Changes in progesterone and testosterone during the breeding season of the large-footed myotis Myotis moluccarum (Microchiroptera : Vespertilionidae)

• Main Authors: Lloyd, S, Bradley, AJ, Hall, LS
• Other Authors: W. Bogdanowicz
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Museum and Institute of Zoology 2001
• Subjects: Progesterone; Testosterone; Large-footed Myotis; Zoology; Vespertilionid; Myotis Moluccarum; Gestation; Bat Miniopterus-schreibersii; Female Reproductive Patterns; Leaf-nosed Bat; Pipistrellus-pipistrellus; Plasma Progesterone; Hibernating Bats; Leydig-cell; Adult Male; Brown Bat; Chiroptera; 270604 Comparative Physiology; C1; 780105 Biological sciences; Queensland; Pipistrellus pipistrellus
• Online Access: https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:60832

The reproductive biology of the large-footed myotis, Myotis moluccarum, was studied during the annual breeding season in southeast Queensland, Australia. Previous research has shown the species to be polyoestrous and monotoccous, producing two consecutive young with some degree of synchrony in late October to early November and again in late January to early February. Hormonal data was collected and observations of the female reproductive tract made in order to ascertain the reproductive cycle of this species. In July, when females were not pregnant, progesterone concentrations were 1.9 +/- 0.9 ng/ml. During the two gestation periods, progesterone concentrations increased progressively until late pregnancy at the end of October through to early November and again in late January to early February. During the latest stages of pregnancy, progesterone concentrations of 69.9 +/- 18.7 ng/ml were reached. It is suggested that a plasma progesterone concentration in excess of about 8 ng/ml indicates pregnancy in this species. Plasma testosterone concentration in males reached a peak of 43.1 +/- 9.81 ng/ml in July, and was then variable until December when levels declined significantly to 2.0 +/- 1.7 ng/ml.