• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.27 no.6
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• pp.693-697
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• 2010

This study, conducted with four leopard cats (Prionailurus bengalensis), used time-resolved fluoroimmunoassay (TR-FIA) to analyze estradiol and progesterone concentrations in fecal samples. We measured fecal samples taken during estrus period, diestrus period, pregnancy and non-pregnancy period. During estrus (February), the mean minimum estradiol concentration was $4.02{\pm}1.9$ng/g, and the mean maximum was $86.01{\pm}35.2$ng/g (dry fecal weight). During diestrus (November), the mean minimum estradiol concentration was $4.42{\pm}1.32$ng/g and mean maximum was $15.62{\pm}6.48$ng/g (dry fecal weight). Midgestation (April), the mean minimum progesterone concentration was $427{\pm}24.49$ng/g and the mean maximum was $1490{\pm}265.27$ng/g. During non-pregnancy (November), the mean minimum progesterone concentration was $71.25{\pm}29.61$ng/g and the mean maximum was $291.75{\pm}90.30$ng/g. These results suggest that steroid hormone analysis of feces using TR-FIA is a valid method for noninvasively determining ovarian activity associated with estrus and pregnancy in leopard cats. This study will contribute to building breeding management and reproductive plans for endangered species.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.22-26
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• 2013

To monitor the reproductive patterns of endangered orangutan, Time-resolved fluorescence immuno assay (TR-FIA) were used to analyze metabolites of sex hormones in feces. Orangutan had long-term interbirth intervals (amenorrhea) during lactation period in which the secretion of sex hormones was repressed. The concentration of progesterone in the serum of pregnant orangutan was 30fold higher than that in non-pregnant orangutan. However, the concentration of hCG during pregnant period was different from the result of other primates. The present study suggested that age is not the important factor in determining the reproduction capability, because it is rather greatly influenced by the combination of various factors. Tracing metabolites of sex hormones in orangutan feces seems to be provide the effective solution for the infertility in orangutan. This study result shows the basic data in operating conservation project for endangered orangutan.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.167-172
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• 2011

To monitor the reproductive patterns of endangered common chimpanzee including annual reproductive cycle, amenorrhea, breeding season, and pregnancy diagnosis, Time-Resolved Fluorescence Immuno Assay (TR-FIA) was used to trace MRH (estradiol, progesterone, testosterone) and human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG). In result of this research, age was not the important factor in determining the reproduction capability in common chimpanzee; it was rather greatly influenced by the combination of various factors such as individual's fertilizing ability, presence of obstetrical diseases, the pattern of mating behavior, and the mental communication under the introduction of a mating partner. This research will play an important role in operating conservation project for common chimpanzees and can be extended also for shedding new light on understanding human menopause and obstetrical diseases.