RESUMO
Endocrine monitoring of non-human primates (NHP) via faecal metabolites of steroid hormones appears as a useful non-invasive alternative to evaluate the reproductive status of free living NHP, as well as of those kept in captivity but of difficult handling. However, validation is needed with plasma values before its application in the field. The aim of the present study was to monitor the different phases of the menstrual cycle from the new world NHP Sapajus apella and S. libidinosus. For this, hormonal and faecal plasma levels of E2, P4 and cortisol were assessed during different days of the menstrual cycle, together with colpocitology. The mean duration of the menstrual cycle according colpocitology was of 21.7 and 21.0 days for S. apella and S. libidinosus, respectively. These values were similar to those observed via plasma analysis, i.e. 22.7 and 20.3 days for S. apella and S. libidinosus, respectively. The day of plasmatic E2 peak was set as Day -1 and the estimated day of ovulation was set as Day 0 and occurred two days earlier in S. libidinosus than in S. apella females. In both species, it was observed a delay in faecal E2 peak of six days for S. apella and of 11 days for S. libidinosus when compared with the plasma peak. A maximum P4 plasma concentration was observed in the middle of luteal phase in S. apella and in S. libidinosus, both at around day 5. However, faecal P4 peaks were detected at days 9 and 8 in S. apella and S. libidinosus, respectively. Mean plasma and faecal cortisol levels were variable during all ovulatory cycle of S. apella and S. libidinosus females. Although no exact correlation was observed between plasmatic and faecal profile of steroid hormone, faecal samples were able to indicate ovarian cycle phase, being important to assess the reproductive status of the females applying a non-invasive method.
RESUMO
Two-dimensional real-time and Doppler ultrasonography are valuable non-invasive methods to assess reproductive anatomy and physiology. In adult, postpubertal female Cebus apella (capuchin monkeys), the objectives were to determine (1) uterine and ovarian dimensions, ovarian follicular dynamics, day of ovulation, and arterial blood flow of uterus and utero-ovarian ligament during the follicular phase of the menstrual cycle and (2) the number of oocytes aspirated from antral follicles at laparotomy. Based on two-dimensional, transabdominal B-mode ultrasonography, mean (+/- S.E.M.) length, height, width, and volume of the uterus were 17.9+/-0.4, 12.4+/-0.3, 13.6+/-0.3 mm, and 1.55+/-0.08 mL, respectively, and of the ovary were 13.4+/-0.2, 8.2+/-0.1, 7.7+/-0.1 mm, and 4.5+/-0.2 mL. Ovarian follicles were monitored for 6 days before ovulation, which occurred on day 9.3+/-0.5 (range, days 7-11; day 1=start of menses), with 10 of 12 ovulations in the right ovary. Diameter and volume of the preovulatory follicle were 10.1+/-0.2 mm and 0.55+/-0.03 mL (on the estimated day of ovulation) and of the CL were 8.1+/-0.4 mm and 0.3+/-0.05 mL. Resistivity and pulsatility indices were 0.86+/-0.02 and 2.15+/-0.11 for uterine arteries, and were 0.69+/-0.04 and 1.63+/-0.15 for the utero-ovarian ligament (UOL) artery; just prior to ovulation, both indices peaked (P<0.05) in the uterine artery ipsilateral to the side of ovulation, but both reached a nadir (P<0.05) in the UOL artery. In the absence of ovarian stimulation, 31 oocytes (diameter, 137+/-10 microm) were aspirated (average of 2 oocytes/(female attempt)) on days 5, 7, and 9. In conclusion, transabdominal ultrasonography facilitated assessment of reproductive anatomy and physiology in C. apella adult females. Resistance and pulsatility indices of uterine and UOL arteries changed near the time of ovulation. Dominant follicles were easiest to aspirate at 8-9 mm in diameter ( approximately day 9), with intact cumulus-oocyte complexes recovered from ovarian follicles 2-9 mm in diameter.