Urinary steroid hormone analysis of ovarian cycles and pregnancy in mandrills (Mandrillus sphinx) indicate that menses, copulatory behavior, sexual swellings and reproductive condition are associated with changing estrone conjugates (E₁C) and pregnanediol-3-glucuronide (PdG)

• Published in: Zoo biology Vol. 27; no. 4; pp. 320 - 330
• Main Authors: Phillips, Rebecca Sellin, Wheaton, Catharine J
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Hoboken Wiley Subscription Services, Inc., A Wiley Company 01.07.2008
• Subjects: animal reproduction; Cercopithecidae; conjugated estrogens; copulation; estrone; estrone conjugates (E1C); hormone secretion; Mandrillus sphinx; menstrual cycle; menstruation; monkeys; pregnancy; pregnanediol; pregnanediol-3-glucuronide (PdG); Primates; sexual swellings; steroid hormones; swelling (physiological); urine; zoo animals
• ISSN: 0733-3188; 1098-2361
• DOI: 10.1002/zoo.20192

The objective of this study was to determine if sexual swellings in mandrills (Mandrillus sphinx) are a reflection of reproductive endocrine state. Urine samples were assayed using an enzyme immunoassay measuring pregnanediol-3-glucuronide (PdG) and estrone conjugates (E₁C). Hormone patterns of ovarian cycles, pregnancy and lactation were characterized and compared with sexual swellings and copulations relative to menses and peak E₁C. Cycle lengths averaging 28.7 days and pregnancy length of 181 days determined by hormonal and sexual swelling measures were similar to those reported in other Old World primate species. First day of copulation was observed during rising E₁C concentrations and preceded observations of peak swelling by 1-2 days. Observations of peak sexual swellings occurred at or on the day after peak E₁C and decreased following the ovulatory increase in PdG. Observations of menses and sexual swellings are a useful method to track mandrill ovarian cycles and can assist zoos in determining the reproductive state of females in their collections. Zoo Biol 27:320-330, 2008.