Laura H. Graham

TL;DR: Noninvasive fecal assays were used to study steroid metabolism and ovarian activity in several felid species and indicated that steroid metabolism mechanisms appear to be conserved among these physically diverse, taxonomically related species.

TL;DR: An EIA using a broad-spectrum progestogen antibody is described and applied to serum and/or fecal samples from female African elephants, black rhinoceros, white rhinOCeros, okapi, and hippopotami, suggesting that the described EIA would be as versatile as the RIA using the same antibody and could be a practical and economical alternative to RIAs for monitoring gonadal function via progestogens analysis in zoo species.

TL;DR: Data indicate that adrenocortical activity can be monitored nonivasively in the cat by measuring cortisol metabolites excreted in feces, and is a potentially valuable tool for endangered felid management to help evaluate responses to physiological and psychological stressors associated with environmental conditions and husbandry practices.

TL;DR: Monitoring of cheetahs confirmed that the cheetah is polyoestrus and ovulation is almost always induced, however, new evidence suggests that many females inexplicably experience periods of anoESTrus unrelated to season, while 25% of theCheetahs examined expressed no ovarian activity during the study period.

TL;DR: Data demonstrate similarities among three felid species of the genus Leopardus, including evidence they are polyestrous but experience unexplained periods of ovarian inactivity, and understanding the biological similarities and differences among them could lead to improved management strategies that may one day result in increased reproductive success.