« Previous AbstractDevelopments of Recent Applications for Early Diagnosis of Diseases Using Electronic-Nose and Other VOC-Detection Devices    Next AbstractImplementing solid phase microextraction (SPME) as a tool to detect volatile compounds produced by giant pandas in the environment »

Theriogenology

Title:		"Behavioral, semiochemical and androgen responses by male giant pandas to the olfactory sexual receptivity cues of females"
Author(s):		Wilson AE; Sparks DL; Knott KK; Kouba AJ; Willard S; Brown A;
Address:		"Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Entomology, and Plant Pathology, Mississippi State University, P.O. Box 9655, Mississippi State, MS, 39762, USA; Department of Conservation and Research, Memphis Zoological Society, 2000 Prentiss Place, Memphis, TN, 38112, USA. Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Entomology, and Plant Pathology, Mississippi State University, P.O. Box 9655, Mississippi State, MS, 39762, USA; Mississippi State Chemical Laboratory, Mississippi State University, P.O. Box CR, Mississippi State, MS, 39762, USA. Electronic address: dsparks@bch.msstate.edu. Aquatic Systems and Environmental Health Unit, Resource Science Division, Missouri Department of Conservation, Central Regional Office and Conservation Research Center, 3500 East Gans Road, Columbia, MO, 65201, USA. Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Aquaculture, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, MS, 39762, USA. Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Entomology, and Plant Pathology, Mississippi State University, P.O. Box 9655, Mississippi State, MS, 39762, USA. Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Entomology, and Plant Pathology, Mississippi State University, P.O. Box 9655, Mississippi State, MS, 39762, USA; Mississippi State Chemical Laboratory, Mississippi State University, P.O. Box CR, Mississippi State, MS, 39762, USA"
Journal Title:		Theriogenology
Year:		2018
Volume:		20180411
Issue:
Page Number:		330 - 337
DOI:		10.1016/j.theriogenology.2018.04.011
ISSN/ISBN:		1879-3231 (Electronic) 0093-691X (Linking)
Abstract:		"Male giant pandas identify female sexual receptivity through the detection of olfactory cues in estrous urine. However, it is yet unknown which specific days of the female estrous cycle may provoke male sexual-social responses and a physiological readiness to mate. We hypothesized that female urine from specific days of the estrous cycle will be positively associated with specific changes in male behaviors, urinary semiochemical production, and steroidogenic activity. Experimental simultaneous choice trials were conducted in captivity with four male giant pandas during the spring breeding season and during fall. Male interest was determined by a behavioral preference toward peri-estrual urine collected from a specific day of the estrous cycle encompassing proestrus (Day -13, Day -6, Day -3, Day -2), estrus (Day -1 and Day 0), and metestrus (Day four and Day nine) over that of anestrous urine. Provocation of male sexual motivation was examined by changes in urinary semiochemical composition and urinary androgen concentrations. During the spring, male investigative behaviors indicated a preference for Day -13, Day -3 and Day 0 urine over anestrous urine, while no significant preferences for estrous urine could be detected during fall. The relative abundance of only three compounds in male urine were significantly higher above baseline values after males were exposed to peri-estrual urine during spring; whereas 34 compounds significantly increased in the fall. Similarly, androgen concentrations increased above baseline in only two out of four males during spring, while all males had elevated androgen concentrations after exposure to Day -3 urine during the fall. Our results suggest that peri-estrual urine from Day -13, Day -3, and Day 0 elicited the greatest duration of male investigation, changes in the semiochemical profile, and elevations in androgen levels. These data suggest that managers should incorporate a combination of behavioral, semiochemical, and endocrinological assessment of males in the reproductive management of giant pandas to determine impending ovulation and pinpoint the best time for male-female introductions and artificial inseminations"
Keywords:		"Androgens/metabolism Animals Estrous Cycle Estrus/physiology Female Male Pheromones/physiology/*urine Seasons Sexual Behavior, Animal/*physiology Ursidae/*physiology/urine Animal behavior Chemical communication Estrus Reproductive physiology Urine Ursid;"
Notes:		"MedlineWilson, Abbey E Sparks, Darrell L Knott, Katrina K Kouba, Andrew J Willard, Scott Brown, Ashli eng 2018/04/24 Theriogenology. 2018 Jul 1; 114:330-337. doi: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2018.04.011. Epub 2018 Apr 11"