Field Hormone Assays for Reproductive Assessment and New Methods to Detect Ovulation, Diagnose Pregnancy, and Predict Parturition

As the Zoological Society of San Diego and CRES seek to enhance links between captive and field conservation efforts, more research will be conducted in the wild. Simple, rapid hormone assays will add depth to field studies by providing information on the reproductive status of an individual, pair, or group.

The expansion of CRES projects into all regions of the globe will often separate researchers from laboratory facilities and/or personnel capable of conducting conventional hormone analysis. When it is necessary to assess the reproductive status of study animals immediately, or when shipment of samples is not possible logistically or legally, onsite analysis is imperative. The ability to determine pregnancy will enable more informed decisions regarding selection of individuals and timing of reintroduction and translocation programs.

Development of rapid, semi-quantitative hormone assays for field application will greatly expand the potential to assess levels of stress hormones, correlate reproductive status and behavior, determine suitable candidates for translocation or reintroduction, and monitor the effects of season, environmental conditions, and social factors on reproductive success or failure. Field assays for the standard reproductive and stress hormones (estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, cortisol) will be developed first, followed by laboratory and field assays for hormones that will allow detection of ovulation (LH) or diagnosis of pregnancy (relaxin or chorionic gonadotropin).