title: Reproductive parameters in free-ranging female black rhinoceroses (Diceros bicornis) in Zimbabwe.
abstract: Samples and data were collected from twenty-eight female black rhinoceroses (Diceros bicornis) during translocation efforts carried out by the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Management in Zimbabwe. Biological data were collected, cytological examination of vaginal smears was performed, and serum concentrations of follicle stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, progesterone, oestriol, and 17-beta-oestradiol were determined by radio-immuno-assay. Prolactin levels were determined for 3 pregnant animals, 1 of which was sampled before and after parturition. Vaginal cytology was not found to be helpful for indicating the oestrous cycle stage for the black rhinoceros, but progesterone and 17-beta-oestradiol levels were found to be useful indicators of pregnancy and possibly of oestrous cycle stage as well.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Zimbabwe, Harare.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kock
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Morton
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kock
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004958:Estradiol / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood; D010527:Perissodactyla / Q000502:physiology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011374:Progesterone / Q000097:blood; D011388:Prolactin / Q000097:blood; D012098:Reproduction / Q000502:physiology*; D014626:Vaginal Smears / Q000662:veterinary; D015030:Zimbabwe
chemical_list: D011374:Progesterone; D004958:Estradiol; D011388:Prolactin; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone