Estrus behavior and fecal steroid profiles in the Asiatic lion (Panthera leo persica) during natural and gonadotropin-induced estrus

In this paper the behavior of the Asiatic lion was studied during natural and gonadotropin-induced estrus in relation to fecal estradiol and progesterone concentration. The average length of estrus was 5.4 days and no significant difference was observed between natural and gonadotropin-induced estrus. Vocalization and rolling were the major estrus behavioral activities of Asiatic lions and the frequency of these activities were similar in both natural and gonadotropin-induced estrus and treatment with exogenous gonadotropin did not alter estrus behavioral activities. A significant positive correlation was observed between fecal estradiol and frequency of estrus behavior during natural and gonadotropin-induced estrus. Following gonadotropin treatment estrus could be induced in 69% of animals and these induced animals ovulated following hCG treatment. This study reports for the first time the successful use of the non-invasive fecal steroid assay for monitoring the induction of estrus and ovulation in the Asiatic lion.