Efficiency of fecal @entity134 hormone measurement for assessing reproductive function in the Hokkaido @entity16745 ( XXXX yesoensis).

@entity251 @entity9646 @entity1420 @entity53 @entity134 @entity4543 @entity1068 @entity16745
The present study aimed to establish simple systems for measuring fecal @entity134 hormones in order to monitor the reproductive profiles of captive Hokkaido @entity16745 . The efficiency of fecal sample processing at the steps of dehydration and extraction and the correlation between @entity134 concentrations in matched fecal and blood samples were studied. Then, monthly changes in fecal @entity53 -17 beta and @entity1420 in female bears, and @entity251 in male bears were examined. The procedure was finalized as follows. Fecal samples were dried at 100 degrees C for 3 hr and extracted with @entity4543 . The @entity4543 in the extracts was evaporated and residues were reconstituted in @entity1068 for the assays. @entity9646 concentrations were quantified using enzyme immunoassays. Concentrations of @entity1420 and @entity251 in fecal and plasma samples were correlated in the systems. The changes in fecal @entity1420 and @entity251 concentrations were similar to those in serum concentrations of bears as reported previously. In contrast, fecal @entity53 concentrations did not correlate with plasma levels probably because of the time lag in excretion. However, the changes in @entity53 -17 beta concentrations in feces in the present study were similar to those reported in serum. In conclusion, fecal @entity1420 and @entity251 assay systems appear practical for monitoring ovarian and testicular activities without immobilization, though methodological improvements and further validation may be required. For the fecal @entity53 -17 beta assay, there is a need to solve the problem of excretion time lag before the system can be used in the study of reproductive physiology.
