Endocrine Correlates of Reproduction in the Wolf. I. Serum Progesterone, Estradiol and LH during the Estrous Cycle

摘要: The estrous cycle of 10 intact female wolves, aged 8 months-8 years at the initiation study, was characterized in terms vaginal smears, behavioral observations and serum concentrations estradiol-17(3, progesterone luteinizing hormone (LH) from January through June. No cycles occurred these animals between June December. All were housed with male wolves. Two pups 1 adult remained anestrous during this interval. One pup 2 adults produced litters May 4-6. Four exhibited endocrine changes similar to those pregnant but no or signs abortion observed. duration proestrus 15.7 ± 1.6 days ( t SEM, n = 6), estrus 9.0 1.2 (n 4) luteal phase 63 6). pregnancy 60-65 days. females (86 blood samples) had 6 values 1-2 ng/ml remainder below ng/ml. Their estradiol-17!3 varied 5-20 pg/mI. Values for LH 0.1-2 ng/ml, except value above 15 each on 12 January. 7 (260 included that delivered litters. Estradiol-17j3 10-20 pg/mi proestrus, peaked 30-70 pg/mI late fluctuated 10-30 activity nonpregnant animals. preovulatory rise, 5-15 extended over 3 immediately following peak estradiol-1713 values. An earlier elevation observed Progesterone began increasing surge 11-14 later 22-40 greater than maintained 56-68 exhibiting estrus. declined parturition continued fluctuate 0.2-3 ng/rnl 3-6 weeks.