Non-Invasive Reproductive Hormone Monitoring in the Endangered Pygmy Hog (Porcula salvania)

Establishing reproductive seasons for the conservation of the critically endangered Kashmir red deer Cervus Hanglu

Ungulates living in seasonal environments adopt complex life history strategies to cope with pronounced temporal and spatial variability in environmental conditions and resource availability. Understanding the reproductive strategies of slow-breeding mountain ungulates and the associated stress, particularly in the context of human- and climate-induced changes, is crucial to devising effective long-term management and conservation strategies. We investigated the patterns in reproductive seasonality and stress in hangul in Kashmir Himalaya, India. We used fecal metabolites of estradiol (FEMs), progesterone (FPMs), testosterone (FAMs), and glucocorticoids (FGMs) to discern reproductive stages and stress levels. We showed that female hangul exhibited dispersed mating and birth patterns, while males experienced a more synchronized rutting season from October to December. Elevated FPM levels in females from January to March suggested pregnancies, with low levels in April indicating parturition. Both females and males exhibited a mating-related rise in FGM levels (interpreted as stress hereafter). Females also showed parturition-related stress in April and May. The spike in stress levels of both sexes in May is probably due to the disturbances from migratory livestock herders' movements which needs further investigation. The study generates a baseline for captive breeding programs in the future. It suggests minimizing the anthropogenic disturbances during the times of mating and parturition, both being critical for the population growth of this critically endangered species.

Development of an enzyme immunoassay to measure urinary and faecal 5α-androst-16-en-3-one in pigs

Androstenone, a volatile steroid that possesses pheromonal activity, is responsible for boar taint, sexual interactions, and reproduction in pigs. A wide range of analytical methods has been developed to quantify and detect androstenone in adipose tissue and blood, which are invasive procedures. Therefore, the present study aimed to develop a non-invasive method to detect and quantify the androstenone. We produced group-specific polyclonal androstenone antibody to standardize and validate an enzyme immunoassay to measure faecal and urinary androstenone in Yorkshire boars and sows. Parallelism was performed to determine the immunoreactivity between faecal and urinary immunoreactive androstenone and respective antibody. In boars, urinary and faecal androstenone concentrations were higher on the day of mounting and copulation with sows. In sows, we also measured faecal progesterone metabolites to confirm the oestrus and mating. Faecal androstenone concentrations were peaked on the day of oestrus and mating in sows. Our results suggest that androstenone could be detected and quantified in faecal and urine samples of boars and sows. •Developed an enzyme immunoassay for measuring 5α-androst-16-en-3-one as a marker of boar taint and sex pheromone in urine and faeces of pigs•Detection of 5α-androst-16-en-3-one using a non-invasive method.

A practical method for storage, preservation and transportation of anuran urine samples using filter paper for hormone analysis

Anurans (frogs and toads) expelled urine when handled and it could provide insights into their physiological status. However, storage, preservation and transportation are often challenging. The study aimed to standardize and validate a field method for short-term storage and preserve of anuran urine samples using Whatman filter papers. To examine the efficacy of storage conditions and type of papers, urinary based enzyme immunoassays were used to measure progesterone and testosterone hormone metabolites. High-Performance Liquid Chromatography was performed and revealed immunoreactive progesterone and testosterone metabolites in the urine samples. Urinary hormone metabolites concentration stored in filter paper at room temperature and control samples stored in -20°C for the same period were similar. Whatman grade 50 was found to be more suitable for storage of hormones than grade 3 paper for the experiments performed.•

A cheap and simple storage method for storage of anuran urine in field conditions using filter papers.

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Anuran urine could be preserved and transported under ambient conditions without significant changes and loss of hormones.

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This method would facilitate the endocrine monitoring of anurans in remote areas where limited logistics are available.