Circulating progesterone and oestradiol-17 beta concentrations in cyclic Cape porcupines, Hystrix africaeaustralis

The general pattern of steroid secretion during the 30-day oestrous cycle of the Cape porcupine is that of a surge (25-176 pg/ml) in oestradiol-17 beta secretion at the time of perforation of the vaginal closure membrane, followed by an increase in progesterone concentrations, the latter attaining peak values (mean 5.9 +/- 2.1 ng/ml) 8-19 days (13.8 +/- 2.8 days) after vaginal opening. Copulation occurred after the oestradiol-17 beta surge and the length of the luteal phase of the cycle varied from 21 to 35 days (29.3 +/- 4.7 days), this representing 93% of the length of the cycle. Perforation of the vaginal closure membrane was not always accompanied by an increase in oestradiol-17 beta levels and some instances (19%) of vaginal opening were not followed by an increase in progesterone secretion. The hormonal characteristics of the oestrous cycle of females housed with vasectomized males were similar to those of females housed with intact males.