Circulating progesterone, progesterone-binding proteins and oestradiol-17 beta concentrations in the pregnant Cape porcupine, Hystrix africaeaustralis.
Circulating concentrations of progesterone, progesterone-binding plasma proteins (PBPP) and oestradiol-17 beta in pregnant porcupines remained relatively low until Days 25-30 post coitum. Progesterone values peaked (102-180 ng/ml; N = 3) 42-60 days post coitum and the rapid increase in oestradiol-17 beta concentrations approximated that of progesterone with peak values (170-210 pg/ml) being attained 60-85 days post coitum. The pattern of PBPP synthesis, as suggested by circulating concentrations, was closely related to that of plasma progesterone, with values remaining low (less than 20 pmol/ml) until Day 31 post coitum, reaching peak levels at Days 50-56 and Days 73-77 post coitum. The production of PBPP during pregnancy is, as in related New World hystricomorph species, considered to be a mechanism which facilitates a reduction in the rate of progesterone metabolism during pregnancy.
R J
RJ
van Aarde
H C
HC
Potgieter
D000510:Alpha-Globulins / Q000097:blood*; D000818:Animals; D004958:Estradiol / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D011247:Pregnancy; D011270:Pregnancy, Animal; D011374:Progesterone / Q000097:blood*; D011376:Progesterone-Binding Globulin / Q000097:blood*; D012377:Rodentia / Q000097:blood*; D013997:Time Factors
D000510:Alpha-Globulins; D011376:Progesterone-Binding Globulin; D011374:Progesterone; D004958:Estradiol