title: Monitoring menstrual cycle, gestation and lactation by measuring urinary oestradiol and progesterone in the captive golden snub-nosed monkey (Rhinopithecus roxellanae).
abstract: The golden snub-nosed monkey is an endangered species and study of its reproductive physiology is crucial for the species' breeding programs. Urine samples (770) from 5 mature female golden snub-nosed monkeys were collected in the Shengnongjia Nature Reserve between October 2013 and December 2014 to monitor their menstrual cycle, gestation, and lactation. The concentrations of oestradiol (E2) and progesterone (P4) in the samples were measured by Chemiluminescent Microparticle Immunoassay (CMIA), and the hormone concentrations were indexed to creatinine levels to compensate for differences in water content. The results showed that the E2and P4levels during the breeding season were significantly higher than those during the non-breeding season (P<0.01). The length of the menstrual cycle during the breeding season was 24.29±0.71days (mean±SEM) with a follicular cycle of 8.33±0.62days and luteal cycle of 15.27±0.83days. In addition, the levels of E2and P4began to rise on day 14 and day 10 after conception and remained at a high level until parturition. However, the E2and P4levels during lactation were lower than those during gestation (P<0.01). In summary, this study extends our knowledge regarding the basic reproductive physiology of golden snub-nosed monkeys, which could play an important role in the expansion of this species' population.
authors.affiliation: College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei, China.
authors.forename: Wei-Zhen
authors.initials: WZ
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei, China.
authors.forename: Yue
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Administration Bureau of Shennongjia National Nature Reserve, Shennongjia, Hubei, China.
authors.forename: Hui-Liang
authors.initials: HL
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.affiliation: Administration Bureau of Shennongjia National Nature Reserve, Shennongjia, Hubei, China.
authors.forename: Hui
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Yao
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Agricultural Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Ministry of Education, College of Animal Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei, China.
authors.forename: Xiang
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei, China.
authors.forename: Li
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Han
authors.affiliation: College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei, China.
authors.forename: Chang-Min
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Hu
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Agricultural Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Ministry of Education, College of Animal Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei, China.
authors.forename: Jia-Jun
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Xiong
authors.affiliation: College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei, China.
authors.forename: Dong-Ming
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei, China.
authors.forename: Ming-Xing
authors.initials: MX
authors.lastname: Ding
authors.affiliation: College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei, China. Electronic address: chenjg@mail.hzau.edu.cn.
authors.forename: Jian-Guo
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Chen
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D016673:Colobinae / Q000502:physiology* / Q000652:urine; D004958:Estradiol / Q000652:urine*; D005260:Female; D007774:Lactation / Q000502:physiology* / Q000652:urine; D008597:Menstrual Cycle / Q000502:physiology* / Q000652:urine; D011247:Pregnancy; D011270:Pregnancy, Animal / Q000652:urine; D011374:Progesterone / Q000652:urine*
chemical_list: D011374:Progesterone; D004958:Estradiol
keywords: Gestation; Golden snub-nosed monkey; Lactation; Menstrual cycle; Oestradiol level; Progesterone level