Vaginal temperature and collar activity variations in relation to fecal progestagens of captive moose ...

• Main Authors: Høy-Petersen, Jennifer, Lemière, Lucie, Thompson, Dan P., Thiel, Alexandra, Crouse, John A., Ropstad, Erik, Græsli, Anne Randi, Arnemo, Jon M., Evans, Alina L.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: unknown
• Published: figshare 2024
• Subjects: Medicine; Microbiology; FOS: Biological sciences; Neuroscience; Physiology; Environmental Sciences not elsewhere classified; Ecology; Science Policy; Biological Sciences not elsewhere classified; Computational Biology; Alces alces; Alaska
• Online Access: https://dx.doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.c.6874832; https://springernature.figshare.com/collections/Vaginal_temperature_and_collar_activity_variations_in_relation_to_fecal_progestagens_of_captive_moose/6874832

Abstract Background Timing of reproductive events can be crucial for a species’ population growth and stability. Accurate detection of reproductive phenology presents a challenge to scientists studying wild species, including moose (Alces alces). Currently, there are several established methods for monitoring reproductive activity and events in domestic ruminants, including the use of biologging devices. The main objective of this study was to determine whether female moose display a distinct thermal and activity pattern associated with luteal activity during the estrous cycle, which could be used to determine the onset of their breeding season. We deployed biologging devices and collected fecal samples from 12 captive female moose on the Kenai Peninsula, Alaska, USA to explore variation in vaginal temperature and collar activity and the relationship between these variables and fecal progestagen concentrations. Fecal samples were collected from mid-August to mid-October and analyzed using radioimmunoassay to ...