Study of fecal progesterone metabolites in captive and reintroduced bantengs (Bos javanicus birmanicus) in Kanchanaburi, Thailand

Understanding species’ reproductive biology is important for animal propagation, and the non-invasive technique of measuring fecal progesterone is a useful method for assessing reproductive health in wildlife. In this study, ovarian cycles of the captive bantengs and reproductive health of the reint...

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Main Authors: Weerapun Nokkaew, Apiradee Intarapak, Seree Nakbun, Nucharin Songsasen, Nikorn Thongthip
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-01-01
Series:Theriogenology Wild
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2773093X25000042
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author Weerapun Nokkaew
Apiradee Intarapak
Seree Nakbun
Nucharin Songsasen
Nikorn Thongthip
author_facet Weerapun Nokkaew
Apiradee Intarapak
Seree Nakbun
Nucharin Songsasen
Nikorn Thongthip
author_sort Weerapun Nokkaew
collection DOAJ
description Understanding species’ reproductive biology is important for animal propagation, and the non-invasive technique of measuring fecal progesterone is a useful method for assessing reproductive health in wildlife. In this study, ovarian cycles of the captive bantengs and reproductive health of the reintroduced individuals were evaluated by assessing fecal hormone metabolites. A year-round examination of the ovarian cycles of four female bantengs (Bos javanicus birmanicus) housed ex situ was conducted by fecal progesterone metabolites detection. Furthermore, the means of fecal progesterone level were compared between females housed under human care and reintroduced individuals. Results revealed year-round estrous cycles in ex-situ females, unless interrupted by pregnancy. Average fecal progesterone metabolites (mean ± standard error of mean [SEM]) during the luteal phase of the four females (F1, F3, F4 and F8) were 1227.42 ± 167.45, 385.80 ± 46.55, 632.59 ± 44.19, and 872.4 ± 136.8 ng/g of dry feces, with average estrous cycle intervals of 21.14 ± 1.17 days. Mean baseline concentrations of fecal progesterone metabolites were 594.35 ± 422.59, 93.12 ± 51.71, 216.90 ± 64.92 and 166.17 ± 113.45 ng/g of dry feces, respectively. Mean fecal progesterone levels were approximately 4-fold greater (P < 0.001) during pregnancy than the non-pregnant period (pregnancy: 2399.35 ± 317.27 ng/g; non-pregnancy: 675.31 ± 107.8 ng/g). Mean progesterone concentration was higher (P = 0.028) in reintroduced females than in ex-situ individuals. This study advances the understanding about banteng reproductive biology, information that is critical for assessing reproductive health of both captive and reintroduced populations.
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spelling doaj-art-ea8503df076d4d01af577c48bd50c4402025-08-20T03:06:00ZengElsevierTheriogenology Wild2773-093X2025-01-01610012210.1016/j.therwi.2025.100122Study of fecal progesterone metabolites in captive and reintroduced bantengs (Bos javanicus birmanicus) in Kanchanaburi, ThailandWeerapun Nokkaew0Apiradee Intarapak1Seree Nakbun2Nucharin Songsasen3Nikorn Thongthip4Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kasetsart University, Kamphaengsan, Thailand; Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Mahanakorn University of Technology, Bangkok, ThailandFaculty of Science, Chulabhorn Royal Academy, Bangkok, ThailandKhao Nam Phu Nature and Wildlife Education Center, Department of National Park, Kanchanaburi, ThailandSmithsonian National Zoo &amp; Conservation Biology Institute, Front Royal, VA, USAFaculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kasetsart University, Kamphaengsan, Thailand; Corresponding author.Understanding species’ reproductive biology is important for animal propagation, and the non-invasive technique of measuring fecal progesterone is a useful method for assessing reproductive health in wildlife. In this study, ovarian cycles of the captive bantengs and reproductive health of the reintroduced individuals were evaluated by assessing fecal hormone metabolites. A year-round examination of the ovarian cycles of four female bantengs (Bos javanicus birmanicus) housed ex situ was conducted by fecal progesterone metabolites detection. Furthermore, the means of fecal progesterone level were compared between females housed under human care and reintroduced individuals. Results revealed year-round estrous cycles in ex-situ females, unless interrupted by pregnancy. Average fecal progesterone metabolites (mean ± standard error of mean [SEM]) during the luteal phase of the four females (F1, F3, F4 and F8) were 1227.42 ± 167.45, 385.80 ± 46.55, 632.59 ± 44.19, and 872.4 ± 136.8 ng/g of dry feces, with average estrous cycle intervals of 21.14 ± 1.17 days. Mean baseline concentrations of fecal progesterone metabolites were 594.35 ± 422.59, 93.12 ± 51.71, 216.90 ± 64.92 and 166.17 ± 113.45 ng/g of dry feces, respectively. Mean fecal progesterone levels were approximately 4-fold greater (P < 0.001) during pregnancy than the non-pregnant period (pregnancy: 2399.35 ± 317.27 ng/g; non-pregnancy: 675.31 ± 107.8 ng/g). Mean progesterone concentration was higher (P = 0.028) in reintroduced females than in ex-situ individuals. This study advances the understanding about banteng reproductive biology, information that is critical for assessing reproductive health of both captive and reintroduced populations.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2773093X25000042BantengBos javanicus birmanicusFecal progesterone metabolitesNon-invasive techniqueEstrous cycle
spellingShingle Weerapun Nokkaew
Apiradee Intarapak
Seree Nakbun
Nucharin Songsasen
Nikorn Thongthip
Study of fecal progesterone metabolites in captive and reintroduced bantengs (Bos javanicus birmanicus) in Kanchanaburi, Thailand
Theriogenology Wild
Banteng
Bos javanicus birmanicus
Fecal progesterone metabolites
Non-invasive technique
Estrous cycle
title Study of fecal progesterone metabolites in captive and reintroduced bantengs (Bos javanicus birmanicus) in Kanchanaburi, Thailand
title_full Study of fecal progesterone metabolites in captive and reintroduced bantengs (Bos javanicus birmanicus) in Kanchanaburi, Thailand
title_fullStr Study of fecal progesterone metabolites in captive and reintroduced bantengs (Bos javanicus birmanicus) in Kanchanaburi, Thailand
title_full_unstemmed Study of fecal progesterone metabolites in captive and reintroduced bantengs (Bos javanicus birmanicus) in Kanchanaburi, Thailand
title_short Study of fecal progesterone metabolites in captive and reintroduced bantengs (Bos javanicus birmanicus) in Kanchanaburi, Thailand
title_sort study of fecal progesterone metabolites in captive and reintroduced bantengs bos javanicus birmanicus in kanchanaburi thailand
topic Banteng
Bos javanicus birmanicus
Fecal progesterone metabolites
Non-invasive technique
Estrous cycle
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2773093X25000042
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