.
Anim Reprod Sci. 1998 Oct;53(1-4):209-19. doi: 10.1016/s0378-4320(98)00114-6.
Oestrogen and progestagen metabolites were measured in the faeces of five female giant anteaters (Myrmecophaga tridactyla), to characterise the oestrous cycle and pregnancy. Faecal samples were collected twice weekly for a minimum of 6 months, and immunoreactive progestagens and oestrogens were analysed using enzyme immunoassays (EIA). For progestagens, two antibodies that cross-reacted with 20alpha-hydroxy- or 20-oxo-progestagens were used. Both assays effectively monitored ovarian cyclicity; however, the concentrations obtained using the antibody for 20alpha-hydroxy-progestagens were higher, and the hormonal changes were more pronounced. Regular ovarian cycles were identified in three of the five females. Average (+/-SEM) length of the oestrous cycle (n=10) was 51.4+/-5.6 days. Peak concentrations of 20alpha-hydroxy-progestagens ranged from 80-660 ng/g of faeces and those of oestrogens from 20-100 ng/g. Hormone concentrations were measured during parts of two pregnancies and during four post-partum periods. The length of one gestation (from oestrous oestrogen peak until parturition) was 184 days. In the second half of gestation, progestagen concentration started to increase above luteal phase values; in the week before parturition it was approximately 20 times higher than those during the luteal phase. Concentrations of excreted oestrogens began to increase after two thirds of gestation and exceeded that of the follicular phase by approximately 2.5-fold in the week before parturition. Onset of ovarian cyclicity after parturition varied from 4-11 weeks. In conclusion, the measurement of faecal immunoreactive progestagens and oestrogens in the giant anteater indicated an ovarian cycle of approximately 7 weeks in length and provided potentially useful data for successful breeding management.
为了确定雌性大食蚁兽的发情周期和怀孕情况，对5只雌性大食蚁兽（Myrmecophaga tridactyla）粪便中的雌激素和孕激素代谢物进行了测量。每周采集两次粪便样本，至少持续6个月，并使用酶免疫分析法（EIA）分析免疫反应性孕激素和雌激素。对于孕激素，使用了两种与20α-羟基或20-氧代孕激素发生交叉反应的抗体。两种检测方法都有效地监测了卵巢周期性；然而，使用针对20α-羟基孕激素的抗体获得的浓度更高，激素变化也更明显。在5只雌性大食蚁兽中，有3只确定有规律的卵巢周期。发情周期（n = 10）的平均（±SEM）长度为51.4±5.6天。20α-羟基孕激素的峰值浓度范围为80 - 660 ng/g粪便，雌激素的峰值浓度范围为20 - 100 ng/g。在两次怀孕的部分时间和四个产后阶段测量了激素浓度。一次妊娠（从发情期雌激素峰值到分娩）的长度为184天。在妊娠后半期，孕激素浓度开始高于黄体期值；在分娩前一周，其浓度约为黄体期的20倍。排泄的雌激素浓度在妊娠三分之二后开始增加，在分娩前一周超过卵泡期浓度约2.5倍。产后卵巢周期性的开始时间在4 - 11周之间。总之，对大食蚁兽粪便中免疫反应性孕激素和雌激素的测量表明，其卵巢周期约为7周，为成功的繁殖管理提供了潜在有用的数据。
