Seasonal variations in reproductive hormones of free-ranging echidnas (Tachyglossus aculeatus): interaction between reproduction and hibernation

Abstract

We measured the reproductive steroids testosterone and progesterone in free-ranging adult echidnas over several years. For months other than June - August the mean progesterone concentration was 0.18 plus or minus 0.12 ng ml-1 (n=14), and all blood samples taken from active female echidnas in June - August had progesterone concentrations above 0.5 ng ml-1. The highest progesterone value measured was 13.4 ng ml-1 in a pregnant female several days before egg-laying. For months other than June - August the mean testosterone concentration was 0.09 plus or minus 0.05 ng ml-1 (n=13). During June - August all active sexually mature males had testosterone concentrations in excess of 0.2 ng ml-1 and were found in mating groups at some time during this period. The highest plasma testosterone concentration measured was 4.62 ng ml-1.