The association between basal body temperature, plasma progesterone and the oestrous cycle in a marsupial, the Tasmanian bettong (Bettongia gaimardi)

Abstract

Basal body temperature, quantitative changes in vaginal smears and plasma concentrations of progesterone were measured during a number of oestrous cycles in Tasmanian bettongs (Bettongia gaimardi). These methods of monitoring the reproductive cycle were compared in an attempt to find a technique that allowed non-stressful assessment of the reproductive condition of the bettongs. Telemetric measurement of basal body temperature showed that there was a diurnal variation of 1.3°C, typical of a nocturnal animal. During the oestrous cycle, there was a small, but not significant, peak in basal body temperature at oestrus (day 0) followed by a significant trough on day 2. There was a significant increase on day 3 and the temperature remained raised until day 10, during which time plasma progesterone concentrations are also high; the temperature then fell 2 days before oestrus. This fall corresponds to a decrease in concentration of plasma progesterone and in the numbers of leucocytes in vaginal smears. Telemetric measurement of body temperature may be useful as a non-stressful method of monitoring the oestrous cycle in bettongs.