Progesterone and Cortisol Levels in Blood and Hair of Wild Pregnant Red Deer ( Cervus Elaphus) Hinds

摘要: The red deer (Cervus elaphus L., 1758) is one of the largest species in world. Females are seasonal polyestrous, with negative photoperiod: increase night peak melatonin determines secretion GnRH and, therefore, LH and FSH. To date there little information regarding hormonal control during pregnancy for this species; could be due to difficulty sampling wild subjects, while farmed animals' concentrations may not reflect physiology animal a natural state. In study we evaluated concentration cortisol progesterone, extracted from blood hair, on 10 pregnant females. Belonging population Bolognese Apennines (Italy), hinds were sampled January-March 2018 period, according regional selective hunting plan. Plasma progesterone (P4) ranged minimum 1.9 maximum 7.48 ng/mL; hair P4 varied 41.68 153.57 pg/mg. plasma ranges respectively 0.4-2.97 ng/mL 0.03-0.55 pg/mg; only significant correlation was found between death. results preliminary represent small step towards better knowledge species' pregnancy.