title: Using non-invasive methods to characterize gonadal hormonal patterns of southern three-banded armadillos (Tolypeutes matacus) housed in North American zoos.
abstract: Understanding the basic reproductive biology and limitations to successful breeding of the southern three-banded armadillo (Tolypeutes matacus) is necessary to maintain viable zoo populations. Our objectives were to: 1) describe the reproductive biology using non-invasive, fecal hormone analysis; 2) assess influence of season on gonadal hormonal patterns in both the sexes; 3) characterize reproductive cyclicity and pregnancy in the female; and 4) characterize the onset of sexual maturity in males. Nineteen armadillos were monitored including: 13 (7 males, 6 females) from Lincoln Park Zoo and six (3 males, 3 females) from San Antonio Zoological Garden. Fecal samples (n=5220; 275/animal/yr) were collected 5 to 7 times a week for 1 year. Hormones were extracted from feces and analyzed for progestagen (females) and androgen (males) metabolite concentrations using enzyme immunoassays. Mean estrous cycle length (26.4±1.3 days) did not vary (P<0.05) among individuals (n=9). Mean gestation length (n=3) was 114.0±0.6 days long with mean fecal progestagen metabolites increasing 10-fold during pregnancy. Seasons did not influence (P<0.05) fecal androgen or progestagen metabolites. These data can assist with management decisions, which will directly affect the success of this species in zoos.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Sciences, University of Illinois, Chicago, IL 60607, USA. JHowell-Stephens@lpzoo.org
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Howell-Stephens
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Bernier
authors.forename: J S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Brown
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Mulkerin
authors.forename: R M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Santymire
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000836:Animals, Zoo / Q000378:metabolism; D001135:Armadillos / Q000378:metabolism; D001947:Breeding / Q000379:methods; D030762:Estrous Cycle / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D005243:Feces / Q000737:chemistry*; D005260:Female; D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones / Q000032:analysis* / Q000378:metabolism; D006799:Housing, Animal; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D008297:Male; D009656:North America; D011247:Pregnancy; D012098:Reproduction / Q000502:physiology; D012621:Seasons; D012741:Sexual Maturation / Q000502:physiology; D054928:Validation Studies as Topic
chemical_list: D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones