Estrus Cycle Monitoring in Wild Mammals: Challenges and Perspectives

Abstract

The knowledge of reproductive physiology is of paramount importance to guide repro- ductive management and to make possible future application of assisted reproduction techniques (ARTs) aiming ex situ conservation of wild mammals. Nevertheless, informa- tion on the basic reproductive aspects of wild mammals remain scarce, and appropri- ate management practices have not yet been developed for all the species. This chapter discusses the methods most currently used for reproductive monitoring in wild females. Additionally, the difficulties regarding their use in different species and the possibilities of these procedures in captivity or in free-living mammals are addressed.