title: Non-invasive monitoring of reproductive and stress hormones in the endangered red panda (Ailurus fulgens fulgens).
abstract: The red panda (Ailurus fulgens fulgens) is classified as endangered due to its declining population, habitat fragmentation and poaching. Efforts are being made to breed them in captivity as part of nationwide conservation breeding program. This study aimed to standardize Enzyme immunoassays (EIAs) to monitor reproductive (Progesterone metabolite, Testosterone) and stress hormone (Cortisol) in red panda. For this purpose, we collected 1471 faecal samples from four females and one male over a period of one year from Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park, Darjeeling, India. HPLC confirmed the presence of immunoreactive 5α-pregnan-3α-ol-20-one, testosterone and cortisol metabolites in faecal samples. Using 5α-pregnan-3α-ol-20-one EIA, we were able to monitor reproduction and detect pregnancy in one of the females, which successfully conceived and delivered during the study period. We were also able to monitor testosterone and cortisol in faecal samples of the red panda. Faecal testosterone levels were found in higher concentration in breeding season than in non-breeding season. Faecal cortisol concentrations showed a negative relationship with ambient temperature and peaked during winter months in all animals. Standardization of EIAs and faecal hormone monitoring would facilitate red panda conservation breeding programs in India and elsewhere.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory for the Conservation of Endangered Species, CSIR-Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology, Uppal Road, Hyderabad 500 007, India.
authors.forename: Neema Raja
authors.initials: NR
authors.lastname: Beaulah Budithi
authors.affiliation: Laboratory for the Conservation of Endangered Species, CSIR-Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology, Uppal Road, Hyderabad 500 007, India.
authors.forename: Vinod
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Kumar
authors.affiliation: Laboratory for the Conservation of Endangered Species, CSIR-Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology, Uppal Road, Hyderabad 500 007, India.
authors.forename: Suneel Kumar
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Yalla
authors.affiliation: Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park, Darjeeling 734101, India.
authors.forename: Upashna
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Rai
authors.affiliation: Laboratory for the Conservation of Endangered Species, CSIR-Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology, Uppal Road, Hyderabad 500 007, India. Electronic address: guma@ccmb.res.in.
authors.forename: Govindhaswamy
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Umapathy
mesh_terms: D053822:Ailuridae; D000818:Animals; D056727:Endangered Species; D005243:Feces / Q000737:chemistry*; D005260:Female; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*; D008297:Male; D011247:Pregnancy; D011374:Progesterone / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D013739:Testosterone / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D013739:Testosterone; D011374:Progesterone; D006854:Hydrocortisone
keywords: 5α-Pregnan-3α-ol-20-one; Cortisol; Faecal hormone; Pregnancy detection; Red panda; Testosterone