title: The use of altrenogest to avoid hyperestrogenism after eCG-hCG ovulation induction in southern tigrina (Leopardus guttulus).
abstract: The goal of this study was to optimize an ovulation induction protocol for use with artificial insemination in the southern tigrina (Leopardus guttulus). The specific aims were to report the efficacy of using altrenogest, an oral progestin (Regumate, MSD Animal Health, Merck Animal Health), to suppress ovarian activity and prevent follicular hyperstimulation and hyperestrogenism after the administration of exogenous eCG and hCG. To monitor ovarian responses, fecal estrogen and progestogen metabolites were quantified by enzyme immunoassay in females before and after intramuscular administration of 200-IU eCG and 150-IU hCG in two trials, 4 months apart. During the first trial, there was no use of altrenogest, only the eCG-hCG ovulation induction protocol. In the second trial, the ovulation induction protocol was preceded by the administration of oral altrenogest for 14 days (minimum of 0.192 mg per kg per day). Altrenogest administration resulted in a suppression of follicular activity in three out of six females before eCG-hCG administration on the basis of lower mean estrogen concentrations (P < 0.05). It also resulted in four out of six females presenting lower fecal estrogen metabolite concentrations (P < 0.05) after ovulation induction, and two out of six individuals showed a reduction (P < 0.05) in postovulatory fecal progestogen metabolite concentrations, all when compared to the same female's cycles without the progestin. Fecal estrogen metabolite concentrations were closer to baseline in 50% of these individuals after altrenogest and eCG-hCG treatments when compared to basal concentrations before gonadotropins without the use of altrenogest. This study reported that use of altrenogest in southern tigrina can suppress ovarian activity and avoid hyperestrogenism after administration of eCG and hCG treatment. However, not all females responded uniformly, so more studies are needed to increase the efficacy of ovulation induction for use with artificial insemination in this species.
authors.affiliation: Federal University of Parana, Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, Palotina, Paraná, Brazil; Brazilian Institute for Conservation Medicine - TRÍADE, Curitiba, Brazil. Electronic address: micheletti@forst.tu-dresden.de.
authors.forename: Tatiane
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Micheletti
authors.affiliation: Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, Front Royal, Virginia, USA.
authors.forename: Janine L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Brown
authors.affiliation: Chester Zoo, Reproduction & Welfare Research Unit, Upton-by-Chester, UK.
authors.forename: Susan L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Walker
authors.affiliation: Itaipu Binacional, Refugio Biologico Bela Vista, Foz do Iguaçu, Paraná, Brazil.
authors.forename: Zalmir S
authors.initials: ZS
authors.lastname: Cubas
authors.affiliation: Laboratorio de Dosagens Hormonais, Department of Animal Reproduction, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Priscila V
authors.initials: PV
authors.lastname: Furtado
authors.affiliation: Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, Front Royal, Virginia, USA.
authors.forename: Sarah B
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Putman
authors.affiliation: Itaipu Binacional, Refugio Biologico Bela Vista, Foz do Iguaçu, Paraná, Brazil.
authors.forename: Wanderlei
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: de Moraes
authors.affiliation: Itaipu Binacional, Refugio Biologico Bela Vista, Foz do Iguaçu, Paraná, Brazil.
authors.forename: Marcos J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: de Oliveira
authors.affiliation: Laboratorio de Dosagens Hormonais, Department of Animal Reproduction, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Claudio A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: de Oliveira
authors.affiliation: Federal University of Parana, Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, Palotina, Paraná, Brazil.
authors.forename: Nei
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Moreira
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004958:Estradiol / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D005243:Feces / Q000737:chemistry; D045989:Felidae / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D007315:Insemination, Artificial / Q000662:veterinary*; D010062:Ovulation Induction / Q000662:veterinary*; D011372:Progestins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D013045:Species Specificity; D014204:Trenbolone Acetate / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin; D011372:Progestins; C023445:altrenogest; D004958:Estradiol; D014204:Trenbolone Acetate
keywords: Captive reproduction; Gonadotropin; Neotropical felid; Ovulation induction; Progestin