The use of altrenogest to avoid hyperestrogenism after eCG-hCG ovulation induction in southern tigrina (Leopardus guttulus)

Research output: Contribution to journalResearch articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

  • Tatiane Micheletti - , Universidade Federal do Paraná, Brazilian Institute for Conservation Medicine-TRÍADE, Curitiba, Paraná, 80250-060, Brazil. (Author)
  • Janine L Brown - , Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, Front Royal, Virginia, USA. (Author)
  • Susan L Walker - , Chester Zoo, Reproduction & Welfare Research Unit, Upton-by-Chester, UK. (Author)
  • Zalmir S Cubas - , Itaipu Binacional, Refugio Biologico Bela Vista, Foz do Iguaçu, Paraná, Brazil. (Author)
  • Priscila V Furtado - , Universidade de São Paulo (Author)
  • Sarah B Putman - , Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, Front Royal, Virginia, USA. (Author)
  • Wanderlei de Moraes - , Itaipu Binacional, Refugio Biologico Bela Vista, Foz do Iguaçu, Paraná, Brazil. (Author)
  • Marcos J de Oliveira - , Itaipu Binacional, Refugio Biologico Bela Vista, Foz do Iguaçu, Paraná, Brazil. (Author)
  • Claudio A de Oliveira - , Universidade de São Paulo (Author)
  • Nei Moreira - , Universidade Federal do Paraná (Author)

Abstract

The goal of this study was to optimize an ovulation induction protocol for use with artificial insemination in the southern tigrina (Leopardus guttulus). The specific aims were to report the efficacy of using altrenogest, an oral progestin (Regumate, MSD Animal Health, Merck Animal Health), to suppress ovarian activity and prevent follicular hyperstimulation and hyperestrogenism after the administration of exogenous eCG and hCG. To monitor ovarian responses, fecal estrogen and progestogen metabolites were quantified by enzyme immunoassay in females before and after intramuscular administration of 200-IU eCG and 150-IU hCG in two trials, 4 months apart. During the first trial, there was no use of altrenogest, only the eCG-hCG ovulation induction protocol. In the second trial, the ovulation induction protocol was preceded by the administration of oral altrenogest for 14 days (minimum of 0.192 mg per kg per day). Altrenogest administration resulted in a suppression of follicular activity in three out of six females before eCG-hCG administration on the basis of lower mean estrogen concentrations (P < 0.05). It also resulted in four out of six females presenting lower fecal estrogen metabolite concentrations (P < 0.05) after ovulation induction, and two out of six individuals showed a reduction (P < 0.05) in postovulatory fecal progestogen metabolite concentrations, all when compared to the same female's cycles without the progestin. Fecal estrogen metabolite concentrations were closer to baseline in 50% of these individuals after altrenogest and eCG-hCG treatments when compared to basal concentrations before gonadotropins without the use of altrenogest. This study reported that use of altrenogest in southern tigrina can suppress ovarian activity and avoid hyperestrogenism after administration of eCG and hCG treatment. However, not all females responded uniformly, so more studies are needed to increase the efficacy of ovulation induction for use with artificial insemination in this species.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)575-82
Number of pages8
JournalTheriogenology : an international journal of animal reproduction
Volume84
Issue number4
Publication statusPublished - 1 Sept 2015
Peer-reviewedYes
Externally publishedYes

External IDs

Scopus 84937724563
ORCID /0000-0003-4838-8342/work/160951794

Keywords

Keywords

  • Animals, Chorionic Gonadotropin/administration & dosage, Estradiol/chemistry, Feces/chemistry, Felidae/physiology, Female, Insemination, Artificial/veterinary, Ovulation Induction/veterinary, Progestins/chemistry, Species Specificity, Trenbolone Acetate/analogs & derivatives