Non-invasive monitoring of male and female numbat (Myrmecobius fasciatus: Myrmecobiidae) reproductive activity.

The reproductive endocrinology of the highly endangered numbat (Myrmecobius fasciatus) is described for the first time. Patterns of faecal steroid secretion (progesterone [PM], oestradiol-17ß [E2] and testosterone [TM] metabolites) were examined within a captive numbat population over 1 year and revealed a highly synchronized seasonal pattern of reproduction. TM secretion increased progressively from September to November, peaked in December and then decreased in February. All females displayed luteal phases (1-3), between late-November to late-March, in association with pregnant (Pr, n=4), non-productive mated oestrous cycles (NMEC, n=8) and non-mated oestrous cycles (NEC, n=6). The mean oestrous cycle length was 30.2 ± 1.1 d (n=11) and was comprised of a mean follicular (n=11) and luteal (n=18) phase length of 16.2 ± 1.6 d and 14.0 ± 0.8 d, respectively. No variation in mean luteal phase length or PM concentration according to cycle type (Pr, NMEC, NEC) or cycle number (1st, 2nd or 3rd cycle) was detected. Longitudinal profiling of PM secretion confirmed that the female numbat is seasonally polyoestrous and that the luteal phase occurs spontaneously. Changes in the secretion of E2 provided little instructive information on oestrous cycle activity. Mating success was 31%, with age and subject having no effect on mating success. Timing of introduction, of male to female, appeared to impact mating success, with paired animals introduced for a shorter time frame (≤14 d) prior to the first observed mating successfully producing young. Collectively, results of the present study confirm that PM and TM can be reliably used to index numbat reproductive activity.

Non-invasive methods of oestrus detection in captive southern hairy-nosed wombats (Lasiorhinus latifrons).

In order to develop a reliable method of oestrus detection in captive southern hairy-nosed (SHN) wombats, the reproductive behaviour of four groups of adult animals (1 male:2 female) was monitored using video surveillance and activity using movement-sensitive radio transmitters for a period of 12 months. During this time faecal samples were collected every 3 days and subsequently analysed for progesterone and oestradiol-17beta metabolites. In an attempt to induce and characterise oestrus-specific behaviour, each female was administered a subcutaneous injection of either 0.01 (n=2), 0.1 (n=4) or 0.2mg/kg (n=2) of oestradiol benzoate in one of two hormone trials. Remote video surveillance was an effective tool for detecting the reproductive behaviour of the captive SHN wombat. Courtship (n=426) and mating (n=46) was observed in five wombats and consisted of 13 distinctive behaviours in six consecutive phases: (1) investigation, (2) attraction, (3) chase, (4) restraint, (5) copulation and (6) recovery. Female sexual receptivity occurred at night and lasted for approximately only 13-h. Faecal progesterone metabolite analysis proved to be a reliable method for mapping oestrous cycle activity, but was not useful for the prediction of oestrus. Six out of the eight female wombats displayed periods of elevated progesterone secretion, corresponding to a mean (+/-SE) luteal phase of 20.9+/-1.1 days (n=23). Oestrous cycle length, defined as the interval between two successive luteal phases separated by a follicular phase was 31.8+/-1.1 days (n=12) and consisted of a follicular phase of 11.6+/-0.6 days (n=12). Changes in the secretion of faecal oestradiol-17beta metabolites provided little instructive information on oestrous cycle activity and were not associated with oestrus. Administration of oestradiol benzoate resulted in a spike of oestradiol-17beta metabolites in the faeces 3-4 days later, but was not dose dependent nor did it facilitate reproductive behaviour in either sex. Activity was not linked to key events in the oestrous cycle and appears not to be suitable as a method for detecting oestrus in the SHN wombat. We therefore recommend the use of 24-h video surveillance as the most reliable method for oestrus detection in captive SHN wombats.

Monitoring male southern hairy-nosed wombat (Lasiorhinus latifrons) reproductive function and seasonality in a captive population.

This study reports on the development and application of techniques used to assess the reproductive status of captive male southern hairy-nosed wombats (n=4) at Rockhampton Zoo. Initially, a GnRH agonist was used to establish a method for determining a reliable index of plasma and faecal testosterone secretion. Intra-muscular injection of buserelin (4 microg) resulted in an increase (P<0.05) in plasma and faecal testosterone concentration 90 min and 3 days after administration, respectively. Seasonal changes in faecal androgen, sperm production (spermatorrhoea) and testicular, prostatic and bulbourethral gland size were examined over a 18-month period, with prostate and bulbourethral gland cross-sectional areas being assessed by ultrasonography. Plasma testosterone secretion increased from early late winter and then decreased in spring (P<0.001); no seasonal variation (P=0.22) in faecal testosterone metabolite concentrations was apparent. Testicular volume showed no significant variation (P=0.29) over the sampling period. While there was no seasonal change (P=0.197, n=54) in prostate size, bulbourethral gland size increased in late-autumn, peaked in mid-winter and declined in early summer (P= or <0.001, n=55). Spermatozoa were found in the urine throughout the year. While, the captive population of SHN wombats at Rockhampton Zoo demonstrated significant changes in reproductive function, the extent of seasonality was less pronounced than that previously reported for wild populations in Southern Australia.

Thromboembolic complications of polycythemia: polycythemia vera versus smokers' polycythemia.

PURPOSE: This report compares patients with the hypercoagulable state of polycythemia vera to patients with secondary polycythemia caused by tobacco use to determine whether the incidence of thromboembolic events is equivalent. METHODS: The medical records of 146 patients with the diagnosis of polycythemia between 1977 to 1990 were reviewed. Patients with transient, relative, or stress polycythemia were excluded from this study as were patients with polycythemia as a result of cardiac or pulmonary anomalies or both. The diagnosis of polycythemia vera (n = 43) was verified by use of the guidelines of the Polycythemia Vera Study Group. The diagnosis of polycythemia caused by smoking (n = 27) was based on an elevated total red blood cell volume, decreased oxygen saturation on arterial blood gas measurement, evidence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and elevated carboxyhemoglobin levels. RESULTS: Twenty-six patients (60%) with polycythemia vera and 11 patients (41%) with smoker's polycythemia had at least one thromboembolic problem. No significant differences existed between the groups with regard to age, hematocrit, or number of cardiac and cerebrovascular events. Overall, patients with polycythemia vera had a greater number of thromboembolic events per patient (p < 0.05) and more peripheral arterial thromboemboli (p < 0.005) than did patients with polycythemia as a result of smoking (Fisher's Exact Test). CONCLUSIONS: Thus the results of this study demonstrate that smokers' polycythemia does not represent a hypercoagulable state equivalent to that of polycythemia vera.

Transdermal fentanyl for chronic cancer pain: detailed case reports and the influence of confounding factors.

Patients were entered into an open label study to evaluate the efficacy of transdermal fentanyl as an analgesic for chronic cancer pain. The clinical course of 3 patients is described as well as an emphasis on the apparent influence of confounding factors, i.e., factors unique to each patient that appeared to affect that individual's analgesic requirements. Our anecdotal clinical experience suggests that transdermal fentanyl is an acceptable, efficacious, and safe means of pharmacologic management for patients with chronic cancer pain. Our results reinforce the concept that cancer pain is a dynamic, multiply determined process and that, as a result, the effects of a single intervention are difficult to analyze.