The aim was to evaluate in female roe deer: (a) PAG mRNA relative abundance in endometrial uterine tissue for determination of the duration of embryonic diapause, (b) mRNA relative abundance of progesterone, estradiol, and prolactin (P4, E2, and PRL) receptors (PGR, ESR, and PRLR) during diapause and after implantation in the endometrium; (c) concentration of P4, E2, and PRL in the blood, and (d) a noninvasive method of hormone detection by measurement of P4 and E2 concentrations in feces. A total of fifteen individuals were obtained post mortem during hunting seasons and divided into three experimental groups (November, December, January). The results did not reveal mRNA relative abundance for PAGs in the endometrium or detectable PAG concentrations in the serum of all examined females. Concentration of PRL and mRNA relative abundance for PRLR long isoform in the endometrium was the highest in January (p < .01). mRNA relative abundance for PGR, P4 concentration in the endometrium, serum, and feces was the highest in January (p < .01). Endometrial origin PRL and P4 may be responsible for the termination of this process and pregnancy development after implantation.
Keywords: diapause; estradiol; progesterone; prolactin; roe deer.
© 2019 Japanese Society of Animal Science.