title: Ovarian function in the Nile hippopotamus and the effects of Depo-Provera administration.
abstract: The preliminary results of an investigation into the reproductive endocrinology of the hippopotamus (Hippopotamus amphibius) and the effects of the progestin Depo-Provera on ovarian function are presented. Faecal progestagen analysis indicated that hippos have an oestrous cycle of 29.2 +/- 0.9 days and faecal progestagen concentrations of 323.6 +/- 31.4 ng g(-1) during the luteal phase. Concentrations were higher (765.9 +/- 162.4 ng g(-1); P < 0.05) during pregnancy than during the luteal phase and remained high until parturition. A lactational anoestrus was usually, but not always, observed during nursing. The onset of puberty was observed in three animals and started at 2.5-3.5 years of age. After Depo-Provera treatment, increases in faecal progestagens indicative of ovulation were observed and were not significantly different from luteal concentrations observed before treatment (236.3 +/- 24.4 versus 340.1 +/- 47.9 ng g(-1), respectively); however, the duration of the luteal phase was shorter (P < 0.05) than before treatment (11.3 +/- 1.0 versus 18.9 +/- 1.0 days, respectively). Females returned to normal cyclicity at day 100.7 +/- 15.3 (range 70-116 days) after administration and one female conceived on day 100 after administration.
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Programs, Walt Disney World's Animal Kingdom, Bay Lake, Florida, USA. endolaura@yahoo.com
authors.forename: L H
authors.initials: LH
authors.lastname: Graham
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Webster
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Richards
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Reid
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Joseph
mesh_terms: D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000818:Animals; D000836:Animals, Zoo; D001188:Artiodactyla; D003267:Contraception / Q000662:veterinary*; D003278:Contraceptives, Oral, Hormonal / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D030762:Estrous Cycle / Q000187:drug effects; D005243:Feces / Q000737:chemistry; D005260:Female; D017258:Medroxyprogesterone Acetate / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D010053:Ovary / Q000502:physiology*; D011372:Progestins / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D003278:Contraceptives, Oral, Hormonal; D011372:Progestins; D017258:Medroxyprogesterone Acetate