Characterization and manipulation of reproductive cycles in the jaguar (Panthera onca)

• Enzyme immunoassay can monitor reproductive activity in female jaguar feces.
• Female jaguars are polyestrual induced ovulators, but can spontaneously ovulate.
• Two methods of exogenous ovulation induction for jaguars were validated.

Basic reproductive information in female jaguars (Panthera onca) is lacking, thus longitudinal fecal samples from seven females were analyzed via enzyme immunoassay to measure estradiol and progestin metabolites throughout the year. Mean estrus length of 194 estrus periods measured hormonally was 6.5 ± 0.3 d, mean peak fecal estradiol concentration was 138.7 ± 5.7 ng/g; and in one female, estrus resumption occurred approximately 15 d post-partum. Ovulation, as indicted by sustained elevated progestin concentrations (>20 d), was successfully induced one time by treatment with exogenous hormones in one female and by physical vaginal stimulation in two females a combined total of three times. Elevated fecal progestin was observed outside exogenous stimulation on five occasions, suggesting ovulation occurred spontaneously. Mean length of physically induced and spontaneous pseudopregnancies was 24.7 ± 4.2 d and 29.6 ± 2.6 d, respectively, and mean length of pregnancy (n = 2) was 98.0 ± 0.0 d. Mean peak progestin concentration for spontaneous and induced pseudopregnancies, and pregnancy was 7.4 ± 1.4 μg/g, 6.4 ± 1.2 μg/g, and 13.7 ± 1.0 μg/g, respectively. This data suggests jaguars are polyestrous and generally induced ovulators, with a moderate incidence of spontaneous ovulation. Additionally, two protocols to successfully stimulate ovarian activity in jaguars are described.