The acute phase protein ceruloplasmin as a non-invasive marker of pseudopregnancy, pregnancy, and pregnancy loss in the giant panda

• Published in: PloS one Vol. 6; no. 7; p. e21159
• Main Authors: Willis, Erin L, Kersey, David C, Durrant, Barbara S, Kouba, Andrew J
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Public Library of Science 13.07.2011; Public Library of Science (PLoS)
• Subjects: Abortion; Ailuropoda melanoleuca; Animals; Behavior; Biology; Biomarkers - urine; Breeding; Captivity; Ceruloplasmin; Ceruloplasmin - urine; Desorption; Embryo Loss - urine; Embryo Loss - veterinary; Enzymes; Feces; Female; Females; Fetuses; Giant panda; Hormones; Immunoassay; Inflammation - pathology; Luteal Phase; Mass spectrometry; Metabolites; Models, Biological; Molecular weight; Ovulation; Pandas; Parturition; Physiological aspects; Physiology; Pregnancy; Pregnant women; Progestins - urine; Proteins; Pseudopregnancy; Pseudopregnancy - urine; Reproductive status; Scientific imaging; Ultrasonic imaging; Ultrasound; Urine; Ursidae - urine; Veterinary Science; Zoology; Zoos; United States > US; Tennessee; California

After ovulation, non-pregnant female giant pandas experience pseudopregnancy. During pseudopregnancy, non-pregnant females exhibit physiological and behavioral changes similar to pregnancy. Monitoring hormonal patterns that are usually different in pregnant mammals are not effective at determining p...