Metabolism of prostaglandin F2alpha in Eurasian lynx ( Lynx lynx ) and Asian leopard cat ( Prionailurus bengalensis euptilura )

• Published in: Reproduction in Domestic Animals
• Main Authors: Dehnhard, M, Naidenko, SV, Jewgenow, K
• Other Authors: Russ Hart, Arbor Assays
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Wiley 2017
• Subjects: Endocrinology; Animal Science and Zoology; Biotechnology; Lynx; Lynx lynx lynx
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/rda.12894; https://api.wiley.com/onlinelibrary/tdm/v1/articles/10.1111%2Frda.12894; https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/rda.12894

Contents Methods for monitoring endocrine status are useful tools for reproduction management. In particular, successful captive breeding of endangered feline species requires reliable methods for pregnancy diagnosis. In many species, uterine and placental prostaglandin‐F2α ( PGF 2α) is involved in the regulation of reproductive processes. PGF 2α is metabolized to 13,14‐dihydro‐15‐keto‐ PGF 2a ( PGFM ) during the first passage through the lungs. Immunoreactive PGFM is elevated in pregnant felids during the last trimester and is used for pregnancy diagnosis, although authentic PGFM is excreted in negligible amounts. To investigate the metabolism of PGF 2α, a radiometabolism study was performed in two individuals of two feline species, Eurasian lynx and leopard cats, by injection of tritiated PGF 2α and collection of faecal and urinary samples. All samples were extracted and subjected to HPLC separation. Radioactivity and immunoreactivity towards PGFM were determined in each HPLC fraction. The radio‐ and immunogramms differ slightly between the two species, and radiolabelled PGFM was present only in minor amounts. One major eicosanoid metabolite was found in all urine and faecal samples analysed, and also in previous studies in faecal samples of several pregnant feline species. Its polarity was similar, but not identical to PGF 2α. We hypothesized that PGF 2α is metabolized to more polar dinor and tetranor metabolites. First mass spectrometric analyses favoured a dinor metabolite as major compound of PGF 2α metabolism in felids. Following identification and validation in the studied species, we aim to use these metabolites to improve pregnancy detection in other felids and probably other carnivores.