Monitoring estrous cycle in Brazilian dwarf brocket deer (Mazama nana) by fecal progestagen metabolites and behavior

Abstract

Data on the reproductive physiology of the Brazilian dwarf brocket deer (Mazama nana) is still scarce in many aspects, such as its reproductive cycle and endocrine pattern. Therefore, this study aimed to characterize the estrous cycle (length and fecal progestagen metabolites -FPM- profile) in captive females of M. nana, by non-invasive hormonal monitoring. The study was performed with females (n = 4), housed at two different facilities: 1) in a collective enclosure at the Danilo José Galafassi Municipal Zoo, in Cascavel, Paraná, Brazil, (n = 3). 2) in an individual pen at the Deer Research and Conservation Center (n = 1), from UNESP, Jaboticabal, São Paulo, Brazil. Fecal samples were collected three times a week during two complete estrous cycles, based on behavioral observations. FPM profiles were analyzed by enzyme immunoassay (EIA). The estrous cycle length was defined as the intervals between behavioral estrus observations and fecal hormonal monitoring. The mean duration (± SEM) of the estrous cycle was 23.9 ± 0.6 days, and the mean duration of behavioral estrus was 1.6 ± 0.3 days. Mean concentrations (± SEM) of FPM for the luteal phase and inter-luteal phase were 6183.0 ± 2268.7 ng/g and 754.5 ± 216.1 ng/g, respectively.