IUCN / SSC Cat Specialist Group - Digital Cat Library |
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| Freire, L.M.P. | |
| Monitoring the reproductive activity of ocelot (Leopardus pardalis) females kept in captivity | |
| 2017 Full Book | |
The ocelot (_Leopardus pardalis_) has its anatomy and reproductive physiology poorly elucidated despite the significant decrease of its wild population. Monitoring reproductive status as well as the characterization of reproductive anatomy and physiology of this species can provide valuable information for females' assisted reproduction. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate reproductive aspects of hormonal, colpocytological, uterine and ovarian ultrasonographical pattern of female ocelots. organs. Seven ocelots underwent 3 ultrasound evaluations, colpocytological exams and blood collections to obtain estrogen and progesterone profiles, totalizing 21 evaluations. Variables were: serum concentration of progesterone and estrogen, percentage of anucleated superficial cells, nucleated superficial cells, intermediate and parabasal cells, uterine and ovarian diameters. Qualitative variables included the presence of structures in ovarian parenchyma, as well as echotexture, echogenicity, shape and topography of uterus and ovaries. Two techniques for serum hormonal dosage were compared: radioimmunoassay and enzyme linked fluorescence assay. Subjective variables were described, and quantitative variables were analyzed by Wilcoxon non-parametric tests, Spearman correlation test and Mann-Whitney test. For comparison of analytical methods (ELFA and RIA), Spearman correlation rank and Passing-Bablock, validated by Cusum test, were used. Estrus was detected in two females and, in one of them, diestrus was detected after ovulation. Most vaginal smears had a predominance of superficial cells. The mean uterine diameter was 0.62 ñ 0.15 cm and the mean ovarian diameter was 1.0 ñ 0.12 cm. Combination of vaginal cytology and serum hormone analysis was effective to monitor ocelots' estrous cycle. Particularities in vaginal cytological pattern of this species can be used to detect estrus. B mode ultrasound could evaluate uterus and ovaries at any stage of estrous cycle. However, the sensitivity of this technique was limited for ovarian structures identification. Sonomorphology of ocelot' reproductive tract is similar to that described in other felines and undergoes significant changes throughout estrous cycle. ELFA was efficient for estradiol and progesterone dosage providing equivalents results when compared to the "gold standard" test with r = 0.54 and 0.938 for both hormones respectively. In conclusion, combination of hormonal dosage, vaginal cytology and ultrasonography techniques was useful for reproductive monitoring and characterization of reproductive tract of female ocelots. |
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