Abstract: Urinary metabolite monitoring of ovarian activity to characterize the natural oestrus cycle in the critically endangered chinchilla (Chinchilla lanigera).

GALEANO M.G.; GILMAN C; MASTROMONACO G; FIOL DE CUNEO M; PONZIO M.F

Revista e la Facultad de Ciencias Médicas-UNC

SECyT-FCM-UNC

Lugar: Córdoba; Año: 2013

0014-6722

p style="text-align: justify; margin-bottom: 0pt;">Excessive hunting and habitat fragmentation greatly reduced chinchilla populations in the wild and today it?s almost extinct in the wild. Understanding basic reproductive physiological function is essential for a successful conservation program, yet these characteristics are unknown or poorly studied in this species. Our objective was to characterize the natural fluctuations in ovarian endocrine activity in female chinchillas thorough the sexual cycle, using urinary biomarkers of ovarian function. Urine samples were collected from 9 females, 3 times per week for a period of 4 months during the active reproductive season. Vaginal opening was also recorded as an external sign of oestrus. Each sample was analyzed for creatinine (crt, Sigma #C3613), pregnanediol glucuronides and estrone conjugates (PdG R13904, EC R522-2, C