Seasonality of reproduction in wild boar (Sus scrofa) assessed by fecal and plasmatic steroids

Macchi, E.; Cucuzza, A. Starvaggi; Badino, P.; Odore, R.; Re, F.; Bevilacqua, L.; Malfatti, A.

doi:10.1016/j.theriogenology.2009.12.002

« Previous Next »Theriogenology
Volume 73, Issue 9 , Pages 1230-1237, June 2010

Seasonality of reproduction in wild boar (Sus scrofa) assessed by fecal and plasmatic steroids

E. Macchi
- Department of Veterinary Morphophysiology, University of Turin, Via Leonardo da Vinci 44, 10095 Grugliasco, Turin, Italy
- Corresponding author. Tel.: +39 011 6709147; fax: +39 011 2369147.
A. Starvaggi Cucuzza
- Department of Animal Pathology, University of Turin, Via Leonardo da Vinci 44, 10095 Grugliasco, Turin, Italy
P. Badino
- Department of Animal Pathology, University of Turin, Via Leonardo da Vinci 44, 10095 Grugliasco, Turin, Italy
R. Odore
- Department of Animal Pathology, University of Turin, Via Leonardo da Vinci 44, 10095 Grugliasco, Turin, Italy
F. Re
- ATC1 Piazza Ubertini 1, 10014 Caluso, Turin, Italy
L. Bevilacqua
- ATC1 Piazza Ubertini 1, 10014 Caluso, Turin, Italy
A. Malfatti
- Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Camerino, Via Circonvallazione 93/95, 62024 Matelica, Macerata, Italy

Received 26 June 2009; received in revised form 14 December 2009; accepted 27 December 2009. published online 24 February 2010.

Abstract

The collection of biological samples through non-invasive techniques represents one way of monitoring in vivo physiological changes associated with reproductive activity. Such techniques are particularly important for the study of animal species in the wild.

The goals of this study were 1) to evaluate fecal progestogen (P), estrogen (E), and androgen (A) by means of radioimmunoassays, in male and female wild boars culled in the Piedmont, Italy area; 2) to compare them with plasmatic concentrations and the animals’ reproductive status; and 3) to assess variations in reproductive seasonality between two populations of wild boars living in a mountainous vs. a plain habitat in Piedmont.

The results demonstrate a positive correlation between fecal and plasmatic steroid concentrations (r=0.46, 0.58, and 0.45 for plasma P₄ and P, E₂ and E, and T and A; P<0.05). Moreover, high fecal levels of both P and E (>170ng/g and >100pg/g respectively) were found in 70.6% of pregnant sows and in none of the non-pregnant animals, thus supporting the use of this technique for detecting pregnancy status in wild boar.

Similar birth patterns were displayed by the mountain and plain populations, but births peaked significantly only in the mountain population, in the spring (46%, P<0.05, vs. other seasons). A corresponding autumnal peak of plasma testosterone concentrations in males was displayed only by the mountain population (7.4 vs.<2.0ng/mL in the other seasons, P<0.05).

The correlation between fecal and plasmatic steroid concentrations obtained in this study supports the applicability of this non-invasive sampling technique for monitoring reproductive status in wild boar, thus enabling a more informed and correct management of the species.

Keywords: Wild boar, Sus scrofa, Reproductive seasonality, Fecal sex steroids, Plasma sex steroids