| Abstrakt: |
The Formosan macaque is endemic to Taiwan. It is considered one of the least known among the 19 extant species of the genus Macaca. Although studies of reproductive hormones and the ovarian cycle have been extensively conducted on other macaques, there is little information of Formosan macaques. The purpose of the present study was to establish information about the reproductive physiology of Formosan macaques. From February 2013 to November 2013, 11 wild adult female Formosan macaques were selected for the study. Blood sampling from anesthetized macaques started on the day of first menstrual bleeding and was performed on days 4, 7, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, and 27 afterwards. Laparoscopic examination was carried out every six days after the first day of menstrual bleeding, and daily during the periovulatory stage. The duration of the ovarian cycle, follicular phase and luteal phase was 28.04 ± 3.0 days, 13.3 ± 2.1 days and 14.1 ± 1.3 days respectively. In addition, changes in serum levels of sex hormones were compared with endoscopic observations; the peak serum level of estradiol was 290 ± 12.7 pg/ml, and predicted an ovulation episode within 24-48 hours. Serum progesterone rose to a peak of 9.13 ± 1.78 ng/ml eight days after ovulation and then declined gradually. The data may be considered as reference values associated with the ovarian cycle in Formosan macaques. Hopefully, the study will be beneficial to further studies and the conservation of this endemic species in Taiwan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
