title: Serological evaluation of ovarian steroids of red-rumped agouti (Dasyprocta leporina) during the estrous cycle phases.
abstract: The objective of this study was to evaluate serum progesterone (P4) and 17β estradiol (E2) concentrations throughout the estrous cycle in the red-rumped agouti (Dasyprocta leporina). A total of eight multiparous, captive-bred females were bled throughout their estrous cycle via saphenous venipuncture, with E2 and P4 concentrations being measured via ELISA of the serum collected. Serum E2ranged from 1212 to 3500pg/ml with a peak value coinciding with observed estrus. However, two additional peak values for E2were also recorded, one each in metestrus and proestrus respectively. P4 concentrations reached a maximum of 4.23ng/ml, and increases in P4 immediately followed the second E2 peak in metestrus. The highest concentrations of P4 were recorded in mid diestrus; between days 23-25 of the 31-day cycle. This phase was the longest in the agouti, consisting of approximately 19days and accounted for 61% of the cycle. This study increased the basal scientific reproductive knowledge of this potentially valuable neo-tropical species.
authors.affiliation: Department of Food Production, Faculty of Food and Agriculture, The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, West Indies, Trinidad and Tobago. Electronic address: michele.singh@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Michele D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Singh
authors.affiliation: School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Medical Science, The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, West Indies, Trinidad and Tobago. Electronic address: vetondenet@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Michael J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Morris
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Animal Reproduction, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Pará, Rua Augusto Corrêa, 01, Guamá, CEP 66075-110, Belém, Pará, Brazil. Electronic address: anisilvestreufpa@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Diva Anelie
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Guimarães
authors.affiliation: School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Medical Science, The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, West Indies, Trinidad and Tobago. Electronic address: gabourne1@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Gregory
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bourne
authors.affiliation: Department of Food Production, Faculty of Food and Agriculture, The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, West Indies, Trinidad and Tobago. Electronic address: prof.gary.garcia@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Gary W
authors.initials: GW
authors.lastname: Garcia
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D065469:Cuniculidae / Q000097:blood* / Q000502:physiology; D004967:Estrogens / Q000097:blood*; D030762:Estrous Cycle / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D010053:Ovary / Q000378:metabolism*; D011374:Progesterone / Q000097:blood*; D012698:Serologic Tests
chemical_list: D004967:Estrogens; D011374:Progesterone
keywords: Estradiol; Hormone; Hystricomorph; Neo-tropical; Progesterone; Wild rodents