A preliminary investigation of the relationship between ovarian steroids, LH, reproductive behaviour and vaginal changes in lesser bushbabies (Galago moholi).

Abstract

Urinary hormone profiles, determined by means of radioimmunoassays, were aligned with changes in mating behaviour and vaginal morphology and cytology during the ovarian cycles of adult, female lesser bushbabies (Galago moholi), a prosimian species. Intromission occurred in all seven females, 2.0 +/- 1.1 days (mean +/- SEM, median = 0) after the occurrence of vaginal opening, and lasted for 4.1 +/- 0.7 days. Three females subsequently gave birth. Vaginal swelling and labial reddening were initiated at least 2.5 +/- 0.5 days before vaginal opening and lasted 10.4 +/- 0.9 days. Pro-oestrous and vaginal oestrous smears coincided with vaginal opening, specifically during the period of mating. Concentrations of immunoreactive oestradiol increased during the first few days of vaginal opening in one pregnant female and in the nonpregnant females, and coincided with mating. Concentrations of immunoreactive progesterone did not show any temporal pattern for either pregnant or nonpregnant females. Concentrations of immunoreactive testosterone were generally higher during vaginal swelling and opening than during the remainder of the cycle in one pregnant female, whereas in nonpregnant females, no specific temporal pattern was evident. In both pregnant and nonpregnant females, immunoreactive LH concentrations increased during the period of vaginal swelling and opening, while in nonpregnant females increases were also apparent after vaginal closure. The data reported here are preliminary, and further research is necessary to establish conclusively patterns of excreted hormones during the reproductive cycles of Galago moholi and in other prosimian species.