Caribou Pregnancy Diagnosis from Immunoreactive Progestins and Estrogens Excreted in Feces

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Using radioimmunoassay, we measured immunoreactive progestins and estrogens in 116 fecal samples of caribou (Rangifer tarandus) as potential indicators of pregnancy. Progestins provided a reliable diagnosis by Day 50 of pregnancy and for the remainder of the gestation period. Estrogen levels of pregnant females were distinctly high during the last trimester of pregnancy. Males had levels of progestins and estrogens caomparable to nonpregnant females. Measuring reproductive hormones in the feces of free-ranging caribou is a noninvasive method to assess pregnancy with a high level of confidence.