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Female Reproductive Endocrinology in Wild Blue Monkeys: A Preliminary Assessment and Discussion of Potential Adaptive Functions

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The Guenons: Diversity and Adaptation in African Monkeys

Part of the book series: Developments in Primatology: Progress and Prospects ((DIPR))

Summary

In this paper we demonstrate that fecal steroid assays can be used to monitor female reproductive function in wild blue monkeys. Based on mating and birth records from 21 females, we determined that 95% of all pregnancies last between 162 and 190 days. Within the period when conception is likely we identified a clear estrogen peak marking ovulation for three out of four subjects with complete fecal records. We also examined hormonal levels among females of known reproductive state and established a range of values within which a female can be classified unambiguously as cycling or non-cycling. Our data tentatively suggest that blue monkeys typically ovulate just once before conception. Nonetheless, estrogen levels seem to rise before the conception cycle and may promote the early onset of sexual behavior for purposes, such as paternity confusion, that are not directly related to reproduction.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Yerkes Regional Primate Research Center, Emory University, Lawrenceville, GA, 30043, USA

    Karen Pazol

  2. Large Animal Research Group, Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge, CB2 3EJ, UK

    Ann A. Carlson

  3. Department of Psychology and Wisconsin Regional Primate Research Center, University of Wisconsin, 1223 Capitol Court, Madison, WI, 53715, USA

    Toni E. Ziegler

Authors
  1. Karen Pazol
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  2. Ann A. Carlson
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  3. Toni E. Ziegler
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Humboldt State University, Arcata, CA

    Mary E. Glenn

  2. Columbia University, New York, NY

    Marina Cords

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© 2004 Kluwer Academic Publishers

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Pazol, K., Carlson, A.A., Ziegler, T.E. (2004). Female Reproductive Endocrinology in Wild Blue Monkeys: A Preliminary Assessment and Discussion of Potential Adaptive Functions. In: Glenn, M.E., Cords, M. (eds) The Guenons: Diversity and Adaptation in African Monkeys. Developments in Primatology: Progress and Prospects. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/0-306-48417-X_16

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/0-306-48417-X_16

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA

  • Print ISBN: 978-0-306-47346-3

  • Online ISBN: 978-0-306-48417-9

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