Monitoring of Ovarian Function in Captive Banteng (<I>Bos javanicus birmanicus</I>) by Determination of Faecal Progesterone

บทคัดย่อ

Faecal samples were obtained from 7 female and 2 male bantengs, at Chiang Mai Zoo, twice a week during hot, rainy, and cold seasons in 1995 and during rainy and cold seasons in 1997. Faecal progesterone concentrations were assayed by radioimmunoassay (RIA) technique. Progesterone profiles were found in cyclic females with 20.94 ±4.3 days of estrous cycle length. Basal levels of progesterone concentrations were 373.6 ±233.8 and 303.7 ±186.7 ng/g dry faeces from the samples in 1995 and 1997 respectively. Maximum levels of progesterone concentrations were 8,195.5 ±2,908 and 4,540 ±1,761 ng/g dry faeces from the samples in 1995 and 1997 respectively. Progesterone profiles of pregnant bantengs were fluctuated with the progesterone levels ranged from 120 to 17,400 ng/g dry faeces. In conclusion, progesterone concentrations assayed from faecal samples can be used for roughly monitoring estrous cycle and ovarian function. Factor that may affect the faecal progesterone was diet variation which animals received.