Measurement of urinary oestrogens and 20 alpha-dihydroprogesterone during ovarian cycles of black (Diceros bicornis) and white (Ceratotherium simum) rhinoceroses.

The development of a sensitive enzyme-immunoassay for 20 alpha-dihydroprogesterone (20 alpha-DHP) and its use in determining reproductive status in black and white rhinoceroses is reported. 20 alpha-DHP in hydrolysed urine diluted in parallel to standards, and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) confirmed the presence of 20 alpha-DHP and the absence of pregnanediol-3 alpha-glucuronide (PdG) in urine collected from rhinoceroses after oestrus. Conjugated oestrone was identified by HPLC as the major urinary oestrogen in the black rhineroceros and conjugated oestradiol-17 beta was the most abundant in the white rhinoceros. In African species, the black (Diceros bicornis), and northern (Ceratotherium simum cottoni) and southern (Ceratotherium simum simum) white rhinoceroses, excretion of 20 alpha-DHP and oestrogen followed a cyclic pattern. Excretion of 20 alpha-DHP was low before mating, at the time of peak oestrogen excretion, but high after oestrus. In the black rhinoceros, the follicular phase was 3-4 days and the luteal phase was 18 days, suggesting a cycle of 21-22 days. The interoestrus interval in the northern subspecies of white rhinoceros was 25 days, which correlated well with the interval between peaks of oestradiol-17 beta excretion. The interval between urinary oestrogen peaks in the southern subspecies of white rhinoceros suggested a cycle length of 32 days. This paper provides the first description of the pattern of excretion of urinary oestrogens and progesterone metabolites in African rhinoceroses.

Monitoring ovarian function and pregnancy in the giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) by evaluating urinary bioactive FSH and steroid metabolites.

Urinary excretion of oestrone conjugates, pregnanediol-3 alpha-glucuronide (PdG) and 20 alpha-hydroxypregn-4-en-3-one were measured from 8 weeks before oestrus to 2 weeks post partum and bioactive FSH was monitored during the periovulatory interval in a female giant panda. A biphasic urinary bioactive FSH excretory profile appeared to indicate a broad (approximately 10 day) follicular phase followed by a sharp preovulatory bioactive FSH surge coincident with an acute increase in urinary oestrone conjugates and behavioural oestrus. Weekly concentrations of urinary oestrone conjugates and PdG increased (P less than 0.001) by Week 9 of gestation with 20 alpha-hydroxypregn-4-en-3-one levels increasing 10-30-fold (P less than 0.001) between Weeks 11 and 14. These observations indicate that the monoestrous giant panda does not appear to require a prolonged period of endogenous FSH release or multiple FSH peaks for ovarian priming and follicle selection to proceed normally. Furthermore, the delayed rise in urinary steroid excretion during the second half of gestation in the giant panda supports the concept of delayed implantation while the estimation of steroid conjugates in urine offers a non-invasive approach for monitoring pregnancy status in this endangered species.

Urinary concentrations of ovarian steroid hormone metabolites and bioactive follicle-stimulating hormone in killer whales (Orcinus orchus) during ovarian cycles and pregnancy.

Reproductive hormone profiles of six captive killer whales (Orcinu orcus) from three Sea World aquaria were studied for intervals up to 2 yr. Daily urine samples and bimonthly blood samples were collected and analyzed for hormone concentration. Immunoreactive estrone conjugates, pregnanediol-3-glucoruonide, 20-alpha-hydroxyprogesterone as well as bioactive follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) were measured in urine samples and indexed by creatinine concentrations of the same sample. In selected cases, serum progesterone concentrations were also measured. Three of the animals in the study became pregnant during the study period and two of these animals were evaluated during the time of conception and throughout most of gestation. From the data of the three animals that conceived, hormone profiles of the complete ovarian cycle, early pregnancy, and mid- to late gestation are described. The remaining three animals did not conceive and only one of these demonstrated hormone changes that indicated regular ovarian activity. The female reproductive pattern of the killer whale is characterized by a gestation of 17 mo and an ovarian cycle of 6-7 wk in duration. The hormone changes associated with the ovarian cycle of the killer whale are similar to those of most other mammalian species. A bimodal pattern of bioactive FSH with a pronounced rise of estrogen predominates the preovulatory hormone profile. After ovulation, increased progesterone production is observed for approximately 4 wk in the nonconceptive ovarian cycle. During the luteal phase and early pregnancy, when progesterone metabolites are elevated, estrogen metabolite excretion remains low. These data extend the application of urine collections for longitudinal studies involving hormone changes, particularly those involving nondomesticated species.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Some endocrine aspects of alcoholism.

This review has focused on the more recent studies of ethanol-endocrine relationships. The data were evaluated from a fairly unbiased point of view and an attempt was made to point out some of the deficiencies in knowledge of the effects of ethanol on the endocrine system and the underlying mechanisms. The adrenal, for example, has been given the greatest attention in alcohol research, and yet the occurrence of atrophy or hypoplasia, despite alcohol's role as a stressor which can increase cortisol secretion, remains unexplained. In addition, our studies of the alcoholic subject have been conducted exclusively on the "skid-row" individual and may not be descriptive of the middle-class alcoholic subject who has not undergone similar nutritional and environmental stresses. While it is far from obvious that alcoholism is primarily an endocrine disease, the effects of ethanol on hormone metabolism are numerous and deserve further attention.