Monitoring and controlling ovarian activity in wild felids

In the past decade, studies on reproductive biology, endocrinology, and assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs) in the domestic cat have contributed to a lot of progress in conservation breeding of wild felids. However, the 36 species of the Felidae family have species- and individual-specific reproductive cycles and respond differently to exogenous hormones. Monitoring the ovarian cycle of wild felids can improve their natural breeding and maximize their reproductive success. Moreover, fundamental knowledge on the hormonal patterns of each feline species offers the opportunity to develop ARTs, particularly in threatened and endangered species. Currently, several ovarian activity control regimens have been established with higher precision for artificial insemination, oocyte aspiration and embryo transfer. In this review, we highlight the efforts made in ovarian control and its outcomes showing promising applications to enhance wild felid conservation. Currently, ovarian monitoring has been studied in two-thirds of the feline species with thorough reports on 16 species only. To increase the genetic diversity of shrinking populations of these wild felids there still is a critical need for better knowledge of feline reproductive biology. Sustained successes will be achieved by controlling several factors influencing pregnancy successes by natural and assisted breeding.