Urinary excretion of oestrone conjugates and gonadotrophins during pregnancy in the Goeldi's monkey (Callimico goeldii)

Abstract

Oestrone conjugate and LH/CG were measured in the urine of 4 Goeldi's monkeys during 6 pregnancies. The gestational length was a mean of 148.8 days from the post-partum LH/CG peak to parturition. CG was first detected a mean of 18.8 days after the LH/CG peak and values remained elevated for a mean of 44.8 days. Three different gonadotrophin assays were used to detect LH/CG: the mouse in-vitro interstitial cell bioassay, a mixed heterologous LH RIA, and a monkey CG RIA. The mouse in-vitro interstitial cell bioassay was useful for measuring both the LH peak which occurred post partum and the CG concentrations during pregnancy. However, both immunoassays were inconsistent in measuring LH due to poor cross-reactivity or lack of specificity; CG concentrations were measurable. Oestrone conjugates became elevated at the time of the LH/CG peak and concentrations continued to increase throughout pregnancy, reaching peak levels before parturition. The postpartum interval, pregnancy and parturition can therefore be monitored in the Goeldi's monkey by the use of urinary assays: those for bioactive LH and immunoreactive oestrone conjugates to determine the post-partum LH peak and those for immunoreactive LH/CG and immunoreactive oestrone conjugates to follow pregnancy and parturition.