title: Simultaneous quantification of progesterone, estrone, estradiol-17 beta and corticosterone in female American kestrel plasma.
abstract: Progesterone, estrone, estradiol-17 beta and corticosterone were quantified simultaneously for the first time in female American kestrel (Falco sparverius) plasma. A mean level for each hormone was determined for the laying and non-laying periods of the summer (April-September), and for February. Means were comparable to those of other wild avian species and were significantly higher for the laying period than for the other 2 periods. The mean corticosterone level for February was higher than that for the non-laying summer period. Plasma from laying kestrels, unlike that from other avian species, required lipid removal before column chromatography. Of 2 lipid removal techniques compared, i.e. the cold methanol and hexane:methanol techniques, the latter proved superior.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001717:Birds / Q000097:blood*; D003345:Corticosterone / Q000097:blood*; D004958:Estradiol / Q000097:blood*; D004970:Estrone / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D010058:Oviposition; D011374:Progesterone / Q000097:blood*; D011863:Radioimmunoassay / Q000379:methods; D012621:Seasons
chemical_list: D004970:Estrone; D011374:Progesterone; D004958:Estradiol; D003345:Corticosterone